The protozoan inositol phosphorylceramide synthase: a novel drug target that defines a new class of sphingolipid synthase.

ABSTRACT: Sphingolipids are ubiquitous and essential components of eukaryotic membranes, particularly the plasma membrane. The biosynthetic pathway for the formation of these lipid species is conserved up to the formation of sphinganine. However, a divergence is apparent in the synthesis of complex sphingolipids. In animal cells, ceramide is a substrate for sphingomyelin (SM) production via the enzyme SM synthase. In contrast, fungi utilize phytoceramide in the synthesis of inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) catalyzed by IPC synthase. Because of the absence of a mammalian equivalent, this essential enzyme represents an attractive target for anti-fungal compounds. In common with the fungi, the kinetoplastid protozoa (and higher plants) synthesize IPC rather than SM. However, orthologues of the gene be

SUBMITTER: Denny PW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1817671 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature