Metabolic conversion and growth effects of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the T47D breast cancer cell line

The incorporation and conversion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of n-3 and n-6 families were examined in the T47D breast cancer cell line in parallel with their effects on cell proliferation. In low serum-containing medium, PUFA exerted differential growth effects, depending both on their affiliation and unsaturation degree. The study of PUFA processing suggested that T47D cells are deficient in Δ6 and Δ4-desaturation activities whereas they can process to Δ5-desaturation. Thus, the PUFA growth effect on T47D cells appeared to be associated with a lack of desaturation.