秀丽线虫硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶的研究进展

硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(stearoyl-co A desaturase,SCD),也称为Δ9去饱和酶,是脂肪合成的关键酶。SCD在饱和脂肪酸(saturated fatty acids,SFAs)棕榈酸(palmitic acid,C16:0)和硬脂酸(stearic acid,C18:0)的第九和第十位碳原子间引入一个双键,分别将它们催化为单不饱和脂肪酸(monounsaturated fatty acids,MUFAs)棕榈油酸(palmitoleic acid,C16:1n-7)和油酸(oleic acid,C18:1n-9)。大量的研究表明,饱和脂肪酸与不饱和脂肪酸的正常比例对维持生物膜的流动性、信号传递、能量平衡等非常重要。SCD的表达和活性受到环境、激素、饮食及多种转录因子的影响和调控,与肥胖、糖尿病、心脑血管疾病、癌症及其它代谢性疾病相关。近几年来,秀丽线虫(Caenorhabditis elegans)成为研究脂代谢调控广受欢迎的模式动物。秀丽线虫具有三个编码SCD的基因:fat-5、fat-6和fat-7,与其它物种的scd基因具有高度同源性和保守的生物学功能,影响秀丽线虫的生长、发育、抗逆境和能量平衡等。文章主要综述了近几年来秀丽线虫SCD的相关研究进展,并对SCD未来研究的方向进行展望。     

△12-脂肪酸去饱和酶FAD2的基本特性及其在胁迫中的功能

脂肪酸去饱和酶(fatty acid desaturase,FAD)催化与载体结合的饱和脂肪酸或不饱和脂肪酸在脂酰链上形成双键.脂肪酸去饱和酶可以分为脂酰ACP去饱和酶、脂酰CoA去饱和酶和脂酰脂去饱和酶三类.而脂酰脂去饱和酶中的△12-脂肪酸去饱和酶(△12 fatty acid desaturase,FAD2)是催化脂肪酸链第12位碳原子形成双键的去饱和酶类,控制着油酸、亚油酸和其他多种不饱和脂肪酸的合成和含量.主要从△12-脂肪酸去饱和酶FAD2的基本特性和在胁迫中的功能进行了综述,并对相关研究领域的未来研究方向进行了展望.     

大鼠前体脂肪细胞分化过程中6种基因的表达时序研究

本实验分离培养SD大鼠前体脂肪细胞,以油红O染色计数法区分分化的不同阶段,采用半定量RT-PCR法检测脂肪细胞分化过程中转录因子固醇调控元件结合蛋白(sterol regulatory element binding protein,SREBP-1c)、碳水化合物反应元件结合蛋白(carbohydrate responsive element binding protein,ChREBP)以及脂肪酸合成酶(fatty acid synthase,FAS)、乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(acetyl-CoA carboxylase,ACC1)、硬酯酰辅酶A去饱和酶(stearoyl-CoA desaturase,SCD)和激素敏感脂酶(hormone sensitive lipase,HSL)基因mRNA表达水平的变化。结果表明,上述基因在前体脂肪细胞阶段均不表达,SREBP-1c、FAS在分化初期表达,SREBP-1c、ChREBP、HSL、FAS、SCD在分化中期表达,6种基因在终末分化阶段均有表达。     

蜡酯合成途径及关键酶的研究进展

蜡酯对于生物的生命活动具有重要意义,研究表明植物和动物的蜡酯合成存在保守途径。即脂酰辅酶A（fatty acyl-CoA）在脂酰辅酶A还原酶（fatty acyl-CoAreductase,FAR）的作用下还原成脂肪醇,脂肪醇和脂酰辅酶A在蜡酯合酶（wax synthase,WS）的作用下生成酯,FAR和WS是该途径的关键酶,这两个酶的结构和功能在不同物种之间表现出很大差异,目前对于这两个酶缺乏系统的归纳分析。该文综述了蜡酯合成途径及FAR和WS的序列特征、生化特性及参与的生理功能,分析了这两种酶相关研究存在的问题,旨在为昆虫的蜡酯合成研究提供参考。     

