What is the function of plasmalogens?

More importantly, plasmalogens play a crucial role in the cell as an endogenous antioxidant that protects the cell membrane components such as phospholipids, unsaturated fatty acids, and lipoproteins from oxidative stress.

What are plasmalogens in biology?

Plasmalogens (Pls) are one kind of phospholipids enriched in the brain and other organs. These lipids were thought to be involved in the membrane bilayer formation and anti-oxidant function.

Are plasmalogens glycerophospholipids?

Plasmalogens are a subclass of glycerophospholipids. As such they have a similar chemical structure to diacyl glycerophospholipids. The difference lies in the linkage at the sn-1 position of the glycerol moiety (Figure 1). While diacyl glycerophospholipids bear an ester bond, plasmalogens present an ether bond.

Where are plasmalogens found?

Plasmalogens are found in almost all mammalian tissues, although the highest concentrations are found in brain, red blood cells, skeletal muscle and spermatozoa and can represent as much as 18–20% of the total phospholipids in cell membranes [1, 15].

What foods contain plasmalogens?

In the 2016 study, the highest level of plasmalogens was found in ascidians (also called sea squirts), mussels, and scallops. 9 There are also significant levels of plasmalogens in pork and beef. Plasmalogens are a group of lipids that can vary in the fatty acids and the headgroups that are components of lipids.

How are plasmalogens synthesized?

The initial two steps of plasmalogen synthesis are catalyzed by peroxisomal matrix enzymes, dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase (Dhapat) and alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (Agps), in which 1-alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate (DHAP) is generated by replacing the acyl chain of 1-acyl-DHAP with a long chain fatty …

Are plasmalogens lipids?

Plasmalogens represent one class of lipids, as shown above, that contain the vinyl-ether bond (red box). In contrast, a conventional phospholipid contains two acyl bonds, as shown in the black box. In some cell types, such as neurons, over 50% of the cell membrane can be comprised of plasmalogens.

What is the structure of plasmalogens?

Abstract. The plasmalogens are a class of glycerophospholipids which contain a vinyl-ether and an ester bond at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions, respectively, in the glycerol backbone. They constitute 10 mol% of the total mass of phospholipids in humans, mainly as membrane structure components.

Are plasmalogens phospholipids?

Plasmalogens are a subclass of phospholipids, mainly found in the cell membranes. Ethanolamine plasmalogens (PlsEtns) are the predominant phospholipids in the brain, kidney, lungs and skeletal muscle [1].

Is phosphatidylcholine good for your liver?

It may aid in liver repair It may cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or cirrhosis of the liver. According to a 2010 study, PC helped reduce lipids that can lead to a fatty liver (hepatic lipids) in mice fed a high-fat diet.