Phosphatidylcholine

Phosphatidylcholine is a glycerophospholipid that is involved in the metabolism of several lipid compounds. It is synthesized in the reaction below (see Figure 19.5):

> CDP--Choline + Diacylglycerol <=> CMP + Phosphatidylcholine (catalyzed by CDP-choline: 1,2-Diacylglycerol Phosphocholine Transferase)

> Phosphatidylcholine can also be synthesized in the reaction shown here.

The sphingolipid, sphingomyelin, is made by transferring choline from phosphatidylcholine to a ceramide (Figure 19.13).

See also: Glycerophospholipids, Glycerophospholipid Pathway, Prostaglandin Biosynthesis

INTERNET LINKS

> 1. Glycerolipid Metabolism

> 2. Phospholipid Catabolism