Ceramide Kinase: Proteins and Enzymes

Ceramide kinase (CERK) is a novel lipid kinase. It is responsible for catalyzing the phosphorylation that produces a signaling lipid called ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P). C1P is an important biological mediator that induces inflammatory pathways such as those blocked by many allergy medications. Findings suggest that CERK could be a novel target for a new generation of anti-inflammatory/anti-trauma therapeutics dealing with such conditions as arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, lung and colon cancers and Alzheimer's disease.