Interactions between nitric oxide and sphingolipids and the potential consequences in physiology and pathology

Studies undertaken in the past six years have shown that nitric oxide and many members of the sphingolipid family interact in two-way systems, whereby each 'player' regulates and is regulated by another 'player'. These interactions take place at the level of the expression and activity of several enzymes that regulate both the sphingolipid metabolic pathways and the generation of nitric oxide. So far, the outcomes of these interactions have been elucidated only in part. It is already clear, however, that they play prominent roles in key biological processes, including apoptosis, inflammation and cell growth.