title: Studies on the biosynthesis of sulfolipids in the Diatom Nitzschia alba.
abstract: Labeling of sulfolipids in Nitzschia alba was studied after growth of the cells in media containing L-[35S]cystine, L-[35S], L-[35S]cysteine, L-[35S]-methionine or a mixture of L-[Me-3H]methionine and L-[35S]methionine, [35S]Cysteine or [35S]cystine labeled the deoxyceramide sulfonate and the sulfonium analog, phosphatidylsulfocholine (and its lyso derivative) but not the sterol sulfate nor the sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride; [35S]methionine labeled only the phosphatidylsulfocholine and its lyso derivative. With the [35S]- and [Me-3H]methionine mixture (3H/35S ratio 1.0) the phosphatidylsulfocholine had a 3H/35 S ratio of 1.5 indicating that both sulfonium methyl groups were derived from methionine. Probable biosynthetic pathways for these novel sulfolipids are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000378:metabolism*; D010933:Plankton / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000603:Amino Acids, Sulfur; D008055:Lipids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines