Golgi ceramidase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of ceramides into sphingoid bases like sphingosine and free fatty acids at alkaline pH ( , ). Ceramides, sphingosine, and its phosphorylated form sphingosine-1-phosphate are bioactive lipids that mediate cellular signaling pathways regulating several biological processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation . Has a better catalytic efficiency towards unsaturated long-chain ceramides, including C18:1-, C20:1- and C24:1-ceramides ( , ). Saturated long-chain ceramides and unsaturated very long-chain ceramides are also good substrates, whereas saturated very long-chain ceramides and short-chain ceramides are poor substrates . Also hydrolyzes dihydroceramides to produce dihydrosphingosine (, ). It is the ceramidase that controls the levels of circulating sphingosine-1-phosphate and dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate in plasma through their production by hematopoietic cells (By similarity). Regulates cell proliferation, autophagy and apoptosis by the production of sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate ( , ). As part of a p53/TP53-dependent pathway, promotes for instance autophagy and apoptosis in response to DNA damage ( ). Through the production of sphingosine, may also regulate the function of the Golgi complex and regulate the glycosylation of proteins .
Subcellular locations: Golgi apparatus membrane
Highly expressed in placenta.