Synthesis of lipids, cholesterol precursors and cholesterol in glycogen-free and glycogen-synthesizing sublines of the Ehrlich ascites tumor

Summary The conversion of mevalonic acid into cholesterol was investigated in two strains of the Ehrlich ascites tumor. The cells of the G+ strain contain glycogen in the nucleus and cytoplasm and synthesize glycogen from added glucose. The cells of the G strain do not show this quality. The rate of decarboxylation of mevalonic acid which reflects synthesis of cholesterol and its precursors is low in G+ cells and independent of the time interval between inoculation of the tumor and aspiration. In G cells the rate of mevalonic acid decarboxylation rises linearly, starting the fourth day following inoculation of the tumor. Carbon balances for the utilization of [ 14 C ] glucose show that the rate of lipid formation is higher in G cells.