Time course of 32P-orthophosphate incorporation into different classes of phospholipids by homogenates of the fly, Ceratitis capitata

Abstract

Ceratitis capitata adult homogenates were incubated with 32P-orthophosphate for 26 hours and the time course of incorporation into phospholipid phosphorous and the specific radioactivity of the different phospholipid classes were evaluated. De novo biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine as well as the acylation of the lyso-derivatives take place during the first few hours (0–6 hours). A transacylation of both diacylglycerophospholipids occurs after 8–13 hours. A direct metabolic conversion from phosphatidylethanolamine to its plasmalogen, and from phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylserine, was found. A phosphatide transfer between serine and phosphatidylcholine is suggested.