Use of (1 or 3-3H, U-14C)glucose to estimate the synthesis of glycerolipids via acyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate.

: BHK-21-cI3 fibroblasts were incubated with [I-3H, U-14C]glucose or 14C]glucose to produce intracellular [3H]NADPH via the phosphogluconate pathway. 3H and 14C were then determined at the th~ee positions of glycerol in glycerol phosphate, saponifiable glycerolipids, alkyl ether glycerolipids and plasmalogens. The 3H/14C ratio at C-2 in glycerol of saponifiable glycerolipids is 2-10 fold greater than in glycerol phosphate and approaches the ratio found in ether-containing glycerolipids. This suggests that a significant fraction of the glycerolipids in BHK-21-cI3 fibroblasts is synthesized via acyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate.