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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-(1,2-dioctanoyl) is a synthetic analog of natural phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) containing C8:0 fatty acids at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions. The compound features the same inositol and diacyl glycerol (DAG) stereochemistry as that of the natural compound. The short fatty acid chains of this analog, compared to naturally-occurring PtdIns, gives it different physical properties including high solubility in aqueous media. PtdIns are phosphorylated to mono- (PtdIns-P; PIP), di- (PtdIns-P₂; PIP₂), and triphosphates (PtdIns-P₃; PIP₃). 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.

1. Exton, J.H. Regulation of phosphoinositide phospholipases by hormones, neurotransmitters, and other agonists linked to G proteins Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 36,481-509(1996).
2. Majerus, P.W. Inositol phosphate biochemistry Annu. Rev. Biochem. 61,225-250(1992).