Sphingomyelin: What is it good for?

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2022 Dec 10:633:23-25. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.08.074.

Abstract

Sphingomyelin has been considered as a merely structural lipid for many years. However, this organelle-specific lipid has many other roles, including increasing membrane molecular order, acting as a source of ceramide in cell signaling and apoptosis, and forming clusters/nanodomains with cholesterol and ceramide. This contribution is dedicated to Professor E. Carafoli, on occasion of his 90th anniversary.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Ceramides* / chemistry
  • Cholesterol / chemistry
  • Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase
  • Sphingomyelins* / chemistry

Substances

  • Sphingomyelins
  • Ceramides
  • Cholesterol
  • Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase