Chemical Properties
White Crystalline Solid
Uses
Selective inhibitor of protein kinase C activity and phorbol dibutyrate binding in vitro in human platelets; does not inhibit protein kinase A or myosin light chain kinase; inhibits calmodulin-dependent enzymes; natural isomer of sphingosine
Biological Activity
Inhibitor of protein kinase C and calmodulin-dependent enzymes, but may stimulate mast cells by activation of protein kinase C.
Description
Sphingosine (123-78-4) is an inhibitor of protein kinase C (IC50 = 1-3 μM).1 It is abundant in cell membranes and is an important mediator in various biochemical pathways.2-4
Definition
cerebroside: Any one of a class ofglycolipids in which a single sugarunit is bound to a sphingolipid. The most commoncerebrosides are galactocerebrosides,containing the sugar group galactose;they are found in the plasma membranesof neural tissue and are abundantin the myelin sheaths ofneurones.
General Description
Sphingosine (d18:1) is a spingoid base present in plant and animals. It has 2-amino-1,3-diol functionality and its extraction from animal tissue is laborious. Sphingosine (d18:1) synthesis is performed by chirospecific method using D-galactose.
Biochem/physiol Actions
A constituent of cell membranes. Precursor of ceramide. Selective inhibitor of protein kinase C, but does not inhibit protein kinase?A or myosin light chain kinase. Inhibitor of calmodulin-dependent enzymes.
Purification Methods
D-Sphingosine is purified by recrystallisation from EtOAc, Et2O or pet ether (60-80o). It is insoluble in H2O but is soluble in Me2CO, EtOH and MeOH. It has IR bands at 1590 and 875 cm-1, and is characterised as the tribenzoate m 122-123o (from 95% EtOH). [Tipton Biochemical Preparations 9 127 1962.]
References
1) Merrill et al., (1989) Structural requirements for long-chain (sphingoid) base inhibition of protein kinase C in vitro and for the cellular effects of these compounds; Biochemistry, 28 3138
2) Ohanian and Ohanian (2001) Sphingolipids in mammalian cell signaling; Cell. Mol. Life Science, 58 2053
3) Ruvolo (2003) Intracellular signal transduction pathways activated by ceramide and its metabolites; Pharm. Res., 47 383
4) Olivier (2002) Sphingosine in apoptosis signaling; Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1585 153
