Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Enrichment of Mammalian Tissues and Xenopus Oocytes with Cholesterol
Published on: March 25, 2020
Sphingomyelin synthase overexpression increases cholesterol accumulation and decreases cholesterol secretion in liver
Nianlong Yan1, Tingbo Ding, Jibin Dong
1School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Studies have shown that plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are negatively correlated with the development of atherosclerosis, whereas epidemiological studies have also shown that plasma sphingomyelin level is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis.
Methods:
To evaluate the relationship between cellular sphingomyelin level and cholesterol metabolism, we created two cell lines that overexpressed sphingomyelin synthase 1 or 2 (SMS1 or SMS2), using the Tet-off expression system.
Results:
We found that SMS1 or SMS2 overexpression in Huh7 cells, a human hepatoma cell line, significantly increased the levels of intracellular sphingomyelin, cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I and decreased levels of apolipoprotein A-I and cholesterol in the cell culture medium, implying a defect in both processes.
Conclusions:
Our findings indicate that the manipulation of sphingomyelin synthase activity could influence the metabolism of sphingomyelin, cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I.
Related Concept Videos
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...
Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane
The major components of all eukaryotic cell...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting

