Lipid composition of guinea pig platelets and megakaryocytes. The megakaryocyte as a probable source of platelet lipids.

Platelets are formed by fragmentation of the cytoplasm and plasma membrane of the megakaryocyte in the bone marrow. This study has compared the lipid composition of guinea pig platelets and megakaryocytes. Phospholipids were quantitated by TLC and measurement of lipid phosphorus. Cholesterol and fatty acids were quantitated by GLC. The cholesterol/phospholipid molar distribution in megakaryocytes was: 9.8% phosphatidylserine, 6.7% phosphatidylinositol, 14.2% sphingomyelin, 40.0% phosphatidylcholine and 29.3% phosphatidylethanolamine. Platelets continued 11.2% phosphatidylserine, 5.1% phosphatidylinositol, 16.1% sphingomyelin, 38.6% phosphatidylcholine and 29.0% phosphatidylethanolamine. The major megakaryocyte fatty acids were 20.0% palmitic, 16.4% stearic, 20.6% oleic, 13.2% linoleic and 8.2% arachidonic. The major platelet fatty acids were 17.4% palmitic, 17.5% stearic, 11.6% oleic, 12.4% linoleic and 14.6% arachidonic. The major and minor fatty acid compositions of the individual platelet phospholipids reflected those of the megakaryocyte counterparts. The increased arachidonic acid and decreased oleic acid in platelets relative to megakaryocytes were found in all four glycerophospholipids. The similarity of the phospholipid and fatty acid composition of megakaryocytes and platelets suggests that the lipid composition of the platelet is determined by the megakaryocyte.