In this study we examined the processes by which malate and pyruvate are taken up across the leucoplast envelope for fatty acid synthesis in developing castor (Ricinus communis L.) seed endosperm. Malate was taken up by isolated leucoplasts with a concentration dependence indicative of protein-mediated transport. The maximum rate of malate uptake was 704 [plus or minus] 41 nmol mg-1 protein h-1 and the Km was 0.62 [plus or minus] 0.08 mM. In contrast, the rate of pyruvate uptake increased linearly with respect to the substrate concentration and was 5-fold less than malate at a concentration of 5 mM. Malate uptake was inhibited by inorganic phosphate (Pi), glutamate, malonate, succinate, 2-oxoglutarate, and n-butyl malonate, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial malate/Pi-exchange translocator. Back-exchange experiments confirmed that malate was taken up by leucoplasts in counterexchange for Pi. The exchange stoichiometry was 1:1. The rate of malate-dependent fatty acid synthesis by isolated leucoplasts was 3-fold greater than from pyruvate at a concentration of 5 mM and was inhibited by n-butyl malonate. It is proposed that leucoplasts from developing castor endosperm contain a malate/Pi translocator that imports malate for fatty acid synthesis. This type of dicarboxylate transport activity has not been identified previously in plastids.