title: Ceramide and the regulation of apoptosis and the stress response.
abstract: The process of apoptosis or programmed cell death has been the subject of intense study due to the realization of its importance in a wide variety of biological and pathological conditions, including development, ischemia, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Although a vast number of inducers of this process and several critical components have been identified, the signal transduction pathways regulating apoptosis are poorly understood. Recently, a pathway involving sphingolipid turnover and the production of the lipid mediator, ceramide, has emerged as a candidate regulator of apoptosis. This review provides a summary of the evidence implicating ceramide as a mediator of apoptosis and the stress response. (Trends Cardiovasc Med 1996;6:158-162).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center,Durham, NC 27710,USA.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Obeid
authors.forename: Y A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Hannun