Rapid cell surface-related stimulation of alkaline phosphatase in HeLa cells by dimethyl DL-2,3-distearoylotypropyl-2'-hydroxyethylammonium acetate (Rosenthal's inhibitor).

Cultures of HeLa cells, strains S3G (HeLa65) and S3K (HeLa71) were grown in plastic dishes until firmly attached and were then treated with sonic dispersions of Rosenthal's phospholipase inhibitor. A rapid increase in alkaline phosphatase activity occurred following this treatment in the S3G strain (low inducible alkaline phosphatase) but not in the S3K strain (high constitutive alkaline phosphatase). The stimulatory effect was dependent on the presence of bovine serum in the medium. No stimulation of alkaline phosphatase was observed in a variety of soluble preparations of this enzyme.