Sphingolipid trafficking

Abstract

Sphingolipid synthesis and its localization in different organelles of eukaryotic cells are critical for the biological functions and are highly regulated by selective intracellular trafficking. Transport and sorting of sphingolipids between organelles occurs via vesicular and/or non-vesicular transport mechanisms. Some sphingolipids can also move between the two leaflets of the membrane lipid bilayer and their lateral mobility in the plane of the membrane is probably also be regulated by complex formation with other lipids. This review describes what is known about the pathways and mechanisms of intracellular sphingolipid trafficking. © Springer-Verlag Tokyo 2006. All rights reserved.