Pro-apoptotic function of ceramide. Ceramide induces MOMP through the regulation of BAX by direct binding and suppression of BCL-2 in a p53-dependent manner. Ceramide also promotes apoptosis through the regulation of PP2A, AKT, and PKC. However, the precise molecular mechanisms are unknown. PP2A; protein phosphatase 2A, PKC; protein kinase C, MOMP; mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization.