This book attempts to analyze the latest discoveries in sphingolipid biology and how the alteration of their metabolism leads to altered signaling events and to the development of pathobiological disorders, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, diabetes, inflammation and infectious diseases.

Lipid-derived molecules are increasingly appreciated as key regulators of cell responses and signal transduction. Sphingolipid-derived bioactive molecules are emerging as critical regulators of some of the most exciting and, until recently, poorly-understood areas of biology such as growth suppression, programmed cell death and tumor invasion. Written by leading investigators in these areas of study, this book presents a thorough, current and accessible review of how sphingolipids function to regulate these important activities.

Sphingolipids are found in all eukaryotic and in some prokaryotic organisms and provide structure for cell membranes, lipoproteins, and other biological materials as well as participate in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and diverse cell functions, including cell-cell communication, cell-substratum interactions, and intracellular signal transduction. This volume presents methods used in studying enzymes of sphingolipid biosynthesis and turnover, including inhibitors of some of these enzymes, genetic approaches, and organic and enzymatic syntheses of sphingolipids and analogs. Its companion Volume 312 will contain information on analyzing sphingolipids, sphingolipid transport and trafficking, and sphingolipid-protein interactions and cellular targets. The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still relevant today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.

Sphingolipids are found in all eukaryotic and in some prokaryotic organisms and provide structure for cell membranes, lipoproteins, and other biological materials as well as participate in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and diverse cell functions, including cell-cell communication, cell-substratum interactions, and intracellular signal transduction. This volume presents methods used in studying enzymes of sphingolipid biosynthesis and turnover, including inhibitors of some of these enzymes, genetic approaches, and organic and enzymatic syntheses of sphingolipids and analogs. Its companion Volume 312 will contain information on analyzing sphingolipids, sphingolipid transport and trafficking, and sphingolipid-protein interactions and cellular targets. The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still relevant today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.

Sphingolipids are lipid components of the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells with an important function in signaling mechanisms in the cell. This book provides insight into the physiological and pathophysiological role of sphingolipids and in particular its derivative ceramide. The function of Sphingolipids in cell signaling with regard to infectious and lung diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders are described and treated in distinct parts. Together with Volume 215 from the same Editors, the collection represents a unique, comprehensive work on Sphingolipids, providing information on both: Sphingolipid basic biology as well as its important function in a (patho)physiological context. The book is written for scientists in pharmacology, biochemistry and cell biology with a focus on biomedical research as well as for clinicians in pharmacology, oncology, cardiology, neurology and infectious disease. ​

Sphingolipids are fundamental to the structures of cell membranes, lipoproteins, and the stratum cornea of the skin. Many complex sphingolipids, as well as simpler sphingoid bases and derivatives, are highly bioactive as extra- and intracellular regulators of growth, differentiation, migration, survival, senescence, and numerous cellular responses to stress. This book reviews exciting new developments in sphingolipid biology/sphingolipidology that challenge our understanding of how multicellular organisms grow, develop, function, age, and die.

This volume contains information on analyzing sphingolipids, sphingolipid transport and trafficking, and sphingolipid-protein interactions and cellular targets. Its companion Volume 311 presents methods used in studying enzymes of sphingolipid biosynthesis and turnover, including inhibitors of some of these enzymes, genetic approaches, and organic and enzymatic syntheses of sphingolipids and analogs. The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still relevant today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.