title: Neutral sphingomyelinases and nSMase2: bridging the gaps.
abstract: There is strong evidence indicating a role for ceramide as a second messenger in processes such as apoptosis, cell growth and differentiation, and cellular responses to stress. Ceramide formation from the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin is considered to be a major pathway of stress-induced ceramide production with magnesium-dependent neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase) identified as a prime candidate in this pathway. The recent cloning of a mammalian N-SMase-nSMase2- and generation of nSMase2 knockout/mutant mice have now provided vital tools with which to further study the regulation and roles of this enzyme in both a physiological and pathological context. In the present review, we summarize current knowledge on N-SMase relating this to what is known about nSMase2. We also discuss the future areas of nSMase2 research important for molecular understanding of this enzyme and its physiological roles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Yusuf A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Hannun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D013108:Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D013108:Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase