SM(d17:2(4E,8Z)/LTE4)

(2-{[(2S,3R,4E,8Z)-2-{[(2R)-2-amino-3-{[(4S,5R,6E,8E,13Z)-1-carboxy-4-hydroxynonadeca-6,8,10,13-tetraen-5-yl]sulphanyl}-1-hydroxypropylidene]amino}-3-hydroxyheptadeca-4,8-dien-1-yl phosphonato]oxy}ethyl)trimethylazanium

Formula: C45H80N3O9PS (869.5353)
Chinese Name:
BioDeep ID: BioDeep_00000215412 ( View LC/MS Profile)
SMILES: CCCCCCCC\C=C/CC\C=C\[C@@H](O)[C@H](COP([O-])(=O)OCC[N+](C)(C)C)NC(=O)[C@@H](N)CS[C@H](\C=C\C=C\C=C/C\C=C/CCCCC)[C@@H](O)CCCC(O)=O



Found 36 Sample Hits

m/z Adducts Species Organ Scanning Sample
870.5417 [M+H]+
PPM:1
Bathymodiolus epithelial host cells MALDI (DHB)
MPIBremen_Bputeoserpentis_MALDI-FISH_DHB_233x233pixel_3um_mz400-1200_240k@200 - MTBLS744
Resolution: 3μm, 233x233

Description

The Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis specimen used for high resolution AP-MALDI-MSI was collected during the RV Meteor M126 cruise in 2016 at the Logatchev hydrothermal vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The specimen was retrieved with the MARUM-Quest remotely operated vehicle (ROV) at the Irina II vent site at 3038 m depth, 14°45’11.01”N and 44°58’43.98”W, and placed in an insulated container to prevent temperature changes during recovery. Gills were dissected from the mussel as soon as brought on board after ROV retrieval, submerged in precooled 2% w/v carboxymethyl cellulose gel (CMC, Mw ~ 700,000, Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH) and snap-frozen in liquid N2. Samples were stored at -80 °C until use.
The CMC-embedded gills were cross-sectioned at 10 µm thickness with a cryostat (Leica CM3050 S, Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH) at a chamber temperature of -35 °C and object holder at -22 °C. Individual sections were thaw-mounted onto coated Polysine slides (Thermo Scientific) and subsequently frozen in the cryostat chamber. Slides with tissue sections were stored in slide containers with silica granules, to prevent air moisture condensation on the tissue upon removal from the freezer. Before AP-MALDI matrix application, the sample was warmed to room temperature under a dry atmosphere in a sealed slide container (LockMailer microscope slide jar, Sigma-Aldrich, Steinheim, Germany), filled with silica granules (Carl Roth GmbH) to avoid condensation on the cold glass slide. The sample glass slide was marked with white paint around the tissue for orientation during image acquisition as previously described[1]. Additionally, optical images of the tissue section were acquired with a digital microscope (VHX-5000 Series, Keyence, Neu-Isenburg, Germany) prior to matrix application. To apply the matrix, we used an ultrafine pneumatic sprayer system with N2 gas (SMALDIPrep, TransMIT GmbH, Giessen, Germany)[2], to deliver 100 μl of a 30 mg/ml solution of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB; 98% 574 purity, Sigma-Aldrich, Steinheim, Germany) dissolved in acetone/water (1:1 v/v) containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). To locate the field of view and facilitate laser focusing, a red marker was applied adjacent to the matrix-covered tissue section. Ref: [1] Kaltenpoth M, Strupat K, Svatoš A Linking metabolite production to taxonomic identity in environmental samples by (MA)LDI-FISH. ISME J. 2016 Feb;10(2):527-31. doi: 10.1038/ismej.2015.122. PMID:26172211 [2] Kompauer M, Heiles S, Spengler B. Atmospheric pressure MALDI mass spectrometry imaging of tissues and cells at 1.4-μm lateral resolution. Nat Methods. 2017 Jan;14(1):90-96. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.4071. PMID:27842060
High-resolution AP-MALDI-MSI measurements were carried out at an experimental ion source setup [1][2], coupled to a Fourier transform orbital trapping mass spectrometer (Q Exactive HF, Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH, Bremen, Germany). The sample was rastered with 233 x 233 laser spots with a step size of 3 µm without oversampling, resulting in an imaged area of 699 x 699 µm. AP-MALDI-MSI measurements were performed in positive mode for a mass detection range of 400–1200 Da and a mass resolving power of 240,000 (at 200 m/z). After AP-MALDI-MSI, the measured sample surface was recorded using a stereomicroscope (SMZ25, Nikon, Düssedorf, Germany). Ref: [1] Kompauer M, Heiles S, Spengler B. Atmospheric pressure MALDI mass spectrometry imaging of tissues and cells at 1.4-μm lateral resolution. Nat Methods. 2017 Jan;14(1):90-96. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.4071. PMID:27842060 [2] Kompauer M, Heiles S, Spengler B. Autofocusing MALDI mass spectrometry imaging of tissue sections and 3D chemical topography of nonflat surfaces. Nat Methods. 2017 Dec;14(12):1156-1158. doi:10.1038/nmeth.4433. PMID:28945703

