Cholesterol and phospholipid content of 3T3 cells and transformed derivatives.

For 3T3, PY-3T3 and SV40-3T3 cells, the contents of total lipid, cholesterol and phospholipid were determined. Weight of total lipid per cell correlates closely with cellular volume as determined microscopically. This correlation is not observed for cholesterol of phospholipid content per cell. Cholesterol content per cm2 cellular surface area is found about fifty percent higher in the transformed cell lines compared to 3T3 cells. This result is discussed in relation to thermal transitions observed in physical properties of the plasma membrane of these cells as well as in lamellar phospholipid/water model systems containing cholesterol.