Synthesis of plasmalogens in eye lens epithelial cells

The present paper describes cloning and sequencing of the mouse cDNA encodi ng dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase (DAPAT), the peroxisomal key e nzyme of plasmalogen (PM) biosynthesis, Using monospecific antibodies, we l ocalized DAPAT and alkyl dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase to peroxisomes of mouse lens epithelial cells (LECs) and determined their enzymatic activi ty. By electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of mouse lens lipid extrac ts, we identified phosphatidyl ethanolamine including plasmenyl ethanolamin e species as major constituents. Our data demonstrate the capacity of LECs to synthesize PMs and the high coincidence between deficiency of PM and ear ly manifestation of cataract in patients with peroxisomal disorders suggest s that ether-bonded lipids may play an important role in maintaining lens t ransparency. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.