Ceramide synthases 2, 5, and 6 confer distinct roles in radiation-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells.

ABSTRACT: The role of ceramide neo-genesis in cellular stress response signaling is gaining increasing attention with recent progress in elucidating the novel roles and biochemical properties of the ceramide synthase (CerS) enzymes. Selective tissue and subcellular distribution of the six mammalian CerS isoforms, combined with distinct fatty acyl chain length substrate preferences, implicate differential functions of specific ceramide species in cellular signaling. We report here that ionizing radiation (IR) induces de novo synthesis of ceramide to influence HeLa cell apoptosis by specifically activating CerS isoforms 2, 5, and 6 that generate opposing anti- and pro-apoptotic ceramides in mitochondrial membranes. Overexpression of CerS2 resulted in partial protection from IR-induced apoptosis wherea

SUBMITTER: Mesicek J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4348005 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature