Human Metabolome Database (HMDB): O-Phosphoethanolamine, also known as PEA, phosphorylethanolamine, colamine phosphoric acid or ethanolamine O-phosphate, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as phosphoethanolamines. Phosphoethanolamines are compounds containing a phosphate linked to the second carbon of an ethanolamine. O-Phosphoethanolamine is used in the biosynthesis of two different types of phospholipids: glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. O-Phosphoethanolamine exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to plants to humans. Within humans, O-phosphoethanolamine participates in a number of enzymatic reactions. In particular, cytidine triphosphate and O-phosphoethanolamine can be converted into CDP-ethanolamine; which is mediated by the enzyme ethanolamine-phosphate cytidylyltransferase. In addition, O-phosphoethanolamine can be biosynthesized from ethanolamine; which is catalyzed by the enzyme choline/ethanolamine kinase. In humans, O-phosphoethanolamine is involved in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis. O-phosphoethanolamine is also a product of the metabolism of sphingolipids. In particular, sphinglipids are metabolized in vivo to phosphorylethanolamine and a fatty aldehyde, generally palmitaldehyde. Both metabolites are ultimately converted to glycerophospholipids. The lipids are first phosphorylated by a kinase and then cleaved by the pyridoxal-dependent sphinganine-1-phosphate aldolase. Elevated urine levels of O-Phosphoethanolamine or PEA can be used to help in the diagnosis of Hypophosphatasia (HPP). Reference ranges for urinary PEA vary according to age and somewhat by diet, and follow a circadian rhythm. Outside of the human body, O-phosphoethanolamine has been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as oxheart cabbages, anises, shiitakes, abalones, and teffs.
External links: hmdb.cakegg.jpebi.ac.ukpubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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