LAG1 puts the focus on ceramide signaling

Abstract

Longevity-assurance gene 1 (LAG 1) is a yeast longevity gene. Homologues of the Lag 1 protein can be found throughout phylogeny, although sequence similarity is very limited. The Lag 1 protein is located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it helps to accelerate the transport of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins to the Golgi. This function of Lag 1 p results from its participation in ceramide synthesis. Thus, Lag 1 p and its homologues are likely to play a role in ceramide signaling, which affects growth, proliferation, stress resistance, and apoptosis. This provides a wide range of physiologic processes through which Lag 1 p may impinge upon life span.