Enhancement of mitogenic stimuli by phosphatidylinositol.

Phosphatidylinositol added to the medium markedly stimulated the growth-promoting effect of mitogens in normal cells (human lymphocytes and mouse embryo fibroblasts). However, it did not significantly affect quiescent cells or proliferating tumor cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7). The results are consistent with the suggested role of phosphatidylinositol in the widespread mechanism of calcium mobilization.