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He X, Schuchman EH. Identification of a Novel Acid Sphingomyelinase Activity Associated with Recombinant Human Acid Ceramidase. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1623. [PMID: 38002305 PMCID: PMC10669851 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Acid ceramidase (AC) is a lysosomal enzyme required to hydrolyze ceramide to sphingosine by the removal of the fatty acid moiety. An inherited deficiency in this activity results in two disorders, Farber Lipogranulomatosis and spinal muscular atrophy with myoclonic epilepsy, leading to the accumulation of ceramides and other sphingolipids in various cells and tissues. In addition to ceramide hydrolysis, several other activities have been attributed to AC, including a reverse reaction that synthesizes ceramide from free fatty acids and sphingosine, and a deacylase activity that removes fatty acids from complex lipids such as sphingomyelin and glycosphingolipids. A close association of AC with another important enzyme of sphingolipid metabolism, acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), has also been observed. Herein, we used a highly purified recombinant human AC (rhAC) and novel UPLC-based assay methods to investigate the recently described deacylase activity of rhAC against three sphingolipid substrates, sphingomyelin, galactosyl- and glucosylceramide. No deacylase activities were detected using this method, although we did unexpectedly identify a significant ASM activity using natural (C-18) and artificial (Bodipy-C12) sphingomyelin substrates as well as the ASM-specific fluorogenic substrate, hexadecanoylamino-4-methylumbelliferyl phosphorylcholine (HMU-PC). We showed that this ASM activity was not due to contaminating, hamster-derived ASM in the rhAC preparation, and that the treatment of ASM-knockout mice with rhAC significantly reduced sphingomyelin storage in the liver. However, unlike the treatment with rhASM, this did not lead to elevated ceramide or sphingosine levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward H. Schuchman
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
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2
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Muraleedharan A, Vanderperre B. The endo-lysosomal system in Parkinson's disease: expanding the horizon. J Mol Biol 2023:168140. [PMID: 37148997 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease, and its prevalence is increasing with age. A wealth of genetic evidence indicates that the endo-lysosomal system is a major pathway driving PD pathogenesis with a growing number of genes encoding endo-lysosomal proteins identified as risk factors for PD, making it a promising target for therapeutic intervention. However, detailed knowledge and understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking these genes to the disease are available for only a handful of them (e.g. LRRK2, GBA1, VPS35). Taking on the challenge of studying poorly characterized genes and proteins can be daunting, due to the limited availability of tools and knowledge from previous literature. This review aims at providing a valuable source of molecular and cellular insights into the biology of lesser-studied PD-linked endo-lysosomal genes, to help and encourage researchers in filling the knowledge gap around these less popular genetic players. Specific endo-lysosomal pathways discussed range from endocytosis, sorting, and vesicular trafficking to the regulation of membrane lipids of these membrane-bound organelles and the specific enzymatic activities they contain. We also provide perspectives on future challenges that the community needs to tackle and propose approaches to move forward in our understanding of these poorly studied endo-lysosomal genes. This will help harness their potential in designing innovative and efficient treatments to ultimately re-establish neuronal homeostasis in PD but also other diseases involving endo-lysosomal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitha Muraleedharan
- Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois and Biological Sciences Department, Université du Québec à Montréal
| | - Benoît Vanderperre
- Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois and Biological Sciences Department, Université du Québec à Montréal
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3
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Tippetts TS, Holland WL, Summers SA. Cholesterol - the devil you know; ceramide - the devil you don't. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:1082-1095. [PMID: 34750017 PMCID: PMC8595778 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Ectopic lipids play a key role in numerous pathologies, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Of all the lipids studied, perhaps the most well understood is cholesterol, a widely used clinical biomarker of cardiovascular disease and a target of pharmacological interventions (e.g., statins). Thousands of studies have interrogated the regulation and action of this disease-causing sterol. As a growing body of literature indicates, a new class of lipid-based therapies may be on the horizon. Ceramides are cholesterol-independent biomarkers of heart disease and diabetes in humans. Studies in rodents suggest that they are causative agents of disease, as lowering ceramides through genetic or pharmacological interventions prevents cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Herein, we discuss the evidence supporting the potential of therapeutics targeting ceramides to treat cardiometabolic disease, contrasting it with the robust datasets that drove the creation of cholesterol-lowering pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Scott A. Summers
