Fine tuning of cell functions through remodeling of glycosphingolipids by plasma membrane-associated glycohydrolases.
The plasma membrane (PM) sphingolipid composition is the result of a series of well-known metabolic pathways comprising neobiosynthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum and in the Golgi apparatus followed by vesicular delivery to the plasma membrane, membrane turnover with final catabolism in lysosomes, and shedding of membrane components. In addition to this, the head group of PM sphingolipids can be opportunely modified by the action of PM associated hydrolases and transferases. The number of enzymes for glycosphingolipid metabolism that have been shown to be associated with the plasma membrane and the information on their properties are growing very rapidly. In this review, we will focus on the possible role and on the involvement of the plasma membrane-associated glycohydrolases in modulating cell functions.
Sonnino
Sandro
S
Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Milan, Segrate, Italy. sandro.sonnino@unimi.it
Aureli
Massimo
M
Loberto
Nicoletta
N
Chigorno
Vanna
V
Prinetti
Alessandro
A
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D006028:Glycosphingolipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological
D006028:Glycosphingolipids; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases