The Uptake of Lipoproteins by Ascites Tumor Cells

The absorption of palmitic acid-1-C/sup 14/ by ascites tumor cells was studied in vitro. Palmitate was metabolized more rapidly from its albumin complex than from buffer alone, but the albumin carrier was not absorbed or metabolized. Cyanide-inhibited cells absorbed palmitate from ihe medium but did noi metabolize it. The process of absorption was thus revealed as a distribution of fatty acid between the medium and the inert cell surface probably followed by an active transfer of the fatty acid into the cell for oxidation. (auth)