Inhibition of Friend cell erythrodifferentiation by modification of membrane phospholipid composition by choline analogues.

Dimethylsulfoxide-stimulated Friend leukemia cell erythrodifferentiation was inhibited by choline analogues such as N-monomethylethanolamine and N,N-dimethylethanolamine. Phosphatidyl-N-monomethylethanolamine and phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine were then accumulated in the cell membranes. N-Monomethylethanolamine also inhibited Friend leukemia cell erythrodifferentiation stimulated by hexamethylene bisacetamide and N-methylacetamide, but did not inhibit differentiation induced by sodium butyrate. This inhibitory effect of N-monomethylethanolamine was partially abrogated by spermine.