Choline metabolism in the cerebral cortex of guinea pigs. Phosphorylcholine and lipid choline.

1. The labelling of phosphorylcholine and choline-containing phospholipids in the subcellular fractions of guinea-pig cerebral cortex after the intraventricular injection of [N-Me-(3)H]choline into conscious animals has been studied. Special emphasis was placed upon the synaptosome fraction and early time-periods after administration. 2. The labelling of phosphorylcholine was rapid compared with that of phospholipid and was confined to two distinct subcellular fractions: the soluble cytoplasmic fraction and the synaptosome fraction. Most of the labelled phosphorylcholine of the synaptosome fraction was readily released by osmotic rupture indicating location in the nerve-ending cytoplasm. The two pools of phosphorylcholine had similar specific radioactivities at all observed times. 3. (3)H-labelled phospholipid was found in all membranous fractions. The labelling was confined to choline-containing phospholipids, notably phosphatidylcholine. 4. The labelling of the different membranous fractions was similar. 5. The half-life of the choline-containing phospholipids in the synaptic vesicle fraction was very much greater than the acetylcholine in this fraction. 6. Evidence is presented that synthesis de novo of phosphatidylcholine at nerve terminals occurs in vivo.