NCIt definition : A phosphatidic acid combined with inositol found in biomembranes and a precursor to
certain cellular signals. Sometimes referred to as inositide. It is a very important
minor phospholipid in eukaryotes, involved in signal transduction processes. Contains
myo inositol linked through the 1 hydroxyl group to phosphatidic acid. The 4 phosphate
(PIP) and 4, 5 bisphosphate derivatives PIP2) are formed and broken down in membranes
by the action of specific kinases and phosphatases (futile cycles). Signal sensitive
phospholipase C enzymes remove the inositol moiety, in particular from 1,4,5 trisphosphate
(PIP2) as inositol 1,4,5 triphosphate (Ins P3: IP3). Both the diacyl glycerol and
products act as second messengers.;