Ether Lipids: Biochemical and Biomedical Aspects is a 21-chapter text that explores the procedures for the analysis, synthesis, and biomedical application of ether lipids.
This book surveys first the chromatographic analysis of ether lipids and their characterization by mass spectrometry. The following chapter describes the chemical synthesis of lipids containing alkyl or 1-alkenyl chains. Three chapters are devoted to the biosynthesis of ether lipids, and four others cover unusual ether lipids. Significant chapters focus on biologically active ether lipids, including the naturally occurring platelet-activating factor and synthetic alkyl analogs of lysophosphatidylcholines, which exhibit cancerostatic properties. This text further discusses the application of these and related substances in biomedical research as well as in clinical diagnosis and therapy. The remaining chapters highlight the use of ether lipids in studies aimed at elucidating the structure of membranes and their functions.
Organic chemists, biochemists, and researchers in the biomedical field will find this book invaluable.

Contributors Preface Terminology and Abbreviations 1. Chromatographic Analysis, Isolation, and Characterization of Ether Lipids I. Introduction II. Extraction and Purification of Lipids III. Analysis of Ether Lipids IV. Summary and Conclusions References 2. Mass Spectrometry of Ether Lipids I. Introduction II. Mass Spectrometry of Alkylglycerolipids III. Mass Spectrometry of 1-O-(1'-Alkenyl)glycerolipids References 3. Chemical Synthesis of Ether Lipids I. Introduction II. Alkylglycerolipids III. 1-O-(1'-Alkenyl)glycerolipids IV. Alkyl Lipids Not Containing Glycerol V. 1'-Alkenyl Lipids Not Containing Glycerol References 4. Biosynthesis of O-Alkylglycerol Ether Lipids I. Introduction II. Biosynthesis of Glycerol Ether Lipids from Triose Phosphates III. Biosynthesis of Alkyl-DHAP from Acyl-DHAP IV. Biosynthesis of Acyl-DHAP V. Properties of Alkyl-DHAP Synthase VI. Enzymatic Reduction of Alkyl-DHAP VII. Enzymatic Acylation of 1-Alkyl-sn-G-3-P to 1-Alkyl-2-acyl-sw-G-3-P VIII. Conversion of 1-Alkyl-2-acyl-G-3-P to Different Alkylglycerol Ether Lipids IX. Conclusion References 5. Biosynthesis of 1-O-(1'Alkenyl)glycerolipids (Plasmalogens) I. Introduction II. Biosynthesis of Plasmalogens in Aerobic Organisms III. Biosynthesis of Plasmalogens in Strictly Anaerobic Microorganisms References 6. Substrate Specificity of Enzymes Catalyzing the Biosynthesis of Ether Lipids I. Introduction II. Formation of Long-Chain Alcohols III. Formation of the Ether Bond IV. Enzymatic Acylation of Alkylglycerolipids V. Ethanolaminephosphotransferase and Cholinephosphotransferase VI. Dehydrogenation of Alkylglycerolipids to Plasmalogens VII. Conclusion References 7. Ether Glycolipids I. Introduction II. Bacterial Ether Glycolipids III. Mammalian Ether Glycolipids IV. Conclusion References 8. Dialkyidiglycerol Tetraethers I. Introduction II. Occurrence III. Chemistry of Dialkyidiglycerol Tetraethers IV. Conclusion References 9. Ether Lipids Containing Steryl Moieties I. Occurrence II. Chemical Synthesis III. Application in Biochemical Studies References 10. Divinyl Ether Fatty Acids I. Introduction II. Occurrence III. Isolation and Purification IV. Structure Elucidation V. Biosynthesis VI. Degradation VII. Function of Vinyl Ether Fatty Acids References 11. Autoxidation of Ether Lipids I. Introduction II. Autoxidation Kinetics III. Autoxidation Products and the Mechanism of Their Formation IV. Conclusions References 12. Ether Lipids as Substrates for Lipolytic Enzymes I. Introduction II. Lipolytic Enzymes Involved in the Catabolism of Ether Lipids III. Ether Lipids as Model Compounds in Studies on Lipolytic Processes IV. Application of Lipolytic Enzymes for the Preparation of Ether Lipids V. Application of Diether Phospholipids in the Preparation and Affinity Labeling of Phospholipase A2 References 13. Ether Lipids in the Diet of Humans and Animals I. Introduction II. Ether Lipids in Human Food and Animal Feed III. Metabolism of Ether Lipids in the Alimentary Canal IV. Ether Lipids as Nonfattening Fats V. Prospectus References 14. Ether Lipids in Clinical Diagnosis and Medical Research I. Introduction II. Trialkylglycerols (Triethers) in Fat Absorption Studies III. Ether Lipids as Chemical Indicators in Neoplasms IV. Ether Lipids as Chemical Mediators V. Conclusions References 15. Therapeutic Effects of Ether Lipids I. Introduction II. Alkylglycerols and Their Esters III. Methoxy-Substituted Alkylglycerols IV. Acetal Analogs of Phosphatidic Acids V. Alkyl Ethers of Halogenopropanediols References16.