The role of the second messenger ceramide in Fas-mediated death requires clarification. To
address this issue, we generated hepatocytes from paired acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase;
asmase)+/+ andasmase−/− mice. asmase−/− hepatocytes, derived from 8-week-old mice,
manifested normal sphingomyelin content and normal morphological, biochemical, and
biologic features. Nonetheless, ASMase-deficient hepatocytes did not display rapid
ceramide elevation or apoptosis in response to Jo2 anti-Fas antibody. asmase …