Lysophosphatidylcholine

Lysophosphatidylcholine is a phospholipid.

Structure

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC ) has a glycerin as a backbone. This is connected to the first carbon atom of a phosphate group, with the alcohol choline. The phosphate group forms a phosphodiester bond. The second carbon atom is, in contrast to most of the other phospholipids in biological membranes, no esterification with a fatty acid before, so that this carbon atom has only one hydroxyl group. The third carbon atom of the glycerol radical is esterified with a fatty acid.

Biological Significance

Lysophosphatidylcholine produced during digestion of lecithin by phospholipase A ₂, which is an important component of the venom of snakes, wasps and bees. This LPC acts as a strong detergent and so destabilizes the membranes of many cells.