Molecular and physiological functions of sphingosine 1-phosphate transporters

• Enzymatic characterization of platelet and erythrocyte S1P transporters
• ABC transporters contribute S1P export from cells.
• SPNS2 is distinct enzymatic properties to other S1P transporters.
• SPNS2 plays an essential role in lymphocyte egress.
• SPNS2 should be considered a novel therapeutic target for autoimmune diseases.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a lipid mediator that plays important roles in diverse cellular functions such as cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. S1P is synthesized inside the cells and subsequently released to the extracellular space, where it binds to specific receptors that are located on the plasma membranes of target cells. Accumulating recent evidence suggests that S1P transporters including SPNS2 mediate S1P release from the cells and are involved in the physiological functions of S1P. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the mechanism and physiological functions of S1P transporters. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled New Frontiers in Sphingolipid Biology.