PKC is involved in arachidonic acid‐induced choline acetyltransferase activity in spinal cord neurons

Abstract

Arachidonic acid (AA) may affect cholinergic neuronal circuits in spinal cord. To test this hypothesis, activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was studied in cultured spinal cord neurons treated with AA (0.1–10 mm). AA increased ChAT activity in dose‐ and time‐dependent manners. These effects were mimicked by exposure to PMA but inhibited by a coexposure to PKC inhibitors. AA‐mediated increase in ChAT activity also was prevented by treatments with EGTA, indicating the role of calcium. In contrast, cotreatments with 7‐nitroindazole, sodium vanadate, and N‐acetyl‐cysteine had no influence on AA‐induced changes in ChAT activity. These results indicate that the AA‐evoked increase in ChAT activity in spinal cord neurons is mediated by PKC, most likely, at the post‐transcriptional level.Acknowledgements: Supported by grants from KSCHIRT and Philip Morris Research Program.