ETHER LIPIDS OCCURRING IN MOLLUS

SUMMARY I. Tissues of Katherina &nicata, This lamellosa, Octopus dofieini, and Protothaca staminea were examined for a-glyceryl ether-containing lipids. 2. Phospholipids of the species analyzed contain glyceryl ethers amounting to as much as 25 mole y0 of the total phospholipid phosphorus. The neutral lipids of all species also contain glyceryl ether derivatives. 3. Analysis of the glyceryl ethers by gas-liquid chromatography showed that in most cases chimyl alcohol (I-0-hexadecyl glycerol) and batyl alcohol (I-0-octadecyl glycerol) predominate, although many variations were noted in the distribution patterns. 4. In some cases cyclic acetal derivatives of the plasmalogens were prepared to allow comparison of the vinyl ether side-chains with those of the saturated ethers. A new method employing LiAlH, allows the rapid isolation in pure form of cyclic acetals as well as glyceryl ethers. 5. The presence of significant levels of glyceryl ether lipids in representatives from the four principal classes of mollusca indicates that these lipids are of widespread occurrence within the phylum.