General Description
Hydroxy fatty acid (hFA)-sphingolipids are highly found in the myelin sheath. 2-hydroxy fatty acids (hFA) ceramides are present in the surface epithelium of the skin. 22:0(2
R-OH) Ceramide is a unique ceramide containing 22C long chain base fatty acid (behenic acid)-with 2′-hydroxyl group in
R configuration.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Hydroxy fatty acid (hFA)-sphingolipids play a vital role in cell signaling, cell differentiation and apoptosis. They also help in formation and function of myelin. Ceramides containing hydroxy fatty acid are synthesized by NAD(P)H-dependent enzyme, fatty acid 2-hydroxylase (FA2H). These hFA-sphingolipids facilitate the epidermal permeability barrier function.
