Lipids of Candida albicans: subcellular distribution and biosynthesis.

Lipids constituted around 5% of the dry weight in Candida albicans 3153, while sterols and phospholipids accounted for 1.2% and 1.1% respectively. Phospholipids were mainly localized in the microsomal fraction; phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) were the major phospholipids. Incorporation studies with [14C]acetate and [32P]orthophosphoric acid demonstrated that PS was synthesized at the highest rate followed by PC, PE and PI. There was little difference in either the content of the rate of biosynthesis of PC, PE and PI. Incorporation of labelled serine, ethanolamine and choline revealed serine to be a precursor for PC, PE and PS, ethanolamine for PC and PE, and choline for PC biosynthesis only.