N,N-Dimethylsphingosine

Biological Activity

N,N-Dimethylsphingosine is a competitive sphingosine kinase (SphK) inhibitor. Exhibits inhibitory activity in platelets and in cytosolic extracts from U937, Swiss 3T3 and PC12 cells. Selectively inhibits sphingosine phosphorylation; does not inhibit N-acylation, and displays no inhibitory effect on protein kinase C at concentrations that inhibit SphK. Increases the release of IL-1β and MCP-1 in cultured astrocytes; thought to mediate mechanical allodynia via this mechanism.

Technical Data

The technical data provided above is for guidance only. For batch specific data refer to the Certificate of Analysis.
Tocris products are intended for laboratory research use only, unless stated otherwise.

Background References

1. N,N-dimethylsphingosine is a potent competitive inhibitor of sphingosine kinase but not of protein kinase C: modulation of cellular levels of sphingosine 1-phosphate and ceramide.
   Edsall et al.
   Biochemistry, 1998;37:12892
2. N,N-dimethylsphingosine inhibition of sphingosine kinase and sphingosine 1-phosphate activity in human platelets.
   Yatomi et al.
   Biochemistry, 1996;35:626
3. Metabolomics implicates altered sphingolipids in chronic pain of neuropathic origin.
   Patti et al.
   Nat.Chem.Biol., 2012;8:232

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