Sphingolipid and ceramide homeostasis: potential therapeutic targets

Sphingolipids are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells where they have been attributed a plethora of functions from the formation of structural domains to polarized cellular trafficking and signal transduction. Recent research has identified and characterised many of the key enzymes involved in sphingolipid metabolism and this has lead to a heightened interest in the possibility of targeting these processes for therapies against cancers, Alzheimer’s disease and numerous important human pathogens. In this review we outline the major pathways in eukaryotic sphingolipid metabolism and discuss these in relation to disease and therapy for both chronic and infectious conditions.