Alterations in lipid metabolism induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in differentiating human myeloid leukemia cells.

Several aspects of lipid metabolism were evaluated in differentiating human myeloid leukemia (HL-60) cells after treatment with the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Modifications accompanying the phorbol ester-induced differentiation include an increase in the incorporation of acetate into free fatty acids and neutral lipids, an increase in the amount of neutral glycerolipids, and a selective incorporation of long-chain fatty alcohols into triacylglycerols and ether-linked alkyldiacylglycerols. Additionally, an enhanced stimulation of phospholipid metabolism, as measured by the incorporation of 32P and labeled precursors of the polar head groups, could be detected within 4 hr after treatment of cells with the tumor promoter. 4-O-Methyltetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, an analog with poor tumor-promoting activity, failed to elicit any activity on phospholipid metabolism.