Sphingolipids z Sphingolipids are derivatives of the lipid sphingosine, which has a long hydrocarbon tail, and a polar domain that includes an amino group. z The amino group of sphingosine can form an amide bond with a fatty acid carboxyl, to yield a ceramide. H2C H C OH CH N+ CH C CH2 CH3 H H3 OH ( )12 sphingosine H2C H C OH CH NH CH C CH2 CH3 H OH ( )12 C R O ceramideSphingolipids z Sphingolipids are derivatives of the lipid sphingosine, which has a long hydrocarbon tail, and a polar domain that includes an amino group. z The amino group of sphingosine can form an amide bond with a fatty acid carboxyl, to yield a ceramide. H2C H C OH CH N+ CH C CH2 CH3 H H3 OH ( )12 sphingosine H2C H C OH CH NH CH C CH2 CH3 H OH ( )12 C R O ceramide