Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
12:27
A Pipeline to Investigate the Structures and Signaling Pathways of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptors
Published on: June 8, 2022
3.4K
Regulation of cellular and systemic sphingolipid homeostasis
1Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|June 18, 2024
Summary
Sphingolipids are crucial for development and health but their dysregulation causes disease. Recent advances reveal their complex roles and therapeutic potential in mammals and microbiota.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Sphingolipids, initially termed "Sphinx-like" lipids, are vital for embryonic development and physiological functions.
- Dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism and signaling is implicated in numerous pathologies, with sphingolipid-targeted therapies currently in use.
- Despite their importance, cellular and organismal regulation and functions of sphingolipids in development, physiology, and disease remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding sphingolipid pathways across various cellular organelles.
- To explore the roles of secreted sphingolipid mediators in modulating physiological and pathological processes.
- To discuss progress in sphingolipid-targeted therapeutics, diagnostics, and inter-kingdom metabolic networks.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on sphingolipid metabolism and signaling.
- Analysis of sphingolipid functions in developmental, physiological, and pathological contexts.
- Examination of therapeutic and diagnostic strategies targeting sphingolipids.
Main Results:
- Sphingolipid pathways are active in diverse organelles and secreted mediators significantly impact health and disease.
- Targeted therapies for sphingolipid-related diseases are advancing, alongside diagnostic research.
- Trans-cellular metabolic networks involving microbiota and mammals highlight novel regulatory mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Advances in sphingolipid biology deepen the understanding of mammalian physiology.
- Further research into sphingolipid pathways holds promise for improved management of various human diseases.
- Understanding sphingolipid networks offers new avenues for therapeutic and diagnostic innovation.
More Related Videos
18:25Live Imaging Assay for Assessing the Roles of Ca2+ and Sphingomyelinase in the Repair of Pore-forming Toxin Wounds
Published on: August 25, 2013
11.6K
13:36Author Spotlight: Dendritic Cells Maturation Using Sialidases-Based Enzymatic Treatment of the Cell Surface
Published on: October 20, 2023
3.5K
Related Concept Videos
01:35Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer
7.2K
Biological membranes show uneven distribution of different types of lipids in the inner and outer layers, resulting in transverse asymmetric membranes. The treatment of the erythrocyte membrane with the enzyme phospholipase confirmed the asymmetric nature of the lipid bilayer. The enzyme hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and hydrophilic groups. The phospholipase acts only on the outer layer of the membrane, while the inner layer remains intact. The phospholipase treatment resulted in 80%...
7.2K
01:45Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
2.4K
Nuclear protein sorting regulates nucleus composition and gene expression, crucial for determining the fate of a eukaryotic cell. Hence, the entry and exit of molecules across the nuclear envelope is a tightly controlled process. Nuclear protein sorting can be inhibited by one of the following ways: 1) masking cargo signal sequences, 2) modifying the nuclear receptor's affinity for cargo, 3) controlling the nuclear pore size, 4) retaining the cargo during its transit to the cytosol or the...
2.4K
01:01Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
3.2K
All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
3.2K
01:28pH Regulation in Cells
6.0K
pH plays a critical role in maintaining normal cellular activities. It helps maintain the structure and function of various proteins, dictates the charge on cellular membranes, and is crucial for metabolic reactions inside the cell. Moreover, cells use the energy from the proton motive force to generate ATP.
Cytosolic pH
Under physiological conditions, the cytosolic pH is slightly more acidic than the extracellular pH. However, cells must prevent further acidification of their cytosol to...
Cytosolic pH
Under physiological conditions, the cytosolic pH is slightly more acidic than the extracellular pH. However, cells must prevent further acidification of their cytosol to...
6.0K
01:19Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters
4.4K
Enzymes like flippase, floppase, and scramblase transfer phospholipids from one layer to another in the membrane, thereby affecting membrane asymmetry.
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...
4.4K
01:32Membrane Lipids
23.6K
Lipids are an essential component of all biological membranes. The average lipid content in mammalian membranes is 50%, though it can be as low as 20% in the inner mitochondrial membrane or as high as 80% in the myelin sheath present around the nerve cells.
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
23.6K