Chemicals and Drugs

Sphingolipids

A class of membrane lipids that have a polar head and two nonpolar tails. They are composed of one molecule of the long-chain amino alcohol sphingosine (4-sphingenine) or one of its derivatives, one molecule of a long-chain acid, a polar head alcohol and sometimes phosphoric acid in diester linkage at the polar head group. (Lehninger et al, Principles of Biochemistry, 2nd ed)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A class of membrane lipids that have a polar head and two nonpolar tails. They are composed of one molecule of the long-chain amino alcohol sphingosine (4-sphingenine) or one of its derivatives, one molecule of a long-chain acid, a polar head alcohol and sometimes phosphoric acid in diester linkage at the polar head group. (Lehninger et al, Principles of Biochemistry, 2nd ed)

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Synonyms

2 entry terms
  • Sphingolipid
  • Lysosphingolipids

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Aspects Covered

28 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

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History Note

72(71); was see under LIPIDS 1963-71

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Previous Indexing

  • Lipids (1966-1970)

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NLM Classification

QU 85

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Sphingolipids. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D013107. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D013107
  2. Sphingolipids. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphingolipid
  3. Sphingolipids. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q410395