Phospholipid metabolism in cells in culture

The proportions of the different lecithin fractions have been determined in HeLa and KB tissue culture cells and Ehrlich Ascites tumor. 82.8% of the total phosphatidyl choline phosphorus is found in fraction 3 of HeLa cells. The major phosphatidyl cholines found in KB cells and Ehrlich Ascites tumor are in fractions 3 and 4 and representing 66.6% and 88.7% of the total phosphatidyl choline P, respectively. The incorporation of 1,2-¹⁴C-choline and 1,2-¹⁴C-ethanolamine into the various phosphatidyl choline fractions has been assayed to determine their biosynthesis in Ehrlich Ascites tumor. The incorporation of 1,2-¹⁴C-choline into fractions 3 and 4 is 100 times the 1,2-¹⁴C-ethanolamine. This evidence indicates that the methylation pathway of phosphatidyl choline synthesis is very low in HeLa, KB and Ehrlich Ascites cells. One of 13 papers presented at the symposium “Lipid Metabolism in Cells in Culture,” AOCS Meeting, Houston, May 1971. Part of a thesis submitted to the Graduate School of the University of North Dakota in partial fulfillment of the Degree of Master of Science.