Phosphocholine is an intermediate in the synthesis of
phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholines (PC) are a class of phospholipids that incorporate choline as a headgroup.
They are a major component of biological membranes and can be easily obtained from a variety of readily available sources, such as egg yolk or soybea ...
in tissues. Phosphocholine is made in a reaction, catalyzed by
choline kinase, that converts
ATP and
choline Choline is an essential nutrient for humans and many other animals. Choline occurs as a cation that forms various salts (X− in the depicted formula is an undefined counteranion). Humans are capable of some ''de novo synthesis'' of choline but r ...
into phosphocholine and
ADP. Phosphocholine is a molecule found, for example, in
lecithin.
In
nematodes and human
placenta
The placenta is a temporary embryonic and later fetal organ that begins developing from the blastocyst shortly after implantation. It plays critical roles in facilitating nutrient, gas and waste exchange between the physically separate mate ...
s, phosphocholine is selectively attached to other proteins as a
posttranslational modification
Post-translational modification (PTM) is the covalent and generally enzymatic modification of proteins following protein biosynthesis. This process occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum and the golgi apparatus. Proteins are synthesized by ribo ...
to suppress an immune response by their hosts.
It is also one of the binding targets of
C-reactive protein
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an annular (ring-shaped) pentameric protein found in blood plasma, whose circulating concentrations rise in response to inflammation. It is an acute-phase protein of hepatic origin that increases following interleukin- ...
(CRP). Thus, when a cell is damaged, CRP binds to phosphocholine, beginning the recognition and phagocytotic immunologic response.
Phosphocholine is a natural constituent of hens' eggs (and many other eggs) often used in biomimetic membrane studies.
See also
*
Alkylphosphocholines
*
Choline Choline is an essential nutrient for humans and many other animals. Choline occurs as a cation that forms various salts (X− in the depicted formula is an undefined counteranion). Humans are capable of some ''de novo synthesis'' of choline but r ...
*
Phosphoethanolamine
References
External links
Phosphocholine 3D Structure Viewer
{{PAF signaling
Post-translational modification
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Organophosphates
Zwitterions