title: Role of sulfatide in normal and pathological cells and tissues.
abstract: Sulfatide is 3-O-sulfogalactosylceramide that is synthesized by two transferases (ceramide galactosyltransferase and cerebroside sulfotransferase) from ceramide and is specifically degraded by a sulfatase (arylsulfatase A). Sulfatide is a multifunctional molecule for various biological fields including the nervous system, insulin secretion, immune system, hemostasis/thrombosis, bacterial infection, and virus infection. Therefore, abnormal metabolism or expression change of sulfatide could cause various diseases. Here, we discuss the important biological roles of sulfatide in the nervous system, insulin secretion, immune system, hemostasis/thrombosis, cancer, and microbial infections including human immunodeficiency virus and influenza A virus. Our review will be helpful to achieve a comprehensive understanding of sulfatide, which serves as a fundamental target of prevention of and therapy for nervous disorders, diabetes mellitus, immunological diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,  University of Shizuoka and Global COE Program for Innovation in Human Health Sciences, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka 422-8526,  Japan.
authors.forename: Tadanobu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002460:Cell Line; D002477:Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009928:Organ Specificity; D013433:Sulfoglycosphingolipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D013433:Sulfoglycosphingolipids