Transfer of glucose-1-phosphate from UDP-glucose to lipid acceptors in plants.

Particulated preparations from pea seedlings formed lipid-linked glucose from UDP (14C)-glucose and endogenous acceptors at 0 C. The product has been identified as a polyprenyl pyrophosphate-glucose based on the following results: a) the glucolipid is labile to mild acid hydrolysis; b) when chromatographed in alkaline solvents, glucose-1,2-cyclic phosphate is obtained; c) the pattern elution of a DEAE-cellulose column fits in well with a pyrophosphate derivative; d) exogenous polyprenyl phosphate stimulated the incorporation of glucose into lipids; e) when incubated with (beta-32P)-UDP-glucose, radioactivity is incorporated into lipids; f) the reaction is reversed by 5 mM UMP. It is suggested that the glucolipid is an intermediate in glycan biosynthesis.