C8 dihydro Ceramide is a sphingolipid and an intermediate in the synthesis of C8 ceramide [1]. It is synthesized by the acylation of sphinganine by ceramide synthase, a process that can be inhibited by some fungal mycotoxins, such as fumonisin B1 . [2] C8 dihydro Ceramide can be converted to C8 ceramide via the introduction of a 4,5-trans double bond by dihydroceramide desaturase.[1]C8 dihydro ceramide is metabolically inactive and has been used as a negative control for the biological activity of C8 ceramide.[3]
Reference:
[1]. Michel, C., van Echten-Deckert, G., Rother, J., et al. Characterization of ceramide synthesis. A dihydroceramide desaturase introduces the 4,5-trans-double bond of sphingosine at the level of dihydroceramide. J. Biol. Chem. 272(36), 22432-22437 (1997).
[2]. Wang, E., Norred, W.P., Bacon, C.W., et al. Inhibition of sphingolipid biosynthesis by fumonisins. Implications for diseases associated with Fusarium moniliforme. J. Biol. Chem. 266(22), 14486-14490 (1991).
[3]. Struckhoff, A.P., Bittman, R., Burow, M.E., et al. Novel ceramide analogs as potential chemotherapeutic agents in breast cancer. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 309(2), 523-532 (2004).