A post-genomic approach to understanding sphingolipid metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana.
OBJECTIVE
To highlight the importance of sphingolipids and their metabolites in plant biology.


METHODS
The completion of the arabidopsis genome provides a platform for the identification and functional characterization of genes involved in sphingolipid biosynthesis. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an experimental model, this review annotates arabidopsis open reading frames likely to be involved in sphingolipid metabolism. A number of these open reading frames have already been subject to functional characterization, though the majority still awaits investigation. Plant-specific aspects of sphingolipid biology (such as enhanced long chain base heterogeneity) are considered in the context of the emerging roles for these lipids in plant form and function.


CONCLUSIONS
Arabidopsis provides an excellent genetic and post-genomic model for the characterization of the roles of sphingolipids in higher plants.
Dunn
Teresa M
TM
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Lynch
Daniel V
DV
Michaelson
Louise V
LV
Napier
Johnathan A
JA
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018745:Genome, Plant; D015394:Molecular Structure; D016366:Open Reading Frames / Q000502:physiology; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013107:Sphingolipids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology*
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D013107:Sphingolipids