Sterol and Squalene Content of a Docosahexaenoic-Acid-Producing Thraustochytrid: Influence of Culture Age, Temperature, and Dissolved Oxygen

Thraustochytrid strain ACEM 6063, rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, was cultured at 15°C and 20°C in high (>40%) and low (<5%) dissolved oxygen (DO), and at 25°C in low-DO media. Samples were taken 4, 2, and 0 days before each culture reached peak biomass (T₋₄, T₋₂, and T_p, respectively). Twenty sterols, 13 of which were identified, were detected. Predominant were cholest-5-en-3β-ol, 24-ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol, 24-methylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol, and 2 coeluting sterols, one of which was 24-ethylcholesta-5,7,22-trien-3β-ol. These 4 sterols comprised 50% to 90% of total sterols. Cultures grown at high DO had simpler sterol profiles than those grown at low DO. Only the 4 sterols mentioned above were present at more than 3% of total sterols in high-DO cultures. In low-DO cultures, up to 6 additional sterols were present at more than 3% of total sterols. Culture age, temperature, and DO influenced squalene and sterol content. Total sterols (as a proportion of total lipids) decreased with increasing culture age. If organisms such as ACEM 6063 are to be used for commercial production of lipid products for human consumption, both their sterol content and factors influencing sterol production need to be characterized thoroughly. Received January 8, 2001; accepted March 6, 2001.     

Evidence for similarities and differences in the biosynthesis of fungal sterols

The sterol composition of two ascomycetous fungi, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Gibberella fujikuroi, was examined by chromatographic (TLC, GLC, and HPLC) and spectral (MS and 1H-NMR) methods. Of notable importance was that both fungi produced cholesterol and a homologous series of long chain fatty alcohols (C22 to C30). In addition to ergosterol two novel sterols, ergosta-5,7, 9(11), 22-tetraenol and ergosterol endoperoxide, were isolated as minor compounds in growth-arrested cultures of yeast and in mycelia of G. fujikuroi. 24-Ethylidenelanosterol was also detected in mycelia of G. fujikuroi. A shift in sterol biosynthesis was observed by treatment with 24 (RS), 25-epiminolanosterol (an inhibitor of the S-adenosylmethionine C-24 transferase) and by monitoring the sterol composition at various stages of development. The results are interpreted to imply that the genes for 24-desalkyl, e.g., cholesterol, and 24-alkyl sterols, e.g., 24 beta- methyl cholesterol and 24-ethyl cholesterol, are distributed (but not always expressed) generally throughout the fungi but the occurrence of one or another compounds is influenced by the fitness (structure and amount) for specific sterols to act functionally during fungal ontogeny; sterol fitness is coordinated with Darwinian selection pressures.     

Effect of ay-9944 on sterol biosynthesis in Chlorella sorokiniana

When Chlorella sorokiniana was grown in the presence of 4 ppm AY-9944 total sterol production was unaltered in comparison to control cultures. However, inhibition of sterol biosynthesis was shown by the accumulation of a number of sterols which were considered to be intermediates in sterol biosynthesis. The sterols which were found in treated cultures were identified as cyclolaudenol, 4α,14α-dimethyl-9β,19-cyclo-5α-ergost-25-en-3β-ol, 4α,14α-dimethyl -5α-ergosta-8,25-dien-3β-ol, 14α-methyl-9β,19-cyclo-5α-ergost-25-en-3β-ol, 24-methylpollinastanol, 14α-methyl-5α-ergost-8-en-3β-ol, 5α-ergost -8(14)-enol, 5α-ergost-8-enol, 5α-ergosta-8(14),22-dienol, 5α-ergosta-8,22-dienol, 5α-ergosta-8,14-dienol, and 5α-ergosta-7,22-dienol, in addition to the normally occurring sterols which are ergosterol, 5α-ergost-7-enol, and ergosta-5,7-dienol.The occurrence of these sterols in the treated culture indicates that AY-9944 is an effective inhibitor of the Δ⁸ → Δ⁷ isomerase and Δ¹⁴-reductase, and also inhibits introduction of the Δ²²-double bond. The occurrence of 14α-dimethyl-5α-ergosta-8,25-dien-3β-ol and 14α-methyl-9β,19-cyclo-5α-ergost -25-en-3β-ol is reported for the first time in living organisms. The presence of 25-methylene sterols suggests that they, and not 24-methylene derivatives, are intermediates in the biosynthesis of sterols in C. sorokiniana.     

