C-6 NBD ceramide is a biologically active fluorescent analog of short chain, membrane-permeable ceramides. It is as effective as C-6 ceramide in the inhibition of viral glycoprotein transport through the Golgi. C-6 NBD ceramide has been used as a fluorescent substrate for the activity of UDP-glucose:ceramide glucosyltransferase and to demonstrate the translocation of glucocerebroside and sphingomyelin from the Golgi to the plasma membrane.