5u84 | pdb_00005u84
Acid ceramidase (ASAH1, aCDase) from common minke whale, Cys143Ala, uncleaved
Structural highlights
FunctionASAH1_BALAS Lysosomal ceramidase that hydrolyzes sphingolipid ceramides into sphingosine and free fatty acids at acidic pH (By similarity). Ceramides, sphingosine, and its phosphorylated form sphingosine-1-phosphate are bioactive lipids that mediate cellular signaling pathways regulating several biological processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation (By similarity). Has a higher catalytic efficiency towards C12-ceramides versus other ceramides (By similarity). Also catalyzes the reverse reaction allowing the synthesis of ceramides from fatty acids and sphingosine (By similarity). For the reverse synthetic reaction, the natural sphingosine D-erythro isomer is more efficiently utilized as a substrate compared to D-erythro-dihydrosphingosine and D-erythro-phytosphingosine, while the fatty acids with chain lengths of 12 or 14 carbons are the most efficiently used (By similarity). Has also an N-acylethanolamine hydrolase activity (By similarity). By regulating the levels of ceramides, sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate in the epidermis, mediates the calcium-induced differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes (By similarity). Also indirectly regulates tumor necrosis factor/TNF-induced apoptosis (By similarity). By regulating the intracellular balance between ceramides and sphingosine, in adrenocortical cells, probably also acts as a regulator of steroidogenesis (By similarity).[UniProtKB:Q13510] Publication Abstract from PubMedAcid ceramidase (aCDase, ASAH1) hydrolyzes lysosomal membrane ceramide into sphingosine, the backbone of all sphingolipids, to regulate many cellular processes. Abnormal function of aCDase leads to Farber disease, spinal muscular atrophy with progressive myoclonic epilepsy, and is associated with Alzheimer's, diabetes, and cancer. Here, we present crystal structures of mammalian aCDases in both proenzyme and autocleaved forms. In the proenzyme, the catalytic center is buried and protected from solvent. Autocleavage triggers a conformational change exposing a hydrophobic channel leading to the active site. Substrate modeling suggests distinct catalytic mechanisms for substrate hydrolysis versus autocleavage. A hydrophobic surface surrounding the substrate binding channel appears to be a site of membrane attachment where the enzyme accepts substrates facilitated by the accessory protein, saposin-D. Structural mapping of disease mutations reveals that most would destabilize the protein fold. These results will inform the rational design of aCDase inhibitors and recombinant aCDase for disease therapeutics. Structural basis for the activation of acid ceramidase.,Gebai A, Gorelik A, Li Z, Illes K, Nagar B Nat Commun. 2018 Apr 24;9(1):1621. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-03844-2. PMID:29692406[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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