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Scott A. Summers, Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah College of Health, 15N, 2030 East, Rm 3110, Salt Lake City Utah 84112, , Tel: 801-585-9359
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4
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Srikanth MP, Jones JW, Kane M, Awad O, Park TS, Zambidis ET, Feldman RA. Elevated glucosylsphingosine in Gaucher disease induced pluripotent stem cell neurons deregulates lysosomal compartment through mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1. Stem Cells Transl Med 2021; 10:1081-1094. [PMID: 33656802 PMCID: PMC8235124 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gaucher disease (GD) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in GBA1, the gene that encodes lysosomal β‐glucocerebrosidase (GCase). Mild mutations in GBA1 cause type 1 non‐neuronopathic GD, whereas severe mutations cause types 2 and 3 neuronopathic GD (nGD). GCase deficiency results in the accumulation of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and glucosylsphingosine (GlcSph). GlcSph is formed by deacylation of GlcCer by the lysosomal enzyme acid ceramidase. Brains from patients with nGD have high levels of GlcSph, a lipid believed to play an important role in nGD, but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. To identify these mechanisms, we used human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived neurons from nGD patients. We found that elevated levels of GlcSph activate mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1), interfering with lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy, which were restored by incubation of nGD neurons with mTOR inhibitors. We also found that inhibition of acid ceramidase prevented both, mTOR hyperactivity and lysosomal dysfunction, suggesting that these alterations were caused by GlcSph accumulation in the mutant neurons. To directly determine whether GlcSph can cause mTOR hyperactivation, we incubated wild‐type neurons with exogenous GlcSph. Remarkably, GlcSph treatment recapitulated the mTOR hyperactivation and lysosomal abnormalities in mutant neurons, which were prevented by coincubation of GlcSph with mTOR inhibitors. We conclude that elevated GlcSph activates an mTORC1‐dependent pathogenic mechanism that is responsible for the lysosomal abnormalities of nGD neurons. We also identify acid ceramidase as essential to the pathogenesis of nGD, providing a new therapeutic target for treating GBA1‐associated neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasa P Srikanth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jace W Jones
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maureen Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ola Awad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tea Soon Park
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elias T Zambidis
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ricardo A Feldman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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5
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Voelkel-Johnson C. Sphingolipids in embryonic development, cell cycle regulation, and stemness - Implications for polyploidy in tumors. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 81:206-219. [PMID: 33429049 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aberrant biology of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCC) includes dysregulation of the cell cycle, induction of stress responses, and dedifferentiation, all of which are likely accompanied by adaptations in biophysical properties and metabolic activity. Sphingolipids are the second largest class of membrane lipids and play important roles in many aspects of cell biology that are potentially relevant to polyploidy. We have recently shown that the function of the sphingolipid enzyme acid ceramidase (ASAH1) is critical for the ability of PGCC to generate progeny by depolyploidization but mechanisms by which sphingolipids contribute to polyploidy and generation of offspring with stem-like properties remain elusive. This review discusses the role of sphingolipids during embryonic development, cell cycle regulation, and stem cells in an effort to highlight parallels to polyploidy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Voelkel-Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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6
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Lysosomal Ceramide Metabolism Disorders: Implications in Parkinson's Disease. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9020594. [PMID: 32098196 PMCID: PMC7073989 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ceramides are a family of bioactive lipids belonging to the class of sphingolipids. Sphingolipidoses are a group of inherited genetic diseases characterized by the unmetabolized sphingolipids and the consequent reduction of ceramide pool in lysosomes. Sphingolipidoses include several disorders as Sandhoff disease, Fabry disease, Gaucher disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Krabbe disease, Niemann Pick disease, Farber disease, and GM2 gangliosidosis. In sphingolipidosis, lysosomal lipid storage occurs in both the central nervous system and visceral tissues, and central nervous system pathology is a common hallmark for all of them. Parkinson’s disease, the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, is characterized by the accumulation and aggregation of misfolded α-synuclein that seem associated to some lysosomal disorders, in particular Gaucher disease. This review provides evidence into the role of ceramide metabolism in the pathophysiology of lysosomes, highlighting the more recent findings on its involvement in Parkinson’s disease.
