Fatty acid composition of brown adipose tissue in genetically heat-tolerant FOK rats

The phospholipid fatty acid composition of brown adipose tissue (BAT) was examined in inbred heat-tolerant FOK rats and compared with that in conventional Wistar rats not previously exposed to heat. The FOK rats showed higher unsaturation states, as indicated by higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a higher unsaturation index and polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids ratio. This higher level of unsaturation was characterized by the higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. It may be concluded that the increased docosahexaenoic acid level in BAT phospholipids brings about the hyperplasia of BAT, causing an enhancement of its in vivo thermogernic activity as well as the systemic non-shivering thermogenesis observed in heat-tolerant FOK rats. Received: 17 May 2000 / Revised: 21 August 2000 / Accepted: 21 September 2000     

Fatty acid synthase drives the synthesis of phospholipids partitioning into detergent-resistant membrane microdomains

Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a key metabolic enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of long-chain saturated fatty acids. It plays a central role in the production of surfactant in fetal lungs, in the supply of fatty components of milk, and in the conversion and storage of energy in liver and adipose tissue. Remarkably high levels of FAS expression are found in the majority of human epithelial cancers. As the role of FAS in cancer cells remains largely unknown, we have initiated studies to assess the fate of newly synthesized lipids in cancer cells and have estimated the contribution of FAS to the synthesis of specific lipid classes by treating the cells with small interfering RNAs targeting FAS. Here, we show that in cancer cells FAS plays a major role in the synthesis of phospholipids partitioning into detergent-resistant membrane microdomains. These are raft-aggregates implicated in key cellular processes including signal transduction, intracellular trafficking, cell polarization, and cell migration. These findings reveal a novel role for FAS, provide important new insights into the otherwise poorly understood mechanisms underlying the control of lipid composition of membrane microdomains, and point to a link between FAS overexpression and dysregulation of membrane composition and functioning in tumor cells.     

Diets high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease fatty acid synthase protein levels in adipose tissue but do not alter other markers of adipose function and inflammation in diet-induced obese rats

This study investigates the effects of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids from different fat sources (High Oleic Canola, Canola, Canola–Flaxseed (3:1 blend), Safflower, or Soybean Oil, or a Lard-based diet) on adipose tissue function and markers of inflammation in Obese Prone rats fed high-fat (55% energy) diets for 12 weeks. Adipose tissue fatty acid composition reflected the dietary fatty acid profiles. Protein levels of fatty acid synthase, but not mRNA levels, were lower in adipose tissue of all groups compared to the Lard group. Adiponectin and fatty acid receptors GPR41 and GPR43 protein levels were also altered, but other metabolic and inflammatory mediators in adipose tissue and serum were unchanged among groups. Overall, rats fed vegetable oil- or lard-based high-fat diets appear to be largely resistant to major phenotypic changes when the dietary fat composition is altered, providing little support for the importance of specific fatty acid profiles in the context of a high-fat diet.     

White blood cell global methylation and IL-6 promoter methylation in association with diet and lifestyle risk factors in a cancer-free population

Altered levels of global DNA methylation and gene silencing through methylation of promoter regions can impact cancer risk, but little is known about their environmental determinants. We examined the association between lifestyle factors and levels of global genomic methylation and IL-6 promoter methylation in white blood cell DNA of 165 cancer-free subjects, 18–78 years old, enrolled in the COMIR (Commuting Mode and Inflammatory Response) study, New York, 2009–2010. Besides self-administrated questionnaires on diet and physical activity, we measured weight and height, white blood cell (WBC) counts, plasma levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and genomic (LINE-1) and gene-specific methylation (IL-6) by pyrosequencing in peripheral blood WBC. Mean levels of LINE-1 and IL-6 promoter methylation were 78.2% and 57.1%, respectively. In multivariate linear regression models adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, diet, physical activity, WBC counts and CRP, only dietary folate intake from fortified foods was positively associated with LINE-1 methylation. Levels of IL-6 promoter methylation were not significantly correlated with age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, physical activity or diet, including overall dietary patterns and individual food groups and nutrients. There were no apparent associations between levels of methylation and inflammation markers such as WBC counts and hs-CRP. Overall, among several lifestyle factors examined in association with DNA methylation, only dietary folate intake from fortification was associated with LINE-1 methylation. The long-term consequence of folate fortification on DNA methylation needs to be further evaluated in longitudinal settings.     

