Hi everyone. I've been studying my biochemistry recently, and i wanted to know if a neuron can have lipogenesis?

 

 

The question is in the title : How does the brain use lipogenesis?

 

Brain cells have alot of lipids : for the membranes, for the myelin structures and much more.

 

The problem is that neurons do not use Fatty acids in their metabolism because there is a "wall" between the blood and the neuron. (Hemato encephalic barrier if it's how you call it, i forgot..).

 

So i thought that there is no lipogenesis in the neuron cell because of that "wall". I concluded that only glia cells can produce lipids in the brain. (oligodendrocytes for example) (i'm pretty sure that oligodendrocytes are directly in contact with blood vessels in the brain)

 

Anyways, what's the real answer? please help

 

What's the use for the Smooth Endoplasmic reticulum in a neuron? I thought it's for lipogenesis...

 

 

 

Just for a memo :

 

Lipogenesis : Anabolism that goes from Acetyl-CoA ----> Fatty Acid

 

Esterification of Fatty Acids : Fatty Acid ----> Tri acyl glycerol

 

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Lipogenesis (anabolism) happens only when there is too much Acetyl CoA in a cell. But :

 

-I've learned that glucose cannot be stored in the brain. There is no glycogen in the brain. But is there lipidic droplets?

 

-How about the essential fatty acids? don't they have to reach the brain?

 

 

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This is very confusing.... Why would a neuron have a smooth endoplasmic reticulum if he doesn't do lipogenesis

 

 

 

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Thanks in advance for your answers.

Where have you got the idea that fatty acids can't cross the blood brain barrier?