Glycerophospholipids act as regulators of various enzyme activities, and can be used as biological markers to indicate pathological states.
Lysophosphatidic?acid (LPA) is a class of phospholipids, which is water-soluble. It has a glycerol backbone attached?via?a phosphate group, an aliphatic chain and a hydroxyl group.?The aliphatic chain is linked to either?sn-1 or?sn-2 position and the phosphate group is connected to the?sn-3 position. The hydroxyl group is linked to the remaining?sn-1 or?sn-2?position.
Lysophosphatidic?acid (LPA) is a signaling molecule and alters various cellular responses through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). It stimulates smooth muscle contraction, cytoskeleton rearrangement and chemotaxis. LPA is also involved in inducing neurotransmitter release, cell proliferation, platelet aggregation and Ca2+ mobilization. Increased levels of LPA in human plasma leads to ovarian cancer and atherosclerosis. LPA acts as a potential biomarker for ovarian cancer.
