Palmitoylcarnitine regulates estrification of lipids and promotes palmitoylation of GAP-43

Palmitoylcarnitine was previously shown to promote differentiation of neuroblastoma NB-2a cells. It was also observed to increase palmitoylation of several proteins and to diminish incorporation of palmitic acid to phospholipids, as well as to affect growth associated protein GAP-43 by decreasing its phosphorylation and interaction with protein kinase C. The present study was focused on influence of palmitoylcarnitine on palmitoylation of GAP-43 and lipid metabolism. Althought palmitoylcarnitine did not significantly affect the total phospholipids and fatty acid content, it increased incorporation of palmitate moiety to triacylglicerides and cholesterol esters, with a decrease of free cholesterol content. The presence of palmitoylcarnitine significantly increased the amount of covalently bound palmitate to GAP-43, which can regulate the signal transduction pathways.