Relationship between Transformed Phenotype and Ether-Linked Lipids

Interest in the structure and biochemistry of ether-linked glycerolipids has been stimulated by the finding that large amounts of ether-linked lipids are present in a variety of neoplasms (1,2). Intensive study of the biosynthesis of ether-linked lipids has led to the discovery that ether-linked lipids are the final products of the dihydroxyacetone-phosphate pathway (3) and that this pathway is prominent in tumors (4). It has been recently demonstrated that ether-linked lipids are precursors of PAF (5) and represent the major source of arachidonic acid for the biosynthesis of eicosanoids (6–8). However, our knowledge of the physiological significance of ether-linked lipids is still limited and, consequently, their role in malignant transformation remains obscure.