ceramide/atrophy

In women as well as in mice, oocytes exhibit decreased developmental potential (oocyte quality) with advanced age. Our current data implicate alterations in the levels of oocyte ceramide and associated changes in mitochondrial function and structure as being prominent elements contributing to

The sphingolipid activator proteins (saposins A, B, C and D) are small homologous glycoproteins that are encoded by a single gene in tandem within a large precursor protein (prosaposin) and are required for in vivo degradation of some sphingolipids with relatively short carbohydrate chains. Human

Ceramide transfer protein (CERT) functions in the transfer of ceramide from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi. In this study, we show that CERT is an essential gene for mouse development and embryonic survival and, quite strikingly, is critical for mitochondrial integrity. CERT mutant

Ceramide and its metabolic derivatives are important modulators of cellular apoptosis and proliferation. Dysregulation or imbalance of their metabolic pathways may promote the development of retinal degeneration. The aim of this study was to identify the expression and regulation of key enzymes of

Patients admitted to the intensive care unit commonly develop skeletal muscle weakness that can exacerbate illness and complicate their recovery. Beyond the primary disease or aging, weakness is promoted by a variety of prolonged hospitalization-associated conditions. These include altered

There is a lack of studies which seek to discern disease expression in patients with mutations that alter retinal ceramide metabolism, specifically in the ceramide kinase like (CERKL) gene. This cross-sectional case series reports a novel phenotypic manifestation of CERKL-associated retinopathy.

In peripheral nerve regeneration or remyelination, immature Schwann cells expressing p75(NTR) play cardinal roles in the support and regeneration of axons (Griffin JW, Hoffman PN. Peripheral Neuropathy 361-376, 1993). Only one of four to six Schwann cells participate in remyelination of damaged or

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a powerful tool to perform untargeted mapping of biomolecules in situ. In the current study, we performed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to evaluate lipid changes during disease progression (asymptomatic to

Light-induced retinal degeneration (LIRD) in albino rats causes apoptotic photoreceptor cell death. Ceramide is a second messenger for apoptosis. We tested whether increases in ceramide mediate photoreceptor apoptosis in LIRD and if inhibition of ceramide synthesis protects the retina.

Bedridden patients in intensive care unit or after surgery intervention commonly develop skeletal muscle weakness. The latter is promoted by a variety of prolonged hospitalization-associated conditions. Muscle disuse is the most ubiquitous and contributes to rapid skeletal muscle atrophy and

(Dihydro)ceramide synthase 2 (cers2, formerly called lass2) is the most abundantly expressed member of the ceramide synthase gene family, which includes six isoforms in mice. CERS2 activity has been reported to be specific toward very long fatty acid residues (C22-C24). In order to study the

OBJECTIVE To investigate the genetic basis of autosomal recessive retinal degeneration in a large consanguineous family from Pakistan. METHODS Ophthalmic examinations were conducted on family members to establish their diagnosis. Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood was used for homozygosity

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease characterized by the degeneration of lower motor neurons. The most frequent form is linked to mutations in SMN1. Childhood SMA associated with progressive myoclonic epilepsy (SMA-PME) has been reported as a rare

Abnormal increase in native long-chain ceramides (lcCer) in AD implicates roles in neuronal atrophy and cognitive dysfunction especially in view of divergent roles this second messenger plays in cell function. Since clearance is mediated by glucosylceramide synthase (GCS, EC 2.4.1.80) levels of the