Journal of Lipid Research, Vol 24, 575-587, Copyright © 1983 by Lipid Research, Inc.
Biochemical studies of the excitable membrane of Paramecium tetraurelia. VII. Sterols and other neutral lipids of cells and cilia
TM Hennessey, D Andrews and DL Nelson
The neutral lipid content of cells and cilia of Paramecium tetraurelia was
determined as a function of growth stage and of growth medium composition.
The major sterol(s) of deciliated cells and of cilia were the sterol
provided in the growth medium (e.g., stigmasterol) and its 7- dehydro
derivative. Body sterol esters and triglycerides accumulated during
exponential cell growth and became depleted during stationary phase.
Isolated cilia contained neither sterol esters nor triglycerides. The ratio
of phospholipid to free sterol in cilia was constant (approximately 5:1)
throughout exponential growth in axenic or bacterized medium, but the
relative proportions of free sterol and 7- dehydrosterol varied with growth
phase and with growth medium composition. Cholesterol did not support the
growth of Paramecium, but was taken up rapidly into cells and cilia as the
free sterol and its 7- dehydro derivative. The fatty acids of sterol esters
and of triglycerides were similar to those of membrane phospholipids.
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