A secondary assay for ceramide kinase inhibitors based on cell growth inhibition by short-chain ceramides

We recently reported that ectopic expression of ceramide kinase (CerK) in various cell lines increases their sensitivity to cell death induced by the exogenous addition of short-chain (e.g., C2) ceramides (Cer). Here we show that this higher sensitivity results from CerK catalytic activity and production of C2-ceramide 1-phosphate (C2-C1P). If CerK activity is inhibited by the potent inhibitor NVP-231, C2-C1P is not produced and viability returns to control levels. The EC50 of NVP-231 in this assay is in the low nanomolar range, consistent with the IC50 determined in activity assays in vitro using purified CerK. NVP-995, a structurally related but inactive compound, does not protect against C2-Cer-induced cell death. This assay is robust and easy to implement and scale up, thereby providing a valuable secondary screen assay for CerK inhibitors.