2-O-acetyl-1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, also known as platelet-activating factor, PAF and PC(O-16:0/2:0), is a ubiquitous, potent phospholipid activator and mediator of inflammation that has an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders and cardiovascular disease. PAF is able to cause platelet aggregation and anaphylaxis. PAF is synthesized continuously in low quantities in many different types of cells, but especially those involved in host defence, such as macrophages, monocytes, granulocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and endothelial cells. Platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) located on the cell membranes of a variety of cells. Once bound to its receptor, PAF mobilizes calcium and activates a wide range of signalling pathways (e.g. phospholipase C-mediated signalling (PMID: 26616844 ).
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