Abstract

The signaling pathways activated by the steroid hormone estrogen include a variety of cytoplasmic second messengers linked to a multitude of tissue-specific effects. In the last decade sphingolipids and their membrane receptors were added to the list of estrogen-activated mediators. Estrogen triggered sphingolipid signalling cascade in various tissues including breast cancer. Extensive research has shown that sphingolipids are key-regulatory molecules in growth factor networks. Sphingolipids can control the rate of cell proliferation and differentiation outcome during malignant transformation. Herein we summarize novel experimental evidence linking sphingolipids to estrogen-activated effects, highlight the role of sphingolipids in cancer cells, and discuss new avenues for future estrogen and sphingolipid signalling cross-road research.