New PDMP analogues inhibit process outgrowth in an insect cell line

d-threo-1-Phenyl-2-aminodecanoyl-3-morpholinopropanol (d-threo-PDMP) has previously been shown to inhibit the biosynthesis of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) in mammals and mammalian cell lines by the inhibition of glucosylceramide synthase. New d-threo-PDMP analogues were synthesized from d-serine, and found to suppress neurite extension in an embryonic insect cell line from the moth Manduca sexta, and in explanted neural tissue from insect pupae. Inhibition occurred at lower concentrations than d-threo-PDMP. The observed suppression of neurite formation was found to be reversible after the removal of the compounds. Due to their small size and short life cycle, M. sexta is shown to be an ideal model organism for studies of GSL effects in cellular development, and for drug development studies.