脂肪甘油三酯脂肪酶（ATGL）的生物学功能及调控机制

脂肪甘油三酯脂肪酶(ATGL)是近年来研究发现的启动脂肪动员的又一关键脂肪酶. ATGL能特异性地水解甘油三酯(TAG)的第一酯键,被认为是TAG水解过程的限速酶. ATGL在脂肪组织和非脂肪组织脂代谢过程中都发挥着重要作用,其活性和表达在细胞内受到转录水平、翻译后水平等调控.ATGL介导的脂解过程可能与肥胖、糖尿病、脂肪肝等代谢疾病存在关联.本文主要就ATGL的结构特征、生物学功能及其调控机制进行综述,并对今后的研究方向和应用进行了展望.     

ATGL研究进展

脂肪甘油三酯脂肪酶(ATGL)是脂肪组织中参与脂肪分解的脂肪酶。ATGL也被称为TTS2.2、desnutrin、iPLA2ζ或PN- PLA2,在进化过程中较保守。ATGL拥有特异性的patatin结构域。空腹时ATGL表达上调,重新摄食后表达下降。基础水平、激素刺激和过表达时均可分解甘油三酯,表达被抑制时甘油三酯分解减少。在ob/ob和db/db肥胖小鼠模型中表达量下降,表明其与肥胖、2型糖尿病、胰岛素抵抗和心血管系统疾病等严重疾病的发生可能均有关联。ATGL基因剔除小鼠研究证实其在能量代谢中发挥的重要作用;同时表明ATGL是负责细胞脂肪代谢的重要的甘油三酯脂肪酶。本文综述了ATGL的最新研究进展。     

脂肪组织甘油三酯水解酶参与脂肪分解调控

循环中游离脂肪酸增高与肥胖、胰岛素抵抗和2型糖尿病密切相关,其主要来源于脂肪细胞内甘油三酯水解.调控脂肪分解的脂肪酶主要包括激素敏感脂肪酶(hormone-sensitive lipase,HSL)和最近发现的脂肪组织甘油三酯水解酶(adipose triglyceride lipase,ATGL),后者主要分布在脂肪组织,特异水解甘油三酯为甘油二酯,其转录水平受多种因素调控.CGI-58(属于α/β水解酶家族蛋白),可以活化ATGL,基础条件下该蛋白和脂滴包被蛋白(perilipin)紧密结合于脂滴表面,蛋白激酶A激活刺激脂肪分解时,CGI-58与perilipin分离,进而活化ATGL.     

CGI-58在动物脂类代谢中的作用

细胞中脂滴(Lipid droplets, LDs)表面存在多个调控脂肪储存和分解的蛋白, 这些蛋白对机体的脂肪代谢起着很重要的调控作用。CGI-58(Comparative gene identification-58)分布在LDs表面, 属于α/β水解酶折叠家族, 是脂肪甘油三酯脂肪酶(Adipose triglyceride lipase, ATGL)和依赖酰基辅酶A溶血磷脂酸酰基转移酶(Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, LPAAT)的激活剂。在脂肪分解过程中, CGI-58结合PAT蛋白家族成员之一的脂滴包被蛋白(Perlipin)和ATGL, 促进脂肪分解, 同时CGI-58对ATGL的激活功能受脂滴包被蛋白家族成员间蛋白质与蛋白质相互作用的影响。文章结合国内外研究热点, 针对CGI-58在动物脂类代谢中的作用进行了综述。     

蛋白激酶A与脂类代谢

蛋白激酶A(protein kinase A,PKA)为重要细胞信号传导因子,在机体脂类代谢调控中发挥关键作用。PKA激活关键性脂肪水解酶,如激素敏感脂肪酶(hormone sensitive lipase,HSL)与脂肪甘油三酯脂肪酶(adipose triglyceride lipase,ATGL),以促进脂肪动员。PKA上调解偶联蛋白-1(uncoupling protein 1,UCP-1)表达,促进棕色脂肪细胞线粒体热量生成,上调机体产热量。PKA密切参与肝脏细胞脂类合成代谢调控过程。值得关注的是,PKA信号传导异常,是脂质代谢异常相关疾病,如肥胖、心脑血管疾病、2型糖尿病等疾病的重要发病机制之一。药理学研究亦显示,PKA与主要调血脂药的药理作用密切相关。本文综述五年来有关PKA参与脂类代谢调控的研究进展,以期深入了解PKA在脂类代谢中发挥的作用,并为相关疾病的诊疗提供新思路。     

