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SNARE-mediated Fusion of Single Proteoliposomes with Tethered Supported Bilayers in a Microfluidic Flow Cell Monitored by Polarized TIRF Microscopy
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Published on: August 24, 2016

Ether lipids.

Carlos D Magnusson1, Gudmundur G Haraldsson

  • 1Science Institute, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Chemistry and Physics of Lipids
|June 4, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review covers naturally occurring 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycerols and methoxylated variants, detailing their distribution, synthesis, and biological roles. It proposes novel biosynthesis pathways and describes the first synthesis of a key methoxylated alkylglycerol found in cartilaginous fish.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Lipid Chemistry
  • Natural Products

Background:

  • 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycerols and 1-O-(2'-methoxyalkyl)-sn-glycerols are biologically active ether lipids found widely in nature.
  • These compounds exist as diacyl glyceryl ether lipids and phosphoether lipids, playing significant biological roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of naturally occurring alkylglycerols and their methoxylated congeners.
  • To detail their occurrence, distribution, chemical structure, biosynthesis, synthesis, and biological effects.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on alkylglycerols and methoxylated alkylglycerols.
  • Proposed novel biosynthesis pathways for 2'-methoxylated alkylglycerols.
  • Chemical synthesis of enantiopure (Z)-(2'R)-1-O-(2'-methoxyhexadec-4'-enyl)-sn-glycerol.

Main Results:

  • Extensive review of the natural occurrence, distribution, and structural diversity of these ether lipids.
  • Proposal of an unprecedented biosynthesis route for 2'-methoxylated alkylglycerols.
  • Successful synthesis of a prevalent 2'-methoxylated alkylglycerol from cartilaginous fish via a five-step convergent process.

Conclusions:

  • Alkylglycerols and their methoxylated derivatives are important bioactive lipids with diverse natural occurrences.
  • Understanding their biosynthesis and enabling their synthesis is crucial for further biological investigation.
  • The presented synthesis provides access to a key compound for studying ether lipid functions.