<chemical>

An intermediate in the biosynthesis of cerebrosides. It is formed by reaction of sphingosine with udp-galactose and then itself reacts with fatty acid-coenzyme a to form the cerebroside.

Chemical name: beta-D-Galactopyranoside, 2-amino-3-hydroxy-4-octadecenyl, (R-(R*,S*-(E)))-

(12 Dec 1998)