Fig. 6
From: Cell surface sphingomyelin: key role in cancer initiation, progression, and immune evasion
Sphingomyelin metabolism and proliferative capacity of hepatic tumor cells. Mean fluorescence counts in hepatic tumor cells quantitatively assayed for proliferation by the Alamar blue microplate test, and showing significant (P < 0.005, ★) decrease following exposure to arachidonic acid (ARA), a known activator of nSMase, which leads to SM hydrolysis and release of intracellular apoptotic ceramide, reflected in cell viability and proliferation decrease. Myriocin interferes with SM synthesis via blocking the initial step in the de novo synthesis of ceramide, leading to reduction of SM content in the cell membrane, and reduced proliferation.