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Study on the Proposed Role of Phospholipid in Tumor Cell Membrane¹

McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706; Department of Biochemistry, Upstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Syracuse, New York 13210; and Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, D. C. 20001

This study compares plasma membranes from solid hepatoma cells to liver cell plasma membranes for comparison of phospholipid profile, degree of fatty acid unsaturation, and amount of calcium and magnesium bound to membrane. These parameters are based on proposed roles in membrane structure.

Whole-tumor analysis showed the presence of the major phospholipids with no unidentifiable components. The Reuber H-35 hepatoma plasma membrane had the same percentage of the individual phospholipids as liver, whereas the Morris 3924A hepatoma cell membrane exhibited a 4-fold increase in sphingomyelin and the appearance of a significant increase in choline plasmalogen.

Phospholipid fatty acid analysis of whole tumor and plasma membrane showed the 3924A tumor plasma membrane to have the largest number of unsaturated fatty acids. The ratio of stearic acid to oleic acid in the two tumors was less than 1.

Calcium as measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry exhibited increased membrane-bound calcium in both tumors with the 3924A tumor containing the largest amount.

¹ This investigation was supported by Grant P-413 from the American Cancer Society and USPHS Grant CA 10729. Presented in part at the Symposium on Hepatomas, Philadelphia, Pa., June 2, 1969.

² Postdoctoral fellow.

Received 1/26/70. Accepted 9/18/70.