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Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates
Published on: November 23, 2016
Sphingomyelin Synthase Family and Phospholipase Cs
Xian-Cheng Jiang1, Yeun-Po Chiang2
1Department of Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA. xian-cheng.jiang@downstate.edu.
The sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) gene family, acting as phospholipase Cs (PLCs), impacts cell functions by regulating sphingomyelin and other lipid levels. Their role in metabolic diseases is a key area of ongoing research.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) gene family comprises SMS1, SMS2, and SMS-related protein (SMSr).
- SMS1 and SMS2 exhibit sphingomyelin (SM) synthase activity.
- SMSr possesses ceramide phosphorylethanolamine (CPE) synthase activity in vitro.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the enzymatic activities and cellular roles of the SMS gene family.
- To highlight recent advancements in SMS family research.
- To focus on the implications of SMS family in metabolic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic assays to determine synthase activities.
- Analysis of lipid profiles affected by SMS family members.
- Review of recent literature on SMS family functions and disease relevance.
Main Results:
- SMS family members function as phospholipase Cs (PLCs).
- SMS1 and SMS2 are identified as phosphatidylcholine (PC)-PLCs.
- SMSr is characterized as a phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-PLC.
- SMS family influences levels of SM, diacylglycerol (DAG), PC, PE, and glycosphingolipids.
- These lipid level alterations impact various cell functions.
Conclusions:
- The SMS gene family plays a multifaceted role in lipid metabolism beyond SM synthesis.
- Understanding SMS family's PLC activities provides new insights into cellular lipid homeostasis.
- The SMS family's involvement in metabolic diseases warrants further investigation.
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