[Lipid composition of microsomes and mitochondria of the rat kidney cortex]

The lipid content, phospholipid composition and fatty acid composition of the predominant phospholipids were determined in cortical mitochondria and microsomes of rat kidney. Microsomes have a higher lipid content than mitochondria due to their higher content of phospholipid and cholesterol. Both subcellular fractions differ in their phospholipid composition. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine form together about 80% and 60% of total phospholipid in mitochondria and microsomes, respectively. The fatty acid patterns of the major phospholipids in mitochondria and microsomes are very similar. Our detailed data will be a well founded basis for studying the influence of pathological events on the lipid composition of kidney.