The metabolism of cycloartenol,lanosterol, 24-methylenecholesterol and fucosterol in Chlorella ellipsoidea

Lanosterol and cycloartenol labelled with tritium at C-2, and 24-methylenecholesterol and fucosterol labelled with tritium at C-2 and C-4 were fed to actively growing cultures of Chlorella ellipsoidea. Lanosterol and cycloartenol were converted to each of the five desmethyl sterols of C. ellipsoidea. Lanosterol was more efficiently incorporated than cycloartenol.Although there was some evidence for the reduction of the 24-methylene group, it was apparent that 24-methylene-cholesterol was converted primarily to the C₂₉ sterols, clionasterol and poriferasterol. Labelled fucosterol was reduced at the 24(28) double bond, producing clionasterol.     

Plant sterols: Diversity,biosynthesis, and physiological functions

Sterols, which are isoprenoid derivatives, are structural components of biological membranes. Special attention is now being given not only to their structure and function, but also to their regulatory roles in plants. Plant sterols have diverse composition; they exist as free sterols, sterol esters with higher fatty acids, sterol glycosides, and acylsterol glycosides, which are absent in animal cells. This diversity of types of phytosterols determines a wide spectrum of functions they play in plant life. Sterols are precursors of a group of plant hormones, the brassinosteroids, which regulate plant growth and development. Furthermore, sterols participate in transmembrane signal transduction by forming lipid microdomains. The predominant sterols in plants are β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. These sterols differ in the presence of a methyl or an ethyl group in the side chain at the 24th carbon atom and are named methylsterols or ethylsterols, respectively. The balance between 24-methylsterols and 24-ethylsterols is specific for individual plant species. The present review focuses on the key stages of plant sterol biosynthesis that determine the ratios between the different types of sterols, and the crosstalk between the sterol and sphingolipid pathways. The main enzymes involved in plant sterol biosynthesis are 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, C24-sterol methyltransferase, and C22-sterol desaturase. These enzymes are responsible for maintaining the optimal balance between sterols. Regulation of the ratios between the different types of sterols and sterols/sphingolipids can be of crucial importance in the responses of plants to stresses.     

Effects of the hypocholesteremic agent trifluperidol on the sterol, steryl ester, and fatty acid metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Trifluperidol (TFP), at a concentration of 100 muM, inhibited the 24-h growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by about 30%. Effects on lipid metabolism were investigated by monitoring the incorporation of [1-14C]sodium acetate into various lipid fractions after 4 and 24 h of growth in the presence of several concentrations of TFP. Although little effect was noted on the amount of free sterols, 24-h incorporation of label into steryl esters was increased two- to fourfold by 100 muM TFP. Major sterol components of the steryl ester fraction isolated from an untreated culture were zymosterol (48%) and ergosterol (24%), whereas from the TFP-treated culture delta8,24(28)-ergostadienol (66.6%) and delta8-ergostenol (14.7%) were most abundant. Free sterols present in the highest concentration in the untreated culture were ergosterol (78.2%) and lanosterol (13%); whereas delta8,22-ergostadienol (38.5%), delta8-ergostenol (35.4%), and delta8,24(28)-ergostadienol (25.4%) were the most abundant free sterols obtained from the TFP-treated culture. Thus, the major block in the sterol biosynthetic pathway in yeast appears to be delta8 leads to delta7 isomerization. In these same cultures the relative amounts of C12 and C14 acids isolated from both steryl ester and miscellaneous lipid fractions were increased more than threefold over controls.     

Manipulation by 25-azacycloartanol of the relative percentage of C10, C9 and C8 side-chain sterols in suspension cultures of bramble cells

The addition of 25-azacycloartanol to the medium of suspension cultures of bramble cells resulted, after 6 weeks of growth, in a large decrease in the percentage of C₁₀ side-chain sterols, sitosterol and isofucosterol (83 % of the total in the control, 9 % in the treated cells), and in a spectacular increase in the percentage of C₈ side-chain sterols, cycloartenol, desmosterol and cholesterol (less than 1 % in the control, 53 % in the treated cells). In addition the relative percentage of C₉ side-chain sterols, mainly 24-methylene cholesterol increased significantly (from 16 to 37 %). A secondary effect of 25-azacycloartanol consisted in an increase of the percentage of Δ²⁴ sterols and in a decrease of the percentage of sterols with a saturated side chain. These results are in agreement with an inhibition by 25-azacycloartanol of the C-24 and C-28 methyltransferases and of the Δ²⁴ reductase.     

Mechanisms of growth inhibition of Phytomonas serpens by the alkaloids tomatine and tomatidine

Phytomonas serpens are flagellates in the family Trypanosomatidae that parasitise the tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.), which results in fruits with low commercial value. The tomato glycoalkaloid tomatine and its aglycone tomatidine inhibit the growth of P. serpens in axenic cultures. Tomatine, like many other saponins, induces permeabilisation of the cell membrane and a loss of cell content, including the cytosolic enzyme pyruvate kinase. In contrast, tomatidine does not cause permeabilisation of membranes, but instead provokes morphological changes, including vacuolisation. Phytomonas treated with tomatidine show an increased accumulation of labelled neutral lipids (BODYPY-palmitic), a notable decrease in the amount of C₂₄-alkylated sterols and an increase in zymosterol content. These results are consistent with the inhibition of 24-sterol methyltransferase (SMT), which is an important enzyme that is responsible for the methylation of sterols at the 24 position. We propose that the main target of tomatidine is the sterols biosynthetic pathway, specifically, inhibition of the 24-SMT. Altogether, the results obtained in the present paper suggest a more general effect of alkaloids in trypanosomatids, which opens potential therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of the diseases caused by these pathogens.     

Transport of Sterols to the Plasma Membrane of Leek Seedlings

To investigate the intracellular transport of sterols in etiolated leek (Allium porrum L.) seedlings, in vivo pulse-chase experiments with [1-¹⁴C]acetate were performed. Then, endoplasmic reticulum-, Golgi-, and plasma membrane (PM)-enriched fractions were prepared and analyzed for the radioactivity incorporated into free sterols. In leek seedlings sterols are present as a mixture in which (24R)-24-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol is by far the major compound (around 60%). The other sterols are represented by cholest-5-en-3β-ol, 24-methyl-cholest-5-en-3β-ol, (24S)-24-ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol, and stigmasta-5,24(24¹)Z-dien-3β-ol. These compounds are shown to reside mainly in the PM. Our results clearly indicate that free sterols are actively transported from the endoplasmic reticulum to the PM during the first 60 min of chase, with kinetics very similar to that of phosphatidylserine. Such a transport was found to be decreased at low temperature (12°C) and following treatment with monensin and brefeldin A. These data are consistent with a membrane-mediated process for the intracellular transport of sterols to the PM, which likely involves the Golgi apparatus.     

Sterols of the marine sponge Petrosia weinbergi: implications for the absolute configurations of the antiviral orthoesterols and weinbersterols

The marine sponge Petrosia weinbergi was found to contain isofucosterol and clionasterol as its major sterols. The rare cyclopropyl sterol (24S,28S)-24,28-methylenestigmast-5-en-3beta-ol, previously detected as only 0.07% of the total sterols of a pelagophytic alga Pulvinaria sp., made up 6.6% of the total sterols. These sterols are believed to be the biosynthetic precursors of the antiviral orthoesterols and weinbersterols found in the same sponge. Based on the side chains of the isolated sterols, the absolute configurations of the antiviral steroid side chains are assigned to be (24R,28S)- for orthoesterol B, (24R)- for orthoesterol C, and (24S,28S)- for weinbersterols A and B.     

