Ceramide kinase

In enzymology, a ceramide kinase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction


 * ATP + ceramide $$\rightleftharpoons$$ ADP + ceramide 1-phosphate

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are ATP and ceramide, whereas its two products are ADP and ceramide 1-phosphate.

This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically those transferring phosphorus-containing groups (phosphotransferases) with an alcohol group as acceptor. The systematic name of this enzyme class is ATP:ceramide 1-phosphotransferase. This enzyme is also called acylsphingosine kinase. This enzyme participates in sphingolipid metabolism.