Abstract 1659 L-erythro ceramide: a novel modulator of sphingolipid biosynthesis

Sphingolipids are molecules known for their participation in an array of biochemical reactions and structural roles in membranes. The committed, rate-limiting reaction in the de novo sphingolipid synthesis pathway, mediated by the serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) enzyme complex, is regulated through a feedback loop. Mechanistically this regulation is accomplished by the direct binding of a sphingolipid (ceramide) to the regulatory subunit of the SPT complex, termed ORMDL, resulting in reduced SPT catalysis.