C6 NBD ceramide is a biologically active fluorescent analog of short chain, membrane-permeable ceramides. It is as effective as C6 ceramide in the inhibition of viral glycoprotein transport through the Golgi. C6 NBD ceramide has been used as a fluorescent substrate for the activity of UDP-glucose:ceramide glucosyltransferase and to demonstrate the translocation of glucocerebroside and sphingomyelin from the Golgi to the plasma membrane. C6 NBD dihydro ceramide (d18:0/6:0) is structurally identical to C6 NBD ceramide, except it contains a saturated bond in the C-4/C-5 position of the sphingosine backbone.
