ASAH2 Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

Ceramidases (EC 3.5.1.23), such as ASAH2, catalyze hydrolysis of the N-acyl linkage of ceramide, a second messenger in a variety of cellular events, to produce sphingosine. Sphingosine exerts both mitogenic and apoptosis-inducing activities, and its phosphorylated form functions as an intra- and intercellular second messenger (see MIM 603730) (Mitsutake et al., 2001 [PubMed 11328816]).[supplied by OMIM, Mar 2008]

ASAH2: Hydrolyzes the sphingolipid ceramide into sphingosine and free fatty acid at an optimal pH of 6.5-8.5. Acts as a key regulator of sphingolipid signaling metabolites by generating sphingosine at the cell surface. Acts as a repressor of apoptosis both by reducing C16-ceramide, thereby preventing ceramide-induced apoptosis, and generating sphingosine, a precursor of the antiapoptotic factor sphingosine 1-phosphate. Probably involved in the digestion of dietary sphingolipids in intestine by acting as a key enzyme for the catabolism of dietary sphingolipids and regulating the levels of bioactive sphingolipid metabolites in the intestinal tract. Belongs to the neutral ceramidase family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Membrane protein, integral; EC 3.5.1.23; Hydrolase; Lipid Metabolism - sphingolipid

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 10q11.21

Cellular Component: mitochondrion; integral to membrane; plasma membrane

Molecular Function: ceramidase activity

Biological Process: sphingolipid metabolic process; apoptosis; glycosphingolipid metabolic process; ceramide metabolic process; signal transduction