Abstract
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are amphiphilic membrane components of all eukaryotic cells. They are located primarily in the plasma membrane and to a lesser extend in intracellular membranes of related organelles. Even some bacteria are known to synthesize GSLs or at least use GSLs generated by hosts. Gangliosides, a group of complex sialic acidcontaining GSLs are particularly abundant in the central nervous system. Although gangliosides were long believed to be essential for neuronal function, a groundbreaking step towards understanding their physiological role was the generation of mice models deficient in distinct biosynthetic steps of these complex lipids. During the last 15 – 20 years also the role of their more simple metabolic intermediates like glucosylceramide, ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate came into the focus of interest. The present review provides a brief survey of GSL metabolism and intracellular transport, as well as some recent developments regarding ganglioside function in membranes. From the huge amount of data concerning the involvement of gangliosides in various cellular processes, we focused on their role in neurodegeneration and cancer on the one hand and on their function as receptors for toxins or bacteria including the respective elicited signalling pathways on the other hand.
Keywords: Sialyltransferase, Globotriaosylceramide, Ceramide galactosyltransferase, Sulfoglucuronyl glycolipid, Cholera toxin
Current Organic Chemistry
Title: Glycosphingolipid Structure and Function in Membranes
Volume: 11 Issue: 7
Author(s): Annika Wedeking and Gerhild van Echten-Deckert
Affiliation:
Keywords: Sialyltransferase, Globotriaosylceramide, Ceramide galactosyltransferase, Sulfoglucuronyl glycolipid, Cholera toxin
Abstract: Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are amphiphilic membrane components of all eukaryotic cells. They are located primarily in the plasma membrane and to a lesser extend in intracellular membranes of related organelles. Even some bacteria are known to synthesize GSLs or at least use GSLs generated by hosts. Gangliosides, a group of complex sialic acidcontaining GSLs are particularly abundant in the central nervous system. Although gangliosides were long believed to be essential for neuronal function, a groundbreaking step towards understanding their physiological role was the generation of mice models deficient in distinct biosynthetic steps of these complex lipids. During the last 15 – 20 years also the role of their more simple metabolic intermediates like glucosylceramide, ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate came into the focus of interest. The present review provides a brief survey of GSL metabolism and intracellular transport, as well as some recent developments regarding ganglioside function in membranes. From the huge amount of data concerning the involvement of gangliosides in various cellular processes, we focused on their role in neurodegeneration and cancer on the one hand and on their function as receptors for toxins or bacteria including the respective elicited signalling pathways on the other hand.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Wedeking Annika and van Echten-Deckert Gerhild, Glycosphingolipid Structure and Function in Membranes, Current Organic Chemistry 2007; 11 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138527207780598819
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138527207780598819 |
Print ISSN 1385-2728 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5348 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances of Heterocyclic Chemistry with Pesticide Activity
Global food safety and security will continue to be a global concern for the next 50 years and beyond. Plant diseases have had a significant impact on food safety and security throughout the entire food chain, from primary production to consumption. While conventional chemical pesticides have been traditionally used for ...read more
Calculation design of covalent/metal organic framework based catalysts
This research area combines theoretical computation and screening with machine learning for the design of covalent/metal organic framework-based catalysts, bridging the disciplines of organic chemistry, physical chemistry, computational chemistry, materials science, and machine learning. It covers several critical aspects: designing and synthesizing organic catalysts for improved performance, applying computational methods ...read more
Carbohydrates conversion in biofuels and bioproducts
Biomass pretreatment, hydrolysis, and saccharification of carbohydrates, and sugars bioconversion in biofuels and bioproducts within a biorefinery framework. Carbohydrates derived from woody biomass, agricultural wastes, algae, sewage sludge, or any other lignocellulosic feedstock are included in this issue. Simulation, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle analysis of a biorefinery process are ...read more
Catalytic C-H bond activation as a tool for functionalization of heterocycles
The major topic is the functionalization of heterocycles through catalyzed C-H bond activation. The strategies based on C-H activation not only provide straightforward formation of C-C or C-X bonds but, more importantly, allow for the avoidance of pre-functionalization of one or two of the cross-coupling partners. The beneficial impact of ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Tumor Stroma as a Target in Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets 5-HT3 Receptors
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders Cancer-Specific Ligands Identified from Screening of Peptide-Display Libraries
Current Pharmaceutical Design Organosulphur Compounds Induce Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in Cervical Cancer Cells via Downregulation of HPV E6 and E7 Oncogenes
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Recent Progress of Src SH2 and SH3 Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Role and Therapeutic Potential of Ser/Thr Phosphatase PP2A in Apoptotic Signalling Networks in Human Cancer Cells
Current Molecular Medicine Pharmacological Roles of the Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry C-11 Radiochemistry in Cancer Imaging Applications
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry In vivo Real-Time Near-Infrared Fluorescent Mapping of Sentinel Lymph Nodes Using Methylene Blue Encapsulated in a Microemulsion Nanosystem
Current Nanoscience Bcl-2 Family Proteins as Therapeutic Targets
Current Pharmaceutical Design Vitamin E-Related Inhibition of Monocyte 5-Lipoxygenase and Cardiovascular Outcome in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery New Pharmacological Approaches to the Cholinergic System: An Overview on Muscarinic Receptor Ligands and Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Targeting ATP7A to Increase the Sensitivity of Neuroblastoma Cells to Retinoid Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Sphingolipid Metabolism and Drug Resistance in Hematological Malignancies
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Recent Inventions on Receptor Tyrosine Kinase RET Modulation
Recent Patents on Biotechnology NAD Metabolism and Functions: A Common Therapeutic Target for Neoplastic, Metabolic and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Physiological Roles of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors Subtypes: New Insights on the Nicotinic Modulation of Neurotransmitter Release, Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry P2X7 Receptor Orchestrates Multiple Signalling Pathways Triggering Inflammation, Autophagy and Metabolic/Trophic Responses
Current Medicinal Chemistry Voltage Gated ion Channels: Targets for Anticonvulsant Drugs
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Effects of Opiates and HIV Proteins on Neurons: The Role of Ferritin Heavy Chain and a Potential for Synergism
Current HIV Research