Sphingomyelin

General structures of sphingolipids

Sphingomyelin (SPH, ˌsfɪŋɡoˈmaɪəlɪn) is a type of sphingolipid found in animal cell membranes, especially in the membranous myelin sheath that surrounds some nerve cell axons. It usually consists of phosphocholine and ceramide, or a phosphoethanolamine head group; therefore, sphingomyelins can also be classified as sphingophospholipids.[1][2] In humans, SPH represents ~85% of all sphingolipids, and typically make up 10–20 mol % of plasma membrane lipids.

Sphingomyelin was first isolated by German chemist Johann L.W. Thudicum in the 1880s.[3] The structure of sphingomyelin was first reported in 1927 as N-acyl-sphingosine-1-phosphorylcholine.[3] Sphingomyelin content in mammals ranges from 2 to 15% in most tissues, with higher concentrations found in nerve tissues, red blood cells, and the ocular lenses. Sphingomyelin has significant structural and functional roles in the cell. It is a plasma membrane component and participates in many signaling pathways. The metabolism of sphingomyelin creates many products that play significant roles in the cell.[3]

  1. ^ Bruhn, Heike; Winkelmann, Julia; Andersen, Christian; Andrä, Jörg; Leippe, Matthias (2006-01-01). "Dissection of the mechanisms of cytolytic and antibacterial activity of lysenin, a defence protein of the annelid Eisenia fetida". Developmental & Comparative Immunology. 30 (7): 597–606. doi:10.1016/j.dci.2005.09.002. ISSN 0145-305X. PMID 16386304.
  2. ^ Donald J. Voet; Judith G. Voet; Charlotte W. Pratt (2008). "Lipids, Bilayers and Membranes". Principles of Biochemistry, Third edition. Wiley. p. 252. ISBN 978-0470-23396-2.
  3. ^ a b c Ramstedt, B; Slotte, JP (30 October 2002). "Membrane properties of sphingomyelins". FEBS Letters. 531 (1): 33–7. Bibcode:2002FEBSL.531...33R. doi:10.1016/S0014-5793(02)03406-3. PMID 12401199. S2CID 35378780.Open access icon