小桐子甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶（JcGPAT）cDNA的克隆与序列分析

甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶是植物生物合成储存油脂过程中的关键酶,对油料作物种子含油量具有重要的限制作用。本研究以植物甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶同源基因的保守区域序列为基础,设计简并引物,结合RACE技术,从能源植物小桐子种子中克隆获得JcGPAT基因的cDNA全长序列（GenBank登录号HQ395225）。JcGPAT cDNA核苷酸序列长度为1672bp,开放阅读框为1125bp,编码375个氨基酸。该基因具有明显的GPAT基因结构域,其编码的氨基酸序列与油桐、蓖麻等植物具有很高的同源性。RT-PCR表达分析表明,该基因在小桐子发育的种子、叶、根尖等多个组织表达。     

甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶(GPATs)的研究进展北大核心CSCD

甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶(glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases,GPATs)催化甘油三酯和甘油磷脂合成的第一步反应。目前在哺乳动物已发现四种亚型GPAT1-4,其中GPAT1和GPAT2定位于线粒体外膜,而GPAT3和GPAT4定位于内质网。GPATs在调节细胞甘油三酯和磷脂含量中起着重要的作用。基因过表达和敲除实验证实GPATs在肝脏脂肪变性、胰岛素抵抗和肥胖的发生发展过程中起着重要作用,并且部分亚型影响泌乳、精子发生等过程。本文将就GPATs各亚型的功能特点进行综述。     

甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶在植物脂质代谢、生长及逆境反应中的作用

甘油脂质是高等植物中含量最丰富的脂质,其种类包括磷脂、糖脂、油脂及胞外脂质等,广泛参与不同的生物过程。甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶(GPAT)利用各种脂肪族酰基或其衍生物作为底物催化甘油-3-磷酸(G3P)脂酰基化反应形成溶血磷脂酸(LPA),是脂质合成代谢途径中的限速酶。植物GPAT家族含有多个成员,根据其亚细胞定位、酶活性及底物选择性,拟南芥GPAT家族10个成员可分为3类。不同的GPAT具有独特的分子结构、活性调控及时空分布,并参与膜磷脂、甘油三脂、角质及软木脂合成代谢过程。研究表明极具分子异质性的GPAT在植物生长、发育和逆境胁迫反应过程中发挥着重要作用。     

甘油-3磷酸转酰酶氨基酸与植物抗冷性关系初探

甘油 - 3磷酸转酰酶 (GPAT)与植物抗冷性密切相关。南瓜 (Cucurbitamoschata)与黑子南瓜 (Cucurbitaficifolia)同属不同种 ,亲缘关系较近 ,但却存在显著的抗冷性差异。南瓜及黑子南瓜GPAT基因的克隆 ,可以使我们从二者推导的有限氨基酸的差异中对GPAT氨基酸组成及其与植物抗冷性作一定的探讨。发现在南瓜与黑子南瓜 13个不同的氨基酸残基中有 3个与抗冷性植物拟南芥菜 (Arabidopsisthaliana)、豌豆 (Pisumsativum)、红花 (Carthamustincto rius)和菠菜 (Spinaciaoleracea)等相同 ,可能与黑子南瓜比南瓜更具抗冷性的原因有关。比较南瓜、黑子南瓜、豌豆、红花、拟南芥菜和菠菜等植物中GPAT基因推导的氨基酸序列发现 ,在比较抗冷的拟南芥菜、红花、豌豆和菠菜等植物中 ,虽然它们之间的亲缘关系都比较远 ,但某些位点上的氨基酸残基却完全相同 ,而与南瓜等抗冷性较差的植物不同 ,这些位点的氨基酸残基可能也与GPAT对底物酰基的选择性有关。     

植物二酰甘油酰基转移酶基因(DGAT)研究进展

三酰甘油(TAG)是油料作物最主要的储藏脂类,二酰甘油酰基转移酶(DGAT,EC2.3.1.20)是TAG合成途径的限速酶,其主要作用是催化二酰甘油加上酰基脂肪酸形成三酰甘油.在植物中已发现了3种不同类型的DGAT基因,分别为DGAT1、DGAT2和DGAT3.该文对近年来国内外有关植物DGAT相关基因及其蛋白分类、定位、结构及其在脂肪酸合成、种子发育与萌发、幼苗发育、叶片新陈代谢等过程中的作用等研究进展进行综述.为提高油料作物种子油含量以及特定脂肪酸积累提供理论参考.     

