Glycosphingolipids in endocytic membrane transport

Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2004 Aug;15(4):409-16. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2004.03.004.

Abstract

Endocytosis leads to the internalisation of both lipids and proteins and their delivery to specific subcellular locations. This involves sorting processes that are not completely understood, but may involve interactions between lipids and proteins as well as pH and calcium gradients. This article discusses the importance of endocytosis in glycosphingolipid (GSL) synthesis as well as the potential roles of GSLs in endocytic membrane transport. Although the accumulation of GSLs in storage diseases clearly disrupts endocytic transport, increasing evidence also supports a role for GSLs in endocytosis in normal cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Endocytosis / physiology*
  • Glycosphingolipids / metabolism
  • Glycosphingolipids / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Sphingolipidoses / etiology
  • Sphingolipidoses / metabolism

Substances

  • Glycosphingolipids
  • Calcium