Sphingolipids represent a class of membrane lipids that contain a hydrophobic ceramide
chain as its common backbone structure. Sphingolipid synthesis requires two simple
components: l-serine and palmitoyl CoA. Although l-serine is classified as a non-essential
amino acid, an external supply of l-serine is essential for the synthesis of sphingolipids and
phosphatidylserine (PS) in particular types of central nervous system (CNS) neurons. l-
Serine is also essential for these neurons to undergo neuritogenesis and to survive …