Neutral and acid sphingomyelinase

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Cellular ceramide is generated either by hydrolysis of sphingomyelin or by de novo synthesis. Sphingomyelin hydrolysis is catalyzed by at least three different sphingomyelinases that are discriminated by their optimal pH acid, neutral, and alkaline sphingomyelinases. In the present manuscript we will focus on acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)-released ceramide. 

Schissel, S.L, Jiang, X,C., Tweedie-Hardman, J., Jeong, T.S., Camejo, E.H., Najib, J., Rapp J.H., Wilhams, K.J., and Tabas, I. Secretory sphingomyehnase, a product of the acid sphingomyelinase gene, can hydrolyze atherogenic lipoproteins at neutral pH implications for atherosclerotic lesion development, J Biol Chem, 273 (1998b) 2738-2746. 

Samet, D., and Barenholz, Y., 1999, Characterization of acidic and neutral sphingomyelinase activities in crude extracts of HL-60 cells. Chem Phys Lipids 102 65-77. 

Wu, M., Harvey, K., Ruzmeto, N., Welch, Z., Sech, L., Jackson, K., Stillwell, W., Zaloga, G., and Siddiqui, R. (2005). Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids attenuate breast cancer growth through activation of a neutral sphingomyelinase-mediated pathway. Int.. Cancer 117, 340-348. 

Marchesini N. and Hannun Y. A. (2004). Acid and neutral sphingomyelinases roles and mechanisms of regulation. Biochem. Cell Biol. 82 27 14. 

Spence MW, Burgess JK. Acid and neutral sphingomyelinases of rat brain. Activity in developing brain and regional distribution in adult brain. / Neurochem. 1978 30(4) 917-919. 

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