title: Uptake and incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) into neuronal cell body and neurite/nerve growth cone lipids: evidence of compartmental DHA metabolism in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells.
abstract: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accumulates in nerve endings of the brain during development. It is released from the membrane during ischemia and electroconvulsive shock. DHA optimizes neurologic development, it is neuroprotective, and rat adrenopheochromocytoma (PC12) cells have decreased PLA2 activity when DHA is present. To characterize DHA metabolism in PC12 cells, media were supplemented with [3H]DHA or [3H]glycerol. Fractions of nerve growth cone particles (NGC) and cell bodies were prepared and the metabolism of the radiolabeled substrates was determined by thin-layer chromatography. [3H]glycerol incorporation into phospholipids indicated de novo lipid synthesis. [3H]DHA uptake was more rapid in the cell bodies than in the NGC. [3H]DHA first esterified in neutral lipids and later in phospholipids (phosphatidylethanolamine). [3H]glycerol primarily labeled phosphatidylcholine. DHA uptake was compartmentalized between the cell body and the NGC. With metabolism similar to that seen in vivo, PC12 cells are an appropriate model to study DHA in neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Oklahoma Center for Neurosciences University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City 73104, USA. rex-martin@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: J Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Wickham
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Om
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ceballos
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000378:metabolism; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007700:Kinetics; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010673:Pheochromocytoma; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines; D010743:Phospholipids; D014316:Tritium; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D005990:Glycerol