The submicrosomal distribution of dolichol and dolichol phosphokinase activity in rat liver

Microsomes were isolated from rat liver and fractionated into Golgi, smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) components, and the purity of these fractions was determined. The dolichol contents of each of the three fractions was estimated, using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Although highest concentrations (1940 ng/mg protein) were found in Golgi, the RER contained the largest absolute amounts. The presence of large quantities of dolichol in RER is consistent with the role of dolichol as an intermediate in asparagine-linked glycoprotein synthesis. RER and SER fractions contained high specific activities for dolichol phosphokinase, while the activity in Golgi was quite low. High concentrations of dolichol in Golgi and high dolichol phosphokinase activity in SER suggest that dolichol (and dolichyl phosphate) may be utilized in Golgi for glycoprotein processing and in the transmembrane movement of sugars such as galactose.