Synthesis and incorporation of phospholipid by peroxisomes of mouse liver.

The uptake of radioactively labelled glycerol into the phospholipid fractions of mouse liver has been studied. The incorporation of phospholipid into peroxisomal and microsomal membranes was found to be rapid, and of a similar timescale, whereas mitochondrial membranes were appreciably slower in their uptake of label. Discernible differences were shown to exist between these membrane types in relation to phospholipid composition and lipid turnover. These data are interpreted as supportive of a model for peroxisomal biogenesis which involves formation of these organelles by a budding process from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.