The effect of copper deficiency on heart microsomal phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and concentration.

The effect of dietary copper deficiency on phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic enzymes, phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, phosphatidyldimethyltransferase and choline phosphotransferase of heart microsomes was measured in rats. The data indicated that dietary copper deficiency can alter phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and concentration in microsomal membranes of the heart. There was a significant decrease in the specific activity of choline phosphotransferase. There was a significant decrease in the concentration of total phospholipid-P, phosphatidylcholine-P, phosphatidylethanolamine-P, phosphatidylinositol-P, sphingomyelin-P and cardiolipin-P in the microsomes of the copper deficient animals. There was a significant decrease in the concentration of copper in microsomes of heart and liver in the copper deficient animals.