Sphingolipids as Signaling and Regulatory Molecules

1. An Overview of Sphingolipid Metabolism: From Synthesis to BreakdownChristopher R. Gault, Lina M. Obeid and Yusuf A. HannunAbstractSphingolipid Properties in MembranesDe Novo Synthesis in the ERCeramide Transport from the ER to the GolgiSynthesis of Complex SphingolipidsCeramide Kinase and Ceramide?1?PhosphateCatabolizing Complex Sphingolipids and Sphingomyelins into CeramideThe Catabolism of Ceramides and the Final Common Breakdown PathwayConclusion2. Sphingolipid TransportLaura Riboni, Paola Giussani and Paola VianiAbstractIntroductionIntramembrane Sphingolipid MovementsIntermembrane Sphingolipid TransportConclusion3. Sphingolipid Analysis by High Performance Liquid Chromatography?Ta ndem Mas Spectrometry (HPLC?MS/MS)Jacek Bielawski, Jason S. Pierce, Justin Snider, Barbara Rembiesa, Zdzislaw M. Szulc and Alicja BielawskaAbstractIntroductionSphingolipids: Structure and CompositionLC?MS Methods for Detection and Analysis of Bioactive SphingolipidsLipidomic ApproachSample PreparationAnalysis of Intact Sphingolipids by Mass SpectrometryMechanism of Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI/MS)MS Scan ModesSpecific Scan Modes for MS/MS InstrumentationSphingolipid IdentificationHPLC?MS/MS MethodologyQuantitationSelection of Internal Standards (ISs)Quantitative CalibrationData HandlingAlternative MethodologyConclusion4. Ceramide Synthases: Roles in Cell Physiology and SignalingJohnny Stiban, Rotem Tidhar and Anthony H. FutermanAbstractIntroductionFatty Acid Specificity, Kinetics and Tissue DistributionInhibitorsPosttranslational ModificationsMembrane TopologyWhy Are There So Many Mammalian CerS?Roles of CerS in Signal Transduction and DiseaseConclusion5. Tales and Mysteries of the Enigmatic Sphingomyelin Synthase FamilyJoost C.M. Holthuis and Chiara LubertoAbstractSphingomyelin Biosynthesis: An Historical PerspectiveThe Multigenic Sphingomyelin Synthase (SMS) FamilyCellular Functions of SMS FamilyMembersConclusion6. Ceramide in Stress ResponseMariana

CHARLES CHALFANT is a tenured Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University-School of Medicine. He is also a Research Career Scientist in the Veterans Administration based at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. His main research interests lie in lipid signaling, specifically the role of intracellular lipid second messengers (e.g., ceramide-1-phosphate) in regulating eicosanoid synthesis. He also studies the role of oncogenic signaling pathways in regulating the alternative splicing of tumor suppressor genes such as caspase 9. Dr. Chalfant serves on the Editorial Board of The Journal of Lipid Research as well as on several National Panels of Scientific Review including formal membership on the Cancer Molecular Pathobiology Study Section for the National Institutes of Health and the Oncology A Study Section for the Veterans Administration. He received his PhD degree from the University of South Florida-College of Medicine and did his postdoctoral studies at Duke University and the Medical University of South Carolina.MAURIZIO DEL POETA , MD is a tenured Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Craniofacial Biology, and for the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. He is also the Director of the Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at MUSC. Main research interests include the study of the role of sphingolipids in fungal pathogenesis and the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against fungal infections. He received many awards for his research discoveries and teaching. He is also a member ofmany national and international societies such as the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the American Society for Microbiology. Dr. Del Poeta is a