Linoleic acid induces mouse embryonic stem cell proliferation via Ca2+/PKC, PI3K/Akt, and MAPKs.

AIMS

This study investigated the effect of linoleic acid (LA) on cell proliferation and the related signaling cascade in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells.

MATERIALS & METHODS: To examine effects of LA, mouse ES cells (ES-E14TG2a) were used. Moreover, DNA synthesis, glucose production, protein and mRNA expressions were measured.

RESULTS

LA increased DNA synthesis in a concentration- (> or = 10(-9) M) and time- (> or = 24 h) dependent manner, as determined by [3H] thymidine incorporation and increased cell number. LA increased intracellular Ca2+ levels via regulation of phospholipase C (PLC) and activated protein kinase C (PKC). LA activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). U73122 (PLC inhibitor), staurosporine (PKC inhibitor), LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor), and Akt inhibitor blocked the phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPKs. In addition, LA stimulated gluconeogenesis through increase expression of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). LA-induced increases in the cell cycle regulatory proteins, cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, and CDK 4, were blocked by U73122, staurosporine, LY294002, Akt inhibitor, PD98059, and metformin (gluconeogenesis inhibitor).

CONCLUSION

LA stimulated cell proliferation via Ca2+, PLC/PKC, PI3K/Akt, and p44/42 MAPKs signaling pathways in mouse ES cells.