The growth rate of the human neuroblastoma LAN-1 cells was decreased half after 48 h of incubation with dialkylglycerophosphocholine 1-O-octadecyl 2-O-methyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-O-CH3), at 4 microM. Four radiolabelled precursors, [3H]hexadecanol, [3H]hexadecanoic, [3H]arachidonic