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Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate inhibits acid sphingomyelinase and blocks apoptosis in macrophages
Author(s) -
Gómez-Muñoz Antonio,
Kong Jennifer,
Salh Bill,
Steinbrecher Urs P
Publication year - 2003
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/s0014-5793(03)00197-2
Subject(s) - sphingosine 1 phosphate , sphingomyelin , sphingosine , apoptosis , ceramide , microbiology and biotechnology , angiogenesis , sphingolipid , sphingosine kinase , chemistry , sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase , acid sphingomyelinase , lipid signaling , cell growth , biochemistry , biology , cancer research , membrane , enzyme , receptor
Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (Sph‐1‐P) regulates critical cellular functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, and cell survival. However, its mechanisms of action are incompletely understood. Here, we show a novel biological effect of Sph‐1‐P: inhibition of acidic sphingomyelinase (A‐SMase) activity in apoptotic bone marrow‐derived macrophages. A‐SMase catalyzes the conversion of sphingomyelin to ceramides, which are pro‐apoptotic. This action of Sph‐1‐P prevents the accumulation of ceramides and blocks apoptosis, thereby promoting survival of the macrophages.