White blood cell global methylation and IL-6 promoter methylation in association with diet and lifestyle risk factors in a cancer-free population

Altered levels of global DNA methylation and gene silencing through methylation of promoter regions can impact cancer risk, but little is known about their environmental determinants. We examined the association between lifestyle factors and levels of global genomic methylation and IL-6 promoter methylation in white blood cell DNA of 165 cancer-free subjects, 18–78 years old, enrolled in the COMIR (Commuting Mode and Inflammatory Response) study, New York, 2009–2010. Besides self-administrated questionnaires on diet and physical activity, we measured weight and height, white blood cell (WBC) counts, plasma levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and genomic (LINE-1) and gene-specific methylation (IL-6) by pyrosequencing in peripheral blood WBC. Mean levels of LINE-1 and IL-6 promoter methylation were 78.2% and 57.1%, respectively. In multivariate linear regression models adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, diet, physical activity, WBC counts and CRP, only dietary folate intake from fortified foods was positively associated with LINE-1 methylation. Levels of IL-6 promoter methylation were not significantly correlated with age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, physical activity or diet, including overall dietary patterns and individual food groups and nutrients. There were no apparent associations between levels of methylation and inflammation markers such as WBC counts and hs-CRP. Overall, among several lifestyle factors examined in association with DNA methylation, only dietary folate intake from fortification was associated with LINE-1 methylation. The long-term consequence of folate fortification on DNA methylation needs to be further evaluated in longitudinal settings.     

Transacylase activity of lactating bovine mammary fatty acid synthase

An assay for the transacylation reaction catalyzed by fatty acid synthase was developed which does not require model substrates or labelled acyl-derivatives of CoA. It involves the transfer of the acyl group from unlabelled CoA to [³H]CoA. This assay shows the occurrence of transacylation at a relatively high rate with a variety of substrates that the enzyme is able to utilize. The activity is unaffected by dissociation of the enzyme or modification by iodoacetamide or 2-chloroacetyl-CoA.     

Discovery and optimization of novel piperazines as potent inhibitors of fatty acid synthase (FASN)

The discovery, structure-activity relationships, and optimization of a novel class of fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitors is reported. High throughput screening identified a series of substituted piperazines with structural features that enable interactions with many of the potency-driving regions of the FASN KR domain binding site. Derived from this series was FT113, a compound with potent biochemical and cellular activity, which translated into excellent activity in in vivo models.     

Amino acid sequence around the active serine in the acyl transferase domain of rabbit mammary fatty acid synthase

Rabbit mammary fatty acid synthase was labelled in the acyl transferase domain(s) by the formation of the O-ester intermediates after incubation with [¹⁴C]acetyl- or malonyl-CoA. Elastase peptides containing the labelled acyl groups were isolated using high performance liquid chromatography and sequenced by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. An identical peptide (acyl-Ser---Leu---Gly---Glu---Val---Ala) was obtained after labelling with acetyl- or malonyl-CoA. This confirms the hypothesis that, unlike Escherichia coli or yeast, a single transferase catalyses the transfer of both acetyl- and malonyl-groups in the mammalian complex. The sequence at this site is compared with that around the active serine in other acyl transferases and hydrolases.     

Inhibition of fatty acid synthase prevents preadipocyte differentiation

Inhibition of fatty acid synthase (FAS) reduces food intake in rodents. As adipose tissue expresses FAS, we sought to investigate the effect of reduced FAS activity on adipocyte differentiation. FAS activity was suppressed either pharmacologically or by siRNA during differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Cerulenin (10 microM), triclosan (50 microM), and C75 (50 microM) reduced dramatically visible lipid droplet accumulation, while incorporation of [1-(14C)]acetate into lipids was reduced by 75%, 70%, and 90%, respectively. Additionally, the substances reduced FAS, CEBPalpha, and PPARgamma mRNA by up to 85% compared to that of control differentiated cells. Transient transfection with FAS siRNA suppressed FAS mRNA and FAS activity, and this was accompanied by reduction of CEBPalpha and PPARgamma mRNA levels, and complete prevention of lipid accumulation. CD36, a late marker of differentiation, was also reduced. Together, these results suggest that FAS generated signals may be essential to support preadipocyte differentiation.     

