Biosynthesis of phosphatidyl glycerophosphate in Escherichia coli.

An enzyme (L-glycerol 3-phosphate: CMP phosphatidyltransferase) catalyzing the synthesis of phosphatidyl glycerophosphate from CDP-diglyceride and L-glycerol 3-phosphate has been rendered soluble by treatment of the particulate, membrane-containing fraction of E. coli with Triton X-100 and has been partially purified. The enzyme, devoid of phosphatidyl glycerophosphatase activity, is specific for L-glycerol 3-phosphate and is completely dependent upon added Mg(++) or Mn(++) for activity. It has high affinity for CDP-diglyceride and can be used for the assay of this nucleotide. Other properties of the enzyme are also described.