Characterization of free endogenous sphingoid bases in the golden apple snail Pomacea canaliculata: Involvement in snail development and nutrient limitation

A high-performance liquid chromatography-based method was developed for the analysis of free sphingoid bases endogenous to the golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata). Four molecular species of free endogenous sphingoid bases were observed in the snail and identified as C₁₄ and C₁₆ sphingosine (SPH), C₁₄ dihydrosphingosine, and C₁₆ sphingadienes with Δ-4,6 conjugated double bonds (Δ-4,6-C ₁₆ sphingadienes). When free endogenous sphingoid bases were evaluated at different stages of development of P. canaliculata, it was found that all four sphingoid bases decreased significantly from a young age to adulthood. We also found that the amount of C₁₄ SPH decreased significantly in the food-restricted snails compared to animals with an adequate food supply, suggesting that nutrient deprivation decreases the levels of the sphingoid base. Taken together, these results suggest that sphingoid bases may play roles in the development of the golden apple snail and its stress response to nutrient limitation.