This gene encodes a protein which was initially identified as a sphingomyelinase based on sequence similarity between bacterial sphingomyelinases and a yeast protein. Subsequent studies showed that its biological function is less likely to be as a sphingomyelinase and instead as a lysophospholipase. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2009] see less This gene encodes a protein which was initially identified as a sphingomyelinase based on sequence similarity between bacterial sphingomyelinases and a yeast protein. Subsequent studies showed that its biological function is less likely to be as a sphingomyelinase and instead as a lysophospholipase. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2009]