title: Ceramide kinase and the ceramide-1-phosphate/cPLA2alpha interaction as a therapeutic target.
abstract: Ceramide kinase (CERK) was discovered more than a decade ago. Since then, numerous reports have been published demonstrating a role for CERK in various signal transduction pathways involved in inflammation, immunity or cancer. In this review, the biosynthesis of ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) and the various roles of CERK and C1P in biological mechanisms will be overviewed. We will focus on the role of C1P in eicosanoid synthesis, more specifically, in the activation and translocation of cPLA(2)alpha. Furthermore, the possible therapeutic relevance of inhibitors of these mechanisms is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University-School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298-0614, USA.
authors.forename: Nadia F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Lamour
authors.forename: Charles E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Chalfant
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002518:Ceramides / Q000378:metabolism*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D054513:Group IV Phospholipases A2 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D002518:Ceramides; D015777:Eicosanoids; C065576:ceramide 1-phosphate; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); C066324:ceramide kinase; D054513:Group IV Phospholipases A2