Alkaline ceramidase 2 (ACER2)

Alkaline ceramidase 2 (ACER2) is a membrane-associated enzyme belonging to the alkaline ceramidase family, encoded by the ACER2 gene. It hydrolyzes ceramides into sphingosine, a key precursor for sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), thereby playing a central role in sphingolipid metabolism and homeostasis. By modulating the balance between bioactive lipids such as ceramide (pro-apoptotic/pro-senescent) and S1P (pro-survival, proliferative, and involved in immune cell trafficking), ACER2 governs processes including cell proliferation, cell death, DNA damage response, senescence, autophagy, and inflammation. ACER2 is regulated transcriptionally by tumor suppressor p53 and is upregulated in response to DNA damage. Dysregulation or aberrant expression of ACER2 has been linked to several diseases, especially various forms of cancer and inflammatory conditions, highlighting its interest as a potential therapeutic target[2][6][7][8][9].

Other names

ACER2ASAH3LPP11646AlkCDase 2Alkaline CDase 2haCER2FLJ41587Acylsphingosine deacylase 3-likeN-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase 3-likeceramide hydrolase

Enzyme inhibition (theoretically for potential drugs): blocking ceramide hydrolysis to modulate S1P/ceramide balance. Induction of ACER2 (by DNA damage or p53 activation) alters sphingolipid signaling, impacts apoptosis, proliferation, and immune responses[2][6][7][9].