Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
07:25
Lipid Supplementation for Longevity and Gene Transcriptional Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: December 9, 2022
Ceramide synthases: reexamining longevity
Joo-Won Park1, Yael Pewzner-Jung
1Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 158-710, South Korea.
Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology
|April 13, 2013
Summary
Ceramide synthases (CerS) are crucial enzymes for sphingolipid complexity. Research highlights their physiological roles and involvement in longevity, with recent studies focusing on CerS-deficient animal models.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sphingolipids (SLs) are essential cellular components with diverse functions.
- Ceramide synthases (CerS) are key enzymes regulating SL acyl chain length.
- CerS were initially identified as Longevity assurance (Lass) genes in yeast.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progress in ceramide synthase research.
- To discuss the structure, function, localization, and regulation of CerS.
- To highlight the physiological roles of CerS, including their impact on longevity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ceramide synthase research.
- Analysis of findings from yeast and CerS-deficient mouse models.
- Discussion of fundamental aspects of CerS biology.
Main Results:
- CerS enzymes are critical for generating diverse sphingolipids.
- CerS play a significant role in maintaining longevity in vivo.
- CerS-deficient animal models have elucidated key physiological functions.
Conclusions:
- Ceramide synthases are vital for sphingolipid metabolism and cellular complexity.
- Further research into CerS function and regulation is warranted.
- Understanding CerS is crucial for insights into aging and potential human disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Biosynthesis of Lipids
Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, which...
01:25Lipid Catabolism
Triglycerides serve as crucial long-term energy storage molecules in microorganisms, providing a dense source of metabolic energy. Their breakdown is mediated by lipases, which hydrolyze triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. Each of these components follows distinct metabolic pathways, ultimately contributing to ATP synthesis and cellular energy homeostasis.Glycerol MetabolismGlycerol, released from triglyceride hydrolysis, is phosphorylated by glycerol kinase to form...
01:37Mitochondria
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
01:29Replication in Eukaryotes
In eukaryotic cells, DNA replication is highly conserved and tightly regulated. Multiple linear chromosomes must be duplicated with high fidelity before cell division, so there are many proteins that fulfill specialized roles in the replication process. Replication occurs in three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, and ends with two complete sets of chromosomes in the nucleus.
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...
Many Proteins Orchestrate Replication at the Origin
Eukaryotic replication follows many of the same...