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7
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Arterial Medial Calcification through Enhanced small Extracellular Vesicle Release in Smooth Muscle-Specific Asah1 Gene Knockout Mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1645. [PMID: 32015399 PMCID: PMC6997457 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58568-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Arterial medial calcification (AMC) involves an increased small extracellular vesicle (sEV) secretion and apatite calcium precipitation in the arterial wall. The mechanisms mediating AMC remain poorly understood. In the present study, smooth muscle-specific acid ceramidase (Ac) gene knockout mice (Asah1fl/fl/SMCre) were used to demonstrate the role of lysosomal ceramide signaling pathway in AMC. Asah1fl/fl/SMCre mice were found to have more severe AMC in both aorta and coronary arteries compared to their littermates (Asah1fl/fl/SMwt and WT/WT mice) after receiving a high dose vitamin D. These mice also had pronounced upregulation of osteopontin and RUNX2 (osteogenic markers), CD63, AnX2 (sEV markers) and ALP expression (mineralization marker) in the arterial media. In cultured coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) from Asah1fl/fl/SMCre mice, high dose of Pi led to a significantly increased calcium deposition, phenotypic change and sEV secretion compared to WT CASMCs, which was associated with reduced lysosome-multivesicular body (MVB) interaction. Also, GW4869, sEV release inhibitor decreased sEV secretion and calcification in these cells. Lysosomal transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) channels regulating lysosome interaction with MVBs were found remarkably inhibited in Asah1fl/fl/SMCre CASMCs as shown by GCaMP3 Ca2+ imaging and Port-a-Patch patch clamping of lysosomes. Lysosomal Ac in SMCs controls sEV release by regulating lysosomal TRPML1 channel activity and lysosome-MVB interaction, which importantly contributes to phenotypic transition and AMC.
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8
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Ordóñez YF, Abad JL, Aseeri M, Casas J, Garcia V, Casasampere M, Schuchman EH, Levade T, Delgado A, Triola G, Fabrias G. Activity-Based Imaging of Acid Ceramidase in Living Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:7736-7742. [PMID: 31030513 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b11687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Acid ceramidase (AC) hydrolyzes ceramides into sphingoid bases and fatty acids. The enzyme is overexpressed in several types of cancer and Alzheimer's disease, and its genetic defect causes different incurable disorders. The availability of a method for the specific visualization of catalytically active AC in intracellular compartments is crucial for diagnosis and follow-up of therapeutic strategies in diseases linked to altered AC activity. This work was undertaken to develop activity-based probes for the detection of AC. Several analogues of the AC inhibitor SABRAC were synthesized and found to act as very potent (two-digit nM range) irreversible AC inhibitors by reaction with the active site Cys143. Detection of active AC in cell-free systems was achieved either by using fluorescent SABRAC analogues or by click chemistry with an azide-substituted analogue. The compound affording the best features allowed the unprecedented labeling of active AC in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadira F Ordóñez
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain
| | - José Luís Abad
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Mazen Aseeri
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Josefina Casas
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain.,Liver and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER-EHD) , 28029 Madrid , Spain
| | | | - Mireia Casasampere
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Edward H Schuchman
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York 10029 , United States
| | - Thierry Levade
- INSERM, UMR1037 CRCT , 31037 Toulouse , France.,Laboratoire de Biochimie Métabolique , Institut Fédératif de Biologie, CHU Purpan , 31300 Toulouse , France
| | - Antonio Delgado
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain.,Unit of Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Associated Unit to CSIC), Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences , University of Barcelona , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Gemma Triola
- Chemical Biology group, Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Gemma Fabrias
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain.,Liver and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER-EHD) , 28029 Madrid , Spain
