General concept of the role of sphingolipids in the signaling pathways of an apoptosis

Abstract

This review gives the general concept of the main mechanisms of the programed cell death called «apoptosis». The role of sphingolipids in the progress and regulation of an apoptosis is not well studied despite the numerous publications. It depends on a variety of sphingolipid molecules participating in the apoptotic pathways, the complicated system of their metabolism, the multilevel control of the implementation of functions as well as on a participation of sphingolipids in most of the lipid-dependent physiological and pathophysiological processes into cells and tissues. This review presents the some known cross-talking between ceramides and the apoptotic pathways as well as some possible tools for its regulation.