DHA mediates increased EGFR internalization and degradation.

<p>YAMC cells were incubated with untreated media or media supplemented with 50 µM BSA-complexed DHA for a total of 72 h. For the final 16–18 h, cells were incubated with low serum media (0.5% FBS). A) Cell surface proteins were labeled with EZ-Link Sulfo-NHS-SS-Biotin followed by stimulation with 25 ng/mL EGF for 0–30 min. After stimulation, cells were washed and biotin remaining on the cell surface was cleaved. Cell lysates were harvested, and biotinylated EGFR was quantified by ELISA using streptavidin coated plates and anti-EGFR antibody. B) Cell surface EGFR was assessed by treating cells the same as in A, and harvesting without stimulating with EGF or cleaving cell surface biotin. C) Cells were stimulated with 25 ng/mL EGF for 0–30 min and harvested. EGFR was immunoprecipitated from the total cell lysate, assessed by Western blotting for ubiquitin, and quantification of band intensity was performed. All results are representative of at least 3 independent experiments. Data represent mean±SEM. In (A) and (C), data are normalized to time 0. In B), data are normalized to control (no fatty acid). Statistical significance between treatments (*<i>P</i><0.05. **<i>P</i><0.01) was determined using Student’s <i>t</i>-test. C, control; DHA, docosahexaenoic acid.