Lipids of subcellular particles
Authors: Fleischer Sidney , Rouser George 
Published: January 2007

Methods for isolation and characterization of subcellular particles as well as procedures for analysis of lipid class composition are discussed. The literature on distribution of lipids in subcellular particles is then reviewed. Pertinent new data from our laboratories are presented as well. The isolated particles are related to the organelles to which they correspond in the cell and are discussed with regard to heterogeneity and morphological integrity. Confusion can arise with regard to subcellular particles unless it is appreciated that: 1) preparation of particles of high purity generally requires more than the classical differential centrifugation scheme (both differential and gradient centrifugation may be required); 2) it is hazardous to apply exactly the same procedure for all tissues; 3) all subcellular fractions must be thoroughly characterized.

The more recently devised DEAE cellulose column and thin‐layer chromatographic procedures for analysis of lipid class composition are more reliable than the older hydrolytic or silicie acid column or paper chromatographic techniques.

The chief lipid components of mitochondria from all organs and species are lecithin, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and cardiolipin (diphosphatidyl glycerol). Despite the fact that reports in the literature are in agreement that phosphatidyl inositol is a major component of mitochondria, it is concluded on the basis of new data obtained from highly purified mitochondria and improved analytical methods that phosphatidyl inositol is not a major component of mitochondria. The presence of a relatively large amount of phosphatidyl inositol in mitochondrial preparations is probably related in part to contamination with other particles. Some analytical procedures are demonstrated to give erroneous values for this lipid class. It is also concluded that phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidic acid, sphingomyelin, cerebrosides, and lysophosphatides, reported to occur in mitochondria, are not characteristic mitochondrial components and furthermore that the large amount of uncharacterized mitochondrial phospholipid reported is actually an analytical artifact. Microsomes appear to be similar to mitochondria except that cardiolipin is either low in or absent from microsomes. Available data indicate nuclei to be rather similar to mitochondria and microsomes, at least in some organs.

Studies of the fatty acids of subcellular particles indicate that different particles from one organ have very similar fatty acid compositions. It is clear that there are marked variations in fatty acid composition of particles from different organs and from different species. Differences in dietary fat may be associated with marked changes in fatty acid composition, although brain mitochondrial lipids are largely unchanged. Each lipid class from mitochondria of most organs appears to have a fairly characteristic fatty acid composition. Cardiolipin from some organs contains primarily linoleic acid, phosphatidyl ethanolamine contains large amounts of linoleic and higher polyunsaturates, and lecithin is similar to phosphatidyl ethanolamine except that it does not contain as much arachidonic acid and/or other highly unsaturated fatty acids. New data, the first to be reported, are presented for heart mitochondrial cardiolipin, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and lecithin.

It is concluded that there are two basically different types of membranous structures. Myelin is the chief representative of the metabolically stable type of membrane structure while mitochondria represent the more labile type. The two types of membranes have very different in vivo properties and very different lipid compositions. Myelin is characterized by a high content of cholesterol and sphingolipids with more long chain saturated or monoenoic fatty acids while mitochondria are characterized by a low cholesterol content, little or no sphingolipid, and highly unsaturated fatty acids. It is clear that formulations of the myelin type membrane structure such as that of Vandenheuvel cannot apply to mitochondria. It is postulated that membrane structures intermediate between the extremes represented by myelin and mitochondria exist.