Phytosphingosines

Phytosphingosine is a long-chain sphingoid base that influences cell wall integrity and growth and has important cellular functions such as signaling, cytoskeletal structure, celluar cycle, and heat stress response. It is found largely in mammals, plants, and yeasts. Phytosphingosine is a lipid activator of Pkh1 and, thereby, controls the activity of other kinases. It can also directly activate and phosphorylate kinases such as Sch9, Ypk1, and Ypk2.¹ Phytosphingosine has seen much use in cosmetics due to its effects on the skin such as reducing inflammation by inhibiting the expression of the allergic cytokines IL-4 and TNF-α and the activation of various transcription factors in histamine-stimulated skin tissues.²Since phytosphingosine can lead to apoptosis via two distinct pathways, it has been investigated as a possible cancer therapeutic treatment.³ It has also been shown to inhibit cellular growth in some bacteria.⁴

References:

K. Liu et al. “The Sphingoid Long Chain Base Phytosphingosine Activates AGC-type Protein Kinases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Including Ypk1, Ypk2, and Sch9” Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 280(24) pp. 22679, 2005
K. Ryu et al. “Anti-scratching Behavioral Effects of N-Stearoylphytosphingosine and 4-Hydroxysphinganine in Mice” Lipids, Vol. 45 pp. 615-618, 2010
M. Park et al. “Suppression of Extracellular Signal-related Kinase and Activation of p38 MAPK Are Two Critical Events Leading to Caspase-8- and Mitochondria-mediated Cell Death in Phytosphingosine-treated Human Cancer Cells” Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 278, pp. 50624-50634, 2003
N. Chung et al. “Phytosphingosine as a Specific Inhibitor of Growth and Nutrient Import in Saccharomyces cerevisiae” Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 276 pp. 35614-35621, 2001