Fungal Sphingolipids: Biosynthesis Pathways, Structural Features and Biological Functions

TL;DR

This review explores fungal sphingolipids, their structure, biosynthesis, and roles in cell function and disease, highlighting their potential for antifungal drug development.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of fungal sphingolipid biology and their therapeutic potential.

Findings

Fungal sphingolipids are involved in cell membrane structure, development, and pathogenicity.

They play roles in apoptosis and cellular homeostasis.

Targeting sphingolipid pathways offers potential for antifungal therapies.

Abstract

Sphingolipids are a class of amphipathic lipids characterized by a sphingoid base backbone, which can be classified into glycosphingolipids and sphingomyelins. They exhibit structural complexity and functional diversity, being widely distributed in eukaryotes and some bacterial species. Sphingolipids are important regulators of signal transduction and cellular homeostasis and are involved in numerous biological processes, including cell polarity establishment, energy metabolism, proliferation, and differentiation. However, research on fungal sphingolipids remains limited. This review provides an overview of sphingolipid species, structural features, and their biosynthesis and degradation in fungi. It also summarizes their essential functions in maintaining cell membrane structure, influencing morphological development, pathogenicity, and homeostasis, and participating in apoptosis. Additionally, the potential of antifungal agents targeting the sphingolipid pathway and their application prospects are discussed. Finally, current challenges and future directions in fungal sphingolipid research are highlighted to support the investigation of their mechanisms and the development of antifungal therapies targeting sphingolipid metabolic pathways.

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