The role of sphingosine-1-phosphate and ceramide-1-phosphate in calcium homeostasis.

During the last several years, sphingolipids have been identified as a source of important signaling molecules. Particularly, the understanding of the distinct biological roles of ceramide, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) and lyso-sphingomyelin in the regulation of cell growth, death, senescence, adhesion, migration, inflammation, angiogenesis and intracellular trafficking has rapidly expanded. Additional studies have elucidated the biological roles of sphingolipids in maintaining a homeostatic environment in cells, as well as in regulating numerous cellular responses to environmental stimuli.