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Betaine lipids

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Abstract

Diacylglyceryltrimethylhomoserine (DGTS) and diacylglyceryl hydroxymethyltrimethyl-β-alanine (DGTA) belong to a new type of glycerolipids called betaine lipids, which are composed of diacylglycerol andN-permethylated hydroxyamino acids, that are linked by an ether linkage. Betaine lipids are widely distributed in lower plants and algae as well as in some non-photosynthetic microorganisms. They are no longer regarded as “unusual” lipids but are important constituents of membranes of lower organisms. The present state of knowledge of the phylogenetic distribution, the fatty acid composition, the thermal properties, and the biosynthesis of the bataine lipids is briefly summarized in this review in a perspective of a future search for the biological roles and activities of betaine lipids.

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Abbreviations

DGTA:

1(3), 2-diacylglyceryl-3(1)-O-2′-(hydroxymethyl)(N, N, Ntrimethyl)-β-alanine

DGTS:

1(3), 2-diacylglyceryl-3(1)-O-4′-(N, N, N-trimethyl)homoserine

MGDG:

monogalactosyl diacylglycerol

PC:

phosphatidylcholine

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Life Science, Tokyo Gakugei University, 4-1-1 Nukui-kitamachi, Koganei, 184, Tokyo, Japan

    Naoki Sato

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  1. Naoki Sato
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Recipient of the Botanical Society Award of Young Scientists, 1991.

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Sato, N. Betaine lipids. Bot Mag Tokyo 105, 185–197 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489414

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489414

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