下调Fsp27基因表达联合杨梅素干预对3T3-L1细胞脂解的影响

目的:下调脂肪特异性蛋白27(Fsp27)基因表达联合杨梅素干预,观察对3T3-L1细胞中脂质代谢的影响,并探究脂滴发生、发展变化的调控机制。方法:常规培养3T3-L1前脂肪细胞,采用"鸡尾酒"法诱导其分化为成熟脂肪细胞。脂质体法转染sh-Fsp27干扰载体,以杨梅素浓度为100μmol/L的完全培养基干预成熟脂肪细胞72h。油红O染色,观察脂滴形态及大小的变化;酶法测定细胞内甘油及甘油三酯的含量,观察细胞脂质代谢的变化。Western blot检测Fsp27、激素敏感性甘油三酯脂肪酶(HSL)、甘油三酯脂肪酶(ATGL)以及丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号通路蛋白的表达。结果:1. 3T3-L1细胞诱导分化后,形态由纤维样变成圆形,并伴随有细胞体积的增大。2.与对照组相比,杨梅素组和转染组细胞中甘油三酯含量下降,甘油含量升高(P 0. 05)。与其他三组相比,联合干预组细胞中甘油三酯含量减少,甘油含量增加(P 0. 05)。3.与对照组相比,其余三组细胞内Fsp27蛋白的表达量均降低,ATGL和PPARγ的表达量升高(P 0. 05)。另外,联合干预组和杨梅素组细胞内HSL的表达量和p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK的比值均大于sh-Fsp27组和对照组(P 0. 05)。结论:1. Fsp27基因沉默与杨梅素联合干预可以更大程度地促进脂肪分解代谢。2.杨梅素可通过激活MAPK信号通路,上调HSL和ATGL的蛋白表达来发挥其促脂解的作用; sh-Fsp27干扰载体通过调节PPARγ和Fsp27蛋白的表达,增加ATGL含量来加速脂肪分解。     

POMC神经元自噬与脂质体自噬

正机体脂肪动员产热,不仅依赖于脂肪酶系统,"脂质体自噬"(lipophagy)亦密切参与其中。机体重要的脂肪酶包括:脂肪甘油三酯脂酶(adipose triglyceride lipase,ATGL)和激素敏感脂肪酶(hormone-sensitive lipase,HSL),二者均可促进"脂滴动员"(lipid droplet mobilization),提高脂质分解代谢水平。最近,美国爱因斯坦医学院Nuria Martinez-Lopez等研究人员发现:"自噬相关蛋白"介导的脂质体自噬亦参与脂滴动员,而且,该过程受下丘脑代谢神经元的调控。     

下调Perilipin 1基因表达对3T3-L1细胞脂解的影响

目的:研究下调围脂滴蛋白基因(PLIN1)表达对3T3-L1细胞脂解的影响。方法:采用RNA干扰技术,构建3组阳性及1组阴性sh-PLIN1重组载体,并进行菌液PCR和DNA测序鉴定。Western blot测定PLIN1A蛋白表达,评价载体下调效果。细胞转染有效载体2天后,Bodipy 493/503染色脂滴;酶学方法测定细胞中甘油三酯和甘油含量;Western blot检测甘油三酯脂肪酶(ATGL)、激素敏感性脂肪酶(HSL)及其磷酸化蛋白(p-HSL)的表达。酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定细胞中环磷酸腺苷(c AMP)和蛋白激酶A(PKA)的浓度。结果:各sh-PLIN1干扰载体构建成功,且3组阳性载体均能显著下调PLIN1A蛋白的表达(P0.05)。转染有效载体后,与阴性转染组相比,sh-PLIN1转染组细胞中脂滴减小,甘油三酯含量降低,甘油含量升高,ATGL和HSL相对表达量显著升高(P0.05),p-HSL相对表达量及c AMP、PKA的浓度无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:下调PLIN1基因表达可加快3T3-L1细胞脂解速率,其可能通过上调ATGL和HSL的表达而实现,c AMP/PKA信号通路对其无明显调节作用。     

