Biosynthesis and biological function of sulfoglycolipids

Sulfation confers negative charge on glycolipids and the attached sulfate group presents a part of determinants for the molecular interactions. Mammalian sulfoglycolipids are comprised of two major members, sulfatide (SO3-3Gal-ceramide) and seminolipid (SO3-3Gal-alkylacylglycerol). Sulfatide is abun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B Series B, 2013/04/11, Vol.89(4), pp.129-138
Main Author: HONKE, Koichi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biology
Biosynthesis
cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST)
Cloning, Molecular
Enzymes
Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
Gene Targeting
Glycolipids - biosynthesis
Glycolipids - metabolism
Humans
L-selectin
myelin
Review
seminolipid
spermatogenesis
sulfatide
Sulfotransferases - genetics
Sulfotransferases - isolation & purification
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Summary:Sulfation confers negative charge on glycolipids and the attached sulfate group presents a part of determinants for the molecular interactions. Mammalian sulfoglycolipids are comprised of two major members, sulfatide (SO3-3Gal-ceramide) and seminolipid (SO3-3Gal-alkylacylglycerol). Sulfatide is abundant in the myelin sheath and seminolipid is unique to the spermatogenic cells. The carbohydrate moiety of sulfatide and seminolipid is biosynthesized via sequential reactions catalyzed by common enzymes: ceramide galactosyltransferase (CGT) and cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST). To elucidate the biological function of sulfoglycolipids, we have purified CST, cloned the CST gene, and generated CST-knockout mice. CST-null mice completely lack sulfoglycolipids all over the body. CST-null mice manifest some neurological disorders due to myelin dysfunction, an aberrant enhancement of oligodendrocyte terminal differentiation, and an arrest of spermatogenesis. CST-deficiency ameliorates L-selectin-dependent monocyte infiltration in the renal interstitial inflammation, indicating that sulfatide is an endogenous ligand of L-selectin. Studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying the biological events for which sulfoglycolipids are essential are ongoing. (Communicated by Kunihiko SUZUKI, M.J.A.)
ISSN:0386-2208
1349-2896
DOI:10.2183/pjab.89.129