title: Modulation of the ceramide level, a novel therapeutic concept?
abstract: The sphingomyelin (SM) pathway is an ubiquitous and evolutionarily conserved signaling system in which ceramide (CA), generated from SM by the action of various isoforms of sphingomyelinases (SMases) functions as an important second messenger. Recent evidence suggests that branching pathways of sphingolipid metabolism mediate either apoptotic or mitogenic responses depending on cell type and the nature of the stimulus. Events involving SM metabolites and CA in particular include proliferation, differentiation and growth arrest as well as the induction of apoptosis. An improved understanding of SMase-dependent signaling may afford relevant insights into the pathogenesis of diseases and provide novel strategies and selective targets for a therapeutic intervention e.g. in cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, HIV and septic shock. This article briefly summarizes the role of SMases in signaling pathways, its potential contribution in the development and maintenance of various pathobiological states and analyzes the perspective of a potentially isotype-specifc inhibition of SMases as a novel therapeutic concept.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Claus
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russwurm
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meisner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kinscherf
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Deigner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002518:Ceramides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013108:Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002518:Ceramides; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D013109:Sphingomyelins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013108:Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase