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Publication Abstract from PubMed

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase, ASM, SMPD1) converts sphingomyelin into ceramide, modulating membrane properties and signal transduction. Inactivating mutations in ASMase cause Niemann-Pick disease, and its inhibition is also beneficial in models of depression and cancer. To gain a better understanding of this critical therapeutic target, we determined crystal structures of mammalian ASMase in various conformations. The catalytic domain adopts a calcineurin-like fold with two zinc ions and a hydrophobic track leading to the active site. Strikingly, the membrane interacting saposin domain assumes either a closed globular conformation independent from the catalytic domain, or an open conformation, which establishes an interface with the catalytic domain essential for activity. Structural mapping of Niemann-Pick mutations reveals that most of them likely destabilize the protein's fold. This study sheds light on the molecular mechanism of ASMase function, and provides a platform for the rational development of ASMase inhibitors and therapeutic use of recombinant ASMase.

Crystal structure of mammalian acid sphingomyelinase.,Gorelik A, Illes K, Heinz LX, Superti-Furga G, Nagar B Nat Commun. 2016 Jul 20;7:12196. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12196. PMID:27435900^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.