Evidence for the Participation of Cytochrome b5 in Plasmalogen Biosynthesis

Abstract

Abstract Using a specific antibody to rat liver cytochrome b5, ethanolamine plasmalogen (1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerophosphorylethanolamine) synthesis by pork spleen microsomes is shown to require cytochrome b5. Either NADH or NADPH could serve as a source of reducing equivalents. These results provide direct evidence for the involvement of cytochrome b5 in plasmalogen biosynthesis from the corresponding 1-O-alkyl ether and suggest a pathway analogous to the fatty acid desaturase system.