C8-ceramide

C8-ceramide (N-octanoyl-D-erythro-sphingosine) is a synthetic, cell-permeable short-chain analog of endogenous long-chain ceramides. It acts as a bioactive sphingolipid mediator that regulates cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, C8-ceramide mimics endogenous ceramides by activating ceramide-activated protein phosphatases, such as protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which subsequently dephosphorylate and inactivate pro-survival signaling molecules like AKT. Additionally, C8-ceramide has been shown to interact with translocating chain-associated membrane protein 1 (TRAM1) to trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress (EnRS) and activate the PERK pathway, leading to apoptosis in endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer cells. It is widely utilized as a research tool to study sphingolipid metabolism, cell signaling, and apoptosis, and is being investigated preclinically for its potential anticancer and neuroprotective properties.

Other names

C8 ceramideC-8 ceramideC 8 ceramideC8-ceramide (d18:1/8:0)N-octanoyl-D-erythro-sphingosineN-octanoyl-D-sphingosineN-octanoylsphingosine