Application Notes:
Sphingomyelin is found in mammalian cell membranes, especially in the membranes of the myelin sheath. It is the most
abundant sphingolipid in mammals and is thought to be found mostly in the exoplasmic leaflet of the membrane although
there is also evidence of a sphingomyelin pool in the inner leaflet of the membrane. It is involved in signal transduction and
apoptosis.1 An improper ratio of sphingomyelin to ceramide has been shown to be a factor in Niemann-Pick disease2 and
neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.3 However, the ratio of sphingomyelin to ceramide is different for different cell types.4
Sphingomyelin is an important amphiphilic component when plasma lipoprotein pools expand in response to large lipid loads
or metabolic abnormalities.5
References:
1. R. N. Kolesnick, A. Haimovitz-Friedman, Z. Fuks, Biochem Cell Biol., Vol. 72(11-12) pp. 471-474, 1994
2. M. Schmuth, et al., J Invest Dermatol., Vol. 115(3) pp. 459-466, 2000
3. C. St Clair et al., Am J Perinatol., Vol. 25(8) pp. 473-480, 2008,
4. J. Kilkus et al., J Neurochem. Vol. 106(4) pp. 1745-1757, 2008
5. N. Duan RD., J Lipid Res., Vol. 47(1) pp. 154-171, 2006