Phosphatidylserine (PS)

Structure[edit]

Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid (more specifically a glycerophospholipid). It consists of two fatty acids attached in ester linkage to the first and second carbon of glycerol and serine attached through a phosphodiester linkage to the third carbon of the glycerol.^[1]

Phosphatidylserine coming from plants and phosphatidylserine coming from animals differ in fatty acid composition.^[2]

Biological function[edit]

Cell signaling[edit]

Phosphatidylserine(s) are actively held facing the cytosolic (inner) side of the cell membrane by the enzyme flippase. However, when a cell undergoes apoptosis, phosphatidylserine is no longer restricted to the cytosolic side by flippase. Instead scramblase catalyzes the rapid exchange of phosphatidylserine between the two sides. When the phosphatidylserines flip to the extracellular (outer) surface of the cell, they act as a signal for macrophages to engulf the cells.^[3]

Coagulation[edit]

Phosphatidylserine plays a role in blood coagulation (also known as clotting). When circulating platelets encounter the site of an injury, collagen and thrombin -mediated activation causes externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) from the inner membrane layer, where it serves as a pro-coagulant surface.^[4] This surface acts to orient coagulation proteases, specifically tissue factor (TF) and factor VII (the tenase complex), facilitating further proteolysis, activation of factor X, and ultimately generating thrombin.^[4]

In the coagulation disorder Scott syndrome, the mechanism in platelets for transportation of PS from the inner platelet membrane surface to the outer membrane surface is defective.^[5] It is characterized as a mild bleeding disorder stemming from the patient's deficiency in thrombin synthesis.^[6]

Biosynthesis[edit]

Phosphatidylserine is biosynthesized in bacteria by condensing the amino acid serine with CDP (cytidine diphosphate)-activated phosphatidic acid.^[7] In mammals, phosphatidylserine is produced by base-exchange reactions with phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Conversely, phosphatidylserine can also give rise to phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine, although in animals the pathway to generate phosphatidylcholine from phosphatidylserine only operates in the liver.^[8]

Dietary sources[edit]

The average daily phosphatidylserine (PS) intake from diet in Western countries is estimated to be 130 mg.^{[citation needed]} PS may be found in meat and fish. Only small amounts of PS can be found in dairy products or in vegetables, with the exception of white beans and soy lecithin.

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