Publications

• Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a novel mammalian sphingosine kinase type 2 isoform.

  Liu H., Sugiura M., Nava V.E., Edsall L.C., Kono K., Poulton S., Milstien S., Kohama T., Spiegel S.

  Sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP) has diverse biological functions acting inside cells as a second messenger to regulate proliferation and survival, and extracellularly, as a ligand for G protein-coupled receptors of the endothelial differentiation gene-1 subfamily. Based on sequence homology to murin ... >> More

  Sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP) has diverse biological functions acting inside cells as a second messenger to regulate proliferation and survival, and extracellularly, as a ligand for G protein-coupled receptors of the endothelial differentiation gene-1 subfamily. Based on sequence homology to murine and human sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1), which we recently cloned (Kohama, T., Oliver, A., Edsall, L. , Nagiec, M. M., Dickson, R., and Spiegel, S. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 23722-23728), we have now cloned a second type of mouse and human sphingosine kinase (mSPHK2 and hSPHK2). mSPHK2 and hSPHK2 encode proteins of 617 and 618 amino acids, respectively, both much larger than SPHK1, and though diverging considerably, both contain the conserved domains found in all SPHK1s. Northern blot analysis revealed that SPHK2 mRNA expression had a strikingly different tissue distribution from that of SPHK1 and appeared later in embryonic development. Expression of SPHK2 in HEK 293 cells resulted in elevated SPP levels. d-erythro-dihydrosphingosine was a better substrate than d-erythro-sphingosine for SPHK2. Surprisingly, d, l-threo-dihydrosphingosine was also phosphorylated by SPHK2. In contrast to the inhibitory effects on SPHK1, high salt concentrations markedly stimulated SPHK2. Triton X-100 inhibited SPHK2 and stimulated SPHK1, whereas phosphatidylserine stimulated both type 1 and type 2 SPHK. Thus, SPHK2 is another member of a growing class of sphingolipid kinases that may have novel functions. << Less

  J. Biol. Chem. 275:19513-19520(2000) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 3 other entries.

• 1-O-Hexadecyl-2-desoxy-2-amino-sn-glycerol, a substrate for human sphingosine kinase.

  Gijsbers S., Asselberghs S., Herdewijn P., Van Veldhoven P.P.

  The substrate specificity of human sphingosine kinase was investigated using a bacterially expressed poly(His)-tagged protein. Only the D-erythro isomer of the sphingoid bases, sphinganine and sphingenine, was effectively phosphorylated. Long chain 1-alkanols, alkane-1,2-diols, 2-amino-1-alkanol o ... >> More

  The substrate specificity of human sphingosine kinase was investigated using a bacterially expressed poly(His)-tagged protein. Only the D-erythro isomer of the sphingoid bases, sphinganine and sphingenine, was effectively phosphorylated. Long chain 1-alkanols, alkane-1,2-diols, 2-amino-1-alkanol or 1-amino-2-alkanol and short chain 2-amino-1,3-alkanediols were very poor substrates, indicating that the kinase is recognizing the chain length and the position of the amino and secondary hydroxy group. A free hydroxy group at carbon 3 is not a prerequisite, however, since 1-O-hexadecyl-2-desoxy-2-amino-sn-glycerol was an efficient substrate with an apparent K(m) value of 3.8 microM (versus 15.7 microM for sphingenine). This finding opens new perspectives to design sphingosine kinase inhibitors. It also calls for some caution since it cannot be excluded that this ether lipid analogue is formed from precursors that are frequently used in research on platelet activating factor or from phospholipid analogues which are less prone to degradation. << Less

  Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1580:1-8(2002) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 2 other entries.

• Biosynthesis of the anti-lipid-microdomain sphingoid base 4,14-sphingadiene by the ceramide desaturase FADS3.

  Jojima K., Edagawa M., Sawai M., Ohno Y., Kihara A.

  Sphingolipids are multifunctional lipids. Among the sphingolipid-component sphingoid bases, 4,14-sphingadiene (SPD) is unique such that it has a cis double bond with a bent structure. Although SPD was discovered half a century ago, its tissue distribution, biosynthesis, and degradation remain poor ... >> More

