Sphinganine (d20:0) is a natural isomer of dihydro-D-erythro-sphinganine (sphinganine (d18:0); that is a precursor of ceramide and sphingosine as well as a substrate for sphingosine kinases, which generate sphingosine-1-phosphate (d18:1) . In S. cerevisiae, the amount of sphinganine (d20:0) increases 10.8-fold in response to heat stress, indicating it is involved in heat stress adaptation. Sphinganine levels increase significantly in response to certain mycotoxins, including fumonisins as well as in some cancers. Sphinganine can block protein kinase C activation in some cases but not others.
C8 Dihydroceramide acts as a negative control for C8 Ceramide, a cell-permeable analog of natural ceramides. C8 Ceramide, also known as N-Octanoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine, exhibits potent chemotherapeutic properties and anti-proliferation effects. Additionally, it stimulates dendritic cells to enhance T cell responses during viral infections. In vitro studies have also shown that C8 Ceramide induces a slight activation of protein kinase (PKC) [4].
Sphingosine (d18:1), an amino alcohol, is chiefly recognized for its 18-carbon unsaturated hydrocarbon chain. Nevertheless, in mammalian tissues, both sphingosine and its variant, dihydrosphingosine, feature hydrocarbon chains ranging from 12 to 26 carbons. Sphingosine (d15:1) represents a naturally rare variant, serving as an internal standard for chromatographic or spectrometric analyses of sphingoid compounds.
Sphingosine (d16:1), an unconventional sphingolipid, is synthesized through enzymatic reactions starting with the condensation of myristoyl-CoA and serine by serine palmitoyltransferase long-chain base subunit 3 (SPTLC3), which shows a preference for myristoyl-CoA. This compound is found in minute quantities in its free form in human plasma and as a component of various plasma sphingolipids, such as sphingosine-1-phosphate, ceramides, sphingomyelins, and in brain cerebrosides, albeit at lower concentrations than the more common d18:1 sphingoid base. Sphingosine (d16:1) acts as an inhibitor of PKC in mixed micelle assays and diminishes superoxide production triggered by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in isolated human neutrophils, as well as inhibiting the growth of CHO cells with IC50 values of 1 and 3.2 µM, respectively. Additionally, the concentration of sphingolipids containing sphingosine (d16:1) in the plasma is linked to the dietary consumption of saturated fatty acids and protein among ethnic Chinese populations.