N-Acetyl-phytosphingosine, also known as C2 phytoceramide, C2:0 phytoceramide, Cer(t18:0/2:0) or NAPS, is a bioactive semisynthetic sphingolipid used in cell-signaling, apoptosis and lipid-biology research. Unlike most products in this category, it is not primarily a peptide-synthesis building block.

Peer-reviewed and supplier-curated literature describes NAPS as a short-chain phytoceramide analog with measurable biological effects in cell-based systems, including modulation of oxidant release, ERK-dependent COX-2 expression, cell viability and apoptosis.

Product Information

Bioactivity and In Vitro Research

Cayman Chemical reports that C2 phytoceramide inhibits formyl-peptide-induced oxidant release in suspended polymorphonuclear cells with an IC50 of 0.38 µM. The same curated literature reports increased COX-2 protein expression through ERK signaling and apoptosis/cytotoxicity in keratinocyte and CHO-cell systems.

These values should be treated as literature reference points rather than guaranteed performance specifications. Effective concentration depends on cell type, solvent, exposure time, assay format and experimental conditions.

Applications

Relevant applications include:

• sphingolipid signaling studies;

• apoptosis and cell-death research;

• ERK/MAPK and COX-2 pathway studies;

• oxidative-burst and inflammatory-cell experiments;

• cell viability and cytotoxicity assays;

• membrane-lipid and ceramide biology.

Solubility and Experimental Planning

Reference supplier data report solubility in DMSO, ethanol and methanol. Because lipids can show concentration- and solvent-dependent aggregation, stock preparation, vehicle controls and final solvent concentration should be standardized across assay groups.

For quantitative cell experiments, use the lot-specific COA and experimentally verify the concentration and formulation appropriate to the selected assay.

Category and Procurement Note

N-Acetyl-phytosphingosine is chemically a bioactive sphingolipid rather than a peptide building block.

For procurement, confirm CAS 21830-28-4, stereochemical identity, formula, assay and lot-specific analytical documentation. Cayman Chemical identifies the same CAS as C2 phytoceramide / NAPS.

Product Documents

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is available for this product to support laboratory handling, storage and safety assessment.

MSDS_N-Acetyl-phytosphingosine_AS4042

Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are batch-specific. Please contact us to request the COA for your product, and we will provide it by email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is N-Acetyl-phytosphingosine the same as C2 phytoceramide?

Yes. CAS 21830-28-4 is commonly sold as N-Acetyl phytosphingosine, C2 phytoceramide, Cer(t18:0/2:0) or NAPS.

Can it be used directly in cell-based assays?

Yes, it is a bioactive research lipid with published cell-based applications. Experimental concentration and vehicle should be optimized for each model.

Is it a peptide synthesis reagent?

No. Chemically it is a sphingolipid research compound rather than an SPPS building block.

Related Technical Resources

Browse the broader Specialty Peptide Building Blocks catalog while noting that NAPS belongs chemically to sphingolipid research.

Research Use Only.