Background：CERK converts ceramide to ceramide 1-phosphate （C1P）, a sphingolipid metabolite. Both CERK and C1P have been implicated in various cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, phagocytosis, and inflammation. Catalyzes specifically the phosphorylation of ceramide to form ceramide 1-phosphate. Acts efficiently on natural and analog ceramides （C6, C8, C16 ceramides, and C8-dihydroceramide）, to a lesser extent on C2-ceramide and C6-dihydroceramide, but not on other lipids, such as various sphingosines. Binds phosphoinositides.
