SMPD1 Protein
The SMPD1 gene encodes for the production of the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase, which is found in lysosomes. The normal function of this enzyme is to convert sphingomyelin into ceramide, which is an important lipid conversion for the cell. This conversion is shown below in Figure 1. Ceramide is a signaling molecule in the cell that is important in programmed cell death and apoptosis. It also helps to regulate cell differentiation and proliferation [1]. The SMPD1 protein is made up of 630 amino acids and has been found in many other organisms besides humans. More information on this can be found on the Protein Homology page.
Figure 2.This figure illustrates where the protein SMPD1 plays a role in the cell. SMPD1 acts on sphingomyelin, which is located in the cellular membrane. Sphingomyelin is then converted into ceramide, which is inside the cytoplasm of the cell. Ceramide goes on to produce cytochrome C in mitochondria [2].
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References
[1] Smith, E., & Schuchman, E. (2008). The unexpected role of acid sphingomyelinase in cell death and the pathophysiology of common diseases. The FASEB Journal, 22(10), 3419. doi: 10.1096/fj.08-108043
[2] Al-Mahrouki, A., Karshafian, R., Giles, A., & Czamota, G. (2012). Bioeffects of Ultrasound-Stimulated Microbubbles on Endothelial Cells: Gene Expression Changes Associated with Radiation Enhancement In Vitro. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, 38(11), 1958. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2012.07.009
[1] Smith, E., & Schuchman, E. (2008). The unexpected role of acid sphingomyelinase in cell death and the pathophysiology of common diseases. The FASEB Journal, 22(10), 3419. doi: 10.1096/fj.08-108043
[2] Al-Mahrouki, A., Karshafian, R., Giles, A., & Czamota, G. (2012). Bioeffects of Ultrasound-Stimulated Microbubbles on Endothelial Cells: Gene Expression Changes Associated with Radiation Enhancement In Vitro. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology, 38(11), 1958. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2012.07.009