Effects of olive oil polyphenols on fatty acid synthase gene expression and activity in human colorectal cancer cells

Oleuropein (OL) and hydroxytyrosol (HT), the main olive oil polyphenols, possess anti-proliferative effects in vitro. Fatty acid synthase, a key anabolic enzyme of biosynthesis of fatty acids, plays an important role in colon carcinoma development. Our aim was to investigate whether gene expression of FAS, as well as its enzymatic activity, is regulated by HT and OL in two human colon cancer cell lines, as HT-29 and SW620. In addition, we investigated the effects of these polyphenols on growth and apoptosis in these cells. FAS gene expression and activity in treated HT-29 and SW620 cells were evaluated by real-time PCR and radiochemical assay, respectively. Cell growth and apoptosis, after polyphenols treatment, were measured by MTT test and flow cytometry, respectively. The inhibition of proliferation, detected after HT treatment, was mediated by an inhibition of FAS expression and its enzymatic activity in SW620 cells, while the anti-proliferative effect in HT-29 cells seems to be independent from FAS. OL exerted an anti-proliferative effect only on SW620 cells with a mechanism which excluded FAS. Olive oil polyphenols used were able to induce apoptosis in both cell lines studied. The increase of apoptosis in these cells was accompanied by the block of cell cycle in the S phase. This study demonstrates that HT and OL may induce anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects only in certain human colorectal cancer cell types. These effects are FAS mediated only in SW620 cells after treatment with HT.     

Inhibitory effects of thioethers on fatty acid synthase and 3T3-L1 cells

Thioethers are the main flavor compounds found in Liliaceae Allium vegetables and have been shown to have beneficial effects against several diseases correlated with metabolic syndrome. The inhibitory effects of six thioethers on fatty acid synthase (FAS) were investigated. Dose-dependent and time-dependent inhibitions of FAS by one trisulfide and two disulfides were revealed. Diallyl trisulfide (DATS, IC₅₀ = 8.37 μM) was the most active of these thioethers. Inhibition kinetics, substrate protection analysis, and stoichiometric assay revealed that DATS interacted with both essential sulfhydryl groups on the acyl-carrier protein and β-ketoacyl synthase domain of FAS to inactivate the enzyme. The inactivation by DATS represented affinity-labeling kinetics. The active thioethers also inhibited the differentiation and lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, and the effect was related to their inhibition of FAS. It is suggested that the inhibition on FAS by thioethers and Allium vegetables is an important factor for their effects against metabolic syndrome.     

Fatty acid ethyl ester synthase in rat adipose tissue and its relationship to carboxylesterase.

Fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) synthase was obtained from rat adipose tissue in an electrophoretically homogeneous form. The enzyme associated with carboxylesterase activity was purified by acetone precipitation followed by successive chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, phenyl-Sepharose, and Sephadex G-100 gel. The two activities in rat adipose tissue were associated as judged by their co-elution profiles, co-purifications at different steps, co-precipitations by antibody raised against purified FAEE synthase, and identical profiles of inhibition by diisopropyl fluorophosphate. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolyses of both tri- and monoacylglycerols, and the susceptibilities of substrates increase with decreasing acyl chain length of the fatty acid moiety. Ethyl oleate-hydrolyzing activity was about one-eighth of the synthesizing activity. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 27 residues of the purified enzyme was identical to that of the carboxylesterase from rat liver. With a polyclonal rabbit antibody against the rat adipose tissue FAEE synthase, the enzyme was demonstrated in the liver, lung, and testis, but not in the kidney. The antibody removed the FAEE-synthesizing activities in adipose tissue (86%), liver (23%), lung (62%), and testis (82%). These results suggest that carboxylesterase contributes to the nonoxidative ethanol metabolism (FAEE synthesis) in various organs.     

