Figure 5.

Structure and functional model for DGPP. On the left the chemical structures of dioleoyl PA (top) and DGPP (bottom) are indicated. PA kinase activity is responsible for the synthesis of DGPP, but the enzyme responsible is currently unknown. Conversion of DGPP back to PA is facilitated by a family of known lipid phosphate phosphatases. On the right the effective molecular shape of PA and DGPP at physiological pH and salt (NaCI) concentration is shown. The negative charge of both PA and DGPP is shown. In similar membrane environments (lipid composition) and under physiological conditions DGPP carries more negative charge then PA as indicated by the thicker “charge.”