Phospholipids are basic building-block molecules for biological membranes. Biosynthesis of phospholipids i.e phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylserine requires a central liponucleotide intermediate named cytidine-diphosphate diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG). The CDP-DAG synthase (CDS) is an integral membrane enzyme catalysing the formation of CDP-DAG, an essential step for phosphoinositide recycling during signal transduction. New roles are being ascribed to the CDP-DAG in signalling and pathophysiological conditions. This pathway may also be the target of novel drugs to be used in neuro-psychiatric conditions.
Key words: Phospholipids, Cytidine diphosphate, diacylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylglycerol.