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Acid Sphingomyelinase

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Sphingolipids: Basic Science and Drug Development

Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 215))

Abstract

The enzyme acid sphingomyelinase catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to ceramide. The importance of the enzyme for cell functions was first recognized in Niemann–Pick disease type A and B, the genetic disorders with a massive accumulation of sphingomyelin in many organs. Studies in the last years demonstrated that the enzyme also has an important role in cell signalling. Thus, the acid sphingomyelinase has a central function for the re-organization of molecules within the cell upon stimulation and thereby for the response of cells to stress and the induction of cell death but also proliferation and differentiation. Here, we discuss the current state of the art of the structure, regulation, and function of the acid sphingomyelinase.

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Acknowledgements

Work in this review was supported by the DFG-SPP1267 program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany

    Brian Henry, Regan Ziobro, Katrin Anne Becker & Erich Gulbins

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA

    Brian Henry & Erich Gulbins

  3. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Richard Kolesnick

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  1. Brian Henry
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  2. Regan Ziobro
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Correspondence to Erich Gulbins .

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  1. , Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, HufelandstraĂźe 55, Essen, 45122, Germany

    Erich Gulbins

  2. Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, W. Walnut Street 980, Indianapolis, 46202, Indiana, USA

    Irina Petrache

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Henry, B., Ziobro, R., Becker, K.A., Kolesnick, R., Gulbins, E. (2013). Acid Sphingomyelinase. In: Gulbins, E., Petrache, I. (eds) Sphingolipids: Basic Science and Drug Development. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 215. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1368-4_4

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