Phospholipid

Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules that form the fundamental structure of all biological membranes, including the plasma membrane and membranes of organelles.[10][9][1][6] They consist of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head group containing phosphate, and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) fatty acid tails. In water, they spontaneously form bilayers with heads facing outward and tails inward, providing a selective barrier and enabling compartmentalization of biological processes.[1][9][2] Their diversity (e.g., phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, sphingomyelin) underlies membrane function, dynamics, and signaling roles.[5][6] Phospholipids are not a single druggable target, receptor, or protein, but are instead an essential structural component and modulator in all cellular life. Note: - "Cellular membrane phospholipids" refers to a class of molecules, not a specific target, receptor, or druggable entity; thus, is_target is false and is_incorrect is true for a drug target query. - For drug targeting, enzymes regulating phospholipid metabolism (e.g., phospholipase, choline kinase) are considered valid targets, but phospholipid molecules themselves are not.[5][6][1]

Other names

Cellular membrane phospholipidmembrane phospholipidphospholipid bilayerphosphatidylcholine (PC)phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)phosphatidylserine (PS)phosphatidylinositol (PI)sphingomyelin (SM)cardiolipin (CL)

Indirect: Disruption of membrane integrity (by some antimicrobials and anesthetics) Modulation by affecting enzymes of biosynthesis/degradation (e.g., phospholipase inhibitors)