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

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta Vol. 663; no. 1; pp. 239 - 248
• Main Authors: Schick, Barbara P., Schick, Paul K., Chase, Philip R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 26.01.1981
• Subjects: Aldehydes - analysis; Animals; Blood Platelets - analysis; Cholesterol; Cholesterol - analysis; Fatty Acids - analysis; Guinea Pigs; Lipid composition; Lipids - analysis; Lipids - blood; Male; Megakaryocytes - analysis; Megakaryocytes - metabolism; Phospholipid; Phospholipids - analysis; Plasmalogens - analysis; Platelet, megakaryocyte; Phospholipid; Lipid composition; Platelet, megakaryocyte; Cholesterol
• ISSN: 0005-2760; 0006-3002; 1879-145X
• DOI: 10.1016/0005-2760(81)90210-1

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 ratio was 0.35 in megakaryocytes and 0.55 in platelets. The phospholipid distribution in megakaryocytes was: 9.8% phosphatidylserine, 6.7% phosphatidylinositol, 14.2% sphingomyelin, 40.0% phosphatidylcholine and 29.3% phosphatidy lethanolamine. Platelets contained 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 minor fatty acids were found in similar proportions in both cells. 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.