The phospholipid composition of Rhizobium japonicum

Abstract

The phospholipids of Rhizobium japonicum were measured quantitatively, and the major phospholipids were shown to be phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and cardiolipin. High levels of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were found. Such large amounts of phosphatidylcholine have been reported previously in the pseudomonads, and smaller amounts have been found in the genus Agrobacterium of the family Rhizobiaceae. The phospholipid composition of R. japonicum suggests a taxonomic relationship with the pseudomonads.