The sphingolipid metabolic pathway is initiated by the incorporation of palmitoyl CoA, derivative of fatty acids, and ultimately provides substrates for phospholipid metabolism. Thus the sphingolipid metabolic pathway is highly integrated with other dietary and structural lipid metabolic pathways. Furthermore, the sphingolipid metabolites themselves are bioactive and alter cell metabolism via signaling pathways. We have developed, and continue to develop genetically altered mice with modified expression of key sphingolipid enzyme activities in order to study the role of the pathway in metabolism including their role in diabetes and obesity.
| Kono, Mari; Allende, Maria Laura; Proia, Richard L (2008) Sphingosine-1-phosphate regulation of mammalian development. Biochim Biophys Acta 1781:435-41 |
| Li, Wenmei; Sandhoff, Roger; Kono, Mari et al. (2007) Depletion of ceramides with very long chain fatty acids causes defective skin permeability barrier function, and neonatal lethality in ELOVL4 deficient mice. Int J Biol Sci 3:120-8 |
