Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Quantitative Analysis of the Cellular Lipidome of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry
08:56

Quantitative Analysis of the Cellular Lipidome of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 8, 2020

7.9K

Ether-containing lipids of the slime mold,Physarum polycephalum: II. Rates of biosynthesis

A Poulos1, G A Thompson1

  • 1Department of Botany, University of Texas, 78712, Austin, Texas.

Lipids
|August 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Physarum polycephalum incorporates palmitic acid and chimyl alcohol into phospholipids. This slime mold shows potential for studying plasmalogen synthesis via cell-free enzyme systems.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Phospholipids are crucial components of cell membranes.
  • Plasmalogens are a subclass of phospholipids with unique ether linkages.
  • Understanding plasmalogen synthesis is important for cell membrane research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vivo incorporation of labeled fatty acids and glycerol derivatives into phospholipids.
  • To explore the potential of Physarum polycephalum as a model organism for studying plasmalogen biosynthesis.
  • To identify enzymatic pathways involved in phospholipid modification.

Main Methods:

  • Studied the in vivo incorporation of 1-(14)C-palmitic acid and 1-O-[8,9-(3)H] hexadecyl glycerol (chimyl alcohol).
  • Utilized plasmodia of the slime mold, Physarum polycephalum.
  • Analyzed the labeling patterns in different phospholipid side chains.

Main Results:

  • (14)C-palmitate rapidly incorporated into ester and alkyl ether phospholipid side chains.
  • Alk-1-enyl side chains showed slower labeling with (14)C-palmitate.
  • (3)H-chimyl alcohol was incorporated into alkyl ether phospholipids, suggesting enzymatic desaturation to form plasmalogens.

Conclusions:

  • Physarum polycephalum actively synthesizes and modifies phospholipids, including plasmalogens.
  • The slime mold demonstrates enzymatic desaturation of alkyl ether phospholipids.
  • Physarum polycephalum is a viable source for a cell-free enzyme system for plasmalogen synthesis research.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Compositional Analysis of Plant Cuticle Lipid Polyester Monomers09:47

Isolation and Compositional Analysis of Plant Cuticle Lipid Polyester Monomers

Published on: November 22, 2015

17.6K
Author Spotlight: Plant Primary Organs Profiling Using 13C6-Glucose Labeling and LC-MS04:32

Author Spotlight: Plant Primary Organs Profiling Using 13C6-Glucose Labeling and LC-MS

Published on: March 22, 2024

1.4K

Related Concept Videos

Biosynthesis of Lipids01:29

Biosynthesis of Lipids

Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis...
824
Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER

Biological membranes are more than just a barrier separating cell cytoplasm from the outside environment. They are highly dynamic and help maintain the integrity and physiological stability of the cells as well as membrane-bound organelles. Membranes also play vital roles in cell-to-cell and intracellular communication.
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...
4.4K
Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane01:27

Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane

The ER synthesizes lipids for building cell membranes and performing cellular functions such as energy storage and signaling. The lipid synthesis machinery embedded in the ER membrane primarily collects all reactants from the cytosol. Following synthesis, the secretory pathway and the ER contact sites distribute these lipids to other cellular organelles. Additionally, the energy-rich triacylglycerides are transported from the ER via lipid droplets.
The major components of all eukaryotic cell...
4.5K
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer01:35

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer

Biological membranes show uneven distribution of different types of lipids in the inner and outer layers, resulting in transverse asymmetric membranes. The treatment of the erythrocyte membrane with the enzyme phospholipase confirmed the asymmetric nature of the lipid bilayer. The enzyme hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and hydrophilic groups. The phospholipase acts only on the outer layer of the membrane, while the inner layer remains intact. The phospholipase treatment resulted in 80%...
10.8K
Lipid Catabolism01:25

Lipid Catabolism

Triglycerides serve as crucial long-term energy storage molecules in microorganisms, providing a dense source of metabolic energy. Their breakdown is mediated by lipases, which hydrolyze triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. Each of these components follows distinct metabolic pathways, ultimately contributing to ATP synthesis and cellular energy homeostasis.Glycerol MetabolismGlycerol, released from triglyceride hydrolysis, is phosphorylated by glycerol kinase to form...
1.3K
Membrane Lipids01:32

Membrane Lipids

Lipids are an essential component of all biological membranes. The average lipid content in mammalian membranes is 50%, though it can be as low as 20% in the inner mitochondrial membrane or as high as 80% in the myelin sheath present around the nerve cells.
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
35.3K