骨骼肌的脂质代谢及其与胰岛素抵抗的研究进展

一系列的研究表明骨骼肌细胞内甘油三酯(intramyocellular triacyglycerol,IMTG)和胰岛素抵抗之间有密切联系。许多因素可调控IMTG的动态变化,如甘油三酯水解酶、激素敏感性脂肪酶、甘油一酯脂肪酶和脂滴结合蛋白等。而IMTG的代谢中间产物甘油二酯、神经酰胺和脂肪酸在骨骼肌中的聚集也与胰岛素抵抗密切相关。脂滴和线粒体对于细胞内甘油三酯及其代谢产物的周转速度起关键作用,对胰岛素抵抗也起着重要的作用。     

一种调控脂解的重要蛋白——围脂滴蛋白(Perilipin)

围脂滴蛋白（perilipin）是脂滴相关蛋白家族的核心成员之一,是定位于脂滴表面的高磷酸化的蛋白,对脂肪组织中甘油三酯的代谢有双重调节作用,既可通过阻止脂肪酶接近脂滴降低基础状态下的脂解,又可促进激素刺激的脂肪分解.Perilipin在脂代谢中发挥重要作用,其表达调控可能与肥胖及其相关代谢疾病如糖尿病、胰岛素抵抗等有重要关系.本文主要介绍了perilipin的发现、命名、结构特征以及激素和转录因子对perilipin的调控,并阐述了其与相关脂肪酶间的相互作用.目前的研究主要集中于围脂滴蛋白（perilipin）和激素敏感脂肪酶（HSL）之间,与新近发现的脂肪酶脂肪三酰甘油脂酶（ATGL）的相互作用则有待于进一步研究.     

启动脂肪细胞脂动员过程的新成员ATGL

 过去近20年里,激素敏感脂酶（HSL）一直被认为是脂肪细胞脂动员过程中唯一的脂肪水解限速酶,但随着HSL基因敲除鼠的出现,其限速作用受到了质疑.脂肪甘油三酯脂酶（adipose triglyceride lipase,ATGL)是随后发现的启动脂动员的又一个脂肪分解酶.本文就ATGL基因的结构和功能特征、表达及其调控途径和影响因素等方面的研究进展进行了综述,并对今后的研究方向和应用做了展望.     

Adipose triglyceride lipase activity is inhibited by long-chain acyl-coenzyme A

Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is required for efficient mobilization of triglyceride (TG) stores in adipose tissue and non-adipose tissues. Therefore, ATGL strongly determines the availability of fatty acids for metabolic reactions. ATGL activity is regulated by a complex network of lipolytic and anti-lipolytic hormones. These signals control enzyme expression and the interaction of ATGL with the regulatory proteins CGI-58 and G0S2. Up to date, it was unknown whether ATGL activity is also controlled by lipid intermediates generated during lipolysis. Here we show that ATGL activity is inhibited by long-chain acyl-CoAs in a non-competitive manner, similar as previously shown for hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), the rate-limiting enzyme for diglyceride breakdown in adipose tissue. ATGL activity is only marginally inhibited by medium-chain acyl-CoAs, diglycerides, monoglycerides, and free fatty acids. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that acyl-CoAs do not disrupt the protein–protein interaction of ATGL and its co-activator CGI-58. Furthermore, inhibition of ATGL is independent of the presence of CGI-58 and occurs directly at the N-terminal patatin-like phospholipase domain of the enzyme. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhibition of the major lipolytic enzymes ATGL and HSL by long-chain acyl-CoAs could represent an effective feedback mechanism controlling lipolysis and protecting cells from lipotoxic concentrations of fatty acids and fatty acid-derived lipid metabolites.     

