Sphingolipids, new players in plant signaling.

Sphingolipids are a diverse group of compounds, some of which play important signaling roles in animals and yeast. Results from recent research suggest that not only do plants contain components present in animal sphingolipid signaling pathways but that they might also possess novel plant-specific sphingolipid signaling systems. We suggest that the time is ripe for an in depth investigation of the role of this enigmatic group of compounds in plants.