硬酯酰辅酶A去饱和酶1调控肝细胞癌脂肪酸代谢异常的作用机制

肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC)的发病率和致死率在我国位居前列。近年来,HCC的多组学研究发现,单不饱和脂肪酸的增多有利于HCC细胞脂肪酸的从头合成,而硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶1(stearoyl-CoA-Ddesaturase, SCD1)是饱和脂肪酸向不饱和脂肪酸转化的关键限速酶,SCD1活性的升高是肝细胞癌发生的主要原因之一。通过p53、Wnt/β-catenin、EGFR、自噬等途径的调节,SCD1介导的脂肪酸去饱和途径促使HCC细胞的脂肪酸代谢平衡向不饱和脂肪酸倾斜,促进癌细胞的增殖和侵袭,减少癌细胞的凋亡。干预SCD1的表达可以有效抑制HCC进展。SCD1在肝细胞癌的发展中具有重要作用,有望成为肝细胞癌的治疗靶标之一。本综述关注肝疾病中调控脂肪酸代谢的关键酶SCD1,整理分析了SCD1的表达和调控与肝的脂肪酸代谢异常及HCC发生之间的关系,SCD1与肝细胞癌主要致癌分子的作用,以及可能的SCD1干预方法。希望为深入探究肝的代谢与HCC发生及演进打开新的思路,为HCC的治疗增添新的靶点。     

沉默HDGF基因抑制HepG2细胞的增殖和脂质代谢

目的:探讨肝癌衍生生长因子(HDGF)对HepG2细胞增殖和脂质代谢的影响。方法:用脂质体包裹si RNA的方法沉默HDGF基因,用实时荧光定量PCR法和蛋白质免疫印迹法检测HDGF在mRNA和蛋白水平的变化,检测细胞总甘油三酯、胆固醇含量并用油红O染色,CCK-8检测及琼脂糖凝胶克隆形成,实时荧光定量PCR法检测脂质代谢相关酶的mRNA表达。结果:将靶向HDGF小干扰(si RNA-HDGF)转染到HepG2细胞后,可明显抑制HDGF的mRNA表达(P0.001)和蛋白表达。HDGF蛋白抑制后,细胞增殖在48 h(P0.01)、72 h(P0.001)和96 h(P0.001)均明显降低;细胞内总甘油三酯及胆固醇水平也明显降低(P0.05,P0.01)。此外,油红O染色显示细胞内脂滴有明显的减少。脂质代谢相关酶脂肪酸合成酶(FASN)、羟基-3-甲基戊二酰辅酶A还原酶(HMGCR)、硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(SCD)及ATP-柠檬酸裂解酶(ACLY)的mRNA表达均明显降低(P0.001,P0.001,P0.001,P0.01)。结论:抑制HDGF的表达可明显降低HepG2细胞内脂质代谢水平并抑制其增殖。     

羟基肉桂酰基转移酶的结构、功能与应用

羟基肉桂酰基转移酶（hydroxycinnamoyl transferase,HCT）属于植物酰基转移酶家族的一个重要分支,具有“HXXXD”和“DFGWG”两个保守序列,以多种酰基辅酶A（肉桂酰辅酶A、对香豆酰辅酶A、咖啡酰辅酶A、阿魏酰辅酶A和芥子酰辅酶A等）作为酰基供体,催化多种底物（莽草酸、奎尼酸、4 羟基苯乳酸、龙胆酸和4 羟基苯乙胺等）形成酯类或酰胺化合物。其酰基化产物可改善植物次生代谢产物的理化性质和生物活性,因此HCT被广泛应用于开发生物质能源、改良作物品种和研制抗炎药物,对植物次生代谢产物的合成与后修饰具有重要意义。本文系统介绍了HCT的序列特点、蛋白质结构特征、酰基化反应机制和其在工业、农业及医药行业的应用,并对HCT的未来发展前景进行了展望。     

