Mitochondrial overload and incomplete fatty acid oxidation contribute to skeletal muscle insulin resistance

Previous studies have suggested that insulin resistance develops secondary to diminished fat oxidation and resultant accumulation of cytosolic lipid molecules that impair insulin signaling. Contrary to this model, the present study used targeted metabolomics to find that obesity-related insulin resistance in skeletal muscle is characterized by excessive beta-oxidation, impaired switching to carbohydrate substrate during the fasted-to-fed transition, and coincident depletion of organic acid intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. In cultured myotubes, lipid-induced insulin resistance was prevented by manipulations that restrict fatty acid uptake into mitochondria. These results were recapitulated in mice lacking malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD), an enzyme that promotes mitochondrial beta-oxidation by relieving malonyl-CoA-mediated inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1. Thus, mcd(-/-) mice exhibit reduced rates of fat catabolism and resist diet-induced glucose intolerance despite high intramuscular levels of long-chain acyl-CoAs. These findings reveal a strong connection between skeletal muscle insulin resistance and lipid-induced mitochondrial stress.     

Isolation and characterization of a macromolecular complex associated with the outer acrosomal membrane of bovine spermatozoa

The acrosomal membrane of mammalian spermatozoa is segregated into domains of different structure and function. The outer acrosomal membrane of the apical and principal segments is the only domain to participate in the membrane fusion events of the acrosome reaction, but the molecular basis for this function is not resolved. In previous studies of bovine spermatozoa, we noted that a unique structural feature of the outer acrosomal membrane was an adherent layer of electron-dense material on its luminal surface (ES Surface, Branton et al., 1975). In this study, we report the isolation of this material and we describe both its structural and biochemical characteristics. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa were extracted with 1% Triton X-100 to solubilize cytoplasmic and membrane components; detergent treatment solubilized the outer acrosomal membrane but not its adherent electron-dense complex. Homogenization released this complex from the spermatozoa and it was then resolved into a homogeneous fraction by centrifugation on Percoll density gradients. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of this fraction revealed a spectrum of polypeptides including components of 290 kDa, 280 kDa, 260 kDa, 115 kDa, 81 kDa, 58 kDa, and 46 kDa and a family of interrelated components in the 34-12 kDa range. This complex possesses protein kinase activity that phosphorylates specific endogeneous polypeptides in a cAMP-independent manner. In addition, several polypeptides of the 34-12 kDa family specifically bind 125I-calmodulin. One consistent structural response of the isolated complex was that its edges wound into a spiral configuration. We speculate that this membrane-associated assembly plays a functional role in the membrane fusion events of the acrosome reaction.     

Biochemical differences between embryogenic and nonembryogenic callus of Picea abies (L.) Karst

Both embryogenic and nonembryogenic calli of Picea abies (L.) Karst. were initiated from the hypocotyl region of immature embryos. The two callus phenotypes were manually separated and subsequently maintained independently, but under identical culture conditions. Biochemical analysis of the two phenotypes revealed significant differences in ethylene evolution rate and in concentrations of glutathione and total reductants. Due to the constancy of the genetic background, age and growth conditions of the two callus types, differences in the measured quantities are not likely to be traceable to the genetic origin of the callus and serve to highlight biochemical changes associated with somatic embryogenesis in Norway spruce.Abbreviations GSH glutathione - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - BA N⁶-benzyl adenine - E embryogenic - NE nonembryogenic - NS Norway spruce     

Transmission ratio distortion results in asymmetric introgression in Louisiana Iris

Background  

Linkage maps are useful tools for examining both the genetic architecture of quantitative traits and the evolution of reproductive incompatibilities. We describe the generation of two genetic maps using reciprocal interspecific backcross 1 (BC₁) mapping populations from crosses between Iris brevicaulis and Iris fulva. These maps were constructed using expressed sequence tag (EST)- derived codominant microsatellite markers. Such a codominant marker system allowed for the ability to link the two reciprocal maps, and compare patterns of transmission ratio distortion observed between the two.     

Carnitine Insufficiency Caused by Aging and Overnutrition Compromises Mitochondrial Performance and Metabolic Control

