title: Free sphingosines in oral epithelium.
abstract: Free sphinogosines, intermediates in the biosynthesis of ceramides and inhibitors of protein kinase C, have been found to be present in significant concentrations in epidermis and oral epithelia of the pig (Sus scrofa). Concentrations of sphingosines were higher in the outer portion of epidermis (4.4 mg/g), palatal epithelium (3.9 mg/g) and buccal epithelium (0.7 mg/g) compared to the inner portion of the epithelia (1.0, 0.9 and 0.4 mg/g, respectively). Free sphingosines may provide antimicrobial activity at the epithelial surfaces, and the sphingosine gradient may modulate epithelial differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Dows Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Squier
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Wertz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002518:Ceramides / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002610:Cheek; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D009055:Mouth / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D010159:Palate / Q000378:metabolism; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D002518:Ceramides; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D013110:Sphingosine