Title:Alkylglycerol Lipid Precursors: A Review of Therapeutic Strategies for Plasmalogen Replacement
Volume: 17
Issue: 8
Author(s): Paul L. Wood
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Alkylglycerol, Ecomer, krill oil, DHA, plasmalogen, peroxisome.
Abstract: Plasmalogens are unique vinyl ether glycerophospholipids that serve diverse structural roles in the membranes of cells and cell
organelles. Additionally, the fatty acid substitutions at sn– 2 of the glycerol backbone are dynamically removed by lipases and replaced by
acyltransferases. These fatty acid storage pools provide the free arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) involved in signal
transduction cascades.
The biosynthesis of plasmalogens critically involves the generation of the ether lipid substitution at sn–1 of the glycerol backbone. This
step only occurs in peroxisomes and is dysfunctional in genetic peroxisomal disorders and in several diseases of aging.
A number of approaches have been undertaken to augment plasmalogen levels in these clinical conditions. In this review we present the
current status of alkylglycerol precursors that bypass the requirement of the peroxisomal compartment.