Accumulation of 9β,19-cyclopropyl sterols in suspension cultures of bramble cells cultured with tridemorph

The addition of tridemorph, a systemic fungicide, to the medium of suspension cultures of bramble cells resulted after 4 weeks of growth in a strong accumulation of 9β,19-cyclopropyl sterols (90% of total sterols in treated cells) and in the disappearance of δ⁵-sterols (98% of total sterols in control cells). Cycloeucalenol and 24-methylene pollinastanol (both together constitute 70% of total sterols) are the major sterols of treated cells. Tridemorph probably inhibits the cyclocucalenol-obtusifoliol isomerase. As the fungicide impairs only slightly the growth of the cells, the possibility that 9β,19-cyclopropyl sterols substitute for δ⁵-sterols in the membranes of the treated cells is considered.     

Sterol composition and biosynthetic genes of the recently discovered photosynthetic alveolate, Chromera velia (chromerida), a close relative of apicomplexans

Chromera velia is a recently discovered, photosynthetic, marine alveolate closely related to apicomplexan parasites, and more distantly to perkinsids and dinoflagellates. To date, there are no published studies on the sterols of C. velia. Because apicomplexans and perkinsids are not known to synthesize sterols de novo, but rather obtain them from their host organisms, our objective was to examine the composition of the sterols of C. velia to assess whether or not there is any commonality with dinoflagellates as the closest taxonomic group capable of synthesizing sterols de novo. Furthermore, knowledge of the sterols of C. velia may provide insight into the sterol biosynthetic capabilities of apicomplexans prior to loss of sterol biosynthesis. We have found that C. velia possesses two primary sterols, 24-ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol, and 24-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol, not common to dinoflagellates, but rather commonly found in other classes of algae and plants. In addition, we have identified computationally three genes, SMT1 (sterol-24C-methyltransferase), FDFT1 (farnesyl diphosphate farnesyl transferase, squalene synthase), and IDI1 (isopentenyl diphosphate Δ-isomerase), predicted to be involved in sterol biosynthesis by their similarity to analogous genes in other sterol-producing eukaryotes, including a number of algae.     

The effects of temperature acclimation on membrane sterols and phospholipids of Neurospora crassa

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of temperature acclimation on sterol and phospholipid biosynthesis in Neurospora crassa. Cultures grown at high (37 degrees C) and low (15 degrees C) temperatures show significant differences in free and total sterol content, sterol/phospholipid ratios and distribution of major phospholipid species in total lipids and two functionally distinct membrane fractions. The ratio of free sterols to phospholipids in total cellular lipids from 15 degrees C cultures was found to be about one-half that found at 37 degrees C, whereas sterol/phospholipid ratios of mitochondrial and microsomal membranes were found to be higher at the low growth temperature. Total sterol and phospholipid biosynthetic rates showed parallel reductions in cultures acclimating to a shift from 37 to 15 degrees C growth conditions. Distribution of [14C]acetate label into free sterols was significantly lower under these conditions, however; indicating an increase in the conversion rate of sterols to sterol esters at the lower temperature. Mitochondrial and microsomal membrane fractions showed distinct phospholipid distributions which also differed from total lipid distributions at the two growth temperatures. In each case there was a consistent decrease in phosphatidylcholine and a corresponding increase in phosphatidylethanolamine as growth temperatures were lowered.     

Oxygenation of desmosterol and cholesterol in cell cultures

In order to determine whether hydration of the delta 24 bond of desmosterol contributes to the formation of the regulatory oxysterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, [3H]desmosterol was incubated with two cultured cell lines and the labeled products were analyzed. Small amounts of 25-hydroxycholesterol were formed with Chinese hamster lung (Dede) cell cultures, but not with mouse fibroblast (L) cell cultures. Apparently, desmosterol was converted into cholesterol, a process that does not occur in L cells, before 25-hydroxycholesterol takes place. No reliable evidence could be obtained for hydration of the delta 24 bond or for the reverse reaction upon incubation of [3H]25-hydroxycholesterol. Oxygenation of desmosterol occurred in both Dede and L cell cultures to give a mixture of 24(R)- and 24(S)-25-epoxy-cholesterol. This reaction, along with the production of 7-oxygenated sterols, may account for low levels of HMG-CoA reductase repressor activity previously found to be associated with delta 24 sterols.     

