Used in cellular signaling pathways, particularly in regulating cell growth, survival, and stress responses. Plays a role in modulating membrane dynamics and intracellular trafficking. Involved in yeast response to environmental changes such as nutrient availability and osmotic stress. Serves as a bioactive lipid mediator in studies of sphingolipid metabolism and signaling in eukaryotic cells. Useful in research on programmed cell death and adaptation mechanisms in microorganisms.