Effect of docosahexaenoic acid on membrane fluidity and function in intact cultured Y-79 retinoblastoma cells

doi:10.1016/0003-9861(92)90726-D

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Volume 294, Issue 2, 1 May 1992, Pages 564-570

https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-9861(92)90726-D Get rights and content

Abstract

Considerable metabolic energy is expended in ensuring that membranes possess a characteristic fatty acid composition. The nature of the specific requirement of the retina for high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is as yet undefined. Previous work has speculated that DHA is required to maintain the fluid nature and permeability necessary for optimal retinal function. Cultured Y-79 retinoblastoma cells were grown in serum-containing media with and without supplemental DHA. Resultant changes in membrane fluidity were assessed using fluorescent probes. No differences were observed in rotational probe mobility as assessed by fluorescence polarization despite a fourfold increase in cellular DHA content. Lateral probe mobility as assessed by pyrene eximer formation was significantly enhanced in DHA-supplemented cells. Both the DHA content and total fatty acid unsaturation index in retinoblastoma cells were directly correlated with membrane fluidity as reported by eximer formation (Pearson's rho = 0.96 and 0.92, respectively). DHA supplementation also resulted in a significant increase in cellular choline uptake. We speculate that the effect of DHA content on retinal function may be mediated by changes in membrane fluidity and associated enzyme and transport activities.

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: This work was supported in part by NIH Training Grant 5-T32-HD07308-05 and National Institute of Child Health and Development Grant HD 22380.

¹: D.M.J. is an established investigator of the American Heart Association.

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Effect of docosahexaenoic acid on membrane fluidity and function in intact cultured Y-79 retinoblastoma cells

Abstract

J. Nutr.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B

Exp. Eye Res.

Vis. Res.

Biophys. J.

J. Lipid Res.

Chem. Phys. Lipids

J. Lipid Res.

Biochim. Biophys. Acta

Biochim. Biophys. Acta

Biochim. Biophys. Acta

Biochim. Biophys. Acta

Biophys. J.

Science

J. Clin. Invest.

Pediatr. Res.

J. Neurochem.

Soc. Neurosci. Abstr.