870.5417 [M+H]+
PPM:1
Bathymodiolus epithelial host cells MALDI (DHB)
MPIMM_054_QE_P_BP_CF_Bputeoserpentis_MALDI-FISH8_Sl16_s1_DHB_233x233_3um - MTBLS744
Resolution: 3μm, 233x233

Description

870.5419 [M+H]+
PPM:0.7
Bathymodiolus epithelial host cells MALDI (DHB)
MPIMM_039_QE_P_BP_CF_Bputeoserpentis_MALDI-FISH8_Sl14_s1_DHB_233x233_3um - MTBLS744
Resolution: 3μm, 233x234

Description

834.5182 [M+H-2H2O]+
PPM:3.8
Rattus norvegicus Brain MALDI (CHCA)
Spectroswiss - sol_2x_br_2 - 2016-09-29_07h40m45s
Resolution: 17μm, 488x193

Description

870.5408 [M+H]+
PPM:2
Rattus norvegicus Brain MALDI (CHCA)
Spectroswiss - sol_2x_br_2 - 2016-09-29_07h40m45s
Resolution: 17μm, 488x193

Description

870.5408 [M+H]+
PPM:2
Rattus norvegicus Epididymis MALDI (DHB)
epik_dhb_head_ito01_04 - MTBLS58
Resolution: 17μm, 178x91

Description

870.5408 [M+H]+
PPM:2
Rattus norvegicus Epididymis MALDI (DHB)
epik_dhb_head_ito01_03 - MTBLS58
Resolution: 17μm, 159x110

Description

870.541 [M+H]+
PPM:1.8
Rattus norvegicus Epididymis MALDI (DHB)
epik_dhb_head_ito01_06 - MTBLS58
Resolution: 17μm, 183x103

Description

870.5424 [M+H]+
PPM:0.2
Mus musculus Left upper arm MALDI (CHCA)
357_l_total ion count - Limb defect imaging - Monash University
Resolution: 50μm, 97x131

Description

Diseased

892.5125 [M+Na]+
PPM:13.4
Mus musculus Left upper arm MALDI (CHCA)
357_l_total ion count - Limb defect imaging - Monash University
Resolution: 50μm, 97x131

Description

Diseased

870.5418 [M+H]+
PPM:0.8
Mus musculus Lung MALDI (DHB)
image5 - MTBLS2075
Resolution: 40μm, 163x183

Description

Supplementary Figure S8. MALDI-MSI data of mouse lung tissue administered with D9-choline and U 13C-DPPC–containing Poractant alfa surfactant (labels administered 18 h prior to sacrifice). Ion images of (a) m/z 796.6856 ([U13C-DPPC+Na]+), (b) m/z 756.5154 [PC32:0+Na]+ and (c) m/z 765.6079 ([D9-PC32:0+Na]+). (d) Overlay image of [U13C-DPPC+Na]+ (red) and [D9-PC32:0+Na]+ (green). Parts per million (ppm) mass errors are indicated in parentheses. All images were visualised using totalion-current normalisation and using hotspot removal (high quantile = 99%). DPPC = PC16:0/16:0.

