Plasmalogen

Example of an ethanolamine plasmalogen with the characteristic vinyl ether linkage at the sn-1 position and an ester linkage at the sn-2 position

Plasmalogens are a class of glycerophospholipid with a plasmenyl group linked to a lipid at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. Plasmalogens are found in multiple domains of life, including mammals, invertebrates, protozoa, and anaerobic bacteria. They are commonly found in cell membranes in the nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems.[1][2][3] In humans, lower levels of plasmalogens are studied in relation to some diseases. Plasmalogens are also associated with adaptations to extreme environments in non-human organisms.

  1. ^ Nagan, N.; Zoeller, R. A. (2001). "Plasmalogens: Biosynthesis and functions". Progress in Lipid Research. 40 (3): 199–229. doi:10.1016/S0163-7827(01)00003-0. PMID 11275267.
  2. ^ Gorgas, K.; Teigler, A.; Komljenovic, D.; Just, W. W. (2006). "The ether lipid-deficient mouse: Tracking down plasmalogen functions". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research. 1763 (12): 1511–26. doi:10.1016/j.bbamcr.2006.08.038. PMID 17027098.
  3. ^ Moser, A. B.; Steinberg, S. J.; Watkins, P. A.; Moser, H. W.; Ramaswamy, K.; Siegmund, K. D.; Lee, D. R.; Ely, J. J.; Ryder, O. A.; Hacia, J. G. (2011). "Human and great ape red blood cells differ in plasmalogen levels and composition". Lipids in Health and Disease. 10: 101. doi:10.1186/1476-511X-10-101. PMC 3129581. PMID 21679470.