Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 2 (SMPD2)

Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 2 (SMPD2), also known as neutral sphingomyelinase or NSMASE, is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to ceramide and phosphocholine, key steps in sphingolipid metabolism. This enzyme is crucial for regulating levels of bioactive ceramide, which serves as a secondary messenger in multiple signaling pathways that govern apoptosis, cell growth arrest, differentiation, and the stress response. SMPD2 is especially important in the central nervous system and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and prion diseases, as well as in cardiovascular disease and inflammation. Targeting SMPD2 with pharmacological inhibitors is under investigation as a therapeutic approach for various diseases linked to ceramide dysregulation.

Other names

Neutral sphingomyelinaseNSMASENSMASE1SMaseSphingomyelinasesphingomyelinase cholinephosphohydrolase

Enzyme inhibition (leading to decreased ceramide generation and sphingolipid signaling); modulation of ceramide-dependent apoptosis, inflammation, and extracellular vesicle biogenesis