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.

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.