Sphingosine derivative from red algae of the Ceramiales. Sphingolipids, such as ceramides and cerebrosides, are important molecules in the formation and maintenance of the epidermal barrier to water vapor diffusion.
ChEBI: N-heptadecanoylsphingosine is a N-acylsphingosine in which the ceramide N-acyl group is specified as heptadecanoyl. It is functionally related to a heptadecanoic acid.
Ceramides play a key role in regulating various cellular processes like senescence and apoptosis. They are directly involved in the proliferation and differentiation of skin cells and regulate skin barrier functionality. Ceramide based analogs are potential anti-tumor agents and are regarded as tumor suppressor lipid.
