Chemical Properties
White Crystalline Solid
Uses
A predominant, rather hydrophobic natural ceramide. Activates a cytosolic serine/threonine protein phosphatase in T9 cells; induces EGF receptor phosphorylation in A-431 cells; stimulates ceramide-activated protein kinase
Uses
An endogenous ceramide that acts as a lipid second messenger to regulate apoptosis and stress signaling.
Definition
ChEBI: N-hexadecanoylsphingosine is a N-acylsphingosine in which the ceramide N-acyl group is specified as hexadecanoyl (palmitoyl). It has a role as a Mycoplasma genitalium metabolite and a human blood serum metabolite. It is a N-acylsphingosine, a Cer(d34:1) and a N-palmitoyl-sphingoid base. It is functionally related to a hexadecanoic acid.
Biological Activity
C16 Ceramide levels are elevated in chronic alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). In general, ceramide inhibits mitochondrial function and insulin signaling. They are essential component of cell membrane and are involved in lipid raft formation. C16 ceramide based analog (C2-C16 CCPS) is potential anticancer agent used in chemotherapy. The levels of C16 ceramide and its ratio with other ceramides is regarded as a biomarker in predicting coronary artery disease (CAD). It interacts with the DNA-binding domain of tumor suppressor protein p53 and activates p53.