In addition to its essential role in permitting mitochondrial import and oxidation of long chain fatty acids, carnitine also functions as an acyl group acceptor that facilitates mitochondrial export of excess carbons in the form of acylcarnitines. Recent evidence suggests carnitine requirements increase under conditions of sustained metabolic stress. Accordingly, we hypothesized that carnitine insufficiency might contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and obesity-related impairments in glucose tolerance. Consistent with this prediction whole body carnitine dimunition was identified as a common feature of insulin-resistant states such as advanced age, genetic diabetes, and diet-induced obesity. In rodents fed a lifelong (12 month) high fat diet, compromised carnitine status corresponded with increased skeletal muscle accumulation of acylcarnitine esters and diminished hepatic expression of carnitine biosynthetic genes. Diminished carnitine reserves in muscle of obese rats was accompanied by marked perturbations in mitochondrial fuel metabolism, including low rates of complete fatty acid oxidation, elevated incomplete β-oxidation, and impaired substrate switching from fatty acid to pyruvate. These mitochondrial abnormalities were reversed by 8 weeks of oral carnitine supplementation, in concert with increased tissue efflux and urinary excretion of acetylcarnitine and improvement of whole body glucose tolerance. Acetylcarnitine is produced by the mitochondrial matrix enzyme, carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT). A role for this enzyme in combating glucose intolerance was further supported by the finding that CrAT overexpression in primary human skeletal myocytes increased glucose uptake and attenuated lipid-induced suppression of glucose oxidation. These results implicate carnitine insufficiency and reduced CrAT activity as reversible components of the metabolic syndrome.Disturbances in mitochondrial genesis, morphology, and function are increasingly recognized as components of insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome (1–3). Still unclear is whether poor mitochondrial performance is a predisposing factor or a consequence of the disease process. The latter view is supported by recent animal studies linking diet-induced insulin resistance to a dysregulated mitochondrial phenotype in skeletal muscle, marked by excessive β-oxidation, impaired substrate switching during the fasted to fed transition, and coincident reduction of organic acid intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (4, 5). In these studies, both diet-induced and genetic forms of insulin resistance were specifically linked to high rates of incomplete fat oxidation and intramuscular accumulation of fatty acylcarnitines, byproducts of lipid catabolism that are produced under conditions of metabolic stress (5, 6). Most compelling, we showed that genetically engineered inhibition of fat oxidation lowered intramuscular acylcarnitine levels and preserved glucose tolerance in mice fed a high fat diet (5, 7). In aggregate, the findings established a strong connection between mitochondrial bioenergetics and insulin action while raising new questions regarding the roles of incomplete β-oxidation and acylcarnitines as potential biomarkers and/or mediators of metabolic disease.In another recent investigation we found that oral carnitine supplementation improved insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice, in parallel with a marked rise in plasma acylcarnitines (8). This occurred in three distinct models of glucose intolerance; aging, genetic diabetes, and high fat feeding (8). The antidiabetic actions of carnitine were accompanied by an increase in whole body glucose oxidation, a surprising result given that carnitine is best known for its essential role in permitting mitochondrial translocation and oxidation of long chain acyl-CoAs. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1)² executes the initial step in this process by catalyzing the reversible transesterification of long chain acyl-CoA with carnitine. The long chain acylcarnitine (LCAC) product of CPT1 traverses the inner membrane via carnitine/acylcarnitine translocase (CACT) and is then delivered to CPT2, which regenerates acyl-CoA on the matrix side of the membrane where β-oxidation occurs. Notably, however, in addition to its requisite role in fatty acid oxidation, carnitine also facilitates mitochondrial efflux of excess carbon fuels. Thus, in the event that rates of substrate catabolism exceed energy demand, accumulating acyl-CoA intermediates are converted back to acylcarnitines, which can then exit the organelle and the tissue. This aspect of carnitine function has remained relatively understudied.The finding that carnitine supplementation improved glucose tolerance while increasing circulating acylcarnitines favors the interpretation that production and efflux of these metabolites is beneficial rather than detrimental (9, 10). Thus, at present, we view these metabolites as biomarkers rather than mediators of metabolic dysfunction. Acylcarnitine accumulation in insulin-resistant skeletal muscles might reflect a failed attempt to combat “mitochondrial stress” and/or an impediment in tissue export; either of which could arise should availability of free carnitine become limiting. Fitting with this scenario, we postulated that carnitine insufficiency might contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance. To address this possibility carnitine homeostasis was examined in rodent models of obesity, diabetes, and aging. Our results show that chronic metabolic stress does indeed compromise whole body carnitine status. Low carnitine levels in severely obese rats were associated with aberrant mitochondrial fuel metabolism, whereas oral carnitine supplementation reversed these perturbations in concert with improved glucose tolerance and increased acylcarnitine efflux. Complementary studies in primary human myocytes suggest that the therapeutic actions of carnitine are mediated in part through carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT), a mitochondrial matrix enzyme that promotes glucose disposal. These findings underscore the multifaceted roles of the carnitine shuttle system, not only in permitting β-oxidation but also for maintaining mitochondrial performance and glucose homeostasis in the face of energy surplus.     

Geographical variation in postzygotic isolation and its genetic basis within and between two Mimulus species

The aim of this study is to investigate the evolution of intrinsic postzygotic isolation within and between populations of Mimulus guttatus and Mimulus nasutus. We made 17 intraspecific and interspecific crosses, across a wide geographical scale. We examined the seed germination success and pollen fertility of reciprocal F₁ and F₂ hybrids and their pure-species parents, and used biometrical genetic tests to distinguish among alternative models of inheritance. Hybrid seed inviability was sporadic in both interspecific and intraspecific crosses. For several crosses, Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities involving nuclear genes were implicated, while two interspecific crosses revealed evidence of cytonuclear interactions. Reduced hybrid pollen fertility was found to be greatly influenced by Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities in five out of six intraspecific crosses and nine out of 11 interspecific crosses. Cytonuclear incompatibilities reduced hybrid fitness in only one intraspecific and one interspecific cross. This study suggests that intrinsic postzygotic isolation is common in hybrids between these Mimulus species, yet the particular hybrid incompatibilities responsible for effecting this isolation differ among the populations tested. Hence, we conclude that they evolve and spread only at the local scale.