Role of sphingomyelinases in neurological disorders

Introduction: Sphingomyelinases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to ceramide and phosphorylcholine, are abundant in the brain. These enzymes are a major, rapid source of ceramide production not only during physiological responses to receptor stimulation, but also in neurological disorders.Areas covered: We covered an introduction to sphingomyelinases and its enzymatic product ceramide, in membrane domains or lipid rafts and the...