Ceramide synthesis (CerS)

Ceramide synthase refers to a family of enzymes (CerS1–CerS6) that catalyze the acylation of sphingoid bases to generate ceramides, key bioactive lipids essential for cell membrane integrity and intracellular signaling. Ceramide can also be produced via hydrolysis of sphingomyelin by sphingomyelinases or through salvage pathways recycling sphingosine. Ceramide functions in signal transduction, apoptosis, regulation of metabolism, cell differentiation, and the maintenance of the skin barrier. Dysregulation of ceramide synthesis and metabolism is implicated in metabolic diseases (e.g., obesity, insulin resistance), cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory conditions. Several enzymes in ceramide synthesis, notably CerS6, are drug targets, with inhibitors such as fumonisin B1 and myriocin under investigation for modulating disease-relevant ceramide levels[2][6][1][3][7]. Ceramide species, particularly defined by acyl chain length, are also emerging as biomarkers for disease risk and therapeutic response[2][6].

Other names

Ceramide synthases (CerS)Sphingosine N-acyltransferasesDe novo ceramide synthesis pathway enzymesSphingomyelinase (for hydrolysis pathway regulators)

Inhibition of ceramide synthase blocks ceramide production, affecting apoptotic and metabolic signaling pathways; Sphingomyelinase inhibition/activation modifies ceramide levels, influencing cell death and other signaling responses