Differential effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on membrane capacitance and exocytosis in rat pheochromocytoma-12 cells.
The fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane during exocytosis can be recorded by membrane capacitance measurements under voltage-clamp conditions. These measurements enable high time-resolution quantitation of exocytosis. The present study was carried out using the above technique to elucidate the effects of various polyunsaturated fatty acids on exocytosis in a neuroendocrine cell, the rat pheochromocytoma-12 (PC12) cell. External application of eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid resulted in an increase in capacitance of PC12 cells, indicating fusion of secretory vesicles with cell membranes and exocytosis. In contrast, docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and vehicle control had no significant effect on capacitance. The above findings show differential effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on exocytosis in PC12 cells. It is postulated that besides arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid could also play an important role in exocytosis and neurotransmitter release, in neurons and hormone-secreting cells.
Institute of Microelectronics, A*Star, Singapore.
Wee-Liat
WL
Ong
Bin
B
Jiang
Ning
N
Tang
Su-Fung
SF
Ling
Jin-Fei
JF
Yeo
Shunhui
S
Wei
Akhlaq A
AA
Farooqui
Wei-Yi
WY
Ong
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D025802:Electric Capacitance; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology; D016716:PC12 Cells; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D051381:Rats; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated