|
1-Lysophosphatidylcholine
1-Lysophosphatidylcholines (or 1-lysoPC) are a class of phospholipids that are intermediates in the metabolism of lipids. They result from the hydrolysis of an acyl group from the ''sn-1'' position of phosphatidylcholine. They are also called 2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines. The synthesis of phosphatidylcholines with specific fatty acids occurs through the synthesis of 1-lysoPC. The formation of various other lipids generates 1-lysoPC as a by-product. Other synonyms for this class of compounds are 2-acylglycero-3-phosphocholine, 1-lyso-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, β-lysophosphatidylcholine, 2-acylglycerophosphocholine, L-1-lysolecithin and 1-lecithin. Chemical properties 1-LysoPC can convert to the structurally similar 2-lysoPC. This happens by the migration of the acyl group from the ''sn-1'' position of the glycerol backbone to the ''sn-2'' position. The lowest rate of isomerization is at pH 4-5. Starting from either 1-lysoPC or 2-lysoPC, an equilibrium mixture ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lysophosphatidylcholine
Lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC, lysoPC), also called lysolecithins, are a class of chemical compounds which are derived from phosphatidylcholines. Overview Lysophosphatidylcholines are produced within cells mainly by the enzyme phospholipase A2, which removes one of the fatty acid groups from phosphatidylcholine to produce LPC. Among other properties, they activate endothelial cells during early atherosclerosis. LPC also acts as a find-me signal, released by apoptotic cells to recruit phagocytes, which then phagocytose the apoptotic cells. Moreover, LPCs can be used in the lab to cause demyelination of brain slices and to mimic the effects of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. LPCs are also known to stimulate phagocytosis of the myelin sheath and can change the surface properties of erythrocytes. LPC-induced demyelination is thought to occur through the actions of recruited macrophages and microglia which phagocytose nearby myelin. Invading T cells are also ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lecithin Retinol Acyltransferase
Lecithin retinol acyltransferase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ''LRAT'' gene. Function Lecithin retinol acyltransferase is a microsome, microsomal enzyme that catalyzes the esterification of all-trans-retinol into all-trans-retinyl ester during phototransduction, an essential reaction for the retinoid cycle in visual system and vitamin A status in liver. Clinical significance Mutations in this gene have been associated with early-onset severe retinal dystrophy. LRAT was overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells compared to normal colonic epithelium. Strong LRAT expression was associated with a poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. See also * Visual cycle References Further reading * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * External links GeneReviews/NCBI/NIH/UW entry on Retinitis Pigmentosa Overview {{gene-4-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
N-Acylphosphatidylethanolamine
''N''-Acylphosphatidylethanolamines (NAPEs) are hormones released by the small intestine into the bloodstream when it processes fat. NAPEs travel to the hypothalamus in the brain and suppress appetite. This mechanism could be relevant for treating obesity.Dunham, Will (Nov 26, 2008).Gut chemical may inspire new way to fight obesity. ''Reuters'' Accessed 27 Nov. 2008 Endocannabinoid precursor ''N''-Acylphosphatidylethanolamines are also an important intermediaries in the biosynthesis of endocannabinoids. NAPEs are formed from phosphatidylethanolamines, a group of cell membrane phospholipids characteristic of nervous tissue. After being cleaved by phospholipases, NAPEs can be transformed into ''N''-acylethanolamines, including the endocannabinoid anandamide. While NAPE-PLD is the enzyme responsible for catalyzing said release of N-acylethanolamine (NAE) from N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE), this specific subtype of phospholipase D is not responsible for the formation ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anandamide
Anandamide (ANA), also referred to as ''N''-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) is a fatty acid neurotransmitter belonging to the fatty acid derivative group known as N-acylethanolamine (NAE). Anandamide takes its name from the Sanskrit word ''ananda'' ( आनन्द), meaning "joy, bliss, delight," plus amide. Anandamide, the first discovered endocannabinoid, engages with the body's endocannabinoid system by binding to the same cannabinoid receptors that THC found in cannabis acts on. Anandamide can be found within tissues in a wide range of animals. It has also been found in plants, such as the cacao tree. Anandamide is derived from the non-oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid, an essential omega-6 fatty acid. It is synthesized from ''N''-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine by multiple pathways. It is degraded primarily by the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme, which converts anandamide into ethanolamine and arachidonic acid. As such, inhibitors of FAAH lead to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Phosphatidylethanol
Phosphatidylethanols (PEth) are a group of phospholipids formed only in the presence of ethanol via the action of phospholipase D (PLD). It accumulates in blood and is removed slowly, making it a useful biomarker for alcohol consumption. PEth is also thought to contribute to the symptoms of alcohol intoxication. Structure Chemically, phosphatidylethanols are phospholipids carrying two fatty acid chains, which are variable in structure, and one phosphate ethyl ester. Biosynthesis When ethanol is present, PLD substitutes ethanol for water and covalently attaches the alcohol as the head group of the phospholipid; hence the name phosphatidylethanol. Normally PLD incorporates water to generate phosphatidic acid (PA); the process is termed transphosphatidylation. PLD continues to generate PA in the presence of ethanol and while PEth is generated and the effects of ethanol transphosphatidlyation are through the generation of the unnatural lipid not depletion of PA. Biological effects ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lysophospholipase
The enzyme lysophospholipase (EC 3.1.1.5) catalyzes the reaction :2-lysophosphatidylcholine + H2O \rightleftharpoons glycerophosphocholine + a carboxylate This enzyme belongs to the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on carboxylic ester bonds. This family consists of lysophospholipase / phospholipase B (EC 3.1.1.5) and cytosolic phospholipase A2 which also has a C2 domain . Phospholipase B enzymes catalyse the release of fatty acids from lysophospholipids and are capable ''in vitro'' of hydrolyzing all phospholipids extractable from yeast cells. Cytosolic phospholipase A2 associates with natural membranes in response to physiological increases in Ca2+ and selectively hydrolyses arachidonyl phospholipids, the aligned region corresponds the carboxy-terminal Ca2+-independent catalytic domain of the protein as discussed in. The systematic name of this enzyme class is 2-lysophosphatidylcholine acylhydrolase. Other names in common use include lecithinase B, lysolecithina ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Retinal
Retinal (also known as retinaldehyde) is a polyene chromophore. Retinal, bound to proteins called opsins, is the chemical basis of visual phototransduction, the light-detection stage of visual perception (vision). Some microorganisms use retinal to convert light into metabolic energy. One study suggests that approximately three billion years ago, most living organisms on Earth used retinal, rather than chlorophyll, to convert sunlight into energy. Because retinal absorbs mostly green light and transmits purple light, this gave rise to the Purple Earth hypothesis. Retinal itself is considered to be a form of vitamin A when eaten by an animal. There are many forms of vitamin A, all of which are converted to retinal, which cannot be made without them. The number of different molecules that can be converted to retinal varies from species to species. Retinal was originally called retinene, and was renamed after it was discovered to be vitamin A aldehyde. Vertebrate animals inge ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