870.5361 [M+H]+
PPM:7.4
Mus musculus Lung MALDI (DHB)
image2 - MTBLS2075
Resolution: 40μm, 550x256

Description

Supplementary Figure S6. Ion distribution images for (a) [PC36:4+Na]+ (m/z 804.5514) and (b) [PC38:6+Na]+ (m/z 828.5515) obtained from mouse lung tissue collected 6 h after administration of D9- choline and U13C-DPPC–containing CHF5633. Parts-per-million (ppm) mass errors are indicated in parentheses. (c) Magnification of the boxed region in (a) with selected bronchiolar regions outlined in white boxes. (d) The corresponding H&E-stained tissue section with the same selected bronchiolar regions outlined in black boxes. These data demonstrate the co-localisation of the polyunsaturated lipids PC36:4 and PC38:6 with the bronchiolar regions of the lung. All MSI images were visualised using total ion current normalisation and hotspot removal (high quantile = 99%).

870.5402 [M+H]+
PPM:2.7
Homo sapiens esophagus DESI ()
LNTO22_1_3 - MTBLS385
Resolution: 75μm, 121x68

Description

870.5411 [M+H]+
PPM:1.7
Rattus norvegicus Brain MALDI (CHCA)
2018June2820180628_brain_POS_3s2_validated - MTBLS3154
Resolution: 17μm, 213x141

Description

All MSI experiments were performed on a hybrid linear ion trap 21 T FT-ICR mass spectrometer at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) at Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL). A Velos Pro linear ion trap (Thermo Scientific, San Jose, CA) was combined with NHMFL-designed external linear quadrupole ion trap, quadrupole ion transfer optics and a novel dynamically harmonized ICR cell, which is operated at 7.5 V trapping potential[1]. Briefly, the cell uses 120° cell segments for ion excitation and detection, for improved excitation electric field, detection sensitivity and reduced third harmonic signals[2][3]. The commercial ion source and stacked ring ion guide were replaced with an elevated-pressure MALDI ion source incorporating a dual-ion funnel interface (Spectroglyph LLC, Kennewick, WA) as has been described previously[4]. Voltages within the funnels were 625 kHz, 150 V peak-to-peak (first, high-pressure ion funnel) and 1.2 MHz, 90 V peak-to-peak (second, low-pressure ion funnel). An electric field gradient of ∼10 V/cm was maintained within the dual-funnel system, with a gradient of 100 V/cm between the sample and the funnel inlet. The system was equipped with a Q-switched, frequency-tripled Nd:YLF laser emitting 349 nm light (Explorer One, Spectra Physics, Mountain View, CA). The laser was operated at a repetition rate of 1 kHz and pulse energy of ∼1.2 μJ. Pressure within the ion source was set to 10 mbar in the first ion funnel and 2 mbar in the second ion funnel. MALDI stage motion was synchronized with ion accumulation using the Velos trigger signal indicating commencement of the ion trap injection event, as previously described[4]. The mass spectrometer was operated with an ion injection time of 250 ms and automatic gain control (AGC) was turned off. A transient duration of 3.1 s was used for ultrahigh mass resolving power analyses, resulting in a total time of 4s per pixel. Spectra were obtained in both positive and negative mode, at 100 μm spatial resolution. Total number of pixels per brain section were approximately 22 000 and 24 h of experimental time. A Predator data station was used for ion excitation and detection[5]. Refs: [1] Hendrickson CL, Quinn JP, Kaiser NK, Smith DF, Blakney GT, Chen T, Marshall AG, Weisbrod CR, Beu SC. 21 Tesla Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer: A National Resource for Ultrahigh Resolution Mass Analysis. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 2015 Sep;26(9):1626-32. doi:10.1007/s13361-015-1182-2. Epub 2015 Jun 20. PMID:26091892. [2] Hendrickson CL, Beu SC, Blakney GT, Kaiser NK, McIntosh DG, Quinn JP, Marshall AG. In Optimized cell geometry for Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, Proceedings of the 57th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Philadelphia, PA, May 31 to June 4; Philadelphia, PA, 2009. [3] Chen T, Beu SC, Kaiser NK, Hendrickson CL. Note: Optimized circuit for excitation and detection with one pair of electrodes for improved Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Rev Sci Instrum. 2014 Jun;85(6):066107. doi:10.1063/1.4883179. PMID:24985871. [4] Belov ME, Ellis SR, Dilillo M, Paine MRL, Danielson WF, Anderson GA, de Graaf EL, Eijkel GB, Heeren RMA, McDonnell LA. Design and Performance of a Novel Interface for Combined Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization at Elevated Pressure and Electrospray Ionization with Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem. 2017 Jul 18;89(14):7493-7501. doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.7b01168. Epub 2017 Jun 28. PMID:28613836. [5] Blakney GT, Hendrickson CL, Marshall AG. Predator data station: A fast data acquisition system for advanced FT-ICR MS experiments. Int. J. Mass Spectrom. 2011;306 (2-3), 246- 252. doi:10.1016/j.ijms.2011.03.009.

