Ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P) is biosynthesized from ceramide by the intracellular enzyme Ceramide kinase. C1P inhibits cell apoptosis via inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase activity in contrast to ceramide which promotes apoptosis. C1P is important in inflammation, activating cytosolic phospholipase A2 alpha and releasing downstream inflammatory mediators. In addition, C1P is involved in DNA synthesis, mast cell degranulation and neutrophil phagocytosis.
