Arsenic-Containing Phosphatidylcholines: A New Group of Arsenolipids Discovered in Herring Caviar

Abstract

A new group of arsenolipids based on cell-membrane phosphatidylcholines has been discovered in herring caviar (fish roe). A combination of HPLC with elemental and molecular mass spectrometry was used to identify five arsenic-containing phosphatidylcholines; the same technique applied to salmon caviar identified an arsenic-containing phosphatidylethanolamine. The arsenic group in these membrane lipids might impart particular properties to the molecules not displayed by their non-arsenic analogues. Additionally, the new compounds have human health implications according to recent results showing high cytotoxicity for some arsenolipids. A complex delicacy: Arsenic-containing phosphatidylcholines and an arsenic-containing phosphatidylethanolamine have been identified in fish roe. The incorporation of the arsenic group into typical membrane lipids might impart particular properties to the molecules not displayed by their non-arsenic analogues.