The genetics of sphingolipid hydrolases and sphingolipid storage diseases

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7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The relationship of sphingolipids with human disease first arose from the study of sphingolipid storage diseases over 50 years ago. Most of these disorders are due to inherited deficiencies of specific sphingolipid hydrolases, although a small number also result from defects in sphingolipid transport or activator proteins. Due to the primary protein deficiencies sphingolipids and other macromolecules accumulate in cells and tissues of affected patients, leading to a diverse presentation of clinical abnormalities. Over 25 sphingolipid storage diseases have been described to date. Most of the genes have been isolated, disease-causing mutations have been identified, the recombinant proteins have been produced and characterized, and animal models exist for most of the human diseases. Since most sphingolipid hydrolases are enriched within the endosomal/lysosomal system, macromolecules first accumulate within these compartments. However, these abnormalities rapidly spread to other compartments and cause a wide range of cellular dysfunction. This review focuses on the genetics of sphingolipid storage diseases and related hydrolytic enzymes with an emphasis on the relationship between genetic mutations and human disease.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSphingolipids
Subtitle of host publicationBasic Science and Drug Development
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media, LLC
Pages3-32
Number of pages30
ISBN (Print)9783709113677
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Publication series

NameHandbook of Experimental Pharmacology
Volume215
ISSN (Print)0171-2004
ISSN (Electronic)1865-0325

Keywords

  • Genes
  • Hydrolases
  • Lysosomes
  • Mutations
  • Sphingolipids

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