Sphingosine kinase

Function

Sphingolipids are a class of lipids, containing a sphingosine base moiety, essential for eukaryotic (host) cell membrane structure and function. ^[1] Importantly, sphingolipids can additionally act as critical signaling molecules used in many homeostatic cellular processes, such as inflammation, proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration, and pathogen defense. ^[1] Thus, it is critical for sphingolipids and their metabolizing enzymes to exist in a delicate homeostatic balance within the host.

Sphingosine-1-Phosphate (S1P), a lipid within the sphingolipid class, is an important signaling molecule that can participate in intracellular and extracellular signaling. ^{[1] [2]} S1P is critical not only to intracellular eukaryotic cell survival and function but is pivotal to eliciting the immune response, particularly as a mechanism to pathogen defense. ^[2] Sphingosine Kinase, existing in two isoenzyme forms, SphK1 and SphK2, creates S1P via the phosphorylation of sphingosine, the base moiety of all sphingolipids. ^[2]

Relevance

Structural highlights

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