The biological functions of sphingomyelin synathase and its relations with atherosclerosis / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

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.