title: Inhibition of MEK/ERK1/2 Signaling Affects the Fatty Acid Composition of HepG2 Human Hepatic Cell Line.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, also known as the MEK/ERK1/2 kinase cascade, has recently been implicated in the regulation of lipid metabolism and fatty liver disease. However, its functional effect on cellular fatty acid composition is unknown. Herein, we examined the effect of a pharmacological inhibitor of MEK, the upstream kinase activator of ERK1/2, on fatty acid composition of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2.
  
  
  METHODS
  HepG2 cells cultured in RPMI-1640 were exposed to the commonly used ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor PD98059 and were investigated with respect to fatty acid composition by gas-liquid chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exposure of cells to the ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor induced an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids and the fatty acid desaturation index and a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acid content. Specifically, we showed a significant increase of oleic acid (18:1n-9; +29%, P=0.003) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6)/linoleic acid (18:2n-6) ratio (3.5-fold; P<0.001) in HepG2 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cellular fatty acid composition of HepG2 cells appeared to be differentially regulated by ERK1/2 pathway, thus suggesting related metabolic pathways as potential mediators of the effects of ERK1/2 signaling on hepatic fatty acid composition.
authors.affiliation: Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Bahman
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yousefi
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Darabi
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baradaran
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shekari Khaniani
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahbani
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Darabi
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fayezi
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehdizadeh
authors.forename: Negar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saliani
authors.forename: Maghsod
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shaaker
keywords: ,Signaling; Fatty Acids; HepG2 Cells; Liver; MEK/ERK1/2; PD98059