Sphingosine pathway as a possible druggable target for pain management

Sphingolipids bear a spingoid base, and a fatty amino alcohol known as sphingosine. Sphingosine in converted to sphingosine phosphate (S1P) catalyzed by sphingosine kinase enzymes. S1P is transported across the plasma membrane and binds to extracellular S1P receptors. S1P is found in high concentration in plasma of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and at inflammation sites. Targeting S1P receptors might be a suitable strategy for discovery of drugs for treatment of neuropathic pain.