The omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, decreases neuronal cell death in association with altered zinc transport.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid in neuronal cell membranes. We hypothesize that DHA induces a decrease in neuronal cell death through reduced ZnT3 expression and zinc uptake. Exposure of M17 cells to DHA-deficient medium increased the levels of active caspase-3, relative to levels in DHA-replete cells, confirming the adverse effects of DHA deficiency in promoting neuronal cell death. In DHA-treated M17 cells, zinc uptake was 65% less and ZnT3 mRNA and protein levels were reduced in comparison with DHA-depleted cells. We propose that the neuroprotective function of DHA is exerted through a reduction in cellular zinc levels that in turn inhibits apoptosis.
Suphioglu
Cenk
C
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia. cenk.suphioglu@deakin.edu
De Mel
Damitha
D
Kumar
Loveleen
L
Sadli
Nadia
N
Freestone
David
D
Michalczyk
Agnes
A
Sinclair
Andrew
A
Ackland
M Leigh
ML
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; C102806:SLC30A3 protein, human; C504822:SLC30A6 protein, human; C472294:SLC30A7 protein, human; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D053148:Caspase 3; D015032:Zinc