3-Ketodihydrosphingosine is derived from N-Boc-L-Serine (B667355), which is an N-Boc-protected form of L-Serine (S270975). L-Serine is a non-essential amino acid that is required for the synthesis of sphinogolipids and phosphatidylserine, compounds that are important for central nervous system neuronal survival. L-Serine is also important in intermediary metabolism in eukaryotic cells.