Several agents and pathways regulate lipolysis in adipocytes

Adipose tissue is the only tissue capable of hydrolyzing its stores of triacylglycerol (TAG) and of mobilizing fatty acids and glycerol in the bloodstream so that they can be used by other tissues. The full hydrolysis of TAG depends on the activity of three enzymes, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and monoacylglycerol lipase, each of which possesses a distinct regulatory mechanism. Although more is known about HSL than about the other two enzymes, it has recently been shown that HLS and ATGL can be activated simultaneously, such that the mechanism that enables HSL to access the surface of lipid droplets also permits the stimulation of ATGL. The classical pathway of lipolysis activation in adipocytes is cAMP-dependent. The production of cAMP is modulated by G-protein-coupled receptors of the Gs/Gi family and cAMP degradation is regulated by phosphodiesterase. However, other pathways that activate TAG hydrolysis are currently under investigation. Lipolysis can also be started by G-protein-coupled receptors of the Gq family, through molecular mechanisms that involve phospholipase C, calmodulin and protein kinase C. There is also evidence that increased lipolytic activity in adipocytes occurs after stimulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway or after cGMP accumulation and activation of protein kinase G. Several agents contribute to the control of lipolysis in adipocytes by modulating the activity of HSL and ATGL. In this review, we have summarized the signalling pathways activated by several agents involved in the regulation of TAG hydrolysis in adipocytes.     

Newly developed selective immunoinactivation assay revealed reduction in adipose triglyceride lipase activity in peripheral leucocytes from patients with idiopathic triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy

Triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TGCV) is a rare and newly identified disease among patients requiring cardiac transplantation. TGCV is characterized by cardiomyocyte steatosis and triglyceride (TG)-deposit atherosclerosis, resulting from the abnormal intracellular metabolism of TG. TGCV is classified into primary and idiopathic types. Primary TGCV carries ultra-rare genetic mutations in the adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), a rate-liming enzyme that hydrolyzes intracellular TG in adipose and non-adipose tissues. Idiopathic TGCV, first identified among autopsied individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) with severe heart diseases, shows no ATGL mutations and its causes and underlying mechanisms are still unknown. TGCV is difficult to diagnose in daily clinics, thereby demanding feasible diagnostic procedures. We aimed to develop an assay to measure ATGL activity using peripheral leucocytes. Human his6-ATGL was expressed in COS1 cells, purified to homogeneity, and used to raise a polyclonal antibody neutralizing TG-hydrolyzing activity of ATGL. We developed a selective immunoinactivation assay (SIIA) for the quantitation of ATGL activity in cell lysates of leucocytes by the antibody neutralizing ATGL activities. ATGL activity was measured in 13 idiopathic TGCV patients, with two patients with primary TGCV as the negative control. Healthy (non-DM) and DM controls without heart diseases were also subjected. The developed SIIA assay revealed significant reduction in ATGL activity in leucocytes from patients with idiopathic TGCV who did not carry ATGL mutations as compared with non-DM and DM controls. Thus, ATGL in leucocytes may be an important biomarker for the diagnosis of TGCV and our assay may provide insights into pathophysiology and elucidate the underlying mechanism of TGCV and related disorders.     

Adipose triglyceride lipase promotes the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells via enhancing the lipolytic pathway

Abnormal lipid metabolism is the sign of tumour cells. Previous researches have revealed that the lipolytic pathway may contribute to the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) role in CRC cells remains unclear. Here, we find that elevated ATGL positively correlates with CRC clinical stages and negatively associates with overall survival. Overexpression of ATGL significantly promotes CRC cell proliferation, while knockdown of ATGL inhibits the proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of CRC cells in vitro. Moreover, in vivo experiments, ATGL promotes the growth of CRC cells. Mechanistically, ATGL enhances the carcinogenic function of CRC cells via promoting sphingolipid metabolism and CoA biosynthesis pathway-related gene levels by degrading triglycerides, which provides adequate nutrition for the progression of CRC. Our researches clarify for the first time that ATGL is a novel oncogene in CRC and may provide an important prognostic factor and therapeutic target for CRC.     

