Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase

In sphingomyelinases (short SMasen ) are enzymes. They catalyze the cleavage of the phosphodiester bond of sphingomyelin, which belongs to the group of sphingolipids. This results from sphingomyelin ceramide and phosphorylcholine. Because of this feature are also referred to as the sphingomyelinases sphingomyelin phosphodiesterases.

There have been at least 5 different sphingomyelinases in mammals, including humans belong, isolated: Acid sphingomyelinase, alkaline sphingomyelinase and neutral sphingomyelinases 3.

Of greater importance in medicine is the acid sphingomyelinase (gene name SMPD1 ). A mutation in the gene results in codierendem Niemann-Pick disease in which it is due to deficiency of the enzyme to the accumulation of sphingomyelin in lysosomes. Conversely, it was in a small clinical trial evidence of the relationship of enzyme overactivity with depression; in vitro antidepressants amitriptyline and imipramine caused a reduction in the enzyme activity.

The alkaline sphingomyelinase is likely to play a role in the development of some cancers.