SGMS2 Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

Sphingomyelin, a major component of cell and Golgi membranes, is made by the transfer of phosphocholine from phosphatidylcholine onto ceramide, with diacylglycerol as a side product. The protein encoded by this gene is an enzyme that catalyzes this reaction primarily at the cell membrane. The synthesis is reversible, and this enzyme can catalyze the reaction in either direction. The encoded protein is required for cell growth. Three transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene. There is evidence for more variants, but the full-length nature of their transcripts has not been determined.[provided by RefSeq, Oct 2008]

SMS2: Sphingomyelin synthases synthesize the sphingolipid, sphingomyelin, through transfer of the phosphatidyl head group, phosphatidylcholine, on to the primary hydroxyl of ceramide. The reaction is bidirectional depending on the respective levels of the sphingolipid and ceramide. Plasma membrane SMS2 can also convert phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to ceramide phosphatidylethanolamine (CPE). Major form in liver. Required for cell growth in certain cell types. Regulator of cell surface levels of ceramide, an important mediator of signal transduction and apoptosis. Regulation of sphingomyelin (SM) levels at the cell surface affects insulin sensitivity. Belongs to the sphingomyelin synthase family.

Protein type: EC 2.7.8.27; Membrane protein, integral; Transferase; Lipid Metabolism - sphingolipid; Membrane protein, multi-pass

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 4q25

Cellular Component: Golgi apparatus; integral to Golgi membrane; integral to plasma membrane; plasma membrane

Molecular Function: ceramide cholinephosphotransferase activity; kinase activity; sphingomyelin synthase activity

Biological Process: phosphorylation; sphingolipid biosynthetic process; sphingolipid metabolic process; sphingomyelin biosynthetic process