Sphingomyelin ELISA kits are assays designed to detect sphingomyelin, a type of sphingolipid found in animal cell membranes and lipoproteins. Concentrations of sphingomyelin are high in the brain and peripheral nervous tissues, as they are found in the myelin sheath of neurons. It plays a critical role in cell signalling through the production of the secondary messenger diacylglycerol. It also has a role in apoptotic signalling through ceramide, which is a product of sphingomyelin degradation. It associates with other lipids to form lipid microdomains in the plasma membrane called lipid rafts. Visit the supplier page for more information about detection target, range and reactivity.