Acyl-CoA: sn-glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase in mitochondria and microsomes of adult and fetal guinea pig lung

Guinea pig lung mitochondrial and microsomal glycerophosphate acyltransferase (GAT) was measured using palmityl- or oleyl-CoA as acyl donor. The activities of the two fractions differed in substrate specificity and sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide, trypsin, and acetone. In comparison to adult lung, the fetal lung had markedly higher subcellular GAT activity. The results demonstrate a bimodal distribution of GAT in lung and suggest that this enzyme may plan an important role in lung development.