What do sphingolipids do in humans?

Question

I want to know the significance of sphingolipids in human. I have learnt that sphingomyelin is the most significant type of sphingolipid in human. Also that the sphingomyelin serves as a structural constituent of myelin sheath of nerve fibres.Is that all? I need to clarify this. Please help me. Thank you

Answer 1

According to Olsen S. B. (2017), sphingolipids have the important function of regulating the development of the nervous system. Studies with mice models have demonstrated regulation is achieved by microdomains where compartmentalize sections of the plasma membrane. These microdomains are static and ever-changing as the nervous system develops. Exactly how microdomains regulate is highly debated among the scientific community.

Olsen, Anna S. B., Faergeman, Nills J. 2017. Sphingolipids: membrane microdomains, in brain development, function, and neurological diseases.