Ceramide Synthase 3 (CERS3)

The LASS family members are highly conserved from yeasts to mammals. Five mouse and human LASS family members, namely LASS1, LASS2, LASS4, LASS5 and LASS6, have been identified and characterized. LASS3 encode a 384-amino-acid protein (LASS3) and a 419-amino-acid protein (LASS3-long). In vivo, [³H]dihydrosphingosine labelling and electrospray-ionization MS revealed that overproduction of either LASS3 isoform results in increases in several ceramide species, with some preference toward those having middle- to long-chain-fatty acyl-CoAs. These results indicate that LASS3 possesses (dihydro)ceramide synthesis activity with relatively broad substrate specificity. LASS3 mRNA expression is limited almost solely to testis, implying that LASS3 plays an important role in this gland.