Phosphatidates are biochemical compounds that consist of a glycerol backbone, with a (usually) saturated fatty acid bonded to carbon-1, a (usually) unsaturated fatty acid bonded to carbon-2 and a phosphate group bonded to carbon-3.

Synthesis

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In mammalian cells, phosphotidates are synthesized in the ER and mitochondrial membrane. The first step in phosphatidate synthesis is the acylation of glycerol 3-phosphate by acyl CoA to form lysophosphatidate by the enzyme Glycerophosphate acyltransferase (GPAT). Lysophosphatidate is again acylated to yield phosphatidate. Phosphatidates are precursors for triacylglycerols and phospholipids. Glycerophosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) only catalyzes the first step in the synthesis of phosphatidate. The second acylation step, the acylation of lysophosphatidate (LPA) is carried out by Monoacylglycerophosphate acyltransferase (MGAT). GPAT is a mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme, whereas MGAT is an ER enzyme.

References

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1. Berg, J.M., J.L. Tymoczko, and L. Stryer, Biochemistry. 5th ed. 2002, New York: W.H. Freeman. xxxviii, 974, ^* (various pagings)

External links

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Biochemicals