Additional info: |
Sphingomyelinase (SMase) is a member of the DNase I superfamily of enzymes and is responsible for the breakdown of sphingomyelin into phosphorylcholine and ceramide. The activation of SMase has been suggested as a major route for the production of ceramide in response to cellular stress. The five distinct types of SMases are classified according to their cation requirements, cellular localization, and pH optima. The types are: Lysosomal Acid SMase, secreted zinc-dependent Acid SMase, a membrane-bound magnesium-dependent Neutral SMase, a cytosolic magnesium-independent Neutral SMase, and an Alkaline SMase. Loss of acidic SMase activity due to a mutation in the acid SMase (ASM) gene results in type A and B Niemann-Pick disease. Cayman's Sphingomyelinase Fluorometric Assay provides a simple, reproducible, and sensitive tool for measuring neutral and acidic sphingomyelinase activity from tissue homogenates, cell lysates, serum, saliva, and urine. The assay employes a coupled enzymatic reaction system, resulting in the formation of highly fluorescent resorufin (excitation: 530-540 nm; emission 585-595 nm). |