Molecular and Signaling Mechanisms for Docosahexaenoic Acid-Derived Neurodevelopment and Neuroprotection

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2022-04, Vol.23 (9), p.4635
• Main Authors: Kim, Hee-Yong, Huang, Bill X, Spector, Arthur A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AKT protein; Anti-inflammatory agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Antioxidants; Brain; Cyclic AMP response element-binding protein; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein - metabolism; Docosahexaenoic acid; Docosahexaenoic Acids - metabolism; Docosahexaenoic Acids - pharmacology; Domains; Elongation; Endocannabinoids - metabolism; Enzymes; Fatty acids; Inflammation; Kinases; Lipids; Lipoxygenase; Membranes; Metabolites; Neurodevelopment; Neurogenesis; Neuroprotection; Neurotransmission; Phosphatidylserine; Phosphorylation; Plasma; Protein expression; Protein kinase A; Protein kinase C; Proteins; Raf protein; Retina; Review; Signal Transduction; Synaptogenesis
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094635

The neurodevelopmental and neuroprotective actions of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are mediated by mechanisms involving membrane- and metabolite-related signal transduction. A key characteristic in the membrane-mediated action of DHA results from the stimulated synthesis of neuronal phosphatidylserine (PS). The resulting DHA-PS-rich membrane domains facilitate the translocation and activation of kinases such as Raf-1, protein kinase C (PKC), and Akt. The activation of these signaling pathways promotes neuronal development and survival. DHA is also metabolized in neural tissues to bioactive mediators. Neuroprotectin D1, a docosatriene synthesized by the lipoxygenase activity, has an anti-inflammatory property, and elovanoids formed from DHA elongation products exhibit antioxidant effects in the retina. Synaptamide, an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator synthesized from DHA in the brain, promotes neurogenesis and synaptogenesis and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. It binds to the GAIN domain of the GPR110 (ADGRF1) receptor, triggers the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway, and activates the cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB). The DHA status in the brain influences not only the PS-dependent signal transduction but also the metabolite formation and expression of pre- and post-synaptic proteins that are downstream of the CREB and affect neurotransmission. The combined actions of these processes contribute to the neurodevelopmental and neuroprotective effects of DHA.