We have studied the biosynthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) from their precursors in cultured cells undergoing physiological modifications, or under the influence of lipid-lowering drugs or ethanol. The formation of arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n-6) from the percursor linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n-6) in the neuroblastoma cells SK-N-BE is enhanced at early stages of differentiation, and declines when differentiation is complete, in concomitance with maximal accumulation of AA in cell lipids. In the monocytic cells THP-1, the biosynthesis of LC-PUFA is also enhanced by treatment with the HMGCoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin (S), an effect which is reverted by mevalonate and other intermediates of cholesterol synthesis. Maximal activation of LC-PUFA synthesis by S occurs at concentrations lower than those required for maximal inhibition of cholesterol synthesis. In the hepatoma cells HepG2, ethanol decreases the biosynthesis of LC-PUFA while potentiating the incorporation of acetate into cholesterol. LC-PUFA synthesis appears thus to be modulated in the course of cell differentiation and complex interactions between LC-PUFA and cholesterol synthesis occur, as judged from data obtained through pharmacological manipulations.

Manipulation of the fate of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in cultured cells

VISIOLI, FRANCESCO
1997

Abstract

We have studied the biosynthesis of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) from their precursors in cultured cells undergoing physiological modifications, or under the influence of lipid-lowering drugs or ethanol. The formation of arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4 n-6) from the percursor linoleic acid (LA, 18:2 n-6) in the neuroblastoma cells SK-N-BE is enhanced at early stages of differentiation, and declines when differentiation is complete, in concomitance with maximal accumulation of AA in cell lipids. In the monocytic cells THP-1, the biosynthesis of LC-PUFA is also enhanced by treatment with the HMGCoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin (S), an effect which is reverted by mevalonate and other intermediates of cholesterol synthesis. Maximal activation of LC-PUFA synthesis by S occurs at concentrations lower than those required for maximal inhibition of cholesterol synthesis. In the hepatoma cells HepG2, ethanol decreases the biosynthesis of LC-PUFA while potentiating the incorporation of acetate into cholesterol. LC-PUFA synthesis appears thus to be modulated in the course of cell differentiation and complex interactions between LC-PUFA and cholesterol synthesis occur, as judged from data obtained through pharmacological manipulations.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3174783
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 6
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 6
  • OpenAlex ND
social impact