Review articleRegulation of sphingomyelin metabolism
Section snippets
SM – structure and function
SM is the most abundant eukaryotic sphingolipid (SF) which constitutes one of the major components of the plasma membrane (PM). The structural function of SM in a cell is determined by chemical structure of a phospholipid. Specifically, the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail of the phospholipid molecules enable them to form a double layer structure, known as a lipid bilayer. SM (N-acyl-sphingosine-1-phosphorylcholine) is composed of ceramide which comprises a sphingoid backbone, an
Ischemia/reperfusion
Cerebral ischemia is a condition of decreased tissue perfusion resulting in an inadequate supply of oxygen, glucose and other metabolites, and the subsequent reperfusion triggering multiple signaling cascades, which leads to brain injury. Various factors/pathways have been described in the literature as crucial for ischemia-induced neurodegeneration. Numerous changes, among others, have been observed in SM metabolism, frequently noted as essential for neuronal death or survival in
Summary
SM is the most abundant eukaryotic SF component of the plasma membrane. SM with different fatty acid chains has the ability to create unique compositions of lipid rafts thereby it can strongly modify the property of the PM. The SM content in a cell is strictly regulated by the enzymes of SM metabolic pathways which create a balance between SM synthesis (SMSs) and degradation (SMases). Physiological roles of SMSs and SMases is not sufficiently recognized. The activities of these enzyme undergo
Conflict of interest
We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that the order of authors listed in the manuscript has been approved by all of us.
Funding
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