| Abstract: | The subcellular distribution of enzymes involved in lipid biosynthesis in E. coli K12 has been studied following various modes of cell disruption and fractionation of the subcellular components. Though most biosynthetic enzymes were found associated with the cytoplasmic membrane fraction regardless of the procédures of disruption or fractionation employed, the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of the major lipid of E. coli (phosphatidylethanolamine) and of its precursor (phosphatidylserine) had no distinct localization in extracts. These findings are discussed in the context of current models for the assembly of bacterial membranes. |
