Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.1.0)
Enables acid sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase activity and zinc ion binding activity. Involved in several processes, including ceramide biosynthetic process; plasma membrane repair; and response to ionizing radiation. Acts upstream of or within ceramide metabolic process; cholesterol metabolic process; and sphingomyelin catabolic process. Located in extracellular space. Is expressed in several structures, including alimentary system; integumental system; nervous system; sensory organ; and skeleton. Used to study Niemann-Pick disease. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Niemann-Pick disease; Niemann-Pick disease type A; and Niemann-Pick disease type B. Orthologous to human SMPD1 (sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1).