Choline ( KOH-leen) is an essential nutrient for humans and many other animals, which was formerly classified as a B vitamin (vitamin B4). It is a structural part of phospholipids and a methyl donor in metabolic one-carbon chemistry. The compound is related to trimethylglycine in the latter respect. It is a cation with the chemical formula [(CH3)3NCH2CH2OH]+. Choline forms various salts, for example choline chloride and choline bitartrate.
Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a phosphatase in humans and is encoded by the PTEN gene. Mutations of this gene are a step in the development of many cancers, specifically glioblastoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Genes corresponding to PTEN (orthologs) have been identified in most mammals for which complete genome data are available.
Midkine, also known as neurite growth-promoting factor 2 (NEGF2), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MDK gene.
The Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) is a neurotransmitter transporter which is responsible for loading acetylcholine (ACh) into secretory organelles in neurons making acetylcholine available for secretion. It is encoded by Solute carrier family 18, member 3 (SLC18A3) gene, located within the first intron of the choline acetyltransferase gene. VAChT is able to transport ACh into vesicles by relying on an exchange between protons (H+) that were previously pumped into the vesicle diffusing out, thus acting as an antiporter. ACh molecules are then carried into the vesicle by the action of exiting protons. Acetylcholine transport utilizes a proton gradient established by a vacuolar ATPase.
ETV6 protein is a transcription factor that in humans is encoded by the ETV6 gene. The ETV6 protein regulates the development and growth of diverse cell types, particularly those of hematological tissues. However, its gene, ETV6 frequently suffers various mutations that lead to an array of potentially lethal cancers, i.e., ETV6 is a clinically significant proto-oncogene in that it can fuse with other genes to drive the development and/or progression of certain cancers. However, ETV6 is also an anti-oncogene or tumor suppressor gene in that mutations in it that encode for a truncated and therefore inactive protein are also associated with certain types of cancers.
Contactin 1, also known as CNTN1, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the CNTN1 gene.
Dual specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the DUSP6 gene.
Protein phosphatase 1A is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PPM1A gene.
Choline kinase alpha is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the CHKA gene.
Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase gamma is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PTPRG gene.
Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase kappa is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PTPRK gene. PTPRK is also known as PTPkappa and PTPκ.
Dual specificity protein phosphatase CDC14B is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the CDC14B gene.
Choline kinase beta (CK), also known as Ethanolamine kinase (EK), Choline kinase-like protein , choline/ethanolamine kinase beta (CKEKB), or Choline/ethanolamine kinase is a protein encoded by the CHKB gene. This gene is found on chromosome 22 in humans. The encoded protein plays a key role in phospholipid biosynthesis. Choline kinase (CK) and ethanolamine kinase (EK) catalyzes the first step in phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis. Read-through transcripts are expressed from this locus that include exons from the downstream CPT1B locus.
Receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase T is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PTPRT gene.
Choline transporter-like protein 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC44A4 gene.
Choline transporter-like protein 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC44A2 gene.
Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 5 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PTPN5 gene.
Alkaline phosphatase, placental type also known as placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) is an allosteric enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ALPP gene.
The high-affinity choline transporter (ChT) also known as solute carrier family 5 member 7 is a protein in humans that is encoded by the SLC5A7 gene. It is a cell membrane transporter and carries choline into acetylcholine-synthesizing neurons.
The CDP-choline pathway, first identified by Eugene P. Kennedy in 1956, is the predominant mechanism by which mammalian cells synthesize phosphatidylcholine (PC) for incorporation into membranes or lipid-derived signalling molecules. The CDP-choline pathway represents one half of what is known as the Kennedy pathway. The other half is the CDP-ethanolamine pathway which is responsible for the biosynthesis of the phospholipid phosphatidylethanolamine (PE).
