Lipid class

Phosphatidylcholine

Description
placeholder: The phosphatidylcholine (PC) class of lipids, also known as lecithins, are a subtype of phospholipids that play a crucial role in various cellular processes. Structurally, PCs consist of a glycerol backbone esterified with two fatty acid chains and a phosphocholine head group. The fatty acid chains, typically unsaturated, vary in length and degree of unsaturation, influencing the physical properties of the lipid. The phosphocholine head group, comprising a phosphate group and a choline molecule, is zwitterionic, carrying both positive and negative charges. This unique structure enables PCs to participate in diverse functions, including maintaining membrane fluidity and asymmetry, regulating membrane protein function, and serving as a precursor for signaling molecules, such as platelet-activating factor (PAF) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). Additionally, PCs are involved in the formation of lipoproteins, which transport cholesterol and other lipids in the bloodstream. Overall, the phosphatidylcholine class of lipids plays a vital role in maintaining cellular membrane structure and function, as well as facilitating various physiological processes.
Example 2D structure
An example of the Phosphatidylcholine (32:1) species (C40H78NO8P).
Image of the 2D molecular structure of an example member of the Phosphatidylcholine lipid class. Image of the 2D molecular structure of an example member of the Phosphatidylcholine lipid class.
Phosphatidylcholine class lipid.
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Phosphatidylcholine lipid species
Sorted by: molecular weight
Molecular formula Lipid species Molecular weight (g/mol) "Isoform specificity"
CD1a CD1b CD1c CD1d
C40H78NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (32:1) 732.55
C40H80NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (32:0) 734.57
C42H76NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (34:4) 754.54
C42H78NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (34:3) 756.55
C42H80NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (34:2) 758.57
C42H82NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (34:1) 760.59
C42H84NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (34:0) 762.6
C44H78NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (36:5) 780.55
C44H80NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (36:4) 782.57
C44H82NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (36:3) 784.59
C44H88NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (36:0) 790.63
C46H78NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (38:7) 804.55
C46H80NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (38:6) 806.57
C48H82NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (40:7) 832.59
C48H94NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (40:1) 844.68
C50H88NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (42:6) 862.63
C48H92NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (40:2) 864.65
C50H90NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (42:5) 864.65
C50H92NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (42:4) 866.66
C50H94NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (42:3) 868.68
C50H96NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (42:2) 870.69
C50H98NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (42:1) 872.71
C52H90NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (44:7) 888.65
C52H92NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (44:6) 890.66
C52H94NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (44:5) 892.68
C52H96NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (44:4) 894.69
C52H98NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (44:3) 896.71
C52H100NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (44:2) 898.73
C52H102NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (44:1) 900.74
C52H86NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (44:9) 901.64
C52H88NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (44:8) 903.66
C54H94NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (46:7) 916.68
C54H96NO8P Phosphatidylcholine (46:6) 918.69
placeholder: Only lipid species which could be unambigously determined experimentally are shown.

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