Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
09:23
Combining Double Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Immunolabelling for Detection of the Expression of Three Genes in Mouse Brain Sections
Published on: March 26, 2016
N-acetylaspartate as an acetyl source in the nervous system
1Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research
|July 1, 1995
Summary
N-acetylaspartate (NAA) serves as an acetyl donor in both brain and liver tissues, contributing its acetyl group to lipid synthesis via acetyl CoA. This reveals a broader metabolic role for NAA beyond the nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neurochemistry
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is primarily known as a neuronal marker.
- Its role as an acetyl donor in peripheral tissues is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic fate of NAA in brain and liver slice preparations.
- To determine if NAA can serve as a source of acetyl groups for other metabolic pathways.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of brain and liver slices with radiolabeled [14C-acetyl]NAA or [14C]acetate.
- Tissue homogenization and extraction using chloroform/methanol.
- Analysis of aqueous and lipid phases using HPLC and TLC.
Main Results:
- NAA was metabolized to acetate and acetyl CoA in both brain and liver.
- Significant incorporation of radioactivity from NAA into lipids was observed in both tissues.
- Similar metabolic patterns were seen when using [14C]acetate, suggesting NAA's acetyl group enters common metabolic pools.
Conclusions:
- NAA metabolism extends beyond the nervous system.
- The acetyl moiety of NAA is incorporated into lipids through the acetyl CoA pathway in both brain and liver.
- NAA functions as an acetyl donor in peripheral tissues, contributing to lipid biosynthesis.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Chemical Synapses
Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
01:30Classification of Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the communication between neurons in the autonomic nervous system. Neurons in the autonomic nervous system can be cholinergic or adrenergic depending on the neurotransmitters synthesized. Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter. This includes all the preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic and pre- and postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous systems. In addition, neurons of the somatic nervous system also use...
01:23Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission
Cholinergic neurotransmission involves the synthesis and the release of acetylcholine (ACh) in order to transmit nerve impulses across the synapse. The process begins with the synthesis of acetyl CoA, a precursor for ACh, from ATP, acetate, and coenzyme A in the mitochondria. Choline, another vital precursor, is transported inside the neuron through choline transporters, including high-affinity choline transporter CHT1, low-affinity choline transporter CTL1, and lower-affinity choline...
01:27Adrenergic Neurons: Neurotransmission
Postganglionic sympathetic fibers (except those supplying the sweat glands) releasing noradrenaline or norepinephrine are called noradrenergic or adrenergic neurons. Noradrenaline, dopamine, adrenaline, or epinephrine are collectively called "catecholamines" as they contain a catechol moiety and an amine side chain. The five stages of neurotransmitter release involve their synthesis, storage, release, reuptake and metabolism.
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which is taken...
Synthesis: Catecholamine synthesis requires tyrosine, which is taken...
01:26Chemical Synapses
Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
01:24Phase II Reactions: Acetylation Reactions
Acetylation, a phase II biotransformation reaction, introduces an acetyl group to drugs or their metabolites. Acetyltransferase enzymes facilitate this reaction, which resembles α-amino acid conjugation due to the addition of a functional group to the drug molecule.
The substrates for acetylation are typically drugs or their metabolites with an amino, sulfonamide, or hydrazine functional group. Acetylation can occur at several points in the drug molecule, including primary, secondary, and...
The substrates for acetylation are typically drugs or their metabolites with an amino, sulfonamide, or hydrazine functional group. Acetylation can occur at several points in the drug molecule, including primary, secondary, and...