Sphingomyelin (SM)

Sphingomyelins are phospholipids that belong to the group of sphingolipids.

They are amphiphilic molecules composed of a hydrophilic head and a lipophilic tail. The tail is made up of a sphingosine molecule bonded as amide to a fatty acid, constituting a second aliphatic chain. The polar head group, as in other phospholipids, consists of a phosphatic group that can be esterified to an alcohol like choline, ethanolamine, or serine.

As an abundant component of plasma membranes, sphingomyelins are crucial for the physiological function of mammalian cells. Sphingomyelin and cholesterol-rich parts of cellular membranes form special domains, called lipid rafts, which play an important role in signaling cascades and protein trafficking.

Due to their chemical properties, sphingomyelins are rather pH stable and harbor unique molecular properties.

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