Relationship of the neutral sterols and ecdysteroids of the parasitic mite,Varroa jacobsoni to those of the honey bee,Apis mellifera

The neutral sterols of the parasitic mite Varroa jacobsoni were compared with Apis mellifera carnica drone pupae. Analysis by GLC-mass spectrometry indicated mite sterols were reflective of the sterol composition of the drones; 24-methylenecholesterol was the major sterol in both species, with lesser amounts of sitosterol and isofucosterol. Cholesterol accounted for less than 1% of the total sterols. Ecdysteroid analyses indicated drones contained primarily makisterone A. In addition to makisterone A, mites contained ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone, which accounted for over 66% of the ecdysteroid detected. These results indicate that while V. jacobsoni are apparently unable to convert dietary sterols to cholesterol, they are able to produce significant amount of C(27) ecdysteroids in a low cholesterol environment.     

Sterol affinity of Candida albicans cells resistant to polyene antibiotics]

The affinity levels of sterols in the sensitive and resistant cultures of C. albicans for polyenic antibiotics were studied comparatively. The affinity level was determined by liberation of potassium under the effect of the antibiotic participating in interaction with the sterol. The protective effect of the sterol suspended in solution and included into the composition of the liposomes from egg lecithin was studied. It was found that the sterols of the resistant cultures of C. albicans had the same (or even somewhat higher) affinity to amphotericin B as those from the sensitive cultures. The data indicate that resistance of the strains studied is not based on the loss of the sterol capacity for binding polyenic antibiotics.     

Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and cell growth by 24(R,S),25-iminolanosterol and triparanol in cultured rat hepatoma cells

24(R,S),25-Iminolanosterol (IL) and triparanol added to cultures of rat hepatoma cells, H4-II-C3 (H4), interrupt the conversion of lanosterol to cholesterol and, depending on their concentrations, cause the accumulation in the cells of intermediates in the lanosterol to cholesterol conversion. At 45 microM, both substances cause the accumulation of 5 alpha-cholesta-8(9),24-dien-3 beta-ol (zymosterol), and at the low concentration of 4.5 microM, they cause the accumulation of cholesta-5.24-dien-3 beta-ol (desmosterol). The effect of intermediate concentrations of 9 or 22.5 microM of either substance is to cause the accumulation in the cells of three sterols: cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3 beta-ol, zymosterol, and desmosterol. The synthesis of these intermediary sterols, not found normally in H4 cells, is particularly pronounced in cultures kept in lipid-depleted media that contain the inhibitors and proceeds by the use of endogenous substrates at the expense of cholesterol. The synthesis of cholesterol from [14C]acetate or [2-14C]mevalonate is completely blocked by either inhibitor even at 4.5 microM. IL or triparanol inhibits the growth of H4 cells. Cells seeded into either full growth or lipid-depleted medium containing 22.5 microM IL will not grow unless the media are supplemented with low density lipoproteins (60 micrograms/ml). Supplementation of the media with 4.6 mM mevalonate does not counteract the inhibitory effect of IL on cell growth.     

Effect of AY-9944 on sterol biosynthesis in suspension cultures of bramble cells

Bramble suspension cultures normally contain Δ⁵ sterols (sitosterol, campesterol, and isofucosterol). When the cells were grown in a medium supplemented with AY-9944, their content of Δ⁵ sterols was greatly decreased and Δ⁸ sterols accumulated. Six Δ⁸ sterols, including three new compounds, (24R)-24-ethyl-5α-cholest-8-en-3β-ol, stigmasta-8,Z-24(28)-dien-3β-ol, and 4α-methyl-stigmasta-8,Z-24(28)-dien-3β-ol, were identified. AY-9944 probably inhibited the Δ⁸→Δ⁷ isomerase. A stable cell line growing permanently in an AY-supplemented medium was obtained.     

