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The effect of n-6 fatty acids on normal and v-Ki ras transformed NIH-3T3 cells
R C Cantrill1, G W Ells, R J de Antueno
1EFAMOL Research Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Abstract:
The effect of exogenous gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n-6) was examined on NIH-3T3 and a subclone expressing the v-Ki-ras oncogene (DT). 18:3n-6 inhibited DT cell growth more readily than NIH-3T3 cell growth. In comparison, linoleic acid (18:2n-6) had no effect on the growth of either cell line. DT cells elongated and desaturated both 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-6 to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (20:3n-6) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) to a much greater extent than NIH-3T3 cells and had a much higher membrane fluidity. The presence of the ras gene or its product appears to increase the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids and potentiate the cytostatic actions of 18:3n-6.