Biosynthesis of cardiolipin in liver mitochondria

Abstract

Diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin) biosynthesis from CDP-diglyceride and sn-glycerol-3-phosphate has been demonstrated in a preparation of mitochondria from rat liver in a reaction requiring Mg²⁺. The identity of the diphosphatidylglycerol was established by thin-layer chromatography and mild alkaline hydrolysis. Diphosphatidylglycerol formation from [³H]phosphatidylglycerol was shown to occur only in the presence of CDP-diglyceride. The rate of diphosphatidylglycerol formation appears to be quite slow in mitochondria and may explain why it was not previously observed. Evidence is presented which eliminates the possibility of a bacterial contribution to the biosynthetic process observed.