Sphingolipids - The enigmatic lipid class: Biochemistry, physiology and pathophysiology

摘要: Abstract The “sphingosin” backbone of sphingolipids was so named by J. L. W. Thudichum in 1884 for its enigmatic (“Sphinx-like”) properties. Although still an elusive class lipids, research on the involvement signal transduction pathways that mediate cell growth, differentiation, multiple functions, and death has been rapidly expanding our understanding these compounds. In addition to newly discovered role ceramide as intracellular second messenger tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, other cytokines, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate, sphingolipid metabolites have recently demonstrated modulate cellular calcium homeostasis proliferation. Perturbation metabolism using synthetic naturally occurring inhibitors key enzymes biosynthetic is aiding characterization processes; examples, inhibition cerebroside synthase indicated a stress responses including heat shock, (by fumonisins) revealed disruption several animal diseases. Fumonisins are currently focus FDA long-term study. This review summarizes recent (i) important components diet, (ii) sphingoid base cycle expression genes regulating apoptosis, (iii) use tools mediators progression, renal disease, responses, (iv) disrupted disease deregulation associated with exposure serine palmitoyltransferase, de novo biosynthesis. These findings illustrate how function can help solve questions toxicology this undoubtedly only beginning story.