Purification of acetohydroxy acid synthase by separation in an aqueous two-phase system

Extraction in a polyethylene glycol (PEG)–phosphate aqueous two-phase system was considered as a primary step in purification of the acetohydroxy acid synthase III large catalytic subunit from an E. coli extract. Extraction optimization was achieved by varying the system parameters. Two systems with the following weight compositions were chosen for purification: PEG-2000 (16%)–phosphate (6%) and PEG-4000 (14%)–phosphate (5.5%)–KCl (8%), both at pH 7.0 and 1 mg total protein per 1 g system. Significant purification was achieved by a single extraction step with 70% recovery of the enzyme. After an additional ion-exchange chromatography step, pure enzyme was obtained in a 50% overall yield.     

Low concentration of condensed tannins from catechu significantly inhibits fatty acid synthase and growth of MCF-7 cells

Tannins exist widely in plants, but because they precipitate proteins, scientists frequently ignore them in search of bioactive components. Catechu, a traditional astringent, is rich in tannins. In this study, we found that condensed tannins from catechu potently inhibited animal fatty acid synthase (FAS). Among them, trimeric condensed tannin showed the most potent inhibition with IC₅₀ of 0.47 μg/ml and it also exhibited strong time-dependent inhibition. Its inhibitory kinetics and reacting sites on FAS were obviously different from the known inhibitors of FAS. Furthermore, condensed tannins were found to suppress the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and the effect was related to their activity of FAS inhibition. The inhibition of both FAS activity and MCF-7 growth was exhibited by low concentrations of condensed tannins without FAS being precipitated. These results suggest tannins would be a valuable resource of bioactive substances.     

Evaluation of the inhibitory activities of aceraceous plants on fatty acid synthase

Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a very significant lipogenic enzyme participating in energy metabolism in vivo and has been reported as a potential new therapeutic target for cancer treatment. The extracts from sixteen Aceraceae were prepared to assay their inhibitory activities against duck liver FAS and their correlated antitumor bioactivity. Their inhibition of FAS was composed of a reversible fast-binding inhibition, by which 0.41 μg/mL of the A. campestre extract inhibits 50% FAS activity, and an irreversible slow-binding inhibition with inactivation rate constants, k_obs, ranging between 1.5 × 10^{? 3} and 10.6 × 10^{? 3} min^{? 1}. Three Aceraceae extracts were selected from their smaller IC₅₀ values to study different type of inhibitions against the three substrates in the FAS overall reaction. As compared with other reported FAS inhibitors including EGCG with regard to inhibition constant and IC₅₀ value, the extracts appeared to be more efficient inhibitors, and exhibited a considerable inhibition against the growth of five types of cancer cells (China patent application number 200610088901.6), which may be related to the inhibition of lipogenesis in these cells.     

Biochemistry,molecular biology,and pharmacology of fatty acid synthase,an emerging therapeutic target and diagnosis/prognosis marker

Human fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a 270-kDa cytosolic dimeric enzyme that is responsible for palmitate synthesis. FASN is slowly emerging and rediscovered as a marker for diagnosis and prognosis of human cancers. Recent studies showed that FASN is an oncogene and inhibition of FASN effectively and selectively kill cancer cells. With recent publications of the FASN crystal structure and the new development of FASN inhibitors, targeting FASN opens a new window of opportunity for metabolically combating cancers. In this article, we will review critically the recent progresses in understanding the structure, function, and the role of FASN in cancers and pharmacologically targeting FASN for human cancer treatment.     

Fatty acid analysis of triacylglycerols: Preparation of fatty acid methyl esters for gas chromatography

A method to prepare fatty acid methyl esters was developed for fatty acid analysis of triacylglycerols by gas chromatography (GC). Triacylglycerols were mixed with methanolic CH₃ONa in hexane containing a mid-polar solvent for 10 s at room temperature. Under these conditions, trioleoylglycerol was converted to methyl oleate with an average yield of 99.3%. This procedure gave reliable and reproducible data on fatty acid compositions determined by GC.