Serine palmitoyltransferase is the rate limiting enzyme in ceramide synthesis, and SPTLC1 has been specifically implicated in increased ceramide synthesis triggering apoptosis in Hereditary Sensory Neuropathy type 1 (HSN1) cells (Dawkins et al., 2001). This evidence concerns the gene SPTLC1 and hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1.