鞘磷脂合酶的生物学功能及与动脉粥样硬化的关系

鞘磷脂是细胞膜及血浆脂蛋白中的重要脂质,有着广泛而重要的生物学功能,并与动脉粥样硬化的发生发展密切相关,其含量改变已成为动脉粥样硬化的独立危险因素之一;而鞘磷脂合酶是鞘磷脂合成的关键酶,其表达水平及活性高低直接影响到动脉粥样硬化的病理过程,有可能成为动脉粥样硬化治疗的新靶点。该文就鞘磷脂合酶的结构、生物学功能、在动脉粥样硬化形成过程中的作用,及其作为AS治疗潜在靶点的研究近况进行了全面的综述。

The biological functions of sphingomyelin synathase and its relations with atherosclerosis

As an important lipid in cell membrane and lipoprotein,sphingomyelin(SM)has widespread and considerable biological functions.It has close relation to the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis(AS),and the change of its concentration has become a seperate risk of atherosclerosis.Sphingomyelin synathase(SMS),the key enzyme in synthesis of SM,might become a new target for treatment of AS because of its expression and activity could directly influence the pathophysilogical process of AS.Here the recent reports about the structure and biological functions of SMS are summarized,and its role in AS and the possibilities of it being a potential drug target for AS therapy are reviewed.