Stereochemical aspects of the biosynthesis of the side chain of 9beta, 19-cyclopropyl sterols in maize seedlings treated with tridemorph

9β, 19-Cyclopropyl sterols such as 24-methyl pollinastanol accumulate dramatically in maize (Zea mays L. var LG 11) seedlings treated with Tridemorph (2,6-dimethyl-N-tridecyl-morpholine), a systemic fungicide (M. Bladocha, P. Benveniste, Plant Physiol 1983 41: 756-762). In contrast to the situation in control plants where 24-ethyl sterols predominate largely, 24-methyl sterols were more than 98% of total cyclopropyl sterols. In addition, 24-methyl cyclopropyl sterols were a mixture of (24-R)- and (24-S)-24-methyl epimers and are similar in that respect to the 24-methyl cholesterol of control plants. The presence of two epimers at C-24 has been previously explained by the operation of two routes (M. Zakelj, L. J. Goad, Phytochemistry 1983 22: 1931-1936). One may proceed via Δ²⁴⁽²⁸⁾- and Δ²⁴⁽²⁵⁾-sterols to produce the (24-R)-24-methyl epimer. The other route may involve reduction of either a Δ²⁴⁽²⁸⁾-, a Δ²³-, or a Δ²⁵-sterol intermediate to give the (24-S)-24-methyl epimer. Such intermediates have been searched for in excised Zea mays axes grown aseptically in the presence of Tridemorph and either [5-¹⁴C]mevalonic acid, or [Me-¹⁴C]-l-methionine. Whereas Δ²⁴⁽²⁸⁾- and Δ²⁴⁽²⁵⁾-cyclopropyl sterols were found in relatively large amounts, only traces of radioactivity were associated with Δ²⁵-sterols. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the sterols from axes grown in the presence of [Me-²H₃]-l-methionine showed that Δ²⁴⁽²⁸⁾-cyclopropyl sterols contained only two ²H atoms at C-28 as expected and that the 24-methyl pollinastanol fraction contained species with two ²H atoms and no species with three ²H atoms. These results indicate that both (24-R)- and (24-S)-epimers originate from a common Δ²⁴⁽²⁸⁾ precursor. After incubation of the axis with [5-¹⁴C,(4-R)-4-³H₁]mevalonic acid, the 24-methyl pollinastanol had a ³H:¹⁴C atomic ratio of 4:6 which is consistent with the intermediacy of a Δ²⁴⁽²⁵⁾-sterol. All these data are in accordance with a pathway where Δ²⁴⁽²⁸⁾-cyclopropyl sterols are isomerized to give Δ²⁴⁽²⁵⁾-cyclopropyl sterols which in turn would be reduced nonregiospecifically to yield both (24-R)- and (24-S)-24-methyl pollinastanols. A plausible mechanism for the reduction step is discussed.     

The induced biosynthesis of 7-dehydrocholesterols in yeast: potential sources of new provitamin D3 analogs.

The effect of low concentrations of a specifically designed sterol-24-transmethylase inhibitor, 25-aza-24, 25-dihydrozymosterol (10) on sterol production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was examined. The synthesis of cholesta-5,7,22,24-tetraen-3beta-ol (4), its 7,22,24 analog (15) and the 7,24 analog (5) coupled with the availability of zymosterol (6) and cholesta-5,7,24-3beta-ol (3) derivatives facilitated a search for these sterols in cultures treated with this inhibitor. When S. cerevisiae was grown in the presence of 1.3 and 5 muM 10, it produced no ergosterol but accumulated zymosterol (6), cholesta-5,7,22,24-tetraen-3beta-ol (4) and related C27 sterols (3 and 5). These results indicate blockage of the side chain methylation that normally occurs during the biosynthesis of ergosterol in yeast by compound 10 is efficient. The cholesta-5,7,22,24-tetraen-3beta-ol is a close structural analog of provitamin D3 (7-dehydrocholesterol). The inhibited yeast thus provides a source of a potentially new provitamin D3 substitute.