Abstract
In recent years sphingolipids have emerged as important signaling molecules regulating fundamental cell responses such as cell death and differentiation, proliferation and aspects of inflammation. Especially ceramide has been a main focus of research since it possesses pro-apoptotic capacity in many cell types. A counterplayer of ceramide was found in sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), which is generated from ceramide by the consecutive actions of ceramidase and sphingosine kinase. S1P can potently induce cell proliferation via binding to and activation of the Edg family of receptors which have now been renamed as S1P receptors. Obviously, a delicate balance between ceramide and sphingosine-1- phosphate determines whether cells undergo apoptosis or proliferate, two cell responses that are critically involved in tumor development. Directing the balance in favor of ceramide, i.e. by inhibiting ceramidase or sphingosine kinase activities may support the pro-apoptotic action of ceramide and thus may have beneficial effects in cancer therapy. This review will summarize novel insights into the regulation of sphingolipid formation and their potential involvement in tumor development. Finally, we will pinpoint potential new targets for tumor therapy.
Keywords: sphinganine, Ceramide, protein kinase B, Apoptosis, Cell Proliferation, Angiogenesis, FTY720
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Altering the Sphingosine-1-Phosphate/Ceramide Balance: A Promising Approach for Tumor Therapy
Volume: 12 Issue: 35
Author(s): Andrea Huwiler and Josef Pfeilschifter
Affiliation:
Keywords: sphinganine, Ceramide, protein kinase B, Apoptosis, Cell Proliferation, Angiogenesis, FTY720
Abstract: In recent years sphingolipids have emerged as important signaling molecules regulating fundamental cell responses such as cell death and differentiation, proliferation and aspects of inflammation. Especially ceramide has been a main focus of research since it possesses pro-apoptotic capacity in many cell types. A counterplayer of ceramide was found in sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), which is generated from ceramide by the consecutive actions of ceramidase and sphingosine kinase. S1P can potently induce cell proliferation via binding to and activation of the Edg family of receptors which have now been renamed as S1P receptors. Obviously, a delicate balance between ceramide and sphingosine-1- phosphate determines whether cells undergo apoptosis or proliferate, two cell responses that are critically involved in tumor development. Directing the balance in favor of ceramide, i.e. by inhibiting ceramidase or sphingosine kinase activities may support the pro-apoptotic action of ceramide and thus may have beneficial effects in cancer therapy. This review will summarize novel insights into the regulation of sphingolipid formation and their potential involvement in tumor development. Finally, we will pinpoint potential new targets for tumor therapy.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Huwiler Andrea and Pfeilschifter Josef, Altering the Sphingosine-1-Phosphate/Ceramide Balance: A Promising Approach for Tumor Therapy, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2006; 12 (35) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206779010422
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206779010422 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Targeting DNA Minor Groove by Hybrid Molecules as Anticancer Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry Systems Medicine Approaches to Improving Understanding, Treatment, and Clinical Management of Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Chemoprevention of Lung Pathologies by Dietary n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Current Medicinal Chemistry Reprogramming Cancer Cells in Endocrine-Related Tumors: Open Issues
Current Medicinal Chemistry Telomere Length Variations in Aging and Age-Related Diseases
Current Aging Science Editorial [Hot Topic: Transription Factors and their Modulated Genes as Targets for Chemoprevention (Guest Editor: Chuanshu Huang)]
Current Cancer Drug Targets Deoxypodophyllotoxin Isolated from Juniperus communis Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Update on Cancer Related Issues of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapies
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Biomedical Applications of Carbon Nanotubes: A Critical Review
Current Drug Delivery <i>Momordica balsamina L</i>.: An Appraisal on Morphology, Ecological Diversity, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological and Biotechnological Applications
Current Traditional Medicine Tumor Suppression by DNA Base Excision Repair
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Fibroblast Growth Factors, Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors, Diseases, and Drugs
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Effects of Erythropoietin on Brain Function
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology The Role of dUTPase and Uracil-DNA Repair in Cancer Chemotherapy
Current Protein & Peptide Science The Central Role Played by Peptides in the Immune Response and the Design of Peptide-Based Vaccines Against Infectious Diseases and Cancer
Current Drug Targets Aromatherapy and the Central Nerve System (CNS): Therapeutic Mechanism and its Associated Genes
Current Drug Targets Immunomics in Skin Cancer - Improvement in Diagnosis, Prognosis and Therapy Monitoring
Current Proteomics Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of 2-arylidene 6-(2-aryl-2-oxoethoxy)Benzofuran-3-one Derivatives
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor Activators in Treatment of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets NGS of microRNAs Involved in Cardioprotection Induced by Sevoflurane Compared to Propofol in Myocardial Revascularization Surgery: The ACDHUVV-16 Clinical Trial
Current Medicinal Chemistry