Ceramidase

Ceramidase is a lipid hydrolase enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ceramide into sphingosine and a fatty acid[1][3][4]. Multiple isoforms exist in mammals (acid, neutral, and alkaline ceramidases) encoded by distinct genes (e.g., ASAH1 for acid ceramidase)[1]. Ceramidase activity regulates the balance of ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate—key bioactive lipids controlling cell fate, differentiation, apoptosis, and signaling[1][4]. Dysregulation or mutation of ceramidase leads to diverse pathologies, including Farber disease, cancer, neurodegeneration, and inflammation[1][2][3]. Ceramidase is considered a promising, but challenging, therapeutic target for cancer and other diseases driven by sphingolipid metabolism[1].

Other names

acylsphingosine deacylaseglycosphingolipid ceramide deacylaseacid ceramidase (ASAH1)neutral ceramidase (ASAH2, ASAH2B, ASAH2C)alkaline ceramidase 1 (ACER1)alkaline ceramidase 2 (ACER2)alkaline ceramidase 3 (ACER3)CDase

Competitive inhibition of ceramide conversion to sphingosine; modulation of sphingolipid rheostat (balance between ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate); experimental drugs inhibit ceramidase to increase ceramide-induced apoptosis in cancer[1][2]