Abstract: A drug for promoting ceramide transport contains a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 as an effective component; the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; a method of measuring an activity for promoting ceramide release comprises mixing a lipid membrane containing ceramide with a drug promoting ceramide release, centrifuging the thus obtained mixture to give a supernatant and measuring the ceramide content in the supernatant; and a method of measuring an activity for promoting intermembrane ceramide transfer comprises mixing a receiving membrane, a drug for promoting ceramide transport and a donating membrane containing ceramide, adding a selective membrane aggregating agent thereto, then separating the receiving membrane from the donating membrane and measuring ceramide contents in the receiving membrane and in the donating membrane.

Abstract: A inhibitor of sphingolipids synthesis comprising a compound represented by general formula A. Desirably, a novel inhibitor of sphingolipids synthesis comprising (1R, 3R) N-(3-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylpropyl) alkaneamide, wherein carbon number of alkanoyl group is 8-16. (in the formula, X is an aliphatic alkyl group, desirably is an aliphatic alkyl group having 7 to 15 carbon atoms).

Abstract: A inhibitor of sphingolipids synthesis comprising a compound represented by general formula A. Desirably, a novel inhibitor of sphingolipids synthesis comprising (1R, 3R) N-(3-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylpropyl) alkaneamide, wherein carbon number of alkanoyl group is 8-16.