Sphingosine-tetramethylrhodamine is an alkyl-labeled sphingosine synthesized with the natural erythro stereochemistry that maintains its natural properties.
Sphingosine is formed through ceramidase catalyzed hydrolysis of ceramide. It is a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C (IC50 = 1-3 μM). Sphingosine is phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase to the bioactive lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate. Labeled sphingosines can be phosphorylated by sphingosine kinases (1 & 2) and can be used in high throughput screening applications. In addition, they induce a Nieman Pick type C1 disease cellular phenoype in RAW macrophages in the same manner as exogenously added sphingosine.
