Synthesis of lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) from phosphatidylethanolamine in bovine brain |
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Authors: | Jan K. Blusztajn Steven H. Zeisel Richard J. Wurtman |
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Affiliation: | aLaboratory of Neuroendocrine Regulation, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass. 02139 U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | Choline molecules are needed for the synthesis of acetylcholine and phospholipids in the mammalian brain. An enzymatic activity capable of forming lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) from the step-by-step methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine is identified in the bovine brain. This enzyme(s), phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.17), is localized in the synaptosomal fraction of bovine caudate nucleus, uses S-adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor (apparent Km = 20 μM), and has a Vmax of 50–60 pmol/mg protein × h (i.e. about 1% of that found in rat liver). The brain may be able to meet some of its choline requirements by de novo synthesis. |
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Keywords: | Lecithin phosphatidylcholine choline phosphatidylethanolamine phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase S-adenosylmethionine |
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