Ceramide synthase is essential for endonuclease-mediated death of renal tubular epithelial cells induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation.

Ceramide is known to play a role in the cell signaling pathway involved in apoptosis. Most studies suggest that enhanced ceramide generation is the result of hydrolysis of sphingomyelin by sphingomyelinases. However, the role of ceramide synthase in enhanced ceramide generation has not been previously examined in hypoxia-reoxygenation injury.