A Stroll Down the CerS Lane

Iris D. Zelnik, Batsheva Rozman, Eden Rosenfeld-Gur, Shifra Ben-Dor, Anthony H. Futerman

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The majority of enzymes in the sphingolipid (SL) biosynthetic pathway have been identified over the past couple of decades. Despite significant work, and despite their crucial and central roles in SL synthesis, significant information is still lacking concerning the enzymes that catalyze the N-acylation of sphingoid long chain bases, namely the ceramide synthases (CerS), a family of six mammalian genes originally named longevity assurance (Lass) genes. Each of these six endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane-bound enzymes utilizes a relatively restricted sub-set of fatty acyl-CoAs for N-acylation, but are far more promiscuous about the use of long chain bases. The reason that mammals and other species have multiple CerS, generating a specific subset of ceramides, is not yet known, but implies an important role for ceramides containing specific fatty acids in cell physiology. In this brief chapter, we will stroll down the CerS lane and discuss what is known, and what is not known, about this important enzyme family.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBioactive Ceramides in Health and Disease
Subtitle of host publicationIntertwined Roles of Enigmatic Lipids
EditorsJ Stiban
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer Basel AG
Pages49-63
Number of pages15
ISBN (Print)978-3-030-21161-5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Publication series

NameAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
Volume1159

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology

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