CERS1
CERS1 (ceramide synthase 1) is an endoplasmic reticulum enzyme that attaches an acyl chain to a sphingoid base to form dihydroceramides and ceramides, with a strong preference for stearoyl-CoA. It is also known as LAG1, UOG1 and LASS1. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CERS1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CERS1 catalyses the transfer of the acyl chain from acyl-CoA to a sphingoid base, with high selectivity toward stearoyl-CoA (C18:0-CoA). It N-acylates sphinganine in de novo synthesis and sphingosine in salvage pathways, producing dihydroceramides and ceramides respectively. Ceramide is the hydrophobic moiety of sphingolipids, so the CERS1 protein sits at an entry point to sphingolipid biology.
In skeletal muscle, CERS1 plays a predominant role in regulating C18 ceramide and dihydroceramide levels, with an impact on whole-body glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. It protects against diet-induced obesity by suppressing glucose uptake in multiple organs in an FGF21-dependent way. In the brain it generates C18 ceramides in neurons and is critical for cerebellar development and Purkinje cell function. Under cellular stress it mediates mitophagy, a recognised defence against cell transformation and ageing: after mitochondrial fission, the C18 ceramides it generates anchor lipidated MAP1LC3B (LC3B-II) autophagolysosomes to the outer mitochondrial membrane so that damaged mitochondria are removed.
The CERS1 gene belongs to the ceramide synthase gene group, and the enzyme to the sphingosine N-acyltransferase family. Its names derive from the yeast longevity assurance gene LAG1, and elevated expression has been associated with increased longevity. Decreased expression has been associated with myoclonus epilepsy with dementia in human patients. The gene is transcribed from a monocistronic mRNA and from a bicistronic mRNA that also encodes growth differentiation factor 1. Mouse studies use the ortholog Cers1.
CERS1 forms C18 dihydroceramides and ceramides through de novo and salvage routes, making it a focus for studying acyl-chain specificity in sphingolipid synthesis.
In skeletal muscle CERS1 regulates C18 ceramide levels, affecting glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, and it protects against diet-induced obesity in an FGF21-dependent way.
CERS1 generates C18 ceramides in the brain and is critical for cerebellar development and Purkinje cell function; reduced expression is linked to myoclonus epilepsy with dementia.
CERS1 mediates stress-induced mitophagy by generating C18 ceramides that tether LC3B-II autophagolysosomes to damaged mitochondria, a defence against transformation and ageing.
CERS1 is a ceramide synthase that transfers an acyl chain from acyl-CoA to a sphingoid base, preferring stearoyl-CoA (C18:0). It produces C18 dihydroceramides and ceramides, supporting muscle glucose metabolism, cerebellar development and Purkinje cell function, and stress-induced mitophagy.
CERS1 is also called LAG1, UOG1 and LASS1. Earlier names include longevity assurance homolog 1 (S. cerevisiae) and LAG1 homolog, ceramide synthase 1. The gene is transcribed from a monocistronic mRNA and a bicistronic mRNA that also encodes growth differentiation factor 1.
Decreased CERS1 expression may be associated with myoclonus epilepsy with dementia in human patients, while elevated expression may be associated with longevity. A mouse ortholog, Cers1, exists; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other ceramide synthases that act on different acyl-chain lengths in sphingolipid synthesis.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P27544; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.