sphingosine

[ sfing-guh-seen, -sin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a basic unsaturated amino alcohol, C 1 8 H 3 3 (OH) 2 NH 2 , produced by the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin or gangliosides.

sphingosine

/ -ˌsiːn; ˈsfɪŋɡəsɪn /

noun

1. biochem a long-chain compound occurring in sphingomyelins and cerebrosides, and from which it can be released by hydrolysis. Formula: CH 3 (CH 2 ) 12 CH:CHCH(OH)CH(NH 2 )CH 2 OH

Word History and Origins

Origin of sphingosine¹

1881; earlier sphingosin, equivalent to sphingo-, combining form representing Greek sphínx sphinx + intrusive -s- + -in ²; so called in allusion to the enigmas it posed for its discoverer

Word History and Origins

Origin of sphingosine¹

from sphingos- , from Greek sphingein to hold fast + -ine ²