Sphingolipid

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Sphingolipid

Sphingolipids (pronounced: sfing-go-lip-ids) are a class of lipids containing a backbone of sphingoid bases, a set of aliphatic amino alcohols that includes sphingosine. They were discovered in brain extracts in the 1870s and were named for the mythological Sphinx due to their enigmatic nature.

Etymology

The term "sphingolipid" is derived from the Greek word "Sphinx," a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. The sphingolipids were named after the Sphinx because of their enigmatic and elusive nature when they were first discovered.

Structure

Sphingolipids are composed of a sphingosine backbone linked to a fatty acid via an amide bond. The major types of sphingolipids in mammals are ceramides, sphingomyelins, gangliosides, and glycosphingolipids. Each of these types has a different head group attached to the sphingosine backbone.

Function

Sphingolipids play important roles in many cellular processes, including signal transduction and cell recognition. They are also a major component of the lipid bilayer of cell membranes, where they contribute to membrane fluidity and function.

Related Terms

  • Ceramide: A type of sphingolipid that is composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid.
  • Sphingomyelin: A type of sphingolipid found in animal cell membranes, especially in the membranous myelin sheath that surrounds some nerve cell axons.
  • Ganglioside: A type of glycosphingolipid that includes sialic acid, making it a type of glycolipid.
  • Glycosphingolipid: A type of sphingolipid that includes a carbohydrate.

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