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9
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Aalto AP, Nicastro IA, Broughton JP, Chipman LB, Schreiner WP, Chen JS, Pasquinelli AE. Opposing roles of microRNA Argonautes during Caenorhabditis elegans aging. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007379. [PMID: 29927939 PMCID: PMC6013023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Argonaute (AGO) proteins partner with microRNAs (miRNAs) to target specific genes for post-transcriptional regulation. During larval development in Caenorhabditis elegans, Argonaute-Like Gene 1 (ALG-1) is the primary mediator of the miRNA pathway, while the related ALG-2 protein is largely dispensable. Here we show that in adult C. elegans these AGOs are differentially expressed and, surprisingly, work in opposition to each other; alg-1 promotes longevity, whereas alg-2 restricts lifespan. Transcriptional profiling of adult animals revealed that distinct miRNAs and largely non-overlapping sets of protein-coding genes are misregulated in alg-1 and alg-2 mutants. Interestingly, many of the differentially expressed genes are downstream targets of the Insulin/ IGF-1 Signaling (IIS) pathway, which controls lifespan by regulating the activity of the DAF-16/ FOXO transcription factor. Consistent with this observation, we show that daf-16 is required for the extended lifespan of alg-2 mutants. Furthermore, the long lifespan of daf-2 insulin receptor mutants, which depends on daf-16, is strongly reduced in animals lacking alg-1 activity. This work establishes an important role for AGO-mediated gene regulation in aging C. elegans and illustrates that the activity of homologous genes can switch from complementary to antagonistic, depending on the life stage. Tiny non-coding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) are broadly conserved across animal species and have established roles in regulating development, metabolism and behavior. In humans, aberrant expression or function of specific miRNAs has been associated with a wide variety of diseases, underscoring the critical role of these molecules in organismal viability. Argonaute (AGO) proteins are essential co-factors for miRNAs to regulate the expression of target genes. In C. elegans nematodes, two highly related AGOs (ALG-1 and ALG-2; Argonaute-Like Genes) play largely overlapping roles in the miRNA pathway during development. Here we report that the activities of these two AGOs diverge in aging animals, as loss of ALG-1 shortens lifespan, while loss of ALG-2 extends it. These opposite longevity phenotypes are associated with differential regulation of specific miRNAs and protein-coding genes that act in the Insulin/ IGF-1 Signaling (IIS) pathway. Furthermore, we present genetic evidence that alg-1 and alg-2 operate within this pathway to impact aging. In sum, our findings reveal that two related AGOs function antagonistically within the conserved insulin signaling pathway that regulates longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti P. Aalto
- Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Ian A. Nicastro
- Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - James P. Broughton
- Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Laura B. Chipman
- Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - William P. Schreiner
- Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Jerry S. Chen
- Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Amy E. Pasquinelli
- Division of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Moro K, Kawaguchi T, Tsuchida J, Gabriel E, Qi Q, Yan L, Wakai T, Takabe K, Nagahashi M. Ceramide species are elevated in human breast cancer and are associated with less aggressiveness. Oncotarget 2018; 9:19874-19890. [PMID: 29731990 PMCID: PMC5929433 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids have emerged as key regulatory molecules in cancer cell survival and death. Although important roles of sphingolipids in breast cancer progression have been reported in experimental models, their roles in human patients are yet to be revealed. The aim of this study was to investigate the ceramide levels and its biosynthesis pathways in human breast cancer patients. Breast cancer, peri-tumor and normal breast tissue samples were collected from surgical specimens from a series of 44 patients with breast cancer. The amount of sphingolipid metabolites in the tissue were determined by mass spectrometry. The Cancer Genome Atlas was used to analyze gene expression related to the sphingolipid metabolism. Ceramide levels were higher in breast cancer tissue compared to both normal and peri-tumor breast tissue. Substrates and enzymes that generate ceramide were significantly increased in all three ceramide biosynthesis pathways in cancer. Further, higher levels of ceramide in breast cancer were