What is the Difference Between Phosphatidylcholine and Serine

The key difference between phosphatidylcholine and serine is that phosphatidylcholine is mainly useful for its effects on liver function, whereas serine is an alpha-amino acid important as building blocks in protein formation.

Phosphatidylcholine and serine are biochemical substances that are important for biological systems. Phosphatidylcholine is a type of phospholipid while serine is an alpha-amino acid having the chemical formula C3H7NO3.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Phosphatidylcholine (Lecithin)
3. What is Serine
4. Phosphatidylcholine vs Serine in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Phosphatidylcholine vs Serine

What is Phosphatidylcholine (Lecithin)?

Phosphatidylcholine is a type of phospholipid. Its head group is a quaternary ammonium compound. Furthermore, phosphatidylcholine is also known as lecithin. The structure of phosphatidylcholine has a head group composed of choline and glycerophosphoric acid. It is a saturated fatty acid. They are yellow-brownish fatty substances.

Phosphatidylcholine is mainly obtained through dietary sources such as eggs, meat, vegetables, and wheat. However, de novo synthesis of phosphatidylcholine also takes place in eukaryotes.

The biological role of phosphatidylcholine varies rapidly. It acts as a structural component in the plasma membrane of eukaryotes. However, phosphatidylcholine is not present in bacteria. Furthermore, it is also a major component of pulmonary surfactant. Phosphatidylcholine also acts in the signaling mechanism and as cell signal mediators.

What is Serine?

Serine is an alpha-amino acid having the chemical formula C3H7NO3. It is important in the biosynthesis of proteins. This compound contains an alpha-amino group and a side chain containing a hydroxymethyl group. This side group makes the amino acid a polar amino acid. It is considered a non-essential amino acid because the body can synthesize it normally. The codons that can encode this amino acid include UCU, UCC, UCA, UCG, AGU, and AGC.

Serine is a naturally occurring proteinogenic amino acid. However, the L isomer of serine is the most common form. Glycine and some other metabolites can produce this amino acid inside the body; therefore, it is not essential to take serine from the outside. When isolated, serine appears as white crystals or a white powder.

There are several important biological functions of serine, which include the use of serine in the metabolism of purines and pyrimidines, catalytic function in many enzymes, as a constituent in proteins, as a signaling component, gustatory sensation, etc.

What is the Difference Between Phosphatidylcholine and Serine?

Phosphatidylcholine and serine are biochemical substances that are important for biological systems. Phosphatidylcholine is a type of phospholipid. Serine is an alpha-amino acid having the chemical formula C3H7NO3. The key difference between phosphatidylcholine and serine is that phosphatidylcholine is mainly useful for its effects on liver function, whereas serine is an alpha-amino acid important as building blocks in protein formation. In addition, phosphatidylcholine is useful for treating hepatitis, eczema, gallbladder disease, circulation problems, etc. whereas serine is useful as a natural moisturizing agent in some cosmetics and skin care products.

The following infographic summarizes the difference between phosphatidylcholine and serine in tabular form.

Summary – Phosphatidylcholine vs Serine

Phosphatidylcholine is a type of phospholipid. Serine is an alpha-amino acid having the chemical formula C3H7NO3. The key difference between phosphatidylcholine and serine is that phosphatidylcholine is mainly useful for its effects on liver function whereas serine is an alpha-amino acid important as building blocks in protein formation. In addition, phosphatidylcholine is useful for treating hepatitis, eczema, gallbladder disease, circulation problems, etc. whereas serine is useful as a natural moisturizing agent in some cosmetics and skincare products.

Reference:

1. “Serine.” Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action | DrugBank Online.
2. “Serine: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.” WebMD, WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Phosphatidylcholine” (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Serine w functional group highlighted” By Clavecin – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia