dolichols and Leukemia-Lymphoma--Adult-T-Cell

Acute leukemia cells of the established line CEM-C1 were treated during growth in serum-free medium with various concentrations of trans-trans farnesol. At concentrations ranging from 9.0 to 31.5 microM, farnesol inhibited growth of these cells without causing cell lysis. This effect was preceded by very rapid inhibition of choline incorporation in cellular lipid fraction. The growth inhibitory effect was prevented to a large extent by incubation with phosphatidylcholine or diacylglycerol.

Topics: Acyclic Monoterpenes; Cell Division; Cell Line; Diglycerides; Dolichols; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Farnesol; Humans; Isomerism; Kinetics; Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell; Phosphatidylcholines; Squalene; Terpenes

Two cell lines, derived from human T-cell acute leukemia, one glucocorticoid sensitive (CEM-C7) and the other glucocorticoid resistant (CEM-C1) were grown in the presence of 1 x 10-7 M dexamethasone and were analyzed for their dolichol content. After 24 hrs of incubation, dolichols became significantly elevated in the sensitive but not in the resistant line. Lovastatin, the specific inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis did not affect dolichol levels in either of the two cell lines. The results raise the possibility that dolichol accumulation might be involved in the early stages of the glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis (directed cell killing).

Topics: Cell Line; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Dexamethasone; Dolichols; Humans; Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell; Lovastatin; Tumor Cells, Cultured