Application Notes:
This high purity fluorescent product is ideal for the identification of dihydroceramide in samples and biological systems. 7-
nitrobenzofurazan (NBD) has been shown to have only a small influence on lipid adsorption into cells and cellular
membranes. This fluorescent analog of natural dihydroceramide is comparable to C12:0-dyhidroceramide in many biological
functions.1,2 Dihydroceramide is a critical intermediate in the synthesis of many complex sphingoid bases. Inhibition of
dihydroceramide synthesis by some fungal toxins that have a similar structure causes an increase in dihydroceramide and
dihydroceramide-1-phosphate and a decrease in other sphingolipids leading to a number of diseases including oesophageal
cancer. Dihydroceramide, synthesized by the acylation of sphinganine, is subsequently converted into ceramide via a
desaturase enzyme. N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) has been tested as an anti-cancer agent. It inhibits the
dihydroceramide desaturase enzyme in cells resulting in a high concentration of dihydroceramide and dihydro-sphingolipids
and this is thought to be the cause of the anti-cancer effects.3 Dihydrosphingosine induces cell death in a number of types of
malignant cells.
References:
1. J. Kok et al. “Dihydroceramide Biology STRUCTURE-SPECIFIC METABOLISM AND INTRACELLULAR LOCALIZATION” Journal of Biological
Chemistry, Vol. 272 pp. 21128-21136, 1997
2. J. Hsu et al. “Enhanced endothelial delivery and biochemical effects of -galactosidase by ICAM-1-targeted nanocarriers for Fabry disease” Journal of
Controlled Release, doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2010.10.031, 2010
3. W. Zheng “Fenretinide increases dihydroceramide and dihydrosphingolipids due to inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase” Georgia Institute of
Technology, 2006