Downregulation of adipose triglyceride lipase in the heart aggravates diabetic cardiomyopathy in db/db mice

Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) was recently identified as a rate-limiting triglyceride (TG) lipase and its activity is stimulated by comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58). Mutations in the ATGL or CGI-58 genes are associated with neutral lipid storage diseases characterized by the accumulation of TG in multiple tissues. The cardiac phenotype, known as triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy, is characterized by TG accumulation in coronary atherosclerotic lesions and in the myocardium. Recent reports showed that myocardial TG accumulation is significantly higher in patients with diabetes and is associated with impaired left ventricular diastolic function. Therefore, we investigated the roles of ATGL and CGI-58 in the development of myocardial steatosis in the diabetic state. Histological examination with oil red O staining showed marked lipid deposition in the hearts of diabetic fatty db/db mice. Cardiac triglyceride and diglyceride contents were greater in db/db mice than in db/+ control mice. Next, we determined the expression of genes and proteins that affect lipid metabolism, and found that ATGL and CGI-58 expression levels were decreased in the hearts of db/db mice. We also found increased expression of genes regulating triglyceride synthesis (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, monoacylglycerol acyltransferases, and diacylglycerol acyltransferases) in db/db mice. Regarding key modulators of apoptosis, PKC activity, and oxidative stress, we found that Bcl-2 levels were lower and that phosphorylated PKC and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels were higher in db/db hearts. These results suggest that reduced ATGL and CGI-58 expression and increased TG synthesis may exacerbate myocardial steatosis and oxidative stress, thereby promoting cardiac apoptosis in diabetic mice.     

Adipocyte triglyceride lipase expression in human obesity

We have investigated the gene and protein expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and triglyceride (TG) lipase activity from subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue of lean and obese subjects. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained from 16 age-matched lean and obese subjects during abdominal surgery. Tissues were analyzed for mRNA expression of lipolytic enzymes by real-time quantitative PCR. ATGL protein content was assessed by Western blot and TG lipase activity by radiometric assessment. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue of obese subjects had elevated mRNA expression of PNPLA2 (ATGL) and other lipases including PNPLA3, PNPLA4, CES1, and LYPLAL1 (P < 0.05). Surprisingly, ATGL protein expression and TG lipase activity were reduced in subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese subjects. Immunoprecipitation of ATGL reduced total TG lipase activity in adipose lysates by 70% in obese and 83% in lean subjects. No significant differences in the ATGL activator CGI-58 mRNA levels (ABHD5) were associated with obesity. These data demonstrate that ATGL is important for efficient TG lipase activity in humans. They also demonstrate reduced ATGL protein expression and TG lipase activity despite increased mRNA expression of ATGL and other novel lipolytic enzymes in obesity. The lack of correlation between ATGL protein content and in vitro TG lipase activity indicates that small decrements in ATGL protein expression are not responsible for the reduction in TG lipase activity observed here in obesity, and that posttranslational modifications may be important.     

ATGL has a key role in lipid droplet/adiposome degradation in mammalian cells

Lipid droplets (LDs), also called adiposomes, are found in many eukaryotic cells, and are highly upregulated in lipid-storage cells, such as adipocytes. The mechanism by which adiposomes and their component neutral lipids are degraded is an important health issue with the rapidly spreading epidemic of obesity. Recently, a novel triglyceride lipase (adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL)) that catalyses the initial step in triglyceride hydrolysis in adipocyte LDs was identified. Here, we show that ATGL also functions in non-adipocyte cells, and has an important role in LD degradation in these cells. Overexpression of wild-type ATGL causes a marked decrease in LD size, whereas a catalytically inactive mutant retains the ability to localize to LDs, but is unable to decrease their size. Depletion of ATGL by RNA interference leads to a significant increase in the size of LDs. These results show that ATGL has an important role in LD/adiposome turnover in mammalian cells.