SCD1在高脂饮食大鼠肝脏的表达及其与肝细胞凋亡的相关性

目的:探讨高脂饮食大鼠肝脏中硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶1(stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1,SCD1)的表达及其与肝细胞凋亡的相关性.方法:30只SD大鼠随机分成正常组和高脂组,分别给予普通饲料和高脂饲料喂养.在实验的第8w,16w和24w分批处死,观察肝细胞组织学改变,RT-PCR方法检测SCD1和丝氨酸棕榈酰转移酶(serine palmitoyl transferase,SPT)mRNA的表达,TUNEL方法观察肝细胞的凋亡.结果:肝组织HE染色显示高脂组大鼠肝脏内肝细胞呈弥漫性脂肪变性,8w即达到脂肪肝的诊断标准.RT-PCR分析结果显示高脂组SCD1 mRNA表达下降,SPTmRNA表达进行性上升.TUNEL凋亡检测表明,随着高脂饮食时间延长,肝细胞凋亡趋于严重.SCD1表达与SPT和凋亡指数(AI)之间呈负相关,SPT表达和AI指数之间呈正相关.结论:长期高脂饮食可引起肝SCD1表达下调,同时促进细胞凋亡关键基因SPT的表达,肝细胞凋亡增多.     

昆虫脂肪酸合成通路关键基因的研究进展

脂肪酸对昆虫生长、发育、繁殖、信息交流起到重要的作用。主要介绍脂肪酸合成通路中的5个关键基因,乙酰辅酶A羧化酶基因(ACC)、脂肪酸合成酶基因(FAS)、超长链脂肪酸延伸酶基因(ELO)、去饱和酶基因(desat)及脂酰辅酶A还原酶基因(FAR)在昆虫中的研究进展。     

肌肉脂肪酸转运膜蛋白及其相互关系

肌肉（骨骼肌）组织对脂肪酸的利用水平是影响机体能量稳态的关键因素.肌肉摄取的长链脂肪酸(long chain fatty acids,LCFAs)主要依赖细胞膜载体蛋白协助的跨膜转运过程.近年来,一系列与脂肪酸转运相关的膜蛋白被相继克隆鉴定,其中在肌肉中大量表达的有脂肪酸转运蛋白-1（fatty acid transport protein-1,FATP-1）、膜脂肪酸结合蛋白（plasma membrane fatty acid binding protein,FABPpm）、脂肪酸转位酶（fatty acid translocase,FAT/CD36）和小窝蛋白-1（caveolin-1）.研究上述肌肉脂肪酸转运膜蛋白的结构功能、调控机制及相互关系,可能为肥胖等脂类代谢紊乱疾病的诊治提供新的手段.     

Role of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase in lipid metabolism

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) (EC 1.14.99.5) is an endoplasmic reticulum-bound enzyme that catalyzes the delta9-cis desaturation of saturated fatty acyl-CoAs, the preferred substrates being palmitoyl- and stearoyl-CoA, which are converted to palmitoleoyl- and oleoyl-CoA, respectively. These monounsaturated fatty acids are used as substrates for the synthesis of triglycerides, wax esters, cholesteryl esters and membrane phospholipids. The saturated to monounsaturated fatty acid ratio affects membrane phospholipid composition and alteration in this ratio has been implicated in a variety of disease states including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, neurological disease, skin disorders and cancer. Thus, the expression of SCD is of physiological importance in normal and disease states. Several mammalian SCD genes have been cloned. A single human, three mouse and two rat are the best characterized SCD genes. The physiological role of each SCD isoform and the reason for having three or more SCD gene isoforms in the rodent genome are currently unknown. A clue as to the physiological role of the SCD, at least SCD1 gene and its endogenous products came from recent studies of asebia mouse strains that have a natural mutation in the SCD1 gene and a mouse model with a targeted disruption of the SCD1 gene. In this review we discuss our current understanding of the physiological role of SCD in lipid synthesis and metabolism.     

