SPHK1, also known as sphingosine Kinase 1, catalyzes the phosphorylation of sphingosine to form sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). S1P exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities including cell proliferation, survival, migration, cytoskeletal organization, and morphogenesis. It is a ligand for cell surface G protein-coupled receptors. SPHK 1 is a potential therapeutic target for the control of cancer and inflammation. SPHK1 plays a key role in TNF-alpha signaling and the NF-kappa-B activation pathway important in inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and immune processes.