Membrane - lipid components

4 major types of lipids in membranes

1. PC - phospahtidylcholine (PtdCho)
2. PE - phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn)
3. SM - sphingomyelin
4. Cholesterol - (HDL-C)

Notes:

• cholesterol (HDL-C) is not to be confused with ergosterol (LDL-C)
• SM contains C:22 whereas a yeast contains C:26 fatty acid + manose sugar**
• Ref: **https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2642958/
• SM and HDL-C are key to myelin function in memory
• we are born with little myelin and it is laid down as we learn to coordinate; crawl, language, walk.
• myelin interacts with sulfur to allow replacement of single lipids and preserve memory
• sulfur declines as we age but is only a small part of our total makeup

There are thousands of combinations of these 4 lipids.

• Combinations affect membrane function
• Oxygen end of fatty acids are fluid friendly
• Proteins embed to further membrane interactions
• Proteins can become channels of transfer
  • calcium, sodium, potassium channels
  • temporary sensory stimulation; Transient Receptor Potential - TRP,
  • receptors sites
    • insulin
    • steroids
    • other signaling molecules
• Fragments of membrane are also involved in signalling
  • damaged PC membranes release an omega-6 lipid
  • stimulates inflammatory response
  • signals to platlets to engage, stick
  • constricts arteries
  • coagulates leaking blood
  • prevents hemorrhage and death.