拟南芥TAG1 基因对脂类合成调控作用的研究进展

三酰甘油(TAG)是真核生物中能量贮存的最主要形式。植物中贮存的三酰甘油是食用油类和工业用油的主要来源。TAG1基因的表达产物甘油二酯酰基转移酶(DGAT)能够调控三酰甘油的合成。as11是TAG1基因突变获得的脂类代谢相关突变体。该文概述了拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)突变体as11的生物学特征及TAG1基因对脂类合成调控的最新进展。     

冷胁迫下王百合GPAT基因保守区克隆及表达分析

以王百合为试验材料,通过同源克隆和巢式PCR方法从4℃低温诱导的王百合试管苗中分离得到了王百合GPAT基因的保守区序列,采用DNAman软件和BLASTN对该序列进行分析并分别从蛋白和基因角度分析了GPAT基因在4℃冷诱导情况下的表达情况.结果显示:(1)该保守区长744 bp,推测其编码247个氨基酸,氨基酸序列存在1个高度保守的区域(WIAPSGGRDRP),经过Blast比对分析发现,该保守区序列为LPLAT基因超级家族酶类的催化活性区,此家族多为催化酰基辅酶A(acylCoAs)或者酰基载体蛋白(acylACPs)中的酰基与受体蛋白结合的酰基转移酶类.(2)冷诱导促进GPAT基因的表达,随冷诱导时间延长,基因表达量不断增大,诱导4 h有大量表达,16 h表达量达到最高,16 h之后表达量随着冷诱导时间的延长逐渐下降,72 h时的表达量与0 h处理时基本一致.研究表明,GPAT在百合抵抗冷胁迫的过程中具有重要的作用.     

油葵HaGPAT1基因的克隆及表达分析

该研究利用RT-PCR技术,从油葵(Helianthus annuus L.)种子中克隆了甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶(GPAT)基因(HaGPAT1),对其进行生物信息学分析,并通过实时荧光定量PCR技术(qRT-PCR)检测该基因在不同组织、种子不同发育时期以及不同胁迫条件下的表达特征。结果表明:HaGPAT1基因全长为1 656bp,编码551个氨基酸,相对分子量为62.132kD,等电点为8.84。系统进化树分析表明,HaGPAT1蛋白与高等植物莴苣的GPAT1亲缘关系最近。qRT-PCR分析表明,HaGPAT1基因在油葵花蕊中的表达水平最高,开花后17d的种子中次之;在干旱和盐胁迫条件下,HaGPAT1基因的表达水平均显著上调。研究推测,HaGAT1基因可能在油葵花器官发育中发挥重要作用,并且参与了油葵对干旱和高盐的抗性调节。     

拟南芥TAG1基因对脂类合成调控作用的研究进展

三酰甘油（TAG）是真核生物中能量贮存的最主要形式。植物中贮存的三酰甘油是食用油类和工业用油的主要来源。TAG1基因的表达产物甘油二酯酰基转移酶（DGAT）能够调控三酰甘油的合成。as11是TAG1基因突变获得的脂类代谢相关突变体。该文概述了拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）突变体as11的生物学特征及TAG1基因对脂类合成调控的最新进展。     

长柔毛野豌豆编码甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶基因的克隆及序列分析

甘油－3－磷酸酰基转移酶（GPAT）基因与植物抗冷性密切相关。克隆到的长柔毛野豌豆（Vicia villosa)GPAT基因的编码区完整的cDNA片段长1377bp,编码458个氨基酸残基,与蚕豆（Vicia faba)和豌豆（Pissum sativum)比较,其核苷酸序列的同源性分别为94．1％和93．3％,氨基酸序列的同源性分别为96．9％和98．0％。     

Thematic review series: glycerolipids. Mammalian glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases: new genes for an old activity

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases (GPATs; EC2.3.1.15) catalyze the first step in the de novo synthesis of neutral lipids (triglycerides) and glycerophospholipids. The existence of multiple enzyme isoforms with GPAT activity was predicted many years ago when GPAT activities with distinct kinetic profiles and sensitivity to inhibitors were characterized in two subcellular compartments, mitochondria and microsomes. We now know that mammals have at least four GPAT isoforms with distinct tissue distribution and function. GPAT1 is the major mitochondrial GPAT isoform and is characterized by its resistance to sulfhydryl-modifying reagents, such as N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). GPAT2 is a minor NEM-sensitive mitochondrial isoform. The activity referred to as microsomal GPAT is encoded by two closely related genes, GPAT3 and GPAT4. GPAT isoforms are important regulators of cellular triglyceride and phospholipid content, and may channel fatty acids toward particular metabolic fates. Overexpression and knock-out studies suggest that GPAT isoforms can play important roles in the development of hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and obesity; GPAT isoforms are also important for lactation. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on mammalian GPAT isoforms.     

sn-Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases in plants

sn-Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) catalyzes the acylation at sn-1 position of glycerol-3-phosphate to produce lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA is an important intermediate for the formation of different types of acyl-lipids, such as extracellular lipid polyesters, storage and membrane lipids. Three types of GPAT have been found in plants, localizing to the plastid, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. These GPATs are involved in several lipid biosynthetic pathways and play important biological roles in plant development. In the present review, we will focus on the recent progress in studying the physiological functions of GPATs and their metabolic roles in glycerolipid biosynthesis.     

Identification and expression analysis of GPAT family genes during early development of Xenopus laevis

Production of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is the first step in the de novo pathway for glycerolipid biosynthesis, which is mainly catalyzed by the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases (GPATs; EC2.3.1.15). DHAPAT (EC2.3.1.42) also contributes in a minor way, using dihydroxyacetone phosphate as substrate. Final products and intermediates of the glycerolipid synthesis pathway are the main structural components of cellular membranes, and provide signalling molecules that regulate diverse biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation and growth. Here we identified the four orthologs of the mammalian GPATs (1-4) and DHAPAT in Xenopus, including a novel, short variant of GPAT2, and analyzed their expression pattern during embryonic development. Xenopus GPAT1/2 localized to mitochondria, while GPAT3/4 associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. All are similarly expressed in the early embryonic nervous system. A more tissue specific pattern emerges during organogenesis, including liver expression for GPAT1/4, and testis expression for GPAT2. All acyltransferases were expressed in kidney, though GPAT3 was excluded from the pronephric ducts. Our results suggest important roles of GPATs and DHAPAT during early organogenesis.     

Identification of a novel sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase isoform, GPAT4, as the enzyme deficient in Agpat6-/- mice

Elucidation of the metabolic pathways of triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis is critical to the understanding of chronic metabolic disorders such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. sn-Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) and sn-1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT) catalyze the first and second steps in de novo TAG synthesis. AGPAT6 is one of eight AGPAT isoforms identified through sequence homology, but the enzyme activity for AGPAT6 has not been confirmed. We found that in liver and brown adipose tissue from Agpat6-deficient (Agpat6(-/-)) mice, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-sensitive GPAT specific activity was 65% lower than in tissues from wild-type mice, but AGPAT specific activity was similar. Overexpression of Agpat6 in Cos-7 cells increased an NEM-sensitive GPAT specific activity, but AGPAT specific activity was not increased. Agpat6 and Gpat1 overexpression in Cos-7 cells increased the incorporation of [(14)C]oleate into diacylglycerol (DAG) or into DAG and TAG, respectively, suggesting that the lysophosphatidic acid, phosphatidic acid, and DAG intermediates initiated by each of these isoforms lie in different cellular pools. Together, these data show that "Agpat6(-/-) mice" are actually deficient in a novel NEM-sensitive GPAT, GPAT4, and indicate that the alterations in lipid metabolism in adipose tissue, liver, and mammary epithelium of these mice are attributable to the absence of GPAT4.     

Controlling lipid fluxes at glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase step in yeast: unique contribution of Gat1p to oleic acid-induced lipid particle formation

The ability to channel excess fatty acids into neutral lipids like triacylglycerol (TAG) is a critical strategy used by cells to maintain lipid homeostasis. Upon activation to acyl-CoA, fatty acids become readily available as substrates for acyltransferases involved in neutral lipid synthesis. Neutral lipids are then packed into organelles derived from the endoplasmic reticulum called lipid particles (LPs). The first acylation step in the de novo pathway for TAG synthesis is catalyzed by glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases (GPATs). Two isoforms, Gat1p/Gpt2p and Gat2p/Sct1p, are present in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Previous evidence indicated that these enzymes contribute differentially to the synthesis of TAG in actively growing cells. In this work we studied the role of the yeast GPATs in the formation of LPs induced by a surplus of oleic acid. Yeast lacking Gat1p (but not Gat2p) were sensitive to oleate and failed to accumulate LPs induced by this unsaturated fatty acid. It is shown that oleate induces dephosphorylation of Gat1p as well as an increment in its levels. Most importantly, we identified novel Gat1p crescent structures that are formed in the presence of oleate. These structures are connected with the endoplasmic reticulum and are intimately associated with LPs. No such structures were observed for Gat2p. A crucial point of control of lipid fluxes at the GPAT step is proposed.     

Glycerol-3-Phosphate Acyltransferases Gat1p and Gat2p Are Microsomal Phosphoproteins with Differential Contributions to Polarized Cell Growth

