The chemistry and biology of 6-hydroxyceramide, the youngest member of the human sphingolipid family
Language English Country Germany Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review
- Keywords
- ceramides, lipids, membranes, skin, sphingolipids,
- MeSH
- Ceramides chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Molecular Structure MeSH
- Sphingolipids chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Ceramides MeSH
- Sphingolipids MeSH
Sphingolipids are crucial for the life of the cell. In land-dwelling mammals, they are equally important outside the cell-in the extracellular space of the skin barrier-because they prevent loss of water. Although a large body of research has elucidated many of the functions of sphingolipids, their extensive structural diversity remains intriguing. A new class of sphingolipids based on 6-hydroxylated sphingosine has recently been identified in human skin. Abnormal levels of these 6-hydroxylated ceramides have repeatedly been observed in atopic dermatitis; however, neither the biosynthesis nor the roles of these unique ceramide subclasses have been established in the human body. In this Minireview, we summarize the current knowledge of 6-hydroxyceramides, including their discovery, structure, stereochemistry, occurrence in healthy and diseased human epidermis, and synthetic approaches to 6-hydroxysphingosine and related ceramides.
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