Description
Key facts
Detection method:Colorimetric,
Sample types:Plasma, Serum,
Assay type:Quantitative,
Range:5000 - 50000 µg/dL,
Assay Platform:Microplate reader
Product details:
Sphingomyelin Assay Kit (ab133118) provides a specific, sensitive, and convenient method for quantifying sphingomyelin in plasma or serum. In this assay, sphingomyelinase is first used to hydrolyze sphingomyelin to phosphorylcholine and ceramide. Alkaline phosphatase then generates choline from the phosphorylcholine and the newly formed choline is used to generate hydrogen peroxide in a reaction catalyzed by choline oxidase. Finally, with peroxidase as a catalyst, hydrogen peroxide reacts with DAOS and 4-aminoantipyrine to generate a blue color with an optimal absorption at OD595 nm.
Under the standardized conditions of the assay described in this booklet, the dynamic range of the kit is 5-50 mg/dL sphingomyelin.
Other Notes
Sphingomyelin (ceramide phosphorylcholine) is an important lipid component of cell membranes and lipoproteins. It consists of a ceramide moiety linked via a phosphodiester bond to phosphorylcholine. Sphingomyelinases are a family of enzymes that can hydrolyze sphingomyelin into ceramide and phosphorylcholine. Ceramides have been implicated as key mediators in signaling pathways, with outcomes as diverse as cell proliferation, differentiation, growth arrest, and apoptosis. An inherited deficiency of acid sphingomyelinase activity results in the sphingomyelin storage disorder Niemann- Pick disease. This disease results in the accumulation of sphinogmyelin in cells, tissues, and fluids. Since sphingomyelin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including atherosclerosis, sensitive and reliable techniques for its quantification are of considerable importance.
REACH authorisation
Abcam has not and does not intend to apply for the REACH Authorisation of customers' uses of products that contain European Authorisation list (Annex XIV) substances.
It is the responsibility of our customers to check the necessity of application of REACH Authorisation, and any other relevant authorisations, for their intended uses.
Properties and Storage Information:
Shipped at conditions-Blue Ice, Appropriate short-term storage conditions-+4°C, Appropriate long-term storage conditions-+4°C, Storage information-+4°C
Supplementary Information:
This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.
Sphingomyelin often known as SM is a type of sphingolipid found in animal cell membranes particularly in the myelin sheath of nerve cells. It consists of a phosphocholine head group a sphingoid base often sphingosine and a fatty acid. Sphingomyelin has a molecular weight of approximately 750 Da. It generally resides in the plasma membrane where it contributes to structural integrity and participates in cell signaling processes. Human tissues exhibiting substantial expression include the brain and nervous system indicating its key role in neural function.
Biological function summary
Sphingomyelin is part of the cellular structure acting as both a lipid raft component and a reservoir for secondary messengers. Its breakdown into ceramide by sphingomyelinases influences cellular events such as proliferation differentiation and apoptosis. Sphingomyelin does not operate independently; it forms complexes with other lipids and proteins such as cholesterol to modulate membrane fluidity and receptor function. These actions have palpable impacts on signal transduction and cellular stress responses.
Pathways
Sphingomyelin plays a critical role in the sphingolipid signaling and metabolism pathways. It is a precursor in the sphingomyelinase pathway where it breaks down into ceramide. Ceramide acts as an essential signaling molecule influencing diverse biological processes including inflammation and cell death. This pathway also links with proteins like acid sphingomyelinase and neutral sphingomyelinase highlighting interactions essential for cell regulation.
Sphingomyelin imbalance or accumulation is associated with Niemann-Pick disease a rare lysosomal storage disorder. It also connects to atherosclerosis where its dynamic with ceramide impacts lipid metabolism and plaque stability. Proteins like Niemann-Pick disease type C1 and Niemann-Pick disease type C2 are directly involved in these conditions exemplifying the role of sphingomyelin in pathological mechanisms. Understanding these relationships aids in exploring therapeutic targets for relevant disorders.
