Background:

Phosphatidylcholine species are a common class of phospholipids that comprise the mammalian cell membrane. 1-Stearoyl-2-Arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-PC (SAPC) is an important source of activation-induced arachidonate released as a substrate for cyclooxygenase (COX-2) mediated signaling. It is the preferred substrate for the 85 kDa cytosolic phospholipase, which translocates to endoplasmic and nuclear membranes in response to the activation-induced rise in intracellular calcium. The arachidonate thus liberated can be utilized by either COX or lipoxygenase enzymes for the elaboration of further eicosanoid mediators.