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.