Uptake and incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) into neuronal cell body and neurite/nerve growth cone lipids: Evidence of compartmental DHA metabolism in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) accumulates in nerve endings of the brain during development. It is released from the membrane during ischemia and electroc onvulsive shock. DHA optimizes neurologic development, it is neuroprotectiv e, and rat adrenopheochromocytoma (PC12) cells have decreased PLA, activity when DHA is present. To characterize DHA metabolism in PC12 cells, media w ere supplemented with [H-3]DHA or [H-3]glycerol. Fractions of nerve growth cone particles (NGC) and cell bodies were prepared and the metabolism of th e radiolabeled substrates was determined by thin-layer chromatography. [H-3 ]glycerol incorporation into phospholipids indicated de novo lipid synthesi s. [H-3]DHA uptake was more rapid in the cell bodies than in the NGC. [H-3] DHA first esterified in neutral lipids and later in phospholipids (phosphat idylethanolamine). [H-3]glycerol primarily labeled phosphatidylcholine. DHA uptake was compartmentalized between the cell body and the NGC. With metab olism similar to that seen in vivo, PC12 cells are an appropriate model to study DHA in neurons.