SMPD3 Proteine

Catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to form ceramide and phosphocholine. Ceramide mediates numerous cellular functions, such as apoptosis and growth arrest, and is capable of regulating these 2 cellular events independently. Also hydrolyzes sphingosylphosphocholine. Regulates the cell cycle by acting as a growth suppressor in confluent cells. Acts as a regulator of postnatal development and participates in bone and dentin mineralization. Overexpression enhances cell death, suggesting that it may be involved in apoptosis control. May be involved in IL-1-beta-induced JNK activation in hepatocytes. May act as a mediator in transcriptional regulation of NOS2/iNOS via the NF- kappa-B activation under inflammatory conditions.