Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of the glycerophospholipid metabolism in fish. Glycerophospholipids are the major class of complex lipids characterized by a glycerol backbone, with one of the primary hydroxyl groups (sn-3) esterified to phosphoric acid. The secondary hydroxyl group in glycerophospholipids (sn-2) is always esterified to a long-chain fatty acid, which in the majority of instances is monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Phosphatidic acid (PtdA), a quantitatively minor glycerophospholipid, is nonetheless an important intermediate in the biosynthesis of glycerophospholipids and can be regarded as the simplest. Not all glycerophospholipids are phosphoglycerides because the term “phosphoglyceride” should be reserved for the diacyl derivatives alone and should not include the ether-linked derivatives. Similarly, not all phospholipids are glycerophospholipids. For instance, sphingomyelin contains phosphorus and so is considered as a phospholipid, but the phosphoric acid is esterified to a sphingosine backbone and not glycerol and so is correctly termed a “sphingolipid.” The chapter deals exclusively with the metabolism of the major classes of glycerophospholipids, including the ether-linked derivatives, although it focuses on the diacyl derivatives. It also discusses species and tissue distribution of eicosanoids in fish.
Publication Year: 1995
Publication Date: 1995-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 53
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot