title: Functions of sphingolipids and sphingolipid breakdown products in cellular regulation.
abstract: The discovery that breakdown products of cellular sphingolipids are biologically active has generated interest in the role of these molecules in cell physiology and pathology. Sphingolipid breakdown products, sphingosine and lysosphingolipids, inhibit protein kinase C, a pivotal enzyme in cell regulation and signal transduction. Sphingolipids and lysosphingolipids affect significant cellular responses and exhibit antitumor promoter activities in various mammalian cells. These molecules may function as endogenous modulators of cell function and possibly as second messengers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: Y A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Hannun
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000502:physiology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013107:Sphingolipids / Q000502:physiology*; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004983:Ethanolamines; D008055:Lipids; D013107:Sphingolipids; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D013110:Sphingosine