Application Notes:
This phosphatidic acid (PA) is a well-defined phospholipid acylated with
C14:0 fatty acids at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions. DMPA has been used to study
the phosphatidic acid domains in membranes and the effect of divalent
counterions.1 PA is an important acidic lipid that is only found in relatively
small amounts in comparison to other lipids. Phosphatidic acid acts as the
precursor to a number of phospholipids and triacylglycerols, is integral in
forming the shape of cellular membranes,2 has roles in cellular signaling,3 and
has a role in vesicle fission and fusion. PA is generally synthesized by the
acylation of glycerophosphate but can also be synthesized by the
phosphorylation of 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol or the hydrolysis of
phosphatidylcholine. PA can be converted to diacylglycerols which are
important cellular signaling agents.4
The metabolism of phosphatidic acid has
been shown to change due to external stimuli in the pathogen Trypanosoma
cruzi and this could be used to develop a treatment for this disease.5
References:
1. J. Faraudo and A. Travesset “Phosphatidic Acid Domains in Membranes: Effect of Divalent Counterions” Biophysical Journal, Vol. 92 pp. 2806-2818, 2007
2. E. Kooijman et al. “Modulation of Membrane Curvature by Phosphatidic Acid and Lysophosphatidic Acid” Traffic, Vol. 4(3) pp. 162-174, 2003
3. K. Athenstaedt and G. Daum “Phosphatidic acid, a key intermediate in lipid metabolism” European Journal of Biochemistry, Vol. 266 pp. 1-16, 1999
4. M. Hodgkin et al. “Diacylglycerols and phosphatidates: which molecular species are intracellular messengers?” Trends in Biochemical Sciences, Vol. 23(6) pp. 200-204, 1998
5. A. Gimenez et al. “Regulation of Phosphatidic Acid Levels in Trypanosoma cruzi” Lipids, vol. 46 pp. 969-979, 2011