N-Stearoyldihydro-D-erythro-Sphingosine (CAS 2304-80-5)

N-Stearoyldihydro-D-erythro-Sphingosine is a synthetic derivative of naturally occurring sphingosine, a key component of sphingolipids that are vital for the structural and functional integrity of cell membranes. This chemical modification introduces a stearoyl fatty acid chain to dihydro-sphingosine, which lacks the double bond present in the sphingosine backbone, thereby altering its physical properties and interactions within lipid environments. This alteration significantly impacts the biophysical behavior of the lipid, particularly in terms of membrane fluidity and the formation of lipid rafts—microdomains critical for cellular signaling and protein sorting. In research, N-Stearoyldihydro-D-erythro-Sphingosine is utilized to investigate these sphingolipid-mediated membrane dynamics. It serves as a critical tool in exploring how modifications in sphingolipid structure affect their biophysical properties and, consequently, their role in cellular processes such as apoptosis, signal transduction, and cellular communication. By integrating into the lipid bilayer, it helps explain the role of sphingolipids in maintaining membrane stability and integrity, offering insights into the fundamental mechanisms that govern cell behavior and intercellular interactions. Through these studies, the compound aids in advancing our understanding of membrane lipids in cellular function and the complex interplay of lipid components in cellular organization.