Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Stable Knockdown of Genes Encoding Extracellular Matrix Proteins in the C2C12 Myoblast Cell Line Using Small-Hairpin (sh)RNA
Published on: February 12, 2020
Different effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the cell cycle in C2C12 myoblast proliferation
Yunqian Peng1, Yu Zheng, Yunsheng Zhang
1State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are important molecules for human health. We investigated the effects of three major omega-3 PUFAs on C2C12 myoblast proliferation. Both docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids decreased cell growth, whereas linolenic (ALA) acid did not, compared with the control. Cell cycle analysis showed that G(1) phase duration was increased markedly and S-phase duration was decreased by DHA and EPA. In contrast, there was no change in the G(1) or S-phase duration when the cells were treated with linolenic acid. To determine how DHA and EPA affected the cell cycle, cyclins and MAPK proteins were investigated. Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR showed that DHA and EPA decreased cyclin E and CDK2 levels at both the protein and mRNA level. Also, MAPK phosphorylation levels were decreased by treatment with DHA and EPA. Our results indicated that different kinds of n-3 PUFA differentially affected myoblast cell proliferation. DHA and EPA decreased skeletal muscle cell proliferation through a mechanism involving MAPK-ERK.
Related Concept Videos
The Cell Cycle Control System
The Cell Cycle Control System
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and function at the cell...
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Positive Regulator Molecules
Positive Regulator Molecules
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

