As compared to those with low CAV1 mRNA levels, prostate cancer cell lines and prostate tumors exhibiting high CAV1 mRNA levels tended to also exhibit reduced mRNA expression levels for genes involved in the biogenesis of ceramides including dihydroceramide desaturase enzymes (DEGS), ceramide synthase enzymes (CERS), and sphingomyelinases (SPMDs) (Fig. 3a, b). The gene discussed is DEGS1; the disease is prostate cancer.