1-Deoxysphingosine (m18:1(14Z)) is an atypical sphingolipid that contains a double bond at the n-4 (14Z) native position and is formed when serine palmitoyltransferase condenses palmitoyl-CoA with alanine instead of serine during sphingolipid synthesis.
1,2 It lacks the C1-hydroxyl group necessary for canonical degradation, however, it is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) subfamilies CYP4A and CYP4F in MEF cells.
2