SL metabolism constitutes a highly complex network involving critical intersections with various other pathways, particularly glycerolipid biosynthesis (Holthuis & Menon, 2014). CER represents the corner stone for both biosynthesis and catabolism, modulating cell fate (Hannun & Obeid, 2008). Dysregulation of either SL biosynthesis or catabolism could result in cell death, e.g. of protozoan parasites (Yatsu, 1971; Brady, 1978; Chen et al. 1999; Merrill & Sandhoff, 2002), however here our focus will be on the former pathway.