Serine C-palmitoyltransferase

In enzymology, a serine C-palmitoyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.50) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction:

palmitoyl-CoA + L-serine ${\displaystyle \rightleftharpoons }$ CoA + 3-dehydro-D-sphinganine + CO₂

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are palmitoyl-CoA and L-serine, whereas its 3 products are CoA, 3-dehydro-D-sphinganine, and CO₂. This reaction is a key step in the biosynthesis of sphingosine which is a precursor of many other sphingolipids.

This enzyme participates in sphingolipid metabolism. It employs one cofactor, pyridoxal phosphate.