Lipid and glycolipid mediators in CD95-induced apoptotic signaling

Ceramides play an important role mediating different cell responses such as proliferation, differentiation, growth arrest and apoptosis. They are released upon sphingomyelin hydrolysis which occurs after triggering of a number of cell-surface receptors including CD95. Ceramides generation also regulates glycosphingolipids and gangliosides metabolism. In particular, ganglioside GD3 biosynthesis may represent an important event for the progression of apoptotic signals generated by CD95 in hematopoietic cells.