Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid and is a component of the cell membrane. It plays a key role in cell cycle signaling, specifically in relation to apoptosis. It is a key pathway for viruses to enter cells via apoptotic mimicry. Its exposure on the outer surface of a membrane marks the cell for destruction via apoptosis.
Structure
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid—more specifically a glycerophospholipid—which consists of two fatty acids attached in ester linkage to the first and second carbon of glycerol and serine attached through a phosphodiester linkage to the third carbon of the glycerol.Phosphatidylserine sourced from plants differs in fatty acid composition from that sourced from animals. It is commonly found in the inner leaflet of biological membranes. It is almost entirely found in the inner monolayer of the membrane with only less than 10% of it in the outer monolayer.
Biosynthesis
Phosphatidylserine is the major acidic phospholipid class that accounts for 13–15% of the phospholipids in the human cerebral cortex. In the plasma membrane, PS is localized exclusively in the cytoplasmic leaflet where it forms part of protein docking sites necessary for the activation of several key signaling pathways. These include the Akt, protein kinase C and Raf-1 signaling that is known to stimulate neuronal survival, neurite growth, and synaptogenesis. Modulation of the PS level in the plasma membrane of neurons has a significant impact on these signaling processes.Composition
Phosphatidylserine is formed in bacteria through a displacement of cytidine monophosphate through a nucleophilic attack by the hydroxyl functional group of serine. CMP is formed from CDP-diacylglycerol by PS synthase. Phosphatidylserine can eventually become phosphatidylethanolamine by the enzyme PS decarboxylase. Similar to bacteria, yeast can form phosphatidylserine in an identical pathway.In mammals, phosphatidylserine is instead derived from phosphatidylethanolamine or phosphatidylcholine through one of two Ca2+-dependent head-group exchange reactions in the endoplasmic reticulum. Both reactions require a serine but produce an ethanolamine or choline, respectively. These are promoted by phosphatidylserine synthase 1 or 2. Conversely, phosphatidylserine can also give rise to phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine, although in animals the pathway to generate phosphatidylcholine from phosphatidylserine only operates in the liver.
Functions
Cognitive function
Supplementation with PS has been studied with mixed results; while some short-term research found no significant effect on cognitive performance in the elderly with age-associated memory impairment, the U.S. FDA has permitted qualified health claims stating that phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly, though noting the evidence is very limited and preliminary.Apoptosis
PS plays a crucial role in the process of apoptosis. During apoptosis, PS translocates from the inner leaflet of the cell membrane to the outer leaflet, serving as a signal for phagocytic cells to engulf the dying cell.Dietary sources
The average daily phosphatidylserine intake in a Western diet is estimated to be 130mg. Phosphatidylserine may be found in meat and fish. Only small amounts are found in dairy products and vegetables, with the exception of white beans and soy lecithin. Phosphatidylserine is found in soy lecithin at about 3% of total phospholipids.Table 1. Phosphatidylserine content in different foods.
| Food | Content in mg/100 g |
| Soy lecithin | 1,650 |
| Bovine brain | 700-800 |
| Beef liver | 713 |
| Salmon | 480-550 |
| Atlantic mackerel | 480 |
| Atlantic herring | 360 |
| Eel | 335 |
| Offal | 305 |
| Chicken heart | 150-414 |
| Pig's spleen | 239 |
| Pig's kidney | 218 |
| Tuna | 194 |
| Chicken leg, with skin, without bone | 134 |
| Chicken liver | 123 |
| White beans | 107 |
| Soft-shell clam | 87 |
| Chicken breast, with skin | 85 |
| Mullet | 76 |
| Veal | 72 |
| Beef | 69 |
| Egg yolk | 60-70 |
| Pork | 57 |
| Pig's liver | 50 |
| Turkey leg, without skin or bone | 50 |
| Turkey breast without skin | 45 |
| Crayfish | 40 |
| Cuttlefish | 31 |
| Atlantic cod | 28 |
| Anchovy | 25 |
| Whole grain barley | 20 |
| European hake | 17 |
| European pilchard (sardine) | 16 |
| Trout | 14 |
| Rice | 3 |
| Carrot | 2 |
| Ewe's Milk | 2 |
| Cow's Milk | 1 |
| Potato | 1 |
Supplementation
Health claims
A panel of the European Food Safety Authority concluded that a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between the consumption of phosphatidylserine and "memory and cognitive functioning in the elderly", "mental health/cognitive function" and "stress reduction and enhanced memory function". This conclusion follows because bovine brain cortex- and soy-based phosphatidylserine are different substances and might, therefore, have different biological activities. Therefore, the results of studies using phosphatidylserine from different sources cannot be generalized.Cognition
In May, 2003 the Food and Drug Administration gave "qualified health claim" status to phosphatidylserine thus allowing labels to state "consumption of phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly" along with the disclaimer "very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that phosphatidylserine may reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction in the elderly." According to the FDA, there is a lack of scientific agreement amongst qualified experts that a relationship exists between phosphatidylserine and cognitive function.More recent reviews have suggested that the relationship may be more robust, though the mechanism remains unclear. A 2020 review of three clinical trials found that phosphatidylserine is likely effective for enhancing cognitive function in older people with mild cognitive impairment. Some studies have suggested that whether the phosphatidylserine is plant- or animal-derived may have significance, with the FDA's statement applying specifically to soy-derived products.