Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Ceramidase

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
EC number
  
3.5.1.23

IntEnz
  
IntEnz view

ExPASy
  
NiceZyme view

CAS number
  
37289-06-8

BRENDA
  
BRENDA entry

KEGG
  
KEGG entry

Ceramidase (EC 3.5.1.23, acylsphingosine deacylase, glycosphingolipid ceramide deacylase) is an enzyme which cleaves fatty acids from ceramide, producing sphingosine (SPH) which in turn is phosphorylated by a sphingosine kinase to form sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P).

Contents

Function

Ceramide, SPH, and S1P are bioactive lipids that mediate cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, adhesion, and migration. Presently, 7 human ceramidases encoded by 7 distinct genes have been cloned:

  • acid ceramidase (ASAH1) – cell survival
  • neutral ceramidase (ASAH2, ASAH2B, ASAH2C) – protective against inflammatory cytokines
  • alkaline ceramidase 1 (ACER1) – mediating cell differentiation by controlling the generation of SPH and S1P
  • alkaline ceramidase 2 (ACER2) – important for cell proliferation and survival
  • alkaline ceramidase 3 (ACER3)
  • Clinical significance

    A deficiency in ASAH1 is associated with Farber disease.

    UT Southwestern researchers showed that introducing ceramidase in diabetic mice returned their insulin sensitivity to normal. Dr. Philipp Scherer, Director of the Touchstone Center for Diabetes Research at UT Southwestern. "Our findings suggest a new means to potentially treat Type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease." The findings are outlined in the journal Cell Metabolism.

    References

    Ceramidase Wikipedia


    Similar Topics