Figure 2

The fate of ceramide. Phosphorylation of ceramide by ceramide kinase generates ceramide 1-phosphate. Ceramide can be cleaved by ceramidase to produce sphingosine from which sphingosine kinase may act upon forming sphingosine 1-phosphate. Sphingomyelin is produced by the addition of phosphorycholine to the 1-hydroxyl on ceramide. Ceramide also undergoes glucosylation, producing glucosylceramide, en route to the synthesis of the glycosphingolipids including the gangliosides.