Inhibition of Sphingolipid Synthesis by Cycloserine In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract: d - and l -cycloserine were shown to be irreversible inhibitors of the first enzyme of the sphingolipid pathway, 3-ketodihydrosphingosine synthetase, in a study using bacterial and brain microsomal enzymes, l-Cycloserine was shown to be 100 times more inhibitory than the d-isomer for the brain microsomal enzyme in vitro. In vivo , l -cycloserine caused a 70% inhibition of brain microsomal enzyme. Following one injection, enzyme activity recovered 80% of normal after 16 hours. Daily dosages of l -cycloserine on a regimen of intraper-itoneal injection for 7 days caused a significant reduction in total brain ganglioside and cerebroside plus sulfatide levels.