ASAH2

ASAH2, also known as N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase 2, is a human gene encoding a ceramidase enzyme that participates in sphingolipid metabolism. As a member of the ceramidase family, ASAH2 catalyzes the hydrolysis of ceramides into sphingosine and a fatty acid, contributing to the balance of key lipid signaling molecules such as ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate. This balance influences various cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses.

The enzyme encoded by ASAH2 is typically described as a neutral ceramidase, with activity at near-neutral pH. It is expressed in multiple tissues, with reported expression in the intestine and brain among others. Regulation of ASAH2 expression and activity can be influenced by cellular states such as stress, inflammation, and metabolic changes, reflecting its role in dynamic lipid signaling networks.

In the broader context of sphingolipid metabolism, ASAH2 operates alongside other ceramidases and sphingolipid enzymes to modulate signaling through the ceramide–sphingosine–sphingosine-1-phosphate axis. Dysregulation of ceramide metabolism has been linked to a range of conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders, which has spurred research into ASAH2 as a potential therapeutic target or biomarker in specific contexts.

See also: ASAH1 (acid ceramidase) and other ceramidases such as ACER1/ACER3.