Sphingolipids

Sphingolipids are ubiquitous components of eukaryotic cell membranes and have been widely studied over the past couple of decades due to the discovery of their involvement in a wide range of biological processes. This chapter focuses on the structure, biosynthesis and degradation of sphingolipids, with particular emphasis on recent studies documenting the huge numbers of individual sphingolipid structures which are based on variation in both the sphingolipid backbone and in the headgroup. Attention is also paid to the roles of sphingolipids in signalling pathways with particular emphasis on sphingosine 1-phosphate and on ceramide. The significance of sphingolipids in human diseases is highlighted, as sphingolipids are now known to play a role in conditions as diverse as inflammation and infection, cancer, psychiatric disorders and neurological and immunological diseases. Thus, sphingolipids have been repositioned as fundamental players in the regulation of human health and disease.