A mutant HSDM1C1 fibrosarcoma line selected for defective eicosanoid precursor uptake lacks arachidonate-specific acyl-CoA synthetase.

Mutagenesis followed by suicide with highly radioactive tritiated arachidonic acid has been used to select for mouse fibrosarcoma (HSDM1C1) cells defective in eicosanoid precursor uptake. Survivors of the selection were screened by replica plating and autoradiographic assay of [3H]arachidonate esterification; a mutant cell line, EPU-1, was established. EPU-1 cells contain one-third as much arachidonate as normal HSDM1C1 cells. The mutant lacks arachidonate-specific acyl-CoA synthetase, which accounts for decreased arachidonate uptake. EPU-1 exhibits enhanced turnover of arachidonoyl- but not linoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine. Bradykinin-induced arachidonate release and prostaglandin E2 synthesis are decreased in EPU-1. Thus, arachidonoyl-CoA synthetase is required for arachidonate homeostasis in HSDM1C1 cells.