| First Author | Walkey CJ | Year | 1998 |
| Journal | J Biol Chem | Volume | 273 |
| Issue | 42 | Pages | 27043-6 |
| PubMed ID | 9765216 | Mgi Jnum | J:115246 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3691177 | Doi | 10.1074/jbc.273.42.27043 |
| Citation | Walkey CJ, et al. (1998) Biochemical and evolutionary significance of phospholipid methylation. J Biol Chem 273(42):27043-6 |
| abstractText | All nucleated mammalian cells synthesize phosphatidylcholine from choline via the CDP-choline pathway. Hepatocytes have a second pathway for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a stepwise methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine, catalyzed by phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase and encoded by the Pempt gene. We report that when Pempt-deficient mice were fed a choline-deficient diet for 3 days, severe liver pathology occurred apparently due to a lack of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. The hepatic concentration of phosphatidylcholine decreased by 50% compared with wild type mice on the diet. The levels of plasma triacylglycerols and cholesterol were decreased by greater than 90% in the Pempt-deficient mice. We suggest that the Pempt gene has been maintained during evolution to provide phosphatidylcholine when dietary choline is insufficient, as might occur during starvation or pregnancy. |
