Effect of pentadecan‐2‐one on lipid metabolism in HeLa cells

HeLa cells exposed to trace amounts of pentadecan‐2‐one showed changes in metabolism of 1‐14C‐palmitate. These changes consisted of an increased incorporation of radioactivity into the triglycerides and free fatty acids and a decreased14C incorporation into the ether moiety of alk‐1‐enyl acyl phosphoglycerides. Chemical analysis of the several lipid fractions showed a threefold increase in triglyceride content but no change in the amount of alk‐1‐enyl acyl or diacyl phosphoglycerides in the treated cells. Pentadecan‐2‐one added to the culture medium apparently gains entrance to the cell since both pentadecan‐2‐one and pentadecan‐2‐ol were detected in the ketone‐treated cells and their culture medium.