α, β-DCP-LA selectively activates PKC-ε and stimulates neurotransmitter release with the highest potency among 4...

We have been probing bioactivities of 8-[2-(2-pentyl-cyclopropylmethyl)-cyclopropyl]-octanoic acid (DCP-LA), a linoleic acid derivative with cyclopropane rings instead of cis-double bonds, using a racemic modification. Racemic DCP-LA contains possible 4 diastereomers. We, therefore, separately synthesized DCP-LA diastereomers such as α α-, α, β-, β,α-, and β, β-DCP-LA and assessed the effects of each diastereomer on protein kinase C (PKC) activity and transmitter release.

PKC activity under the cell-free conditions and in PC-12 cells, and glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin released from rat brain slices were assayed with a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system.

Of 4 diastereomers α, β-DCP-LA selectively and directly activated PKC-e, with the highest potency. α β-DCP-LA stimulated release of glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin from rat hippocampal, striatal, and hypothalamic slices, respectively, under the control of PKC, possibly PKC-e, and α7 nicotinic ACh receptors, with the highest potency among 4 diastereomers.

α, β-DCP-LA serves as a selective and direct activator of PKC-e, to stimulate transmitter release by targeting α7 nicotinic ACh receptors. This suggests that α, β-DCP-LA could be developed as a promising drug for treatment of not only dementia but neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders due to reduction/deficiency of neurotransmitters.