SPHINGOSYLPHOSPHORYLCHOLINE IS A REMARKABLY POTENT MITOGEN FOR A VARIETY OF CELL-LINES

The effect of sphingosylphosphorylcholine on cellular proliferation was investigated in a variety of cell types. Sphingosylphosphorylcholine at low concentrations greatly stimulated DNA synthesis and cell division in quiescent Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. The increased DNA synthesis was also accompanied by pronounced morphological alterations. Sphingosylphosphorylcholine was remarkably more potent than other known growth factors and also acted synergistically with insulin, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and the tumor promoter, 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, to induce cellular proliferation. Sphingosylphosphorylcholine was less effective in stimulating DNA synthesis in rapidly growing normal and transformed cells. Sphingosylphosphorylcholine appears to be a new type of potent, wide-spectrum growth promoting agent. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.