Phospholipid Biosynthetic Enzymes of Butyric Acid-Producing Clostridia

Among the Clostridia, the most intensively studied group of organisms with respect to lipid composition and metabolism are the saccharo-lytic, butyric acid-producing species. Because the cellular physiology, molecular biology, and genetics of these organisms are currently of considerable interest, a brief review of the status of knowledge of the polar lipids of these organisms is provided. These compounds are intrinsically significant as structural components of the cell membrane; they are also important in terms of modulating membrane protein function. Recent work has shown that these cells have considerable flexibility in regulating their membrane lipids over a wide range of potential environmental and nutritional conditions.