Ceramide synthases (CerS) are key enzymes in the lipid metabolism of eukaryotic cells. Their products, ceramides (Cer), are components of cellular membranes but also mediate signaling functions in physiological processes such as proliferation, skin barrier function and cerebellar development. In pathophysiological processes such as multiple sclerosis and tumor progression, ceramide levels are altered, which can be ascribed, partly, to dysregulation of CerS gene transcription. Most publications deal with the effects of altered ceramide levels on physiological and pathophysiological processes, but the regulation of the appropriate CerS is frequently not investigated. This is insufficient for the clarification of the role of ceramides, because most ceramide species are generated by at least two CerS. The mechanisms of CerS regulation are manifold and it seems that each CerS isoform is regulated individually. For this reason, we discuss the different CerS separately in this review. From transcriptional regulation to alteration of protein activity, the possibilities to influence CerS are diverse. Furthermore, CerS are influenced by a variety of molecules including hormones and lipids. Without claiming completeness, we provide a résumé of the regulatory mechanisms for each CerS in mammalian cells and how dysregulation of these mechanisms during physiological processes may lead to pathophysiological processes.

神经酰胺合酶（CerS）是真核细胞脂质代谢中的关键酶。他们的产品神经酰胺（Cer）是细胞膜的成分，但在诸如增殖，皮肤屏障功能和小脑发育等生理过程中也能介导信号传导功能。在诸如多发性硬化和肿瘤进展的病理生理过程中，神经酰胺水平发生改变，这可能部分归因于CerS基因转录的失调。大多数出版物都涉及神经酰胺水平改变对生理和病理生理过程的影响，但通常不研究适当CerS的调节。这不足以澄清神经酰胺的作用，因为大多数神经酰胺物质是由至少两种CerS产生的。CerS调节的机制是多种多样的，并且似乎每个CerS同工型都是单独调节的。出于这个原因，我们在本次审查中分别讨论了不同的CerS。从转录调控到蛋白质活性改变，影响CerS的可能性是多种多样的。此外，CerS受多种分子（包括激素和脂质）的影响。在不要求完整性的情况下，我们提供了哺乳动物细胞中每种CerS调控机制的简历，以及在生理过程中这些机制的失调可能如何导致病理生理过程。影响CerS的可能性多种多样。此外，CerS受多种分子（包括激素和脂质）的影响。在不要求完整性的情况下，我们提供了哺乳动物细胞中每种CerS调控机制的简历，以及在生理过程中这些机制的失调可能如何导致病理生理过程。影响CerS的可能性多种多样。此外，CerS受多种分子（包括激素和脂质）的影响。在不要求完整性的情况下，我们提供了哺乳动物细胞中每种CerS调控机制的简历，以及在生理过程中这些机制的失调可能如何导致病理生理过程。