Evidence for coordination of lysosomal (ASMase) and plasma membrane (NSMase2) forms of sphingomyelinase from mutant mice

NSMase2 is associated to the plasma membrane, whereas ASMase is predominantly lysosomal; both hydrolyze sphingomyelin (SM) to ceramide and phosphocholine. Although SM accumulated in both ASMase−/− and fro/fro (NSMase2−/−) fibroblasts, the reduction of ceramides was more dramatic in fro/fro cells. ASMase mRNA, protein and enzyme activity were substantially elevated in fro/fro fibroblasts. In contrast, NSMase2 activity was unaffected in ASMase−/− fibroblasts. ASMase−/− cells showed normal cell cycling whereas fro/fro cells grew slowly and were arrested in G1/G0 and could be corrected by transfection with smpd3 gene. This suggests two distinct subcellular pathways for SM catabolism with distinct functions.

► First description of the coordination between NSMase2 and ASMase in mouse fibroblasts. ► The mechanism of coordination is based on the sub-compartment localization of the two enzymes. ► NSMase2 localizes mainly on the plasma membrane and is involved in cell growth, whereas ASMase has less effect on growth and is mainly lysosomal.