Glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway

The glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway encompasses the enzymatic processes responsible for the synthesis, modification, and degradation of glycerophospholipids, which are the major lipid components of all eukaryotic cell membranes. This pathway involves the formation of key intermediates such as lysophosphatidic acid and phosphatidic acid, conversion into a range of glycerophospholipids (e.g., phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol), and remodeling reactions including deacylation/reacylation (Lands cycle). Pathway dysregulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, neurodegenerative disease, inflammation, and other disorders. Therapeutic approaches usually focus on modulating specific enzymes within the pathway, rather than the pathway as a whole, due to its fundamental role in cellular viability and homeostasis.

Other names

Glycerophospholipid biosynthesisPhosphoglyceride metabolismPhospholipid metabolic pathway

No specific drugs target the whole pathway directly; interventions usually target individual enzymes or steps, such as choline kinase inhibitors or drugs affecting phospholipase activity. Mechanisms include enzyme inhibition, interference with lipid remodeling, or substrate availability.