In vitro transfer of phosphatidylcholines and their ether analogs by a human and rat plasma exchange factor.

The phospholipid transfer properties of human and rat plasma have been studied using radiolabeled phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and diether PCs as well as a series of fluorescent PCs. The PC transfer activities of human and rat lipoprotein deficient sera are similar. Lipoprotein deficient rat serum transfers PC at a rate that is similar, if not identical, to the rate of transfer of the ether analogs of PC. These results suggest that PC ethers might be used to identify the nonhydrolytic metabolic routes of PCs.