Publication

Glycosphingolipids in cell identity: Biosynthesis, functions, and emerging tools

2026

Abstract

Cell fate is shaped by external cues and intrinsic cellular states. While supracellular signals, such as growth factors, provide instructive guidance, emerging evidence highlights the role of cell-autonomous properties in modulating these responses. Among these, lipid membrane composition, especially glycosphingolipids (GSLs), has gained attention as a contributor to cellular identity. GSL biophysical properties guide the formation of membrane nanodomains, which serve as platforms for receptor signaling and protein sorting, while their structural heterogeneity enables distinct interactions with signaling molecules and recognition factors. In this review, we discuss the biosynthesis and organization of GSLs, their biological roles, and emerging technologies for their analysis. Together, these studies support the view that GSLs contribute to cell-type-specific membrane properties and help shape cellular states and identity.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/69ad3186-b2a9-4d9e-868a-598dfe6dce01

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2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/69ad3186-b2a9-4d9e-868a-598dfe6dce01

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Cell signaling

In biology, cell signaling (cell signalling in British English) or cell communication is the ability of a cell to receive, process, and transmit signals with its environment and with itself. Cell signaling is a fundamental property of all cellular life in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Signals that originate from outside a cell (or extracellular signals) can be physical agents like mechanical pressure, voltage, temperature, light, or chemical signals (e.g., small molecules, peptides, or gas).

Cell fate determination

Within the field of developmental biology, one goal is to understand how a particular cell develops into a final cell type, known as fate determination. Within an embryo, several processes play out at the cellular and tissue level to create an organism. These processes include cell proliferation, differentiation, cellular movement and programmed cell death. Each cell in an embryo receives molecular signals from neighboring cells in the form of proteins, RNAs and even surface interactions.

Peripheral membrane protein

Peripheral membrane proteins, or extrinsic membrane proteins, are membrane proteins that adhere only temporarily to the biological membrane with which they are associated. These proteins attach to integral membrane proteins, or penetrate the peripheral regions of the lipid bilayer. The regulatory protein subunits of many ion channels and transmembrane receptors, for example, may be defined as peripheral membrane proteins.

Related publications (32)

Glycosphingolipids in cell identity: Biosynthesis, functions, and emerging tools

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