Sphingolipid Metabolism Inhibitors and Cell Function

Abstract

It has been widely shown that ceramide, ceramide phosphate, sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate are molecules involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The regulation of the enzymes that control their metabolism has an important role for cellular fate. Many studies in the field have shed light on sphingolipid metabolism inhibition and on its role in cell processes such as gene expression, DNA duplication and RNA transcription. The aim of this review is to collect, in a systematic way, the recent advances in the field of sphingolipid metabolism inhibitors, with special emphasis on their effects on cell function.