Molecular facets of sphingolipids: Mediators of diseases

Sphingolipids constitute a biologically active lipid class that is significantly important from both structural and regulatory aspects. The manipulation of sphingolipid metabolism is currently being studied as a novel strategy for cancer therapy. The basics of this therapeutic approach lie in the re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biotechnology journal 2009-07, Vol.4 (7), p.1028-1041
Main Authors: Ozbayraktar, Fatma Betul Kavun, Ulgen, Kutlu O.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apoptosis
Cancer
Cardiovascular Diseases - metabolism
Ceramide
Ceramides - metabolism
Humans
Location and transport
Neoplasms - metabolism
Neoplasms - pathology
Neurodegenerative Diseases - metabolism
Protein Transport
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism
Sphingolipid metabolism
Sphingolipidoses
Sphingolipidoses - metabolism
Sphingolipids - chemistry
Sphingolipids - metabolism
Sphingolipids - physiology
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Summary:Sphingolipids constitute a biologically active lipid class that is significantly important from both structural and regulatory aspects. The manipulation of sphingolipid metabolism is currently being studied as a novel strategy for cancer therapy. The basics of this therapeutic approach lie in the regulation property of sphingolipids on cellular processes, which are important in a cell's fate, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, senescence, and inflammation. Furthermore, the mutations in the enzymes catalyzing some specific reactions in the sphingolipid metabolism cause mortal lysosomal storage diseases like Fabry, Gaucher, Niemann‐Pick, Farber, Krabbe, and Metachromatic Leukodystrophy. Therefore, the alteration of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway determines the choice between life and death. Understanding the sphingolipid metabolism and regulation is significant for the development of new therapeutic approaches for all sphingolipid‐related diseases, as well as for cancer. An important feature of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway is the compartmentalization into endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, lysosome and plasma membrane, and this compartmentalization makes the transport of sphingolipids critical for proper functioning. This paper focuses on the structures, metabolic pathways, localization, transport mechanisms, and diseases of sphingolipids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and humans, and provides the latest comprehensive information on sphingolipid research.
ISSN:1860-6768
1860-7314
DOI:10.1002/biot.200800322