Cephalin

Name:
Cephalin
Detailed information:

Chemistry name:	kephalin; phosphatidyl ethanolamine; phosphatidylserine
M Formula:	CH2OR1CHOR2CH2OP(O)(OH)OR3
Properties:
Yellowish, amorphous substance; characteristic odor and taste. Insoluble in water and acetone; soluble in chloroform and ether; slightly soluble in alcohol.
Use:
Medicine, biochemical research.

A group of phospholipids in which two fatty acids (R₁ and R₂) form ester linkages with the two hydroxyl groups of glycerophosphoric acid, and either ethanolamine or serine (R₃) forms an ester linkage with the phosphate group. Cephalins are therefore either phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylserine. They are associated with lecithins found in brain tissue, nerve tissue, and egg yolk.