Lcb4p sphingoid base kinase localizes to the Golgi and late endosomes

Sphingoid long chain base phosphates (LCBPs) regulate cell proliferation, survival and motility in mammals. To learn more about LCBPs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we determined the cellular location of Lcb4p, the major enzyme catalyzing LCBP synthesis. By indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and subcellular fractionation, Lcb4p localizes to the trans-Golgi network and late endosomes and cycles between these compartments. Lcb4p faces the cytosol and is probably bound to membranes by protein-protein interactions. These results indicate that LCBs made in the endoplasmic reticulum must transit to the Golgi to be converted into LCBPs, which must then return to the endoplasmic reticulum to be degraded.