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The phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) phosphates represent a small percentage of total membrane phospholipids. However, they play a critical role in the generation and transmission of cellular signals.^1,2 PtdIns PtdIns-(4,5)-P₂ (1,2-dipalmitoyl) is a synthetic analog of natural phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) containing C₁₆:0 fatty acids at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions. The compound features the same inositol and diacylglycerol (DAG) stereochemistry as the natural compound. The natural compound is the product of PtdIns-4-phosphate 5-kinase acting on PtdIns-(4)-P₁. Hydrolysis of PtdIns-(4,5)-P₂ by phosphoinositide (PI)-specific phospholipase C generates inositol triphosphate (IP₃) and DAG which are key second messengers in an intricate biochemical signal transduction cascade.

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2. Majerus, P.W. Inositol phosphate biochemistry Annu. Rev. Biochem. 61,225-250(1992).