Accumulation of an alkyl lysophospholipid in tumor cell membranes affects membrane fluidity and tumor cell invasion.

Tumor cells grown in the presence of 1-O-alkyl-2-O-methylglycero-3-phosphocholine (AMG-PC) accumulated this ether lipid in their membranes. Depending on the cell type and the dose of the compound, up to 17% of the total phospholipids of the purified plasma membranes consisted of authentic AMG-PC. Extensive incorporation of the agent resulted in a decrease in plasma membrane fluidity and inhibition of tumor cell invasiveness in embryonic chick heart fragments. The extent of AMG-PC incorporation and fluidity change was not strictly correlated with the degree to which tumor cell invasion was inhibited.