SPHK

Sphingosine kinases govern the sphingolipid rheostat by phosphorylating sphingosine into sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), counterbalancing pro-apoptotic ceramide. Two human enzymes exist: SPHK1, largely cytosolic and translocated to the plasma membrane upon activation, and SPHK2, which resides in the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum, inhibits histone deacetylases, and converts the prodrug fingolimod (FTY720) into its active receptor agonist. Secreted S1P acts on the five S1P receptor GPCRs to regulate lymphocyte egress, vascular maturation and endothelial barrier integrity. SPHK1 is overexpressed in many tumors and correlates with poor outcome, motivating inhibitors such as ABC294640 and PF-543 in preclinical and early clinical studies.