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Ceramide kinase regulates growth and survival of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells
Author(s) -
Mitra Poulami,
Maceyka Michael,
Payne Shawn G.,
Lamour Nadia,
Milstien Sheldon,
Chalfant Charles E.,
Spiegel Sarah
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.01.041
Subject(s) - ceramide , apoptosis , microbiology and biotechnology , a549 cell , sphingolipid , kinase , lipid signaling , biology , cell growth , cancer research , chemistry , biochemistry , enzyme
Ceramide‐1‐phosphate (C1P) is emerging as a new addition to the family of bioactive sphingolipid metabolites. At low concentrations, C1P enhanced survival of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and A549 lung cancer cells, while at high concentrations, it reduced survival and induced apoptosis. Apoptosis correlated with degradation of C1P to pro‐apoptotic ceramide. To examine the role of endogenous C1P, expression of ceramide kinase, the enzyme that produces C1P, was downregulated, which reduced cellular proliferation, progression into S phase and enhanced apoptosis induced by serum starvation. Our results suggest that ceramide kinase determines the balance between pro‐apoptotic ceramide and anti‐apoptotic C1P to regulate cell fate, reminiscent of its function in plants.