Effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) on the phospholipid metabolism of Tetrahymena pyriformis.

Abstract

The effect of (0.05 ng ml-1 and 0.1 ng ml(-1)) TNF alpha on the phospholipid metabolism of Tetrahymena pyriformis was studied. The amount of phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatidyl inositol (PI), phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), diacylglycerol (DAG), arachidonic acid (AA) and ceramide was higher, but the phosphatidyl inositol 4 phosphate (PIP) and phosphatidyl inositol bis-phosphate (PIP2) as well, as sphingomyelin (SM) content was lower in TNF alpha-treated cells than in the controls. In the culture medium (secreted forms) this situation was reversed. There were differences in the results gained by incorporation of [3H]-palmitic acid or 32P into the phospholipids. To control the functional effects of TNF alpha in Tetrahymena, the rate of cell division, the condensation of chromatin, the viability of cells and morphometrical values have been studied. The cytokine reduced cell growth, altered morphometric indices and increased chromatin condensation, however cell viability was not influenced. The results demonstrate the effects of TNF alpha at a low level of evolution, what is realized by changes in the phospholipid metabolism participating in signalling pathways.