UTILIZATION OF CHOLINE OR BETAINE FOR PHOSPHOLIPID SYNTHESIS IN AN AEROBIC MARINE MICROBE

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Abstract
The same types of phospholipids were recovered from vegetative Achromobacter cholinophagum cells grown in a medium containing either choline or betaine. The principal phospholipid of this organism extractable in methanol–chloroform was phosphatidylethanolamine. Other unidentified phospholipid components were present in only trace amounts and no phosphatidylcholine could be detected. The utilization of [methyl-14C]choline as well as [methyl-14C]betaine for phospholipid synthesis in this culture has been demonstrated. Radioactivity from the phospholipids of Achromobacter cholinophagum is found in the ether-soluble portion as well as in the water-soluble portion after hydrolysis of phospholipids. Oxidation of [methyl-14C]choline to [methyl-14C]betaine was found to be catalyzed by the crude cell-free extracts.