The role of lysophospholipid acyltransferases in the Golgi complex

Abstract

Determining the abundance of phospholipids and neutral lipids in cellular membranes is paramount to understanding their biological functions. Many lipid-modifying enzymes have yet to be characterized due to limitations in substrate–product measurements and purification of membrane-bound enzymes. The method described here uses radiolabeled phospholipid substrates and cell-purified organelles to quantify phospholipid metabolism using thin-layer chromatography. This assay has the benefits of being specific and adaptable for numerous applications and systems.