Lipid biosynthesis in mitochondria from leaves of olive tree

Abstract

Phospholipids, neutral lipids and, to a lesser extent, glycolipids are the principal lipid components of mitochondria of young olive tree leaves.These lipids are rich in palmitic and oleic acid content.The in vivo incorporation of 1-14C-acetate into the mitochondrial lipids takes place especially in phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol.The saturated, and especially monounsaturated, acids of these lipids constitute the most actively synthesized fatty acids.In vitro, neutral lipids (mono- and diacylglycerol) and phospholipids (lysophospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine) incorporate a major percentage of radioactivity and in them the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids are most actively synthesized.