Interaction of (n-3) and (n-6) fatty acids in desaturation and chain elongation of essential fatty acids in cultured glioma cells

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Lipids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02533938· OSTI ID:5669916

Cook, H W; Spence, M W

Recent research in various biological systems has revived interest in interactions between the (n-6) and (n-3) essential fatty acids. We have utilized cultured glioma cells to show that linolenic acid, 18:3(n-3), is rapidly desaturated and chain elongated; 20:5(n-3) is the major product and accumulates almost exclusively in phospholipids. We examined effects of various (n-6), (n-3), (n-9) and (n-7) fatty acids at 40 microM concentration on desaturation and chain elongation processes using (1-/sup 14/C)18:3(n-3) as substrate. In general, monoenoic fatty acids were without effect. The (n-6) fatty acids (18:2, 18:3, 20:3, 20:4 and 22:4) had little effect on total product formed. There was a shift of labeled product to triacylglycerol, and in phospholipids, slightly enhanced conversion of 20:5 to 22:5 was evident. In contrast, 22:6(n-3) was inhibitory, whereas 20:3(n-3) and 20:5(n-3) had much less effect. At concentrations less than 75 microM, all acids were inhibitory. Most products were esterified to phosphatidylcholine, but phosphatidylethanolamine also contained a major portion of 20:5 and 22:5. We provide a condensed overview of how the (n-6) and (n-3) fatty acids interact to modify relative rates of desaturation and chain elongation, depending on the essential fatty acid precursor. Thus, the balance between these dietary acids can markedly influence enzymes providing crucial membrane components and substrates for biologically active oxygenated derivatives.

• Research Organization: Dalhousie Univ., Halifax, Nova Scotia
• OSTI ID: 5669916
• Journal Information: Lipids; (United States), Journal Name: Lipids; (United States) Vol. 22:9; ISSN LPDSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL CELLS
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ESTERS
INHIBITION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
KINETICS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LIPIDS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHOLIPIDS
PRECURSOR
REACTION KINETICS
STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TUMOR CELLS