(4E)-sphingenine

<biochemistry> Long chain amino alcohol that bears an approximate similarity to glycerol with a hydrophobic chain attached to the 3 carbon. Forms the class of sphingolipids when it carries an acyl group joined by an amide link to the nitrogen. Forms sphingomyelin when phosphoryl choline is attached to the 1 hydroxyl group. Gives rise to the cerebroside and ganglioside classes of glycolipids when oligosaccharides are attached to the 1 hydroxyl group. Not found in the free form.

(18 Nov 1997)


Terms mentioned in text: biochemistry, long, chain, alcohol, bears, approximate, glycerol, hydrophobic, carbon, forms, class, sphingolipids, acyl, group, amide, link, nitrogen, sphingomyelin, phosphoryl, choline, hydroxyl group, rise, cerebroside, ganglioside, glycolipids, oligosaccharides, hydroxyl, free
Previous terms: sphingomyelin lipidosis, sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase, sphingomyelins
Next terms: sphingosine coa-independent transacetylase