. Distinct receptor-mediated activities in macrophages for natural ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) and for phospho-ceramide analogue-1 (PCERA-1). Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Elsevier, 2009, 314 (2) This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.Page 1 Ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) is known as a second messenger regulating a multitude of processes including cell growth, apoptosis and inflammation. Exciting recent findings now suggest that C1P can stimulate macrophages migration in an extra-cellular manner via a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). Interestingly, a synthetic C1P analog, named phospho-ceramide analogue-1 (PCERA-1), was recently described as a potent in-vivo anti-inflammatory agent, and was suggested to act on macrophages in an extra-cellular manner via a GPCR. Here we summarize and compare the receptor-mediated as well as receptor-independent activities of natural C1P and its synthetic analog. We also provide experimental data in support of distinct C1P and PCERA-1 receptors.Page 3 of 20A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 3
IntroductionIt is well-established that sphingolipids are crucial metabolites for controlling cell and tissue homeostasis. In particular, ceramides induce cell cycle arrest and are potent inducers of apoptosis. Also, ceramides play crucial roles in the regulation of cell differentiation, and inflammation (Hannun et al., 1986;Hannun, 1994;Hannun and Obeid, 1995;Hannun, 1996;Hannun and Obeid, 2002;Kolesnick, 1994;Kolesnick, 1987;Kolesnick and Hemer, 1990;Kolesnick et al., 2000;Merrill and Jones, 1990;Merrill et al., 1997;Merrill, 2002;Spiegel and Merrill, 1996).Ceramides are generated either by de novo synthesis, or by the action of different sphingomyelinases (SMases), whose activities, enzymology, and compartmentalization have been thoroughly reviewed by others (Cremesti et al., 2002;Goni and Alonso, 2002;Kolesnick et al., 2000). A major metabolite of ceramide is ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P, Fig. 1), which is generated through direct phosphorylation of ceramide by ceramide kinase (CERK) (Bajjalieh et al., 1989;Kolesnick and Hemer, 1990). This enzyme was first shown to be confined to the microsomal fraction, but its location in the cytosol has also been reported (Mitsutake et al., 2004). Recently, Chalfant and co-workers demonstrated that CERK utilizes ceramide transported to the trans-Golgi apparatus by the ceramide transport protein (CERT). Of note, down-regulation of CERT by RNA interference resulted in strong inhibition of newly synthesized C1P, suggesting that CERT plays a critical role in C1P formation . However, this observation contrasts with that of Bornancin and...