associated with less aggressive cancer biology presented by Ki-67 index and nuclear grade of the cancer. Interestingly, patients with higher gene expressions of enzymes in the three major ceramide synthesis pathways showed significantly worse prognosis. This is the first study to reveal the clinical relevance of ceramide metabolism in breast cancer patients. We demonstrated that ceramide levels in breast cancer tissue were significantly higher than those in normal tissue, with activation of the three ceramide biosynthesis pathways. We also identified that ceramide levels have a significant association with aggressive phenotype and its enzymes have prognostic impact on breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Moro
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kawaguchi
- Breast Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263, USA
| | - Junko Tsuchida
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan
| | - Emmanuel Gabriel
- Breast Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263, USA
| | - Qianya Qi
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263, USA
| | - Li Yan
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263, USA
| | - Toshifumi Wakai
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Takabe
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan.,Breast Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York 14263, USA.,Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA.,Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan.,Department of Surgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Masayuki Nagahashi
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan
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Abstract
Studies of bioactive lipids in general and sphingolipids in particular have intensified over the past several years, revealing an unprecedented and unanticipated complexity of the lipidome and its many functions, which rivals, if not exceeds, that of the genome or proteome. These results highlight critical roles for bioactive sphingolipids in most, if not all, major cell biological responses, including all major cell signalling pathways, and they link sphingolipid metabolism to key human diseases. Nevertheless, the fairly nascent field of bioactive sphingolipids still faces challenges in its biochemical and molecular underpinnings, including defining the molecular mechanisms of pathway and enzyme regulation, the study of lipid-protein interactions and the development of cellular probes, suitable biomarkers and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf A Hannun
- Stony Brook Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York 11794, USA
| | - Lina M Obeid
- Stony Brook Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York 11794, USA
- Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York 11768, USA
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12
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Moskot M, Bocheńska K, Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka J, Banecki B, Gabig-Cimińska M. Abnormal Sphingolipid World in Inflammation Specific for Lysosomal Storage Diseases and Skin Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E247. [PMID: 29342918 PMCID: PMC5796195 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Research in recent years has shown that sphingolipids are essential signalling molecules for the proper biological and structural functioning of cells. Long-term studies on the metabolism of sphingolipids have provided evidence for their role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases. As many inflammatory diseases, such as lysosomal storage disorders and some dermatologic diseases, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and ichthyoses, are associated with the altered composition and metabolism of sphingolipids, more studies precisely determining the responsibilities of these compounds for disease states are required to develop novel pharmacological treatment opportunities. It is worth emphasizing that knowledge from the study of inflammatory metabolic diseases and especially the possibility of their treatment may lead to insight into related metabolic pathways, including those involved in the formation of the epidermal barrier and providing new approaches towards workable therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Moskot
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Kadki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland.
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Bocheńska
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | | | - Bogdan Banecki
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG-MUG, Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Gabig-Cimińska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Kadki 24, 80-822 Gdańsk, Poland.
