Lipid class

Sphingomyelin

Description
placeholder: The sphingomyelin class of lipids is a subset of sphingolipids, characterized by a ceramide backbone esterified to a phosphorylcholine headgroup. Structurally, sphingomyelins consist of a sphingosine base linked to a fatty acid chain, typically 16-24 carbons in length, via an amide bond. The phosphorylcholine headgroup is attached to the primary hydroxyl group of the sphingosine base, forming a zwitterionic molecule. Functionally, sphingomyelins play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of cellular membranes, particularly in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. They also participate in cell signaling events, such as apoptosis and inflammation, by serving as a reservoir for the production of bioactive sphingolipid metabolites, including ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate. Additionally, sphingomyelins have been implicated in the regulation of membrane fluidity, protein trafficking, and lipid raft formation, underscoring their importance in maintaining cellular homeostasis.
Example 2D structure
An example of the Sphingomyelin (34:2) species (C39H77N2O6P).
Image of the 2D molecular structure of an example member of the Sphingomyelin lipid class. Image of the 2D molecular structure of an example member of the Sphingomyelin lipid class.
Sphingomyelin class lipid.
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Sphingomyelin lipid species
Sorted by: molecular weight
Molecular formula Lipid species Molecular weight (g/mol) "Isoform specificity"
CD1a CD1b CD1c CD1d
C39H77N2O6P Sphingomyelin (34:2) 701.56
C39H79N2O6P Sphingomyelin (34:1) 703.57
C39H81N2O6P Sphingomyelin (34:0) 705.59
C41H81N2O6P Sphingomyelin (36:2) 729.59
C41H83N2O6P Sphingomyelin (36:1) 731.61
C41H85N2O6P Sphingomyelin (36:0) 733.62
C43H89N2O6P Sphingomyelin (38:0) 761.65
C43H87N2O6P Sphingomyelin (38:1) 781.62
C45H91N2O6P Sphingomyelin (40:1) 787.67
C45H93N2O6P Sphingomyelin (40:0) 789.68
C45H89N2O6P Sphingomyelin (40:2) 807.63
C47H91N2O6P Sphingomyelin (42:3) 811.67
C47H93N2O6P Sphingomyelin (42:2) 813.68
C47H95N2O6P Sphingomyelin (42:1) 837.68
C47H97N2O6P Sphingomyelin (42:0) 839.7
C49H97N2O6P Sphingomyelin (44:2) 841.72
placeholder: Only lipid species which could be unambigously determined experimentally are shown.

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