Description
Key facts
Detection method:Fluorescent,
Sample types:Cell culture extracts, Whole Blood,
Assay type:Quantitative,
Sensitivity:= 1 µM,
Assay Platform:Microplate reader
Product details:
Abcam's Sphingomyelin Assay Kit (Fluorometric) (ab138877) provides the most sensitive method for detecting neutral SM activity or screening SM inhibitors. The kit uses AbRed Indicator as a fluorogenic probe to indirectly quantify the phosphocholine produced from the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin (SM) by sphingomyelinase (SMase). It can be used for measuring the amount of SM in blood, cell extracts or other solutions. The fluorescence intensity of AbRed Indicator is proportional to the formation of phosphocholine, therefore to the amount of SM. AbRed Indicator enables the assay readable by either a fluorescence reader or an absorbance reader.
The kit is an optimized "mix and read" assay that can be performed in a convenient 96-well or 384-well microtiter-plate format and easily adapted to automation without a separation step.
Sphingomyelin (SM) is largely found in the exoplasmic leaflet of the cell membrane, primarily in nervous tissue. It plays an important role in signal transduction. Sphingomyelin accumulates abnormally in Niemann-Pick disease and Abetalipoproteinemia.
Properties and Storage Information:
Shipped at conditions-Blue Ice, Appropriate short-term storage conditions--20°C, Appropriate long-term storage conditions--20°C, Storage information--20°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.
