Biomaterial Database

Confirmation of the identity of the major phospholipid in human lens membranes. 1996

S R Ferguson, and D Borchman, and M C Yappert

Department of Chemistry, Kentucky Lions Eye Research Institute, University of Louisville 40292, USA.

OBJECTIVE To confirm the identity of the major component of the human lens membranes proposed in 1994 to be dihydrosphingomyelin (DH-SPH). METHODS DH-SPH was prepared by catalytic hydrogenation of the double bond between carbons 4 and 5 of sphingomyelin (SPH). DH-SPH was characterized by phosphorus-31 (31P) and proton (1H) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy at different reaction times. The spectroscopic data were compared to those of the major component extracted from human lens membranes. RESULTS Both the 1H NMR and the 31P NMR spectral resonances of the prepared DH-SPH matched those for the once "unknown phospholipid" that constitutes approximately half the human lens phospholipids. CONCLUSIONS The match of the spectroscopic NMR data obtained for the DH-SPH prepared by hydrogenation of SPH and those for the major phospholipid isolated from the human lens membranes confirms the identity of this sphingolipid as D-erythro-4,5-dihydrosphingomyelin.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007908	Lens, Crystalline	A transparent, biconvex structure of the EYE, enclosed in a capsule and situated behind the IRIS and in front of the vitreous humor (VITREOUS BODY). It is slightly overlapped at its margin by the ciliary processes. Adaptation by the CILIARY BODY is crucial for OCULAR ACCOMMODATION.	Eye Lens,Lens, Eye,Crystalline Lens
D008563	Membrane Lipids	Lipids, predominantly phospholipids, cholesterol and small amounts of glycolipids found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. These lipids may be arranged in bilayers in the membranes with integral proteins between the layers and peripheral proteins attached to the outside. Membrane lipids are required for active transport, several enzymatic activities and membrane formation.	Cell Membrane Lipid,Cell Membrane Lipids,Membrane Lipid,Lipid, Cell Membrane,Lipid, Membrane,Lipids, Cell Membrane,Lipids, Membrane,Membrane Lipid, Cell,Membrane Lipids, Cell
D009682	Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy	Spectroscopic method of measuring the magnetic moment of elementary particles such as atomic nuclei, protons or electrons. It is employed in clinical applications such as NMR Tomography (MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING).	In Vivo NMR Spectroscopy,MR Spectroscopy,Magnetic Resonance,NMR Spectroscopy,NMR Spectroscopy, In Vivo,Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,Spectroscopy, Magnetic Resonance,Spectroscopy, NMR,Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopies,Magnetic Resonance, Nuclear,NMR Spectroscopies,Resonance Spectroscopy, Magnetic,Resonance, Magnetic,Resonance, Nuclear Magnetic,Spectroscopies, NMR,Spectroscopy, MR
D010743	Phospholipids	Lipids containing one or more phosphate groups, particularly those derived from either glycerol (phosphoglycerides see GLYCEROPHOSPHOLIPIDS) or sphingosine (SPHINGOLIPIDS). They are polar lipids that are of great importance for the structure and function of cell membranes and are the most abundant of membrane lipids, although not stored in large amounts in the system.	Phosphatides,Phospholipid
D001923	Brain Chemistry	Changes in the amounts of various chemicals (neurotransmitters, receptors, enzymes, and other metabolites) specific to the area of the central nervous system contained within the head. These are monitored over time, during sensory stimulation, or under different disease states.	Chemistry, Brain,Brain Chemistries,Chemistries, Brain
D002417	Cattle	Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor.	Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006865	Hydrogenation	Addition of hydrogen to a compound, especially to an unsaturated fat or fatty acid. (From Stedman, 26th ed)	Hydrogenations
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia