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Cardiolipin molecule

This complex lipid can be viewed as a polar headgroup consisting of a glycerol backbone. C1 and C3 are esterified to the phosphate groups of glycerol phosphatide (diacylglycerol phosphate) on each side, each carrying two hydrophophobic acyl-chains. The composition of the four side chains is variable. The drawn structure carries four linoleic chains, the predominant composition in various tissues, including skeletal and heart muscle. The side chain composition is regulated by tafazzin, a transacylase, deficient in Barth syndrome. The polar headgroup is coloured in cyan, and the apolar tail region in green. (Contributed by Dr. Peter Barth.)

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