Ceramide kinases convert the sphingolipid metabolite ceramide into ceramide-1-phosphate, both key mediators of cellularapoptosis and survival. Ceramide metabolism plays an essential role in the viability of neuronal cells, the membranesof which are particularly rich in sphingolipids (Tuson et al., 2004 (PubMed 14681825)).(supplied by OMIM)
