etherphospholipid

Etherphospholipids are a class of phospholipids characterized by an ether linkage instead of an ester linkage between the glycerol backbone and the fatty acid (or alkyl chain) at the sn-1 position. This ether linkage is more resistant to hydrolysis than the ester linkage found in diacylphospholipids. The sn-2 position typically contains a fatty acid attached via an ester linkage, and the sn-3 position carries a phosphate group linked to a head group. Common head groups include choline, ethanolamine, serine, and inositol.

These molecules are abundant in biological membranes, particularly in the myelin sheath of nerve cells and in membranes of cardiac muscle cells. Their unique structure contributes to membrane stability and influences membrane fluidity. Etherphospholipids are involved in various cellular processes, including signal transduction, cell growth, and differentiation. They are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum through a pathway distinct from that of diacylphospholipids. Alterations in etherphospholipid metabolism have been implicated in certain diseases.