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Fatty acid distribution in lipids and 32 P incorporation into phospholipids during early amphibian development
Author(s) -
Barassi C. A.,
Bazan N. G.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/bf02533210
Subject(s) - phospholipid , phosphatidylethanolamine , biochemistry , chemistry , yolk , oocyte , membrane lipids , fatty acid , biology , phosphatidylcholine , membrane , embryo , microbiology and biotechnology , food science
Several aspects of lipid composition and 32 P incorporation were studied during early embryogenesis of the toad, Bufo arenarum , Hensel. The surveyed stages ranged from unfertilized oocyte to neural tube formation. The fatty acid distribution in polar and neutral lipids, as well as in acetone eluate from Unisil columns was similar in unfertilized oocyte and late blastula stage. There was no significant effect of cell cleavage on the fatty acid composition of these lipid fractions. Neutral lipids represent ca. 67% of the total lipids. The main components of the phospholipids were phosphatides of choline and ethanolamine. The total lipid and phospholipid content does not change through the studied stage of neurula. However a large increment in the phospholipid's specific radioactivity occurs when 32 P is injected along with the hormone to induce ovulation. It is suggested that this may reflect changes in turnover rates rather than net biosynthesis. Since a large amount of cell membranes is being formed during the early development and because the level of phospholipids remains constant, an explanation is offered regarding membranogenesis. Active phospholipid biosynthesis may take place during oogenesis. These lipids may be stored in the yolk platelet, and fertilization may regulate the functioning of a transport mechanism to corresponding membrane sites. The increased incorporation of 32 P may reflect changes in the activity of new membranes.