Phosphatidylethanolamine: Its Biological Significance and Responses to Nutritional Factors for Neurohealth

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is a major component of biological membranes, pivotal to numerous life processes. Inhibition of its synthesis via either the cytidine diphosphate-ethanolamine (Kennedy) pathway or the phosphatidylserine decarboxylation pathway can be lethal. PEs derived from different organelles have different functions and biological significance, so they are not fully interchangeable. From a biological perspective, PE is involved in constructing membranes and plays a crucial part in mitochondrial biogenesis, ferroptosis, cell autophagy, cell division, synthesis of biomolecules, and other processes. Furthermore, PE acts as the essential substrate for glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor biosynthesis, thereby governing processes such as immune response, signal transduction, and embryonic development. Notably, PE is highly enriched in neural tissues and is closely implicated in the pathology of multiple neurological disorders, including hereditary spastic paraplegia, Liberfarb syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and sepsis-associated encephalopathy. Given that the concentrations, composition, and functions of PE can be modulated by dietary and nutritional factors, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, specific minerals and vitamins, and dietary patterns, targeting PE metabolism represents a promising and translatable strategy for supporting neurological health. This approach holds potential not only for populations with or at risk for neurodegenerative disorders but also for developing fetuses and newborns during critical nervous system development. This review summarized recent advances in these areas, updates our understanding of PE's basic biology, and explores novel strategies for neuroprotection and health promotion.