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
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13
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Yildiz EP, Yesil G, Bektas G, Caliskan M, Tatlı B, Aydinli N, Ozmen M. Spinal muscular atrophy with progressive myoclonic epilepsy linked to mutations in ASAH1. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2017; 164:47-49. [PMID: 29169047 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy with progressive myoclonic epilepsy (SMA-PME), a rare disorder caused by mutation in the ASAH1 gene, is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and intractable epilepsy. The literature about SMA-PME is very rare and most of the time limited to case reports. Mutation in the ASAH1 gene is also found in another rare syndrome which is Farber disease. We report a case of a 13.5-year-old girl with SMA-PME associated with ASAH1 gene mutation. She presented with progressive muscle weakness, tremor, seizure, and cognitive impairment. Clinical features and electrophysiological investigations revealed a motor neuron disease and generalized epilepsy. The marked difference in disease manifestations may explain why Farber and SMA-PME diseases were not suspected of being allelic conditions. SMA-PME cases with ASAH1 mutation could be treated using therapeutic studies regarding Farber disease. In patients with undefined PME or lower motor neuron disease cases, ASAH1 mutation scans should be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edibe Pembegül Yildiz
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Gözde Yesil
- Department of Medical Genetics, Bezmi Alem Vakif University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gonca Bektas
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mine Caliskan
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Burak Tatlı
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nur Aydinli
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Meral Ozmen
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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14
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Cozma C, Iurașcu MI, Eichler S, Hovakimyan M, Brandau O, Zielke S, Böttcher T, Giese AK, Lukas J, Rolfs A. C26-Ceramide as highly sensitive biomarker for the diagnosis of Farber Disease. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6149. [PMID: 28733637 PMCID: PMC5522391 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06604-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Farber disease (FD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the acid ceramidase gene (ASAH1). Low ceramidase activity results in the accumulation of fatty substances, mainly ceramides. Hallmark symptoms at clinical level are periarticular nodules, lipogranulomas, swollen and painful joints and a hoarse voice. FD phenotypes are heterogeneous varying from mild to very severe cases, with the patients not surviving past their first year of life. The diagnostic aspects of FD are poorly developed due to the rarity of the disease. In the present study, the screening for ceramides and related molecules was performed in Farber affected patients (n = 10), carriers (n = 11) and control individuals (n = 192). This study has the highest number of enrolled Farber patients and carriers reported to present. Liquid chromatography multiple reaction mass spectrometry (LC/MRM-MS) studies revealed that the ceramide C26:0 and especially its isoform 1 is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for FD (p < 0.0001). The new biomarker can be determined directly in the dried blood spot extracts with low sample consumption. This allows for easy sample preparation, high reproducibility and use in high throughput screenings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cozma
- Centogene AG, Schillingallee 68, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
| | | | | | | | - Oliver Brandau
- Centogene AG, Schillingallee 68, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Susanne Zielke
- Albrecht-Kossel-Institute for Neurodegeneration, Rostock University Medical Centre, Gehlsheimerstraße 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Tobias Böttcher
- Albrecht-Kossel-Institute for Neurodegeneration, Rostock University Medical Centre, Gehlsheimerstraße 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Anne-Katrin Giese
- Albrecht-Kossel-Institute for Neurodegeneration, Rostock University Medical Centre, Gehlsheimerstraße 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jan Lukas
- Albrecht-Kossel-Institute for Neurodegeneration, Rostock University Medical Centre, Gehlsheimerstraße 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Arndt Rolfs
- Centogene AG, Schillingallee 68, 18057, Rostock, Germany.,Albrecht-Kossel-Institute for Neurodegeneration, Rostock University Medical Centre, Gehlsheimerstraße 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany
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15
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Tan SF, Pearson JM, Feith DJ, Loughran TP. The emergence of acid ceramidase as a therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21:583-590. [PMID: 28434262 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1322065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common adult leukemia. Only a fraction of AML patients will survive with existing chemotherapy regimens. Hence, there is an urgent and unmet need to identify novel targets and develop better therapeutics in AML. In the past decade, the field of sphingolipid metabolism has emerged into the forefront of cancer biology due to its importance in cancer cell proliferation and survival. In particular, acid ceramidase (AC) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target due to its role in neutralizing the pro-death effects of ceramide. Areas covered: This review highlights key information about AML biology as well as current knowledge on dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism in cancer and AML. We describe AC function and dysregulation in cancer, followed by a review of studies that report elevated AC in AML and compounds known to inhibit the enzyme. Expert opinion: AML has a great need for new drug targets and better therapeutic agents. The finding of elevated AC in AML supports the concept that this enzyme represents a novel and realistic therapeutic target for this common leukemia. More effort is needed towards developing better AC inhibitors for clinical use and combination treatment with existing AML therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Fern Tan
