Structure. Phosphatidyl-serines (PtdSer, GPSer, or PS) are a type of glycerophosphoserines, a class of glycerophospholipids. Their structure consists of a glycerol backbone linked to two fatty acids and a phosphoserine molecule. The fatty acids can be of variable length, hydroxylated, and contain double bonds.
Phosphatidylserines are found in all organisms but elevated in animal brain tissue. On a subcellular level, they are enriched in biological membranes.
Function. Phosphatidyl-serines are essential membrane components and contribute to the organization of protein complexes on the cytosolic side of the membrane, thus facilitating signaling activities. They also serve as precursors for lyso-phosphatidylserines, and for phosphatidylethanolamines. They are essential cofactors that bind to and activate many proteins with signaling functions. Further, phosphatidylserines are an important element of the blood coagulation process in platelets, and have a role in regulation of apoptosis, programmed cell death.
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