Ceramide synthase 3 (CersS3), also known as longevity assurance homologue 3, is an enzyme that is encoded in humans by the CERS3 gene.
Function
CerS3 synthesizes C24-ceramides and ceramides with longer acyl chains, and is found mainly in skin and testis.[5] Specifically, CerS3 synthesizes ceramides containing α-hydroxy (2-hydroxy) fatty acids, which are abundant in skin tissue, where they help maintain the water permeability barrier qualities of the skin.[6] It is found in large quantities in keratinocytes, and this increases during keratinocyte differentiation.[7]
CerS3 (T3l) mRNA is strongly expressed in skin, and was also found in brain, lung and kidney.[9] CerS3 is mainly found in the skin and testes. CerS3 is not detectable in the brain or the sciatic nerve.[10] Like other ceramide synthases, CerS3 is found in the endoplasmic reticulum within the cell.[11]
Structure
CerS3 has a molecular mass of 46.2 kDa, 383 amino acids, and six transmembrane domains. Like other ceramide synthases, CerS3 contains a Hox-like domain.[11] CerS3 is the only ceramide synthase for which splice variants have not been reported.[12]