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - Jennifer M Pearson
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - David J Feith
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.,b University of Virginia Cancer Center , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.,b University of Virginia Cancer Center , Charlottesville , VA , USA
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16
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Pérez-Ramírez M, Hernández-Jiménez AJ, Guerrero-Guerrero A, Siordia-Reyes AG, Hernández-Caballero ME, García-Méndez A, Chico-Ponce de León F, Salamanca-Gómez FA, García-Hernández N. Pediatric pineal germinomas: Epigenetic and genomic approach. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2016; 152:45-51. [PMID: 27889662 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We identify and correlate chromosomal alterations, methylation patterns and gene expression in pediatric pineal germinomas. METHODS CGH microarray, methylation and gene expression were performed through the Agilent platform. The results were analyzed with MatLab software, MapViewer, DAVID, GeneCards and Hippie. RESULTS Amplifications were found in 1q24.2, 1q31.3, 2p11.2, 3p22.2, 7p13, 7p15.2, 8p22, 12p13.2, 14q24.3 y 22q12; and deletions were found in 1q21.2, 9p24.1, 10q11.22, 11q11, 15q11.2 and 17q21.31. In the methylation analysis, we observed 10,428 CpG Islands with a modified methylation status that may affect 11,726 genes. We identified 1260 overexpressed genes and 470 underexpressed genes. The genes RUNDC3A, CDC247, CDCA7L, ASAH1, TRA2A, LPL and NPC2 were altered among the three levels. CONCLUSIONS We identified the 1q24.2 and 1q31.3 amplified regions and the 1q21.3 and 11q11 deleted regions as the most important aims. The genes NPC2 and ASAH1 may play an important role in the development, progression and tumor maintenance. The ASAH1 gene is an ideal candidate to identify drug responses. These genomic and epigenetic studies may help to characterize the formation of pineal germ cell tumors to determine prognostic markers and also to identify shared characteristics in gonadal and extragonadal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monserrat Pérez-Ramírez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, 06720, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Ciudad Universitaria 3000, 04360, Coyoacán, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Alejo Justino Hernández-Jiménez
- Servicio de Neurocirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General "Dr. Gaudencio González Garza", Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", IMSS, Calzada Vallejo y Jacarandas S/N, 02980, Col. La Raza, Del. Azcapotzalco, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Armando Guerrero-Guerrero
- Servicio de Neurocirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General "Dr. Gaudencio González Garza", Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", IMSS, Calzada Vallejo y Jacarandas S/N, 02980, Col. La Raza, Del. Azcapotzalco, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Alicia Georgina Siordia-Reyes
- Servicio de Patología, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, 06720, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., Mexico
| | | | - Antonio García-Méndez
- Servicio de Neurocirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General "Dr. Gaudencio González Garza", Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", IMSS, Calzada Vallejo y Jacarandas S/N, 02980, Col. La Raza, Del. Azcapotzalco, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Fernando Chico-Ponce de León
- Departamento de Neurocirugía, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Dr. Márquez 162, Col. Doctores, 06720, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Fabio Abdel Salamanca-Gómez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, 06720, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Normand García-Hernández
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, 06720, Del. Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., Mexico.
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17
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Simonaro CM. Lysosomes, Lysosomal Storage Diseases, and Inflammation. JOURNAL OF INBORN ERRORS OF METABOLISM AND SCREENING 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/2326409816650465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Calogera M. Simonaro
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
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18
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Schuchman EH. Acid ceramidase and the treatment of ceramide diseases: The expanding role of enzyme replacement therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2016; 1862:1459-71. [PMID: 27155573 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Ceramides are a diverse group of sphingolipids that play important roles in many biological processes. Acid ceramidase (AC) is one key enzyme that regulates ceramide metabolism. Early research on AC focused on the fact that it is the enzyme deficient in the rare genetic disorder, Farber Lipogranulomatosis. Recent research has revealed that deficiency of the same enzyme is responsible for a rare form of spinal muscular atrophy associated with myoclonic epilepsy (SMA-PME). Due to their diverse role in biology, accumulation of ceramides also has been implicated in the pathobiology of many other common diseases, including infectious lung diseases, diabetes, cancers and others. This has revealed the potential of AC as a therapy for many of these diseases. This review will focus on the biology of AC and the potential role of this enzyme in the treatment of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward H Schuchman
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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