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Lipid composition of subcellular membranes from larvae and prepupae ofDrosophila melanogaster

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Lipids

Abstract

Subcellular membranes were analyzed for their lipid composition and protein content at two developmental points representing the third instar wandering larvae and prepupal stages ofDrosophila. At both stages, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were the major constituents with phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) and phosphatidic acid (PA) being relatively minor components. In total homogenates and in the nuclear-enriched fraction there was no significant difference in the phospholipid composition of the wandering larvae and prepupae. In mitochondria only a significant increase in the minor component PS was observed in the prepupae. In lysosomal membranes on the other hand, the relative abundance of the major components PE and PC increased in the prepupae although the molar ratios of the two lipids remained almost constant. The fatty acid composition of the phospholipids remained virtually unchanged in all of the fractions examined, including the lysosomes, and there was no evidence of lipid peroxidation. With regard to cellular degeneration and the involvement of lysosomes, we conclude that mechanisms other than gross modification of the lipid and/or lipid/protein ratio of their membranes are involved in the liberation of the acid phosphatase contents.

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Abbreviations

DAG:

diacylglycerol

DPG:

diphosphatidylglycerol

EDTA:

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

GLC:

gas-liquid chromatography

PA:

phosphatidic acid

PC:

phosphatidylcholine

PE:

phosphatidylethanolamine

PI:

phosphatidylinositol

PS:

phosphatidylserine

RSA:

relative specific activity

TAG:

triacylglycerol

TLC:

thin-layer chromatography

UFA:

unesterified fatty acids

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Wales College of Cardiff, CF1 1XL, Cardiff, UK

    Helen E. Jones, John L. Harwood & Gareth Griffiths

  2. School of Pure and Applied Biology, University of Wales College of Cardiff, CF1 1XL, Cardiff, UK

    Ivor D. Bowen

Authors
  1. Helen E. Jones
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  2. John L. Harwood
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  3. Ivor D. Bowen
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  4. Gareth Griffiths
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Jones, H.E., Harwood, J.L., Bowen, I.D. et al. Lipid composition of subcellular membranes from larvae and prepupae ofDrosophila melanogaster . Lipids 27, 984–987 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02535576

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02535576

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