Phosphatidylcholine
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Phosphatidylcholines are a class of phospholipids which incorporate choline as a headgroup. It is a major component of biological membranes and it can be isolated from either egg yolk (in Greek lekithos - λεκιθος) or soy beans from which it is mechanically or chemically extracted using hexane.
It is such a major component of lecithin, that, in some contexts, the terms are sometime used as synonyms. However, lecithin extract consists of a mixture of phosphatidylcholine and other compounds. It is also used along with Sodium taurocholate for simulating fed- and fasted-state biorelevant media in dissolution studies of highly-lipophilic drugs. Phosphatidylcholine is a major constituent of cell membranes, and also plays a role in membrane-mediated cell signalling.
Phospholipase D catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine to form phosphatidic acid (PA), releasing the soluble choline headgroup into the cytosol.
Some medical researchers are experimenting with using Phosphatidylcholine in a type of injection that will break down fat cells; to be used as an alternative to liposuction known as Injection lipolysis.
[edit] See also
[edit] Additional images
 Choline metabolism |
[edit] External links
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