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) catalyzes the initial step in the synthesis of all glycerolipids. It is the committed and rate-limiting step and is redundant in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mammals, and plants. GPAT controls the formation of lipid intermediates that serve not only as precursors of more-complex lipids but also as intracellular signaling molecules. Saccharomyces cerevisiae possesses two GPATs, encoded by the GAT1 and GAT2 genes. Metabolic analysis of yeast lacking either GAT1 or GAT2 indicated partitioning of the two main branches of phospholipid synthesis at the initial and rate-limiting GPAT step. We are particularly interested in identifying molecular determinants mediating lipid metabolic pathway partitioning; therefore, as a starting point, we have performed a detailed study of Gat1p and Gat2p cellular localization. We have compared Gat1p and Gat2p localization by fluorescence microscopy and subcellular fractionation using equilibrium density gradients. Our results indicate Gat1p and Gat2p overlap mostly in their localization and are in fact microsomal GPATs, localized to both perinuclear and cortical endoplasmic reticula in actively proliferating cells. A more detailed analysis suggests a differential enrichment of Gat1p and Gat2p in distinct ER fractions. Furthermore, overexpression of these enzymes in the absence of endogenous GPATs induces proliferation of distinct ER arrays, differentially affecting cortical ER morphology and polarized cell growth. In addition, our studies also uncovered a dynamic posttranslational regulation of Gat1p and Gat2p and a compensation mechanism through phosphorylation that responds to a cellular GPAT imbalance.The first step in the synthesis of almost all membrane phospholipids and neutral glycerolipids is catalyzed by glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases (GPATs; EC 2.3.1.15). This enzyme transfers a fatty acid from fatty acyl coenzyme A to the sn-1 position of glycerol-3-phosphate to produce lysophosphatidic acid (LysoPA). LysoPA is further acylated at the sn-2 position by a separate acyltransferase to produce phosphatidic acid (PA). PA can be either (i) dephosphorylated to produce diacylglycerol (DAG) or (ii) converted to CDP-DAG. These lipids not only are precursors of all glycerolipids but also are dynamic components of signal transduction systems that control cell physiology. Regulated interconversion of signaling lipids like LysoPA, PA, and DAG transmits information in part by their biophysical properties (5) and through lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions (18, 23, 29). The mechanisms of the regulation of PA biosynthesis, of the rate-limiting GPAT step, and of lipid metabolic pathway partitioning are not known (8, 12).GPATs are present in bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. We and others have previously identified a unique gene pair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, YKR067W (GAT1/GPT2) and YBL011W (GAT2/SCT1), and demonstrated that they code for the major GPATs in this organism (32, 34). Bioinformatic approaches, using a region conserved between the yeast GPATs and other fatty acid acyltransferases as a query, identified seven members of the GPAT family in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana (33). A substantial level of redundancy is also found in animals. Four mammalian GPAT isoforms have been identified to date, each encoded by a different gene. Two are localized in the mitochondria (mitochondrial GPAT1 [mtGPAT1] and mtGPAT2) (4, 20) and two in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (microsomal GPAT3 and GPAT4) (4, 24). The existence of additional genes encoding proteins with GPAT activity has been suggested (12).Thus, the emerging picture indicates that the traditional PA biosynthetic pathway in most eukaryotes is divided into many more parts that were recently believed and opens the possibility of each GPAT having a differential contribution to specific pools of LysoPA, PA, and DAG. In this regard, metabolic analysis of yeast containing an inactivated GAT1 gene or an inactivated GAT2 gene indicated that Gat2p is the primary supplier of DAG, used mainly in triacylglycerol synthesis and phosphatidylcholine synthesis through the CDP-choline pathway (32). These results indicated partitioning of the two main branches of phospholipid synthesis at the initial and rate-limiting GPAT step (Fig. ​(Fig.11).Open in a separate windowFIG. 1.Differential partitioning of glycerolipids metabolized by separate GPATs in yeast. PC, phosphatidylcholine; PE, phosphatidylethanolamine; PS, phosphatidylserine; PI, phosphatidylinositol; TAG, triacylglycerol; LPAAT, LysoPA acyltransferase; CoA, coenzyme A.We are particularly interested in identifying molecular determinants mediating lipid metabolic pathway partitioning. Elucidation of how lipid metabolic systems are spatiotemporally regulated is a major challenge for the field (29).It is well known that within eukaryotic cells, the synthesis of lipids is restricted, and localization of biosynthetic systems is in fact the first determinant of the distinct compositions of organelles. One plausible explanation for the differential contribution of Gat1p and Gat2p to lipid metabolic pathway partitioning is that they are localized to different subcellular compartments.To explore this possibility, we have compared Gat1p and Gat2p subcellular localization by fluorescence microscopy and subcellular fractionation using equilibrium density gradients. Biochemical assays have previously pointed out that GPAT activity in yeast is distributed between microsomal fractions and lipid particles (1, 2). Furthermore, a global green fluorescent protein (GFP) localization study in yeast indicated that Gat1p and Gat2p localize primarily to the ER, but it was not determined whether the Gat1-GFP and Gat2-GFP proteins were functional (1, 2, 11). Our results indicate that Gat1p and Gat2p are in fact microsomal GPATs, localized to both perinuclear and cortical ER in exponentially growing cells. Although they overlap mostly in their localization, a detailed analysis of their distribution using equilibrium density gradients suggests a differential enrichment of Gat1p and Gat2p in distinct ER fractions. Moreover, overexpression of Gat1p or Gat2p in the absence of endogenous GPATs induces proliferation of distinct ER arrays, differentially affecting cortical ER morphology. Our studies also revealed a dynamic posttranslational regulation of Gat1p and Gat2p through phosphorylation that responds to Gat1p/Gat2p cellular imbalance.     

