Ceramide Metabolism Pathway

The ceramide metabolism pathway encompasses the synthesis, interconversion, and degradation of ceramides, bioactive sphingolipids that play critical roles in cell signaling, membrane structure, and disease processes. Key pathways include de novo synthesis, sphingomyelin hydrolysis, and the salvage pathway. Ceramides regulate apoptosis, cell growth arrest, differentiation, senescence, autophagy, inflammation, insulin resistance, and vascular function. Dysregulation of this pathway is implicated in metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.

Other names

Sphingolipid Metabolism PathwayCeramide Synthase PathwayCeramidase PathwayDe Novo Ceramide SynthesisSphingomyelin Hydrolysis PathwaySalvage Pathway of Sphingolipids

The pathway itself is not a drug target, but specific enzymes within the pathway (e.g., SPT, CERS, ceramidases) are targeted by drugs to modulate ceramide levels.