Blusztajn J K, Wurtman R J
Science. 1983 Aug 12;221(4611):614-20. doi: 10.1126/science.6867732.
Mammalian neurons can synthesize choline by methylating phosphatidylethanolamine and hydrolyzing the resulting phosphatidylcholine. This process is stimulated by catecholamines. The phosphatidylethanolamine is synthesized in part from phosphatidylserine; hence the amino acids methionine (acting after conversion to S-adenosylmethionine) and serine can be the ultimate precursors of choline. Brain choline concentrations are generally higher than plasma concentrations, but depend on plasma concentrations because of the kinetic characteristics of the blood-brain-barrier transport system. When cholinergic neurons are activated, acetylcholine release can be enhanced by treatments that increase plasma choline (for example, consumption of certain foods).
哺乳动物神经元可通过将磷脂酰乙醇胺甲基化并水解生成的磷脂酰胆碱来合成胆碱。该过程受儿茶酚胺刺激。磷脂酰乙醇胺部分由磷脂酰丝氨酸合成；因此，氨基酸甲硫氨酸（转化为S-腺苷甲硫氨酸后起作用）和丝氨酸可能是胆碱的最终前体。脑胆碱浓度通常高于血浆浓度，但由于血脑屏障转运系统的动力学特性，其依赖于血浆浓度。当胆碱能神经元被激活时，通过增加血浆胆碱的处理（例如，食用某些食物）可增强乙酰胆碱的释放。