892.5254 [M+Na]+
PPM:1
Rattus norvegicus Brain MALDI (CHCA)
2018June2820180628_brain_POS_3s2_validated - MTBLS3154
Resolution: 17μm, 213x141

Description

All MSI experiments were performed on a hybrid linear ion trap 21 T FT-ICR mass spectrometer at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) at Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL). A Velos Pro linear ion trap (Thermo Scientific, San Jose, CA) was combined with NHMFL-designed external linear quadrupole ion trap, quadrupole ion transfer optics and a novel dynamically harmonized ICR cell, which is operated at 7.5 V trapping potential[1]. Briefly, the cell uses 120° cell segments for ion excitation and detection, for improved excitation electric field, detection sensitivity and reduced third harmonic signals[2][3]. The commercial ion source and stacked ring ion guide were replaced with an elevated-pressure MALDI ion source incorporating a dual-ion funnel interface (Spectroglyph LLC, Kennewick, WA) as has been described previously[4]. Voltages within the funnels were 625 kHz, 150 V peak-to-peak (first, high-pressure ion funnel) and 1.2 MHz, 90 V peak-to-peak (second, low-pressure ion funnel). An electric field gradient of ∼10 V/cm was maintained within the dual-funnel system, with a gradient of 100 V/cm between the sample and the funnel inlet. The system was equipped with a Q-switched, frequency-tripled Nd:YLF laser emitting 349 nm light (Explorer One, Spectra Physics, Mountain View, CA). The laser was operated at a repetition rate of 1 kHz and pulse energy of ∼1.2 μJ. Pressure within the ion source was set to 10 mbar in the first ion funnel and 2 mbar in the second ion funnel. MALDI stage motion was synchronized with ion accumulation using the Velos trigger signal indicating commencement of the ion trap injection event, as previously described[4]. The mass spectrometer was operated with an ion injection time of 250 ms and automatic gain control (AGC) was turned off. A transient duration of 3.1 s was used for ultrahigh mass resolving power analyses, resulting in a total time of 4s per pixel. Spectra were obtained in both positive and negative mode, at 100 μm spatial resolution. Total number of pixels per brain section were approximately 22 000 and 24 h of experimental time. A Predator data station was used for ion excitation and detection[5]. Refs: [1] Hendrickson CL, Quinn JP, Kaiser NK, Smith DF, Blakney GT, Chen T, Marshall AG, Weisbrod CR, Beu SC. 21 Tesla Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer: A National Resource for Ultrahigh Resolution Mass Analysis. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 2015 Sep;26(9):1626-32. doi:10.1007/s13361-015-1182-2. Epub 2015 Jun 20. PMID:26091892. [2] Hendrickson CL, Beu SC, Blakney GT, Kaiser NK, McIntosh DG, Quinn JP, Marshall AG. In Optimized cell geometry for Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, Proceedings of the 57th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Philadelphia, PA, May 31 to June 4; Philadelphia, PA, 2009. [3] Chen T, Beu SC, Kaiser NK, Hendrickson CL. Note: Optimized circuit for excitation and detection with one pair of electrodes for improved Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Rev Sci Instrum. 2014 Jun;85(6):066107. doi:10.1063/1.4883179. PMID:24985871. [4] Belov ME, Ellis SR, Dilillo M, Paine MRL, Danielson WF, Anderson GA, de Graaf EL, Eijkel GB, Heeren RMA, McDonnell LA. Design and Performance of a Novel Interface for Combined Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization at Elevated Pressure and Electrospray Ionization with Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem. 2017 Jul 18;89(14):7493-7501. doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.7b01168. Epub 2017 Jun 28. PMID:28613836. [5] Blakney GT, Hendrickson CL, Marshall AG. Predator data station: A fast data acquisition system for advanced FT-ICR MS experiments. Int. J. Mass Spectrom. 2011;306 (2-3), 246- 252. doi:10.1016/j.ijms.2011.03.009.

