Sphingomyelin Synthase Family and Phospholipase Cs

The sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) gene family has three members: SMS1 and SMS2 have SM synthase activity, while SMS-related protein (SMSr) has no SM synthase activity but has ceramide phosphorylethanolamine (CPE) synthase activity in vitro. Recently, we found that SMS family members are a group of phospholipase Cs (PLC). SMS1 and SMS2 are two phosphatidylcholine (PC)-PLCs and SMSr is a phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-PLC. SMS family members not only influence SM levels but also influence the levels of diacylglycerol (DAG), PC, PE, and glycosphingolipids, thus influencing cell functions. In this chapter, we will discuss the recent progresses in the research field of SMS family and will focus on its impact on metabolic diseases.