Tool for Lipid Raft Dynamics

Lipid raft dynamics regulate signaling for multiple cellular functions, such as apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. They reside in the plasma membrane and comprise sphingolipids, cholesterol, and certain proteins. C6-NBD ceramide is a fluorescent probe taken up by cells and converted to C6-NBD sphingomyelin. Thus it may be used to monitor the biosynthesis and degradation of sphingomyelin in lipid rafts, Golgi, and other cellular systems.