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Synthesis, Metabolism, and Trans-Bilayer Movement of Long-Chain Base

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Sphingolipid Biology

Summary

Long-chain bases (LCBs), mainly sphingosine in mammals and phytosphingosine in plants and fungi, act not only as structural constituents of sphingolipids but also as signaling molecules. LCBs can be converted to other bioactive lipid molecules, ceramide and long-chain base 1-phosphates (sphingosine 1-phosphate in mammals). In theory, the balance of these lipids determines cell fate (the sphingolipid rheostat model). Therefore, the regulation of the synthesis and metabolism of LCBs is quite important. To function as a signaling molecule or to become a substrate for certain metabolizing enzymes, the LCB must be localized in a specific leaflet of the lipid bilayer. Thus, regulation of LCB trans-bilayer movement is also important. This review focuses on recent gains in our understanding of the synthesis, metabolism, and trans-bilayer movement of LCBs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomembrane and Biofunctional Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 6, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan

    Akio Kihara & Yasuyuki Igarashi

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  1. Akio Kihara
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  2. Yasuyuki Igarashi
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Brain Science Institute, The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (Riken), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan

    Yoshio Hirabayashi

  2. Department of Biomembrane and Biofunctional Chemistry, Faculty of Advanced Life Science and Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Kita 12, Nishi 6, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan

    Yasuyuki Igarashi

  3. School of Biology and the Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA

    Alfred H. Merrill Jr.

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Kihara, A., Igarashi, Y. (2006). Synthesis, Metabolism, and Trans-Bilayer Movement of Long-Chain Base. In: Hirabayashi, Y., Igarashi, Y., Merrill, A.H. (eds) Sphingolipid Biology. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/4-431-34200-1_7

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