Pathways for biosynthesis of phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC), in spinach leaves have been studied both in vivo (whole leaves and leaf slices) and in vitro (cell-free leaf fractions). Biosynthesis of PS was shown to occur by the action of a particle-bound CDP-diglyceride: serine phosphatidyltransferase, and PE by the action of a PS-decarboxylase localized in the 100 000 × g supernatant fraction. PE was also formed by the operation of the CDP-ethanolamine:diglyceride phosphorylethanolamine transferase, localized in the microsomal fraction. The presence of ethanolamine kinase required for formation of phosphorylethanolamine was demonstrated in vitro, but not the presence of CTP:phosphorylethanolamine cytidyltransferase; however, the latter is presumed present on the basis of in vivo results. Operation of the methylation pathway for biosynthesis of PC was established in vivo, and direct methylation of phosphatidyl-N-methylethanolamine to phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine (PE-diMe) and of PE-diME to PC by S-adenosylmethionine was demonstrated with a particulate enzyme system localized in the microsomal fraction; direct methylation of PE itself could not be shown in this system. PC was also synthesized by the CDP-choline:diglyceride phosphorylcholine transferase system localized in the microsomal fraction. Synthesis of PE and PC by Ca2+-stimulated exchange reactions with ethanolamine and choline, respectively, could be demonstrated, but at low rates. However, no synthesis of PS by exchange reactions with serine could be detected.
Ethanolamine Kinase 1