870.5387 [M+H]+
PPM:4.4
Mus musculus Liver MALDI (CHCA)
Salmonella_final_pos_recal - MTBLS2671
Resolution: 17μm, 691x430

Description

A more complete and holistic view on host–microbe interactions is needed to understand the physiological and cellular barriers that affect the efficacy of drug treatments and allow the discovery and development of new therapeutics. Here, we developed a multimodal imaging approach combining histopathology with mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and same section imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to study the effects of Salmonella Typhimurium infection in the liver of a mouse model using the S. Typhimurium strains SL3261 and SL1344. This approach enables correlation of tissue morphology and specific cell phenotypes with molecular images of tissue metabolism. IMC revealed a marked increase in immune cell markers and localization in immune aggregates in infected tissues. A correlative computational method (network analysis) was deployed to find metabolic features associated with infection and revealed metabolic clusters of acetyl carnitines, as well as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen species, which could be associated with pro-inflammatory immune cell types. By developing an IMC marker for the detection of Salmonella LPS, we were further able to identify and characterize those cell types which contained S. Typhimurium. [dataset] Nicole Strittmatter. Holistic Characterization of a Salmonella Typhimurium Infection Model Using Integrated Molecular Imaging, metabolights_dataset, V1; 2022. https://www.ebi.ac.uk/metabolights/MTBLS2671.

870.5412 [M+H]+
PPM:1.5
Mytilus edulis mantle MALDI (DHB)
20190201_MS38_Crassostrea_Mantle_350-1500_DHB_pos_A28_10um_270x210 - MTBLS2960
Resolution: 10μm, 270x210

Description

870.5404 [M+H]+
PPM:2.5
Mytilus edulis gill MALDI (DHB)
20190202_MS38_Crassostrea_Gill_350-1500_DHB_pos_A25_11um_305x210 - MTBLS2960
Resolution: 11μm, 305x210

Description

single cell layer class_4 is the gill structure cells, metabolite ion 534.2956 is the top representive ion of this type of cell

870.5412 [M+H]+
PPM:1.5
Mytilus edulis mantle MALDI (DHB)
20190216_MS38_Mytilus_mantle_350-1500_DHB_pos_A26_10um_275x210 - MTBLS2960
Resolution: 10μm, 275x210

Description

870.5379 [M+H]+
PPM:5.3
Homo sapiens esophagus DESI ()
TO41T - MTBLS385
Resolution: 75μm, 69x43

Description

870.544 [M+H]+
PPM:1.7
Homo sapiens esophagus DESI ()
LNTO22_1_5 - MTBLS385
Resolution: 75μm, 135x94

Description

870.54 [M+H]+
PPM:2.9
Homo sapiens esophagus DESI ()
LNTO22_1_7 - MTBLS385
Resolution: 75μm, 69x54

Description

870.5404 [M+H]+
PPM:2.5
Homo sapiens esophagus DESI ()
LNTO22_1_8 - MTBLS385
Resolution: 75μm, 69x61

Description

870.54 [M+H]+
PPM:2.9
Homo sapiens esophagus DESI ()
LNTO22_2_2 - MTBLS385
Resolution: 75μm, 135x94

