Sphingolipid and Ceramide Homeostasis: Potential Therapeutic Targets

Figure 3

Divergence in the postceramide biosynthetic steps highlighting the conserved intersection with phospholipid metabolism as a regulator of the balance between promitogenic diacylglycerol (DAG) and proapoptotic ceramide. The key regulatory synthetic steps are indicated by the “traffic light” symbols. CS: Ceramide Synthase; CDes: Ceramide Desaturase; SMS: Sphingomyelin Synthase; SL: Sphingolipid; IPC: Inositol Phosphorylceramide; PC: Phosphatidylcholine.