Fig. 5

CORT induces the accumulation of mitochondrial C16:0 ceramide and mitochondrial damage through a CerS6-dependent pathway. Hepatocytes were transfected with scramble control (Scr) or CerS6 siRNA for 24 h. They were then cultured in serum-free medium for 12 h and treated with CORT (50 μM) or 0.5% alcohol (AL) for 24 h. Alcohol was used as a solvent control. A-B Treatment with CerS6 siRNA effectively inhibited the protein expression of CerS6. C The increase in mitochondrial C16:0 ceramide induced by CORT was reversed by CerS6 knockdown. D-F The release of cyt c from mitochondria into the cytoplasm induced by CORT was repressed by CerS6 knockdown. Data were analysed by the Mann–Whitney test or unpaired t-test. n = 3–4, ^* P < 0.05, compared to the Scr + AL group. ^# P < 0.05, ^## P < 0.01, compared to the Scr + CORT group