sphingolipid catabolic process
Definition
Target type: biologicalprocess
The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of sphingolipids, any of a class of lipids containing the long-chain amine diol sphingosine or a closely related base (a sphingoid). [GOC:mah, ISBN:0198506732]
Sphingolipid catabolism is a complex metabolic process that involves the breakdown of sphingolipids, a class of lipids that are essential components of cell membranes. This process is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and plays a role in various cellular functions, including signal transduction, cell growth, and apoptosis.
The catabolic process starts with the hydrolysis of sphingolipids by specific enzymes, called sphingolipid hydrolases. These enzymes cleave the sphingolipid molecule into its constituent parts: ceramide, sphingosine, and fatty acid.
**Ceramide**, the central molecule in sphingolipid metabolism, can be further degraded by ceramidases into sphingosine and fatty acids. Sphingosine can then be phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase to form **sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)**, a potent bioactive lipid that plays a crucial role in cell signaling and survival.
**Fatty acids**, released from the breakdown of sphingolipids, can be further metabolized through the beta-oxidation pathway to produce energy.
**Sphingolipid catabolism can be regulated by:**
* **Hormones and growth factors:** For example, insulin can stimulate sphingolipid synthesis, while TNF-alpha can induce sphingolipid breakdown.
* **Cellular stress:** Cellular stress, such as hypoxia or oxidative stress, can lead to the accumulation of ceramide, which can trigger apoptosis.
* **Genetic factors:** Mutations in genes encoding sphingolipid hydrolases can lead to lysosomal storage diseases, such as Niemann-Pick disease and Gaucher disease.
**The biological significance of sphingolipid catabolism:**
* **Maintaining membrane homeostasis:** By degrading old or damaged sphingolipids, catabolism helps to maintain the integrity and fluidity of cell membranes.
* **Cell signaling:** Sphingolipid metabolites, such as ceramide and S1P, act as signaling molecules involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and inflammation.
* **Energy production:** Fatty acids released from sphingolipid breakdown can be used as an energy source.
* **Disease pathogenesis:** Defects in sphingolipid catabolism can contribute to the development of various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.'
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Proteins (6)
| Protein | Definition | Taxonomy |
|---|---|---|
| Alkaline ceramidase 2 | An alkaline ceramidase 2 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q5QJU3] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 | A sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:O95470] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 2 | A sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 2 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:O60906] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Alkaline ceramidase 2 | An alkaline ceramidase 2 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q5QJU3] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 2 | An ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 2 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q13822] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 | A sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:O95470] | Homo sapiens (human) |
Compounds (15)
| Compound | Definition | Classes | Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| evans blue | Evans blue : An organic sodium salt that is the tetrasodium salt of 6,6'-{(3,3'-dimethyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyl)bis[diazene-2,1-diyl]}bis(4-amino-5-hydroxynaphthalene-1,3-disulfonate). It is sometimes used as a counterstain, especially in fluorescent methods to suppress background autofluorescence. Evans Blue: An azo dye used in blood volume and cardiac output measurement by the dye dilution method. It is very soluble, strongly bound to plasma albumin, and disappears very slowly. | organic sodium salt | fluorochrome; histological dye; sodium channel blocker; teratogenic agent |
| congo red | Congo Red : An indicator dye that is blue-violet at pH 3.0 and red at pH 5.0. Congo Red: An acid dye used in testing for hydrochloric acid in gastric contents. It is also used histologically to test for AMYLOIDOSIS. | bis(azo) compound | |
| benzeneboronic acid | boronic acids | ||
| 3-aminobenzeneboronic acid | |||
| fingolimod | fingolimod : An aminodiol that consists of propane-1,3-diol having amino and 2-(4-octylphenyl)ethyl substituents at the 2-position. It is a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator used for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. A prodrug, fingolimod is phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase to active metabolite fingolimod-phosphate, a structural analogue of sphingosine 1-phosphate. | aminodiol; primary amino compound | antineoplastic agent; CB1 receptor antagonist; immunosuppressive agent; prodrug; sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonist |
| 2-acetyl-4(5)-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole | 2-acetyl-4(5)-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole: contaminant/component of caramel coloring III; produces lymphopenia without toxic effects in rats and mice; prevents spontaneous and cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes in mice | ||
| 2-(n-myristoylamino)-1-phenyl-1-propanol | 2-(N-myristoylamino)-1-phenyl-1-propanol: ceramidase inhibitor; RN given for ((R*,S*)-(+-))-isomer; structure in first source | alkylbenzene | |
| dioctanoylphosphatidic acid | dioctanoylphosphatidic acid: structure given in first source | 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate; octanoate ester | |
| 4-methoxyphenylboronic acid | 4-methoxyphenylboronic acid: structure in first source | ||
| lysophosphatidic acid | 1-oleoyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate : A 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate having oleoyl as the 1-O-acyl group. lysophosphatidic acid : A member of the class of lysophosphatidic acids obtained by hydrolytic removal of one of the two acyl groups of any phosphatidic acid. A 'closed' class. lysophosphatidic acid: RN given refers to parent cpd | 1-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate | |
| ubistatin a | ubistatin A: inhibits cyclin B proteolysis and degradation of ubiquitinated Sic1; structure in first source | ||
| ursodoxicoltaurine | tauroursodeoxycholate : An organosulfonate oxoanion that is the conjugate base of tauroursodeoxycholic acid arising from deprotonation of the sulfonate OH group; major species at pH 7.3. tauroursodeoxycholic acid : A bile acid taurine conjugate derived from ursoodeoxycholic acid. | bile acid taurine conjugate | anti-inflammatory agent; apoptosis inhibitor; bone density conservation agent; cardioprotective agent; human metabolite; neuroprotective agent |
| scyphostatin | scyphostatin: a neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor isolated from Trichopeziza mollissima; structure in first source | cyclohexenones | |
| pf 8380 | |||
| ono-8430506 | ONO-8430506: an autotaxin inhibitor; structure in first source |