Affiliation:
1. Unité Mixte de Recherche INSERM 1037, CNRS 5071, Université Toulouse III—Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT) Toulouse France
2. Laboratoire de Biochimie Institut Fédératif de Biologie, CHU Purpan Toulouse France
3. Centre de Recherches CHU Sainte‐Justine, Université de Montréal Montréal Canada
Abstract
AbstractSphingolipids are ubiquitous lipids, present in the membranes of all cell types, the stratum corneum and the circulating lipoproteins. Autosomal recessive as well as dominant diseases due to disturbed sphingolipid biosynthesis have been identified, including defects in the synthesis of ceramides, sphingomyelins and glycosphingolipids. In many instances, these gene variants result in the loss of catalytic function of the mutated enzymes. Additional gene defects implicate the subcellular localization of the sphingolipid‐synthesizing enzyme, the regulation of its activity, or even the function of a sphingolipid‐transporter protein. The resulting metabolic alterations lead to two major, non‐exclusive types of clinical manifestations: a neurological disease, more or less rapidly progressive, associated or not with intellectual disability, and an ichthyotic‐type skin disorder. These phenotypes highlight the critical importance of sphingolipids in brain and skin development and homeostasis. The present article reviews the clinical symptoms, genetic and biochemical alterations, pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic options of this relatively novel group of metabolic diseases.
Funder
Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier
CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale