Choline and Ethanolamine Glycerophospholipids

Abstract

Choline and ethanolamine glycerophospholipids are amphipathic molecules that are asymmetrically distributed in the bilayer. They provide the neural membranes with a suitable environment, fluidity, and ion permeability. The degree of saturation and the length of glycerophospholipid-acyl chains are important determinants of neural membrane properties. Choline and ethanolamine glycerophospholipids are synthesized at the endoplasmic reticulum and are transported to other membranous structures by phospholipid exchange and transfer proteins. Glycerophospholipids undergo base-exchange, methylation, and decarboxylation reactions for interconversion. These reactions and activities of phospholipases A2, C, and D are involved in the turnover, compositional maintenance, and rearrangements of glycerophospholipids in membranes. Glycerophospholipids are a storage depot for precursors for second messengers, and may be involved in membrane fusion, apoptosis, and regulation of the activities of membrane-bound enzymes and ion-channels.