Tod determine whether changes in unsaturation of fatty acids in rat liver plasma membranes might alter activities of membrane-associated enzymes, liver plasma membranes were prepared from rats fed purified diets lacking or supplemented with essential fatty acids. Two methods of membrane purification were used. A similar degree of purification was obtained with both methods for both depleted and control membranes, as indicated by marker enzyme purification. The proportion of essential fatty acids of the linoleate series was significantly lower in phospholipids from depleted rats. The specific activity of 5'-nucleotidase was lower, and the activity, V and apparent Km for total (Na+ +K+ +Mg2+)-ATPase were higher in the depleted liver plasma membranes. Arrhenius plots of total ATPase activity showed a discontinuity at the same temperature for both the depleted and control membranes. Activity with the depleted membranes was higher at all temperatures tested. Supplementation of deficient rats with a source of essential fatty acids (corn oil) restored V and apparent Km values to normal. Adenylate cyclase activity in the presence of fluoride, glucagon or glucagon plus GTP was significantly lower in the depleted plasma membranes.
