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Assessment of Mitochondrial Functions and Cell Viability in Renal Cells Overexpressing Protein Kinase C Isozymes
Published on: January 7, 2013
Inhibitory effects of omega-3 fatty acids on protein kinase C activity in vitro
H F Seung Kim1, E J Weeber, J D Sweatt
1Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Abstract:
Preliminary clinical data indicate that omega-3 fatty acids may be effective mood stabilizers for patients with bipolar disorder. Both lithium and valproic acid are known to inhibit protein kinase C (PKC) activity after subchronic administration in cell culture and in vivo. The current study was undertaken to determine the effects of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on protein kinase C phosphotransferase activity in vitro. Various concentrations of DHA, EPA, and arachidonic acid (AA) were incubated with the catalytic domain of protein kinase C beta from rat brain. Protein kinase C activity was measured by quantifying incorporation of (32)P-PO(4) into a synthetic peptide substrate. Both DHA and EPA, as well as the combination of DHA and EPA, inhibited PKC activity at concentrations as low as 10 micromol l(-1). In contrast, arachidonic acid had no effect on PKC activity. Thus, PKC represents a potential site of action of omega-3 fatty acids in their effects on the treatment of bipolar disorder.
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