Neutral sphingomyelinase activation associated factor (NSMAF)

Neutral sphingomyelinase activation associated factor (NSMAF) is a WD-repeat scaffolding protein that couples the 55 kDa tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR1, p55 TNF-receptor) to neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMASE). It acts by specifically binding to the N-SMASE activation domain of TNFR1, thereby facilitating TNF-mediated activation of neutral sphingomyelinase, which is involved in the generation of ceramide—a bioactive lipid mediator of inflammation, apoptosis, and stress responses. NSMAF is required for several tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced cellular responses, including apoptosis and inflammatory signaling. Diseases associated with NSMAF include some neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease) and rare immune/lysosomal diseases (e.g., Chediak-Higashi syndrome). Alternative splicing of the gene can produce multiple transcript variants.

Other names

FANGRAMD5Protein FANNeutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase) activation associated factorFactor associated with N-SMase activationFactor associated with neutral sphingomyelinase activation