Ceramide kinase and ceramide-1-phosphate.

It has been over a decade since the sphingolipid ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) was described. Until recently, only sparse reports on possible biological functions for this lipid have been published. A large number of reports have now surfaced demonstrating distinct biological mechanisms regulated by C1P produced from ceramide kinase (CERK). In the following methods chapter, the methodologies for examining CERK function in vitro and in cells are outlined in detail. The methodologies for examining C1P levels and the use of exogenous C1P on cells to observe lipid specific effects on a particular biology are also detailed.