What is sfingomiyelin?

Sphingomyelin is a type of sphingolipid found in cell membranes of neurons and other types of cells. It plays a structural role in the membrane and can also act as a signaling molecule. Sphingomyelin is composed of a sphingosine backbone, a fatty acid chain, and a polar head group containing a phosphocholine or phosphoethanolamine moiety. The presence of sphingomyelin is particularly important in myelin, which is the insulating sheath around nerve fibers that allows for efficient transmission of nerve signals. In fact, sphingomyelin is the most abundant sphingolipid in myelin. Mutations in genes involved in sphingomyelin metabolism can lead to disorders such as Niemann-Pick disease type A and B.