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10:36
Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans
Published on: May 21, 2020
Ceramide in stress response
Mariana N Nikolova-Karakashian1, Krassimira A Rozenova
1Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA. mnikolo@uky.edu
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|October 6, 2010
Summary
Cellular stress triggers ceramide accumulation via sphingomyelinases and ceramide synthases, influencing cell functions and impacting conditions like septic shock and cancer.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Stress Response
- Lipid Signaling
Background:
- Ceramide accumulation is a key mediator of cellular responses to diverse stressors.
- Enzymes like sphingomyelinases and ceramide synthases are central to ceramide generation.
- Understanding ceramide's role is crucial for various physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review seminal and recent discoveries on ceramide accumulation pathways during cellular stress.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which ceramide influences cell functions and signaling.
- To contextualize these findings within relevant physiological and pathophysiological states.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ceramide metabolism and function.
- Discussion of key enzymes involved: neutral sphingomyelinase 2, serine palmitoyltransferase, ceramide synthases, and acid sphingomyelinase.
- Analysis of ceramide's direct targets (PKCζ, PP2A, cathepsin D) and membrane organization effects.
Main Results:
- Detailed pathways for ceramide accumulation under stress conditions are identified.
- Mechanisms of ceramide's action on cell targets and membrane signaling are summarized.
- Evidence for structure-specific ceramide action is presented.
Conclusions:
- Ceramide plays a critical role in cellular stress responses through specific enzymatic pathways.
- Ceramide's diverse functions include signaling, membrane organization, and regulation of apoptosis.
- Findings are relevant to understanding septic shock, insulin resistance, aging, and cancer therapy.
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