Characterization of Ceramide Synthase 2

Characterization of ceramide synthase 2: tissue distribution, substrate specificity, and inhibition by sphingosine 1-phosphate.

Ceramide is an important lipid signaling molecule and a key intermediate in sphingolipid biosynthesis. Recent studies have implied a previously unappreciated role for the ceramide N-acyl chain length, inasmuch as ceramides containing specific fatty acids appear to play defined roles in cell physiology. The discovery of a family of mammalian ceramide synthases (CerS), each of which utilizes a re...

Reduced ceramide synthase 2 activity causes progressive myoclonic epilepsy

OBJECTIVE Ceramides are precursors of complex sphingolipids (SLs), which are important for normal functioning of both the developing and mature brain. Altered SL levels have been associated with many neurodegenerative disorders, including epilepsy, although few direct links have been identified between genes involved in SL metabolism and epilepsy. METHODS We used quantitative real-time PCR, W...

Overexpression of Ceramide Synthase in Arabidopsis 1 Running Head: Overexpression of Ceramide Synthase in Arabidopsis

Transmembrane topology of ceramide synthase in yeast.

Ceramide plays a crucial role as a basic building block of sphingolipids, but also as a signalling molecule mediating cell-fate decisions. Three genes, LAG1, LAC1 and LIP1, have been shown to be required for ceramide synthase activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae [Guillas, Kirchman, Chuard, Pfefferli, Jiang, Jazwinski and Conzelman (2001) EMBO J. 20, 2655-2665; Schorling, Vallee, Barz, Reizman a...

Ceramide Synthases Expression and Role of Ceramide Synthase-2 in the Lung: Insight from Human Lung Cells and Mouse Models

Increases in ceramide levels have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both acute or chronic lung injury models. However, the role of individual ceramide species, or of the enzymes that are responsible for their synthesis, in lung health and disease has not been clarified. We now show that C24- and C16-ceramides are the most abundant lung ceramide species, paralleled by high expression of the...