Phosphatidylcholine 533109 225181805 2008-07-12T09:22:40Z Mcat2 2704462 [[Image:phosphatidylcholine.png|thumb|150px|A typical molecule of phosphatidylcholine; shown here containing [[oleate|oleyl]] and [[stearate|stearoyl]] acyl chains.]] [[Phosphatidylcholine]]s are a class of [[phospholipid]]s which incorporate [[choline]] as a headgroup. They are a major component of [[biological membrane]]s and can be isolated from either [[egg yolk]] (in [[Greek language|Greek]] lekithos - λεκιθος) or [[soy]] beans from which they are mechanically extracted or chemically extracted using [[hexane]].'' Phosphatidylcholines are 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 [[Taurocholic acid|Sodium taurocholate]] for simulating fed- and fasted-state biorelevant media in dissolution studies of highly-[[Lipophilicity|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 [[phosphatidate|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]]. ==See also== * [[CDP choline]] ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Membrane lipids.png|[[Membrane lipids]] Image:Choline_metabolism.png|Choline metabolism Image:Phosphatidate2.png|[[Phosphatidate]] Image:Choline-skeletal.png|[[Choline]] </gallery> ==External links== * {{MeshName|Phosphatidylcholines}} http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/110507kvuelipodissolve-mm.1e0189bdb.html {{biochemistry-stub}} {{Phospholipids}} {{Lipid_signaling}} [[Category:Phospholipids]] [[es:Fosfatidil colina]]