Lactosylceramide synthase as a therapeutic target to mitigate multiple human diseases in animal models

Abstract

Lactosylceramide synthases (LCSs; UDP-Gal: glucosylceramide β-1,4-galactosyltransferase) are integral membrane proteins of the Golgi apparatus. Recent developments in this area of research point to the suggestion that many physiological molecules can activate this enzyme to generate a glycosphingolipid (GSL), lactosylceramide (LacCer), which can induce critical phenotypes such as cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. In this chapter, we review the historical and scientific developments that unraveled the properties and molecular biology of LCSs. We also discuss the roles of LCSs in signaling pathways in disease development and how targeting LCS can be useful to cure many human diseases in animal models. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.