Definition of the pathway for membrane phospholipid fatty acid turnover in human erythrocytes.

Techniques have been developed to permit detection of acyl thioesters derived from exogenous fatty acids in erythrocytes. These acyl thioesters have been shown to act as intermediates in the acylation of endogenous lysophospholipid. Release of fatty acids from erythrocyte phospholipids has also been detected. Such release reflect the activity of an endogenous phospholipase that utilizes endogenous phospholipid as substrate. These observations permit further definition of the biochemical pathway for erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid turnover.