Experiments on enzymatic acylation of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate with enzyme preparations from pea and spinach leaves.

Optimal reaction conditions were investigated for acylation of sn-[U-(14)C]glycerol 3-phosphate in cell-free systems from leaves of Pisum sativum L. and Spinacia oleracea L. With palmitoyl-CoA as acyl donor the major product formed was monoacyl glycerol phosphate. In pea seedlings enzymatic activity was found to be dependent on the age of shoots going through a maximum 12 days after planting. In such plants the highest enzymatic activity is found in leaves and not in the shoot apex. Also in leaves activity varies according to the age of these organs. In leaves of maximal activity the highest total and specific activity was found in soluble proteins from chloroplasts. In older pea and spinach leaves higher activities were observed in membranes from chloroplasts and microsomes.