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase-2 is expressed in spermatic germ cells and incorporates arachidonic Acid into triacylglycerols

Background

De novo glycerolipid synthesis begins with the acylation of glycerol-3 phosphate catalyzed by glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT). In mammals, at least four GPAT isoforms have been described, differing in their cell and tissue locations and sensitivity to sulfhydryl reagents. In this work we show that mitochondrial GPAT2 overexpression in CHO-K1 cells increased TAG content and both GPAT and AGPAT activities 2-fold with arachidonoyl-CoA as a substrate, indicating specificity for this fatty acid.

Methods and Results

Incubation of GPAT2-transfected CHO-K1 cells with [1-¹⁴C]arachidonate for 3 h increased incorporation of [¹⁴C]arachidonate into TAG by 40%. Consistently, arachidonic acid was present in the TAG fraction of cells that overexpressed GPAT2, but not in control cells, corroborating GPAT2''s role in synthesizing TAG that is rich in arachidonic acid. In rat and mouse testis, Gpat2 mRNA was expressed only in primary spermatocytes; the protein was also detected in late stages of spermatogenesis. During rat sexual maturation, both the testicular TAG content and the arachidonic acid content in the TAG fraction peaked at 30 d, matching the highest expression of Gpat2 mRNA and protein.

Conclusions

These results strongly suggest that GPAT2 expression is linked to arachidonoyl-CoA incorporation into TAG in spermatogenic germ cells.     

Regulation of triacylglycerol biosynthesis in embryos and microsomal preparations from the developing seeds of Cuphea lanceolata.

Embryos of Cuphea lanceolata have more than 80 mol% of decanoic acid ('capric acid') in their triacylglycerols, while this fatty acid is virtually absent in phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho). Seed development was complete 25-27 days after pollination, with rapid triacylglycerol deposition occurring between 9 and 24 days. PtdCho amounts increased until day 15 after pollination. Analysis of embryo lipids showed that the diacylglycerol (DAG) pool consisted of mainly long-chain molecular species, with a very small amount of mixed medium-chain/long-chain glycerols. Almost 100% of the fatty acid at position sn-2 in triacylglycerols (TAG) was decanoic acid. When equimolar mixtures of [14C]decanoic and [14C]oleic acid were fed to whole detached embryos, over half of the radioactivity in the DAG resided in [14C]oleate, whereas [14C]decanoic acid accounted for 93% of the label in the TAG. Microsomal preparations from developing embryos at the mid-stage of TAG accumulation catalysed the acylation of [14C]glycerol 3-phosphate with either decanoyl-CoA or oleoyl-CoA, resulting in the formation of phosphatidic acid (PtdOH), DAG and TAG. Very little [14C]glycerol entered PtdCho. In combined incubations, with an equimolar supply of [14C]oleoyl-CoA and [14C]decanoyl-CoA in the presence of glycerol 3-phosphate, the synthesized PtdCho species consisted to 95% of didecanoic and dioleic species. The didecanoyl-glycerols were very selectively utilized over the dioleoylglycerols in the production of TAG. Substantial amounts of [14C]oleate, but not [14C]decanoate, entered PtdCho. The microsomal preparations of developing embryos were used to assess the acyl specificities of the acyl-CoA:sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT, EC 2.3.1.15) and the acyl-CoA:sn-1-acyl-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (LPAAT, EC 2.3.1.51) in Cuphea lanceolata embryos. The efficiency of acyl-CoA utilization by the GPAT was in the order decanoyl = dodecanoyl greater than linoleoyl greater than myristoyl = oleoyl greater than palmitoyl. Decanoyl-CoA was the only acyl donor to be utilized to any extent by the LPAAT when sn-decanoylglycerol 3-phosphate was the acyl acceptor. sn-1-Acylglycerol 3-phosphates with acyl groups shorter than 16 carbon atoms did not serve as acyl acceptors for long-chain (greater than or equal to 16 carbon atoms) acyl-CoA species. On the basis of the results obtained, we propose a schematic model for triacylglycerol assembly and PtdCho synthesis in a tissue specialized in the synthesis of high amounts of medium-chain fatty acids.