Enzymes of Phospholipid Metabolism in the Endoplasmic Reticulum of Castor Bean Endosperm

The intracellular location of several enzymes concerned with phospholipid metabolism was investigated by examining their distribution in organelles separated on sucrose gradients from total homogenates of castor bean (Ricinus communis var. Hale) endosperm. The enzymes phosphatidic acid phosphatase, CDP-diglyceride-inositol transferase, and phosphatidyletha-nolamine-l-serine phosphatidyl transferase were all primarily or exclusively confined to membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. These results and those reported previously on lecithin synthesis establish a major role of the endoplasmic reticulum in phospholipid and membrane synthesis in plant tissues.