Phospholipase D-mediated synthesis of phosphatidylinositols having various inositol stereoisomers was studied. Seven inositol stereoisomers were tested, all of which were found to be substrates of the enzyme, generating the corresponding phosphatidylinositols. Based on the substrate specificity, models for the recognition of inositol by the enzyme were proposed. (C) 2009, The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. All rights reserved.