The effect of ethylene on (1-14C)glycerol incorporation into phospholipids of etiolated pea stems.

The effect of ethylene (10 p.p.m.) on the rate of incorporation of [1-(14)C]glycerol into phospholipids of etiolated pea stems was studied. After 2-3h treatment with ethylene, incorporation was decreased by 50%. It remained at this value for as long as ethylene was supplied (8h). Handling the plants also caused a temporary decrease in incorporation, which we attribute to the production of endogenous ;wound' ethylene. The percentage decrease in incorporation was the same in four major phospholipid fractions, i.e. phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol.