Biomaterial Database

Novel complex polar lipids from the methanogenic archaebacterium Methanospirillum hungatei. 1981

S C Kushwaha, and M Kates, and G D Sprott, and I C Smith

The methanogenic archaebacterium Methanospirillum hungatei contains two unusual phosphoglycolipids that account for 64 percent of the total cellular lipids. These lipids are derivatives of the dibiphytanyl diglycerol tetraether, previously identified in methanogens. One of the free hydroxyls of this tetraether is esterified with glycerophosphoric acid, and the other is linked glycosidically to a disaccharide. The two phosphoglycolipids may function as covalently bonded lipid bilayers to impart stability and rigidity to methanogen membranes.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008563	Membrane Lipids	Lipids, predominantly phospholipids, cholesterol and small amounts of glycolipids found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. These lipids may be arranged in bilayers in the membranes with integral proteins between the layers and peripheral proteins attached to the outside. Membrane lipids are required for active transport, several enzymatic activities and membrane formation.	Cell Membrane Lipid,Cell Membrane Lipids,Membrane Lipid,Lipid, Cell Membrane,Lipid, Membrane,Lipids, Cell Membrane,Lipids, Membrane,Membrane Lipid, Cell,Membrane Lipids, Cell
D010743	Phospholipids	Lipids containing one or more phosphate groups, particularly those derived from either glycerol (phosphoglycerides see GLYCEROPHOSPHOLIPIDS) or sphingosine (SPHINGOLIPIDS). They are polar lipids that are of great importance for the structure and function of cell membranes and are the most abundant of membrane lipids, although not stored in large amounts in the system.	Phosphatides,Phospholipid
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D019605	Euryarchaeota	A phylum of ARCHAEA comprising at least seven classes: Methanobacteria, Methanococci, Halobacteria (extreme halophiles), Archaeoglobi (sulfate-reducing species), Methanopyri, and the thermophiles: Thermoplasmata, and Thermococci.	Archaeoglobi,Halobacteria,Methanoococci,Methanopyri,Thermococci,Thermoplasmata,Methanobacteria