Biotechnological production of sphingoid bases and their applications

Abstract

Sphingolipids are not only essential components of biological membranes but also play numerous other vital functions in living cells. Moreover, they are major constituents of the outermost layer of human epidermis which acts as permeability barrier of the skin. Therefore, they have a high potential to be used in a wide variety of application fields such as antibacterial and antifungal agents, active pharmaceutical ingredients of therapeutics as well as active ingredients in cosmeceutical or nutraceutical formulations. However, their chemical synthesis is a complex and cost-intensive process. As the yeast Wickerhamomyces ciferrii has been found to be a natural producer of acetylated sphingoid bases, it provides a promising alternative for their biotechnological synthesis. In the last years, this yeast has been established by classical strain improvements as well as modern genetic engineering for the industrial production of phytosphingosine. Moreover, routes for the synthesis of sphinganine and sphingosine have been implemented. This mini-review summarizes the current knowledge about biosynthesis of sphingoid bases, genetic engineering of W. ciferrii for their biotechnological production, as well as their applications in cosmetic formulations.

Quantitative metabolic analysis of plasma extracellular vesicles for the diagnosis of severe acute pancreatitis

“…Previous studies have also demonstrated that changes in bile acids, phosphatidylcholine, and amino acids occur in acute pancreatitis [ 27 , 31 , 32 ], thus confirming our present findings. However, few researchers have investigated differences in metabolites between severe and mild cases.…”

Serum Metabonomics of Mild Acute Pancreatitis

“…The increased serum level of sphingasine may be caused by the tryptic hydrolysis‐induced rupture of lots of cells. Capryloyl choline and decanoyl choline belong to cholines, which are both the esterification products of choline and fatty acid under the roles of choline acetyltransferase . The choline metabolism pathway is an important pathway of inflammation responses.…”

Effect of the multifunctional cosmetic ingredient sphinganine on hair loss in men and women with diffuse hair reduction

“…Sphingoid bases can be synthesized chemically in a complex and cost-intensive way. An alternative process is based on the fermentation of yeast 1 and ensures the distinct stereochemical configuration of the two asymmetrical carbon atoms of the molecule, which is also found in nature and in human skin.…”