Cellular genes affected by new ceramide analogs are required for PEL cell survival. (A) The transcriptional levels of AURKA and CDCA3 were compared between ceramide analogs (315 or 403) and vehicle-treated BCBL-1 cells using qRT-PCR. (B-E) BCBL-1 was transfected with AURKA-siRNA, CDCA3-siRNA, or nontarget control siRNA (n-siRNA) for 72 to 96 hours; then the gene transcription, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were measured as described above. (F-G) BCBL-1 was transfected with SphK1-siRNA, SphK2-siRNA, or n-siRNA for 72 hours; then the protein expression was measured as described above. Error bars represent SD for 3 independent experiments. *P < .05; **P < .01.