Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
06:29
Effect of Artificial Tear Formulations on the Metabolic Activity of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells after Exposure to Desiccation
Published on: May 2, 2020
4.3K
Dihydroceramides: From Bit Players to Lead Actors
Monowarul Mobin Siddique1, Ying Li1, Bhagirath Chaurasia1
1Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|May 8, 2015
Summary
Dihydroceramides, once thought inert, are now recognized as bioactive lipids with distinct functions from ceramides. Emerging research highlights their roles in diseases like cancer and diabetes, suggesting new diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Sphingolipid synthesis generates ceramides from dihydroceramides.
- Ceramides are known for mediating cellular stress responses.
- Dihydroceramides were historically considered inert intermediates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent findings on dihydroceramides.
- To highlight their distinct biological functions.
- To explore their implications in various diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on dihydroceramides.
- Analysis of emerging evidence on dihydroceramide accumulation and function.
- Synthesis of current understanding of dihydroceramide roles in health and disease.
Main Results:
- Dihydroceramides accumulate to a greater extent than previously believed.
- Dihydroceramides possess unique biological functions separate from ceramides.
- These lipids are involved in autophagy, hypoxia, and cellular proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Dihydroceramides are emerging bioactive lipids with significant biological roles.
- They are implicated in the etiology, treatment, and diagnosis of diabetes, cancer, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Further research into dihydroceramides is crucial for understanding and treating these conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Aldehydes and Ketones with Water: Hydrate Formation
5.8K
An oxygen-based nucleophile, like water, can undergo addition reactions with aldehydes and ketones. The reaction leads to the formation of hydrates, also referred to as 1,1-diols or geminal diols.
The formation of hydrates is a reversible reaction. Hydrate formation is influenced by steric and electronic factors accompanying the alkyl substituents on the carbonyl group: The rate of hydrate formation increases with a decrease in the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbonyl carbon. Hence,...
The formation of hydrates is a reversible reaction. Hydrate formation is influenced by steric and electronic factors accompanying the alkyl substituents on the carbonyl group: The rate of hydrate formation increases with a decrease in the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbonyl carbon. Hence,...
5.8K
01:57Preparation of Diols and Pinacol Rearrangement
4.4K
Compounds bearing two hydroxyl groups are known as diols. When the hydroxyl groups are located on adjacent carbon atoms, the diols are called vicinal diols or glycols. Under acidic conditions, vicinal diols undergo a specific reaction called pinacol rearrangement.
The reaction begins with transferring a proton from the acid catalyst to one of the hydroxyl groups, producing an oxonium ion.
The reaction begins with transferring a proton from the acid catalyst to one of the hydroxyl groups, producing an oxonium ion.
4.4K
01:16Structure of Conjugated Dienes
8.4K
Introduction
Conjugated dienes are compounds characterized by the presence of alternating double and single bonds. In a conjugated system like 1,3-butadiene, the unhybridized 2p orbital on each carbon overlaps continuously, allowing the π electrons to be delocalized across the entire molecule. In contrast, this type of overlap does not occur in cumulated and isolated dienes, such as 2,3-pentadiene and 1,4-pentadiene, respectively. Instead, the π electrons remain localized between the double...
Conjugated dienes are compounds characterized by the presence of alternating double and single bonds. In a conjugated system like 1,3-butadiene, the unhybridized 2p orbital on each carbon overlaps continuously, allowing the π electrons to be delocalized across the entire molecule. In contrast, this type of overlap does not occur in cumulated and isolated dienes, such as 2,3-pentadiene and 1,4-pentadiene, respectively. Instead, the π electrons remain localized between the double...
8.4K
01:05Desmosomes
9.4K
The term desmosome derives from the Greek words "desmo" and "soma" meaning "adhesion bodies." This structure was first observed during the late 1800s and described as small, dense nodules in the epidermis. Desmosomes are button-like structures that help form an interlinked network of intermediate filaments across the cells. These junctions are essential to hold cells together under mechanical stress and to maintain tissue integrity. Desmosomes are multi-protein...
9.4K
03:22Colloids
22.2K
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...
22.2K
01:32Membrane Lipids
35.7K
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...
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...
35.7K