title: Ceramides as modulators of cellular and whole-body metabolism.
abstract: Nearly all stress stimuli (e.g., inflammatory cytokines, glucocorticoids, chemotherapeutics, etc.) induce sphingolipid synthesis, leading to the accumulation of ceramides and ceramide metabolites. While the role of these lipids in the regulation of cell growth and death has been studied extensively, recent studies suggest that a primary consequence of ceramide accumulation is an alteration in metabolism. In both cell-autonomous systems and complex organisms, ceramides modify intracellular signaling pathways to slow anabolism, ensuring that catabolism ensues. These ceramide actions have important implications for diseases associated with obesity, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
authors: Duke–National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, Singapore.
authors: Benjamin T
authors: BT
authors: Bikman
authors: Scott A
authors: SA
authors: Summers
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002518:Ceramides / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002518:Ceramides; D005227:Fatty Acids; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D005947:Glucose