Decrease in Membrane Phospholipid Unsaturation Induces Unfolded Protein Response

Various kinds of fatty acids are distributed in membrane phospholipids in mammalian cells and tissues. The degree of fatty acid unsaturation in membrane phospholipids affects many membrane-associated functions and can be influenced by diet and by altered activities of lipid-metabolizing enzymes such as fatty acid desaturases. However, little is known about how mammalian cells respond to changes in phospholipid fatty acid composition. In this study we showed that stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) knockdown increased the amount of saturated fatty acids and decreased that of monounsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids without affecting the amount or the composition of free fatty acid and induced unfolded protein response (UPR), evidenced by increased expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) mRNAs and splicing of Xbox-binding protein 1 (XBP1) mRNA. SCD1 knockdown-induced UPR was rescued by various unsaturated fatty acids and was enhanced by saturated fatty acid. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3), which incorporates preferentially polyunsaturated fatty acids into phosphatidylcholine, was up-regulated in SCD1 knockdown cells. Knockdown of LPCAT3 synergistically enhanced UPR with SCD1 knockdown. Finally we showed that palmitic acid-induced UPR was significantly enhanced by LPCAT3 knockdown as well as SCD1 knockdown. These results suggest that a decrease in membrane phospholipid unsaturation induces UPR.     

Modulation of palmitate-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells by stearoyl-CoA desaturase and Elovl6

Induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis by elevated exogenous saturated fatty acids (FAs) plays a role in the pathogenesis of β-cell dysfunction and loss of islet mass in type 2 diabetes. Regulation of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) synthesis through FA desaturases and elongases may alter the susceptibility of β-cells to saturated FA-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Herein, stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)1 and SCD2 mRNA expression were shown to be induced in islets from prediabetic hyperinsulinemic Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, whereas SCD1, SCD2, and fatty acid elongase 6 (Elovl6) mRNA levels were markedly reduced in diabetic ZDF rat islets. Knockdown of SCD in INS-1 β-cells decreased desaturation of palmitate to MUFA, lowered FA partitioning into complex neutral lipids, and increased palmitate-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Overexpression of SCD2 increased desaturation of palmitate to MUFA and attenuated palmitate-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Knockdown of Elovl6 limited palmitate elongation to stearate, increasing palmitoleate production and attenuating palmitate-induced ER stress and apoptosis, whereas overexpression of Elovl6 increased palmitate elongation to stearate and palmitate-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Overall, these data support the hypothesis that enhanced MUFA synthesis via upregulation of SCD2 activity can protect β-cells from elevated saturated FAs, as occurs in prediabetic states. Overt type 2 diabetes is associated with diminished islet expression of SCD and Elovl6, and this can disrupt desaturation of saturated FAs to MUFAs, rendering β-cells more susceptible to saturated FA-induced ER stress and apoptosis.     

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) augments saturated fatty acid-induced lipid accumulation and inhibits apoptosis in cardiac myocytes

Mismatch between the uptake and utilization of long-chain fatty acids in the myocardium leads to abnormally high intracellular fatty acid concentration, which ultimately induces myocardial dysfunction. Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase-1 (SCD1) is a rate-limiting enzyme that converts saturated fatty acids (SFAs) to monounsaturated fatty acids. Previous studies have shown that SCD1-deficinent mice are protected from insulin resistance and diet-induced obesity; however, the role of SCD1 in the heart remains to be determined. We examined the expression of SCD1 in obese rat hearts induced by a sucrose-rich diet for 3 months. We also examined the effect of SCD1 on myocardial energy metabolism and apoptotic cell death in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes in the presence of SFAs. Here we showed that the expression of SCD1 increases 3.6-fold without measurable change in the expression of lipogenic genes in the heart of rats fed a high-sucrose diet. Forced SCD1 expression augmented palmitic acid-induced lipid accumulation, but attenuated excess fatty acid oxidation and restored reduced glucose oxidation. Of importance, SCD1 substantially inhibited SFA-induced caspase 3 activation, ceramide synthesis, diacylglycerol synthesis, apoptotic cell death, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Experiments using SCD1 siRNA confirmed these observations. Furthermore, we showed that exposure of cardiac myocytes to glucose and insulin induced SCD1 expression. Our results indicate that SCD1 is highly regulated by a metabolic syndrome component in the heart, and such induction of SCD1 serves to alleviate SFA-induced adverse fatty acid catabolism, and eventually to prevent SFAs-induced apoptosis.     

