Sphingomyelin cycle

The sphingomyelin cycle is a critical metabolic pathway regulating the interconversion of sphingomyelin, ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate, involving a network of enzymes such as sphingomyelinase, sphingomyelin synthase, ceramidase, and kinases[5][7]. These lipids act as bioactive signaling molecules controlling apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and inflammation. Dysregulation of this cycle is linked to diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and vascular disease[4][5][6]. Drug development efforts targeting this pathway focus mainly on specific enzymes rather than the entire cycle, due to its fundamental biological roles and the broad consequences of its manipulation[5].

Other names

sphingolipid cycle

Inhibitors or modulators of enzymes within the cycle (e.g., inhibiting sphingomyelinase to prevent ceramide formation)