Sphingolipids metabolism regulates plant growth and development

Sphingolipids are essential components of plant biomembrane system with their structure and content varying significantly across different plant cells and tissues. They also function as intracellular signaling molecules, participating in the regulation of processes such as programmed cell death, stomatal open and closure, root growth, pollen development, plant morphogenesis, and fruit ripening and shedding. Disruptions in sphingolipid metabolism result in the accumulation of substrates or products, leading to abnormal plant development. Currently, research on sphingolipids in plants primarily evaluates mutant phenotype and changes of sphingolipids content. However, there are significant research gaps due to a lack of precise regulatory networks. This review summarized sphingolipids involved in plant sphingolipid metabolism and their related enzyme. It also discussed the mutant phenotype of sphingolipid metabolism related genes and the possible causes of the mutant phenotype.