Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) induces shape change in rat C6 glioma cells through the S1P2 receptor: development of an agonist for S1P receptors.

Treatment with isoprenaline led to a change in the cell morphology of rat C6 glioma cells. This morphological change was reverted by the addition of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). Using this morphological change as a response marker we determined that DS-SG-44 ((2S,3R)-2-amino-3-hydroxy-4-(4-octylphenyl)butyl phosphoric acid) was an agonist of S1P receptors.

Dihydroxylation of 2-vinylaziridine: efficient synthesis of D-ribo-phytosphingosine.

An efficient and highly stereoselective synthesis of D-ribo-(2S,3S,4R)-phytosphingosine was accomplished in 62% overall yield starting from commercially available (2S)-hydroxymethylaziridine via osmium-catalyzed asymmetric dihydroxylation as a key step.