A bioactive sphingolipid; inhibits formyl peptide-induced oxidant release (IC50 = 0.38 μM); increases COX-2 protein levels 15-fold through ERK signaling; induces death of keratinocytes (20% viability; EC50 = 30 μM); induces apoptosis (30 μM); has antiproliferative effects in CHO cells and induces internucleosomal DNA fragmentation; inhibits PLD activation in vitro,