Sphingolipids and cell signalling

The sphingolipid storage disorders constitute a group of inherited metabolic disorders in which the structure of the stored sphingolipid and the corresponding genetic defect have been established. However, the pathological mechanism(s) behind the disorders has not been fully elucidated. Sphingolipids are known to be recognition molecules involved in intercell communication and altered expression might lead to dyscommunication. The impaired degradation and lysosomal accumulation of specific sphingolipids might influence the metabolism of other molecules and/or intracellular transport, which in turn might alter the distribution of these molecules. However, the progress of these diseases indicates that additional factors, besides the stored sphingolipid itself, might be involved. During the last decade, several sphingolipids have emerged as active participants in intracellular signalling processes such as growth control and apoptosis. Particular interest focused on the sphingolipid metabolites, ceramide and sphingosine, as potential mediators in intracellular events and an altered presence of these metabolites in sphingolipidoses cannot be ruled out. Some sphingolipids have been found to influence cytokine release and thereby might induce immunological processes, which are known to exist in at least one of the sphingolipidoses – Gaucher disease. These processes might already have a pathogenic effect during early development, before significant storage has occurred.