Synthesis and release of fatty acids by human trophoblast cells in culture

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Lipid Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5445735

Coleman, R A; Haynes, E B

In order to determine whether placental cells can synthesize and release fatty acids, trophoblast cells from term human placentas were established in monolayer culture. The cells continued to secrete placental lactogen and progesterone and maintained specific activities of critical enzymes of triacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis for 24 to 72 hr in culture. Fatty acid was rapidly synthesized from (/sup 14/C)acetate and released by the cells. Palmitoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids were the major fatty acids synthesized from (/sup 14/C)acetate and released. Small amounts of lauric, myristic, and stearic acids were also identified. (/sup 14/C)acetate was also incorporated into cellular triacylglycerol, phospholipid, and cholesterol, but radiolabeled free fatty acid did not accumulate intracellularly. In a pulse-chase experiment, cellular glycerolipids were labeled with (1-/sup 14/C)oleate; trophoblast cells then released /sup 14/C-labeled fatty acid into the media as the cellular content of labeled phospholipid and triacylglycerol decreased without intracellular accumulation of free fatty acid. Twenty percent of the /sup 14/C-label lost from cellular glycerolipid could not be recovered as a chloroform-extractable product, suggesting that some of the hydrolyzed fatty acid had been oxidized. These data indicate that cultured placenta trophoblast cells can release fatty acids that have either been synthesized de novo or that have been hydrolyzed from cellular glycerolipids. Trophoblast cells in monolayer culture should provide an excellent model for molecular studies of placental fatty acid metabolism and release.

• Research Organization: Duke Univ. Medical Center, Durham, NC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5445735
• Journal Information: J. Lipid Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Lipid Res.; (United States) Vol. 28:11; ISSN JLPRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ACETATES
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CELL CULTURES
CHOLESTEROL
ESTERS
FETAL MEMBRANES
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LIPIDS
MAMMALS
MAN
MEMBRANES
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
OLEIC ACID
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHOLIPIDS
PLACENTA
PREGNANCY
PRIMATES
SECRETION
STEROIDS
STEROLS
SYNTHESIS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRIGLYCERIDES
VERTEBRATES