Characterization and solubilization of an acyl chain elongation system in microsomes of leek epidermal cells

Microsomes prepared from leek epidermal tissue readily elongate stearoyl-CoA to very long chain fatty acid with malonyl-CoA as the C2 unit. In the absence of stearoyl-CoA, but in the presence of ATP, microsomes elongate endogenous free fatty acids. Endogenous CoA is the source of CoA. Palmitoyl, stearoyl, and higher saturated acyl-CoAs are readily elongated by the microsomal system but oleoyl-CoA is ineffective; however, the higher monounsaturated acyl-CoAs can be elongated. Since the very long chain fatty acids of the leek epidermis are all saturated, it would appear that the reaction controlling the nature of the final acyl product is the inactivity of oleoyl-CoA as a substrate. There is no evidence that acyl carrier protein participates in the elongation reactions. Evidence is also presented suggesting that (a) there may be two elongation systems, one responsible for the conversion of stearoyl-CoA to arachidonyl-CoA and the second involved in the conversion of arachidonyl-CoA to very long chain fatty acids, and that (b) the elongation activities may be associated with a large polypeptide.     

The human bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase functions in the conjugation of fatty acids to glycine

Bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase (BACAT) catalyzes the conjugation of bile acids to glycine and taurine for excretion into bile. By use of site-directed mutagenesis and sequence comparisons, we have identified Cys-235, Asp-328, and His-362 as constituting a catalytic triad in human BACAT (hBACAT) and identifying BACAT as a member of the type I acyl-CoA thioesterase gene family. We therefore hypothesized that hBACAT may also hydrolyze fatty acyl-CoAs and/or conjugate fatty acids to glycine. We show here that recombinant hBACAT also can hydrolyze long- and very long-chain saturated acyl-CoAs (mainly C16:0-C26:0) and by mass spectrometry verified that hBACAT also conjugates fatty acids to glycine. Tissue expression studies showed strong expression of BACAT in liver, gallbladder, and the proximal and distal intestine. However, BACAT is also expressed in a variety of tissues unrelated to bile acid formation and transport, suggesting important functions also in the regulation of intracellular levels of very long-chain fatty acids. Green fluorescent protein localization experiments in human skin fibroblasts showed that the hBACAT enzyme is mainly cytosolic. Therefore, the cytosolic BACAT enzyme may play important roles in protection against toxicity by accumulation of unconjugated bile acids and non-esterified very long-chain fatty acids.     

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase and insulin signaling — What is the molecular switch?

Increasing evidence suggests that stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), the rate-limiting enzyme of monounsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, is an important factor in the pathogenesis of lipid-induced insulin resistance. Mice with a targeted disruption of the SCD1 gene have improved glucose tolerance compared to wild-type mice, despite lower fasting plasma insulin levels. Increased SCD activity has been found in insulin-resistant humans and animals, whereas SCD1 deficiency attenuates both diet- and genetically-induced impairment of insulin action. Phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues on insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrates (IRS1 and IRS2), and on Akt has been shown to be the major step in insulin signaling that is altered due to the lack of SCD1. In this review we discuss perturbations in cell signaling and lipid metabolism cascades in insulin-sensitive tissues due to SCD1 deficiency. In particular, we address the role of cellular signaling molecules including free fatty acids, ceramides, fatty acyl-CoAs, AMP-activated protein kinase, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B as well as of membrane fluidity. While the precise mechanism of SCD action on insulin signaling remains to be clarified, current findings on SCD point to a very promising novel target for the treatment of insulin resistance.