A drug for promoting ceramide transport contains a protein having the
amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 as an effective component; the base
sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; a method of measuring an activity for promoting
ceramide release comprises mixing a lipid membrane containing ceramide
with a drug promoting ceramide release, centrifuging the thus obtained
mixture to give a supernatant and measuring the ceramide content in the
supernatant; and a method of measuring an activity for promoting
intermembrane ceramide transfer comprises mixing a receiving membrane, a
drug for promoting ceramide transport and a donating membrane containing
ceramide, adding a selective membrane aggregating agent thereto, then
separating the receiving membrane from the donating membrane and
measuring ceramide contents in the receiving membrane and in the donating
membrane. Thus, it is possible to provide a drug for promoting ceramide
transport, a base sequence for producing the drug, relevant a method of
measuring an activity for promoting ceramide release and a method of
measuring an activity for promoting intermembrane ceramide transfer.