About the structure and biological function of PC
Structure. Phosphatidylcholines (lecithins, PtdCho, GPCho, or PC) belong to the group of ester phospholipids within the phospholipids. Their structure consists of a glycerol backbone linked to two fatty acids and a phosphocholine molecule. The fatty acids can be of variable length, hydroxylated, and contain double bonds.
Function. Phosphatidylcholines serve as key building blocks for biological membranes, and they play an important role in plasma lipoproteins, the biochemical structures to transport lipids in blood plasma. Phosphatidylcholine is a precursor of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. Platelet-activating factor is a phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholines are elevated in cancers because of the increased demand for membrane constituents, and linked to liver conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
