title: Sphingolipids and mitochondrial function in budding yeast.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sphingolipids (SLs) are not only key components of cellular membranes, but also play an important role as signaling molecules in orchestrating both cell growth and apoptosis. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, three complex SLs are present and hydrolysis of either of these species is catalyzed by the inositol phosphosphingolipid phospholipase C (Isc1p). Strikingly, mutants deficient in Isc1p display several hallmarks of mitochondrial dysfunction such as the inability to grow on a non-fermentative carbon course, increased oxidative stress and aberrant mitochondrial morphology.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, we focus on the pivotal role of Isc1p in regulating mitochondrial function via SL metabolism, and on Sch9p as a central signal transducer. Sch9p is one of the main effectors of the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1), which is regarded as a crucial signaling axis for the regulation of Isc1p-mediated events. Finally, we describe the retrograde response, a signaling event originating from mitochondria to the nucleus, which results in the induction of nuclear target genes. Intriguingly, the retrograde response also interacts with SL homeostasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All of the above suggests a pivotal signaling role for SLs in maintaining correct mitochondrial function in budding yeast.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies with budding yeast provide insight on SL signaling events that affect mitochondrial function.
authors: Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
authors: Pieter
authors: P
authors: Spincemaille
authors: Department of Medicine and the Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
authors: Nabil
authors: N
authors: Matmati
authors: Department of Medicine and the Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
authors: Yusuf A
authors: YA
authors: Hannun
authors: Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium; Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: bruno.cammue@biw.kuleuven.be.
authors: Bruno P A
authors: BP
authors: Cammue
authors: Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics (CMPG), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Thevissen
mesh_terms: D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013107:Sphingolipids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010738:Type C Phospholipases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D013107:Sphingolipids; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; C530964:SCH9 protein, S cerevisiae; C419391:ISC1 protein, S cerevisiae; D010738:Type C Phospholipases
keywords: Isc1p; Mitochondrial function; Retrograde response; S. cerevisiae; Sch9p; Sphingolipid