1-O-OCTADECYL-2-O-METHYL-SN-GLYCERO-3-PHOSPHOCHOLINE

Chemical Properties

white powder

Uses

Edelfosine or 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine might be used:

• as a non-hydrolysable LysoPC (phospholipid) analog for analyzing its ability to block sexual commitment in Plasmodium falciparum
• in multilamellar vesicle preparation to study its effect on model membranes
• in the selection and screening of mutagenized cells, having the ability to inhibit the transport of alkylphosphocholine drugs across the plasma membrane

Definition

ChEBI: (R)-edelfosine is a 1-octadecyl-2-methylglycero-3-phosphocholine that is the (R)-enantiomer of edelfosine.

Biological Activity

Synthetic lysophospholipid analog that selectively inhibits phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C. Also acts as an agonist at platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptors. Antitumor lipid; selectively induces apoptosis in tumor cells, sparing normal cells.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Edelfosine acts as a precursor for alkyl-lysophospholipids. It possesses apoptotic action against several cancer cells such as prostate, leukemia, brain and lung tumors. It is associated with cellular transport system, signaling transducing systems, cytokine synthesis and lipid metabolism. Edelfosine is known to control intracellular?calcium levels. It is not mutagenic and its anti-tumor action requires its incorporation into the cell. Edelfosine is also found to block the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I).