Description

870.5394 [M+H]+
PPM:3.6
Homo sapiens esophagus DESI ()
LNTO26_16_1 - MTBLS385
Resolution: 75μm, 95x88

Description

870.5379 [M+H]+
PPM:5.3
Homo sapiens esophagus DESI ()
LNTO29_18_2 - MTBLS385
Resolution: 75μm, 62x68

Description

870.5406 [M+H]+
PPM:2.2
Mus musculus brain MALDI (DHB)
Brain01_Bregma-3-88b_centroid - MTBLS313
Resolution: 17μm, 265x320

Description

870.541 [M+H]+
PPM:1.8
Mus musculus brain MALDI (DHB)
Brain01_Bregma1-42_02_centroid - MTBLS313
Resolution: 17μm, 434x258

Description

870.5409 [M+H]+
PPM:1.9
Mus musculus brain MALDI (DHB)
Brain01_Bregma1-42_01_centroid - MTBLS313
Resolution: 17μm, 447x118

Description

870.5413 [M+H]+
PPM:1.4
Mus musculus brain MALDI (DHB)
Brain02_Bregma1-42_03 - MTBLS313
Resolution: 17μm, 483x403

Description

870.5412 [M+H]+
PPM:1.5
Mus musculus brain MALDI (DHB)
Brain02_Bregma-3-88 - MTBLS313
Resolution: 17μm, 288x282

Description

870.5413 [M+H]+
PPM:1.4
Mus musculus brain MALDI (DHB)
Brain02_Bregma-1-46 - MTBLS313
Resolution: 17μm, 294x399

Description

870.5379 [M+H]+
PPM:5.3
Homo sapiens colorectal adenocarcinoma DESI ()
240TopL, 210TopR, 230BottomL, 220BottomR-centroid - MTBLS176
Resolution: 50μm, 142x141

Description

870.5384 [M+H]+
PPM:4.8
Homo sapiens colorectal adenocarcinoma DESI ()
200TopL, 170TopR, 190BottomL, 180BottomR-centroid - MTBLS176
Resolution: 50μm, 132x126

Description

870.5376 [M+H]+
PPM:5.7
Homo sapiens colorectal adenocarcinoma DESI ()
160TopL,130TopR,150BottomL,140BottomR-centroid - MTBLS176
Resolution: 50μm, 142x136

Description

870.5381 [M+H]+
PPM:5.1
Homo sapiens colorectal adenocarcinoma DESI ()
120TopL, 90TopR, 110BottomL, 100BottomR-centroid - MTBLS176
Resolution: 50μm, 132x136

Description


SM(d17:2(4E,8Z)/LTE4) is a type of oxidized sphingolipid found in animal cell membranes. It usually consists of phosphorylcholine and ceramide. SM(d17:2(4E,8Z)/LTE4) consists of a sphingosine backbone and a Leukotriene E4 chain. In humans, sphingomyelin is the only membrane phospholipid not derived from glycerol. Like all sphingolipids, SM has a ceramide core (sphingosine bonded to a fatty acid via an amide linkage). In addition, it contains one polar head group, which is either phosphocholine or phosphoethanolamine. The plasma membrane of cells is highly enriched in sphingomyelin and is considered largely to be found in the exoplasmic leaflet of the cell membrane. However, there is some evidence that there may also be a sphingomyelin pool in the inner leaflet of the membrane. Moreover, neutral sphingomyelinase-2, an enzyme that breaks down sphingomyelin into ceramide, has been found to localize exclusively to the inner leaflet further suggesting that there may be sphingomyelin present there. Sphingomyelin can accumulate in a rare hereditary disease called Niemann-Pick Disease, types A and B. Niemann-Pick disease is a genetically-inherited disease caused by a deficiency in the enzyme sphingomyelinase, which causes the accumulation of sphingomyelin in spleen, liver, lungs, bone marrow, and the brain, causing irreversible neurological damage. SMs play a role in signal transduction. Sphingomyelins are synthesized by the transfer of phosphorylcholine from phosphatidylcholine to a ceramide in a reaction catalyzed by sphingomyelin synthase.