Endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated inhibition of NSMase2 elevates plasma membrane cholesterol and attenuates NO production in endothelial cells

► NSMase2 inhibition by ER stress-results in elevated cellular cholesterol. ► NO-levels in ER stressed cells were severely attenuated (~ 70%) within 24 h. ► NSMase2 overexpression increased eNOS phosphorylation but did not affect NO levels. ► NSMase2 knock down decreases eNOS phosphorylation (~ 50%) and NO formation (~ 40%).