NGF blocks polyunsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis in n − 3 fatty acid-supplemented PC12 cells

Regulation of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) biosynthesis in proliferating and NGF-differentiated PC12 pheochromocytoma cells deficient in n − 3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA 22:6n − 3) was studied. A dose- and time-dependent increase in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n − 3), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5n − 3) and DHA in phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) and phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) glycerophospholipids (GPL) via the elongation/desaturation pathway following alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n − 3) supplements was observed. That was accompanied by a marked reduction of eicosatrienoic acid (Mead acid 20:3n − 9), an index of PUFA deficiency. EPA supplements were equally effective converted to 22:5n − 3 and 22:6n − 3. On the other hand, supplements of linoleic acid (LNA, 18:2n − 6) were not effectively converted into higher n − 6 PUFA intermediates nor did they impair elongation/desaturation of ALA. Co-supplements of DHA along with ALA did not interfere with 20:5n − 3 biosynthesis but reduced further elongation to 22-hydrocarbon PUFA intermediates. A marked decrease in the newly synthesized 22:5n − 3 and 22:6n − 3 following ALA or EPA supplements was observed after nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced differentiation. NGF also inhibited the last step in 22:5n − 6 formation from LNA. These results emphasize the importance of overcoming n − 3 PUFA deficiency and raise the possibility that growth factor regulation of the last step in PUFA biosynthesis may constitute an important feature of neuronal phenotype acquisition.