Membrane properties of sphingomyelins

Abstract

Sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine are important components in the external leaflet of cellular plasma membranes. In this review we compare the structure of these lipid molecules, with emphasis on the differences in hydrogen bonding capacity and membrane properties that arise from the small but significant differences in molecular structure. The membrane properties of sphingomyelins and the implications that these have, or might have, in biological membranes and for raft function are further discussed.