Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Part I General Principles of Cell Death
- 1 Human Caspases – Apoptosis and Inflammation Signaling Proteases
- 2 Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
- 3 Death Domain–Containing Receptors – Decisions between Suicide and Fire
- 4 Mitochondria and Cell Death
- 5 The Control of Mitochondrial Apoptosis by the BCL-2 Family
- 6 Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response in Cell Death and Cell Survival
- 7 Autophagy – The Liaison between the Lysosomal System and Cell Death
- 8 Cell Death in Response to Genotoxic Stress and DNA Damage
- 9 Ceramide and Lipid Mediators in Apoptosis
- 10 Cytotoxic Granules House Potent Proapoptotic Toxins Critical for Antiviral Responses and Immune Homeostasis
- Part II Cell Death in Tissues and Organs
- Part III Cell Death in Nonmammalian Organisms
- Plate section
9 - Ceramide and Lipid Mediators in Apoptosis
from Part I - General Principles of Cell Death
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Part I General Principles of Cell Death
- 1 Human Caspases – Apoptosis and Inflammation Signaling Proteases
- 2 Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
- 3 Death Domain–Containing Receptors – Decisions between Suicide and Fire
- 4 Mitochondria and Cell Death
- 5 The Control of Mitochondrial Apoptosis by the BCL-2 Family
- 6 Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response in Cell Death and Cell Survival
- 7 Autophagy – The Liaison between the Lysosomal System and Cell Death
- 8 Cell Death in Response to Genotoxic Stress and DNA Damage
- 9 Ceramide and Lipid Mediators in Apoptosis
- 10 Cytotoxic Granules House Potent Proapoptotic Toxins Critical for Antiviral Responses and Immune Homeostasis
- Part II Cell Death in Tissues and Organs
- Part III Cell Death in Nonmammalian Organisms
- Plate section
Summary
Introduction
As a cellular signaling program, apoptosis is a highly controlled and complex process that depends on the orchestrated interactions of multiple soluble factors: ions (e.g., Ca2+), proteins (e.g., caspases, Bcl-2 family members), and nonprotein substrates (e.g., DNA). Equally important, although less well characterized, is signaling through cellular membranes and the lipids and proteins contained therein. Lipids are the primary constituents of biological membranes and thus play a structural role in defining cellular and organellar boundaries. However, lipids are not merely passive molecules serving inert, structural functions in these membranes. Many lipids are now appreciated as signaling molecules, capable of influencing diverse cellular processes and exerting powerful influence over many physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, such as programmed cell death. Sphingolipids represent one class of bioactive lipid mediators that are now recognized as key determinants of cell fate. This chapter discusses the regulated generation of bioactive sphingolipids (e.g., ceramide) and how sphingolipid signaling impacts the regulation of programmed cell death.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- ApoptosisPhysiology and Pathology, pp. 88 - 105Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011