Unter Kontrolle – wie ORMDL-Proteine den Sphingolipidhaushalt steuern

Abstract Sphingolipids are essential components of eukaryotic cell membranes. They typically increase the rigidity of membranes and stabilize membrane-embedded proteins. Yet, they also function as signaling molecules, and some biosynthetic intermediates are toxic at high concentrations, necessitating a tight control of cellular sphingolipid synthesis. We will discuss evolutionarily common regulatory principles, which – upon failure – can lead to devastating neurodegenerative disease in humans.