Application Notes:
Phosphatidic acid is an important acidic lipid that is only found in relatively small amounts in comparison to other lipids. It
acts as the precursor to a number of phospholipids and triacylglycerols, is integral in forming the shape of cellular
membranes,1 has functions in cellular signaling,2 and has a role in vesicle fission and fusion. Phosphatidic acid is generally
synthesized by the acylation of glycerophosphate but can also be synthesized by the phosphorylation of 1,2-diacyl-snglycerol
or the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidic acid can be converted to diacylglycerols which are important
cellular signaling agents.3 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.4
References:
1. E. Kooijman et al. “Modulation of Membrane Curvature by Phosphatidic Acid and Lysophosphatidic Acid” Traffic, Vol. 4(3) pp. 162-174, 2003
2. K. Athenstaedt and G. Daum “Phosphatidic acid, a key intermediate in lipid metabolism” European Journal of Biochemistry, Vol. 266 pp. 1-16, 1999
3. M. Hodgkin et al. “Diacylglycerols and phosphatidates: which molecular species are intracellular messengers?” Trends in Biochemical Sciences, Vol.
23(6) pp. 200-204, 1998
4. A. Gimenez et al. “Regulation of Phosphatidic Acid Levels in Trypanosoma cruzi” Lipids, vol. 46 pp. 969-979, 2011