SGMS2 Antibody

Background:

SGMS2 is a bidirectional lipid cholinephosphotransferase capable of converting phosphatidylcholine (PC) and ceramide to sphingomyelin (SM) and diacylglycerol (DAG) and vice versa. Direction is dependent on the relative concentrations of DAG and ceramide as phosphocholine acceptors. SGMS2 directly and specifically recognizes the choline head group on the substrate. SGMS2 also requires two fatty chains on the choline-P donor molecule in order to be recognized efficiently as a substrate. SGMS2 does not function strictly as a SM synthase. SGMS2 is required for cell growth.Sphingomyelin (SM) is a major component of plasma membranes. It is preferentially concentrated in the outer leaflet and has a role in the formation of lipid rafts. SM synthases (EC 2.7.8.27), such as SGMS2, produce SM in the lumen of the Golgi and on the cell surface through the transfer of phosphocholine from phosphatidylcholine onto ceramide, yielding diacylglycerol as a side product (Huitema et al., 2004 [PubMed 14685263]).