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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Lipids01:32

Membrane Lipids

Lipids are an essential component of all biological membranes. The average lipid content in mammalian membranes is 50%, though it can be as low as 20% in the inner mitochondrial membrane or as high as 80% in the myelin sheath present around the nerve cells.
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
Membrane Lipids01:32

Membrane Lipids

Lipids are an essential component of all biological membranes. The average lipid content in mammalian membranes is 50%, though it can be as low as 20% in the inner mitochondrial membrane or as high as 80% in the myelin sheath present around the nerve cells.
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER

Biological membranes are more than just a barrier separating cell cytoplasm from the outside environment. They are highly dynamic and help maintain the integrity and physiological stability of the cells as well as membrane-bound organelles. Membranes also play vital roles in cell-to-cell and intracellular communication.
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...
Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane01:27

Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane

The ER synthesizes lipids for building cell membranes and performing cellular functions such as energy storage and signaling. The lipid synthesis machinery embedded in the ER membrane primarily collects all reactants from the cytosol. Following synthesis, the secretory pathway and the ER contact sites distribute these lipids to other cellular organelles. Additionally, the energy-rich triacylglycerides are transported from the ER via lipid droplets.
The major components of all eukaryotic cell...
Colloids03:22

Colloids

Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer01:35

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer

Biological membranes show uneven distribution of different types of lipids in the inner and outer layers, resulting in transverse asymmetric membranes. The treatment of the erythrocyte membrane with the enzyme phospholipase confirmed the asymmetric nature of the lipid bilayer. The enzyme hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and hydrophilic groups. The phospholipase acts only on the outer layer of the membrane, while the inner layer remains intact. The phospholipase treatment resulted in 80%...

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Retention of lysosomal acid sphingomyelinase protects from Niemann-Pick Disease.

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Updated: May 31, 2026

Preparation of Human Tissues Embedded in Optimal Cutting Temperature Compound for Mass Spectrometry Analysis
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Published on: April 27, 2021

Many ceramides.

Yusuf A Hannun1, Lina M Obeid

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SouthCarolina 29425, USA. hannun@musc.edu

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|June 23, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Ceramide is not a single molecule but a family of over 200 distinct species. These "many ceramides" have unique functions, challenging previous understanding of bioactive sphingolipids.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Ceramide's role in cell responses is well-established.
  • Previous research viewed ceramide as a single entity, overlooking metabolic and structural complexities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce the
  • many ceramides
  • paradigm, proposing ceramide as a diverse family of molecules.
  • To challenge the unifying hypothesis of ceramide function based on its singular nature.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewing extensive research over the past two decades.
  • Analyzing the >28 enzymes involved in ceramide metabolism.
  • Examining the >200 structurally distinct mammalian ceramides.

Main Results:

  • Ceramide comprises a family of closely related molecules with over 200 distinct mammalian species.
  • These ceramides are synthesized combinatorially by specific enzymes, leading to diverse structures.
  • Evidence suggests individual ceramide species are regulated by specific pathways in distinct cellular compartments.

Conclusions:

  • The
  • many ceramides
  • paradigm offers a more complex and accurate view of bioactive sphingolipid function.
  • Understanding individual ceramide species and their pathways is crucial for advancing research in cell signaling and disease.
  • Future research should focus on unraveling the distinct functions and regulatory mechanisms of specific ceramide molecular species.