  Sphingolipids are multifunctional lipids. Among the sphingolipid-component sphingoid bases, 4,14-sphingadiene (SPD) is unique such that it has a cis double bond with a bent structure. Although SPD was discovered half a century ago, its tissue distribution, biosynthesis, and degradation remain poorly understood. Here, we established a specific and quantitative method for SPD measurement and found that SPD exists in a wide range of mammalian tissues. SPD was especially abundant in kidney, where the amount of SPD was ~2/3 of sphingosine, the most abundant sphingoid base in mammals. Although SPD is metabolized to ceramides and SPD 1-phosphate with almost the same efficiency as sphingosine, it is less susceptible to degradation by a cleavage reaction, at least in vitro. We identified the fatty acid desaturase family protein FADS3 as a ceramide desaturase that produces SPD ceramides by desaturating ceramides containing sphingosine. SPD sphingolipids were preferentially localized outside lipid microdomains, suggesting that SPD has different functions compared to other sphingoid bases in the formation of lipid microdomains. In summary, we revealed the biosynthesis and degradation pathways of SPD and its characteristic membrane localization. Our findings contribute to the elucidation of the molecular mechanism underlying the generation of sphingolipid diversity. << Less

  FASEB J. 34:3318-3335(2020) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 24 other entries.

• Functional characterization of human sphingosine kinase-1.

  Nava V.E., Lacana' E., Poulton S., Liu H., Sugiura M., Kono K., Milstien S., Kohama T., Spiegel S.

  Sphingosine kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of sphingosine to form sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP), a novel lipid mediator with both intra- and extracellular functions. Based on sequence identity to murine sphingosine kinase (mSPHK1a), we cloned and characterized the first human sphingosine kin ... >> More

  Sphingosine kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of sphingosine to form sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP), a novel lipid mediator with both intra- and extracellular functions. Based on sequence identity to murine sphingosine kinase (mSPHK1a), we cloned and characterized the first human sphingosine kinase (hSPHK1). The open reading frame of hSPHK1 encodes a 384 amino acid protein with 85% identity and 92% similarity to mSPHK1a at the amino acid level. Similar to mSPHK1a, when HEK293 cells were transfected with hSPHK1, there were marked increases in sphingosine kinase activity resulting in elevated SPP levels. hSPHK1 also specifically phosphorylated D-erythro-sphingosine and to a lesser extent sphinganine, but not other lipids, such as D,L-threo-dihydrosphingosine, N, N-dimethylsphingosine, diacylglycerol, ceramide, or phosphatidylinositol. Northern analysis revealed that hSPHK1 was widely expressed with highest levels in adult liver, kidney, heart and skeletal muscle. Thus, hSPHK1 belongs to a highly conserved unique lipid kinase family that regulates diverse biological functions. << Less

  FEBS Lett. 473:81-84(2000) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 2 other entries.

• Molecular cloning and functional characterization of murine sphingosine kinase.

  Kohama T., Olivera A., Edsall L., Nagiec M.M., Dickson R., Spiegel S.

  Sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP) is a novel lipid messenger that has dual function. Intracellularly it regulates proliferation and survival, and extracellularly, it is a ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor Edg-1. Based on peptide sequences obtained from purified rat kidney sphingosine kinase, t ... >> More

  Sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP) is a novel lipid messenger that has dual function. Intracellularly it regulates proliferation and survival, and extracellularly, it is a ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor Edg-1. Based on peptide sequences obtained from purified rat kidney sphingosine kinase, the enzyme that regulates SPP levels, we report here the cloning, identification, and characterization of the first mammalian sphingosine kinases (murine SPHK1a and SPHK1b). Sequence analysis indicates that these are novel kinases, which are not similar to other known kinases, and that they are evolutionarily conserved. Comparison with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans sphingosine kinase sequences shows that several blocks are highly conserved in all of these sequences. One of these blocks contains an invariant, positively charged motif, GGKGK, which may be part of the ATP binding site. From Northern blot analysis of multiple mouse tissues, we observed that expression was highest in adult lung and spleen, with barely detectable levels in skeletal muscle and liver. Human embryonic kidney cells and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts transiently transfected with either sphingosine kinase expression vectors had marked increases (more than 100-fold) in sphingosine kinase activity. The enzyme specifically phosphorylated D-erythro-sphingosine and did not catalyze the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol, diacylglycerol, ceramide, D,L-threo-dihydrosphingosine or N, N-dimethylsphingosine. The latter two sphingolipids were competitive inhibitors of sphingosine kinase in the transfected cells as was previously found with the purified rat kidney enzyme. Transfected cells also had a marked increase in mass levels of SPP with a concomitant decrease in levels of sphingosine and, to a lesser extent, in ceramide levels. Our data suggest that sphingosine kinase is a prototypical member of a new class of lipid kinases. Cloning of sphingosine kinase is an important step in corroborating the intracellular role of SPP as a second messenger. << Less

  J. Biol. Chem. 273:23722-23728(1998) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]