Sphingomyelinase from Bacillus cereus

Sphingomyelinase (SMase) is a hydrolase, of 34.2 kDa and its active site contain as a minimum of two magnesium atoms.

Sphingomyelinase from Bacillus cereus has been used:

• in the study to analyse the effect of sphingomyelinase on Rubella virus infectivity in cell lines
• in lipoprotein modification for the generation of cholesterol crystals in vitro
• to aggregate LDL (low-density lipoprotein)

Sphingomyelinase has been used in a study to assess the interaction of actin with the HIV-1 accessory protein Nef. Sphingomyelinase has also been used in a study to investigate X-ray scattering as a quality-control tool for liposomal drug-delivery systems.

Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase (SMPD) participates in the metabolic reactions comprising sphingomyelin. SMPD has the ability to prevent colorectal carcinoma and colitis.

Initiates the formation of sphingomyelin-based second messengers. Activates MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and SAPKs (stress-activated protein kinases); generates ceramide from sphingomyelin.

Solution in 50% glycerol containing 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5.

One unit will hydrolyze 1.0 μmole of TNPAL-sphingomyelin per min at pH 7.4 at 37 °C.