Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.1.0)
Enables sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase activity. Involved in cellular response to tumor necrosis factor; ceramide biosynthetic process; and sphingomyelin catabolic process. Acts upstream of or within in utero embryonic development. Located in endoplasmic reticulum; nuclear envelope; and sarcolemma. Is expressed in cranium; hemolymphoid system; nervous system; respiratory system; and urinary system. Orthologous to human SMPD4 (sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 4).