Metabolic relationships between myelin subfractions: entry of galactolipids and phospholipids.

Abstract

Abstract— Partially purified myelin from the brains of 17‐day‐old rats was separated into 4 subfractions on a three‐step sucrose gradient by virtue of heterogeneity in density and particle size. Precursor‐product relationships between different membrane fractions were investigated by determining the specific radioactivity of individual lipids in each subcellular fraction 15 min after intracranial injection of an appropriate precursor. Rats were injected with [2‐3H]glycerol. myelin subfractions prepared, and individual lipids separated by TLC. For choline and ethanolamine phospholipids, specific radioactivity was highest in the densest fraction (D), intermediate in the next densest fraction (C), and lowest in the lighter fractions (B and A). Similar results were observed for cerebroside and sulphatide when [3H]galactose was the precursor. These data are consistent with (but do not prove) a precursor‐product relationship for individual lipids from the densest to the lightest subfraction.Another experimental design involving time staggered injections of [3H] and [14C] precursors was developed which enables a more definitive result with regard to precursor‐product relationships to be obtained. A precursor‐product relationship between a given lipid in a dense myelin membrane fraction, and the same lipid in a lighter subfraction, would be indicated by a change in isotope ratio. If there is no precursor‐product relationship. Ihe isotope ratio should be constant. Such experiments were done with [3H] and [14C]glycerol. The data indicated that phosphatidyl ethanolamine and its plasmalogen analog were added first to the densest subfraction and then in turn to the lighter subfractions. In contrast, phosphatidyl choline and its plasmalogen analog were added “simultaneously” (i.e. with delays of much less than 15min) to each of the subfractions. Similar experiments with [3H] and [14C]galactose showed that cerebroside, sulphatide and galactosyl diglyceride also entered the subfractions simultaneously rather than in sequential order. Thus the assembly of the myelin sheath involves an obligate order of addition of certain lipids. while other lipids are probably added in a random order.