Differential control of ATGL-mediated lipid droplet degradation by CGI-58 and G0S2

Lipid droplets (LDs) are intracellular storage sites for triacylglyerols (TAGs) and steryl esters, and play essential roles in energy metabolism and membrane biosynthesis. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is the key enzyme for TAG hydrolysis (lipolysis) in adipocytes and LD degradation in nonadipocyte cells. Lipase activity of ATGL in vivo largely depends on its C-terminal sequence as well as coactivation by CGI-58. Here we demonstrate that the C-terminal hydrophobic domain in ATGL is required for LD targeting and CGI-58-independent LD degradation. Overexpression of wild type ATGL causes a dramatic decrease in LD size and number, whereas a mutant lacking the hydrophobic domain fails to localize to LDs and to affect their morphology. Interestingly, coexpression of CGI-58 is able to promote LD turnover mediated by this ATGL mutant. Recently we have discovered that G0S2 acts as an inhibitor of ATGL activity and ATGL-mediated lipolysis. Here we show that G0S2 binds to ATGL irrelevantly of its activity state or the presence of CGI-58. In G0S2-expressing cells, the combined expression of CGI-58 and ATGL is incapable of stimulating LD turnover. We propose that CGI-58 and G0S2 regulate ATGL via non-competing mechanisms.     

Adipose triglyceride lipase regulates basal lipolysis and lipid droplet size in adipocytes

In adipocytes, lipid droplet (LD) size reflects a balance of triglyceride synthesis (lipogenesis) and hydrolysis (lipolysis). Perilipin A (Peri A) is the most abundant phosphoprotein on the surface of adipocyte LDs and has a crucial role in lipid storage and lipolysis. Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) are the major rate-determining enzymes for lipolysis in adipocytes. Each of these proteins (Peri A, ATGL, and HSL) has been demonstrated to regulate lipid storage and release in the adipocyte. However, in the absence of protein kinase A (PKA) stimulation (basal state), the lipases (ATGL and HSL) are located mainly in the cytoplasm, and their contribution to basal rates of lipolysis and influence on LD size are poorly understood. In this study, we utilize an adenoviral system to knockdown or overexpress ATGL and HSL in an engineered model system of adipocytes in the presence or absence of Peri A. We are able to demonstrate in our experimental model system that in the basal state, LD size, triglyceride storage, and fatty acid release are mainly influenced by the expression of ATGL. These results demonstrate for the first time the relative contributions of ATGL, HSL, and Peri A on determination of LD size in the absence of PKA stimulation.     

Preferential lipolysis of DGAT1 over DGAT2 generated triacylglycerol in Huh7 hepatocytes

Two distinct diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT1 and DGAT2) catalyze the final committed step of triacylglycerol (TG) synthesis in hepatocytes. After its synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) TG is either stored in cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs) or is assembled into very low-density lipoproteins in the ER lumen. TG stored in cytosolic LDs is hydrolyzed by adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and the released fatty acids are converted to energy by oxidation in mitochondria. We hypothesized that targeting/association of ATGL to LDs would differ depending on whether the TG stores were generated through DGAT1 or DGAT2 activities. Individual inhibition of DGAT1 or DGAT2 in Huh7 hepatocytes incubated with oleic acid did not yield differences in TG accretion while combined inhibition of both DGATs completely prevented TG synthesis suggesting that either DGAT can efficiently esterify exogenously supplied fatty acid. DGAT2-made TG was stored in larger LDs, whereas TG formed by DGAT1 accumulated in smaller LDs. Inactivation of DGAT1 or DGAT2 did not alter expression (mRNA or protein) of ATGL, the ATGL activator ABHD5/CGI-58, or LD coat proteins PLIN2 or PLIN5, but inactivation of both DGATs increased PLIN2 abundance despite a dramatic reduction in the number of LDs. ATGL was found to preferentially target to LDs generated by DGAT1 and fatty acids released from TG in these LDs were also preferentially used for fatty acid oxidation. Combined inhibition of DGAT2 and ATGL resulted in larger LDs, suggesting that the smaller size of DGAT1-generated LDs is the result of increased lipolysis of TG in these LDs.     

GBF1-Arf-COPI-ArfGAP-mediated Golgi-to-ER transport involved in regulation of lipid homeostasis

Eukaryotic cells store neutral lipids and cholesteryl esters in cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs), which are generated from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Accumulating lines of evidence have indicated that Golgi-to-ER-retrograde transport mediated by COPI-coated vesicles under the control of Arf small GTPases is implicated in LD formation and utilization. However, the detailed mechanism underlying the regulation of lipid homeostasis by COPI-dependent transport has been poorly understood. Here we show that LD deposition and the cellular triacylglycerol content are significantly increased by siRNA-mediated depletion of not only β-COP (a subunit of the COPI coat complex) but also GBF1 (a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Arfs), Arf4 and Arf5 (class II Arfs), and ArfGAP1-ArfGAP3 (GTPase-activating proteins for Arfs). Although a previous proteomic study suggested the presence of COPI subunits and Arfs on LDs, we have failed to show that components of the GBF1-Arf-COPI-ArfGAP retrograde transport machinery are directly associated with and closely apposed to LDs. Furthermore, although recent studies suggested that COPI-mediated transport and GBF1 participated in delivery of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) onto the LD surface, we have found that depletion of β-COP or GBF1 does not affect association of ATGL with LDs or ATGL-mediated lipolysis. On the basis of these results, we propose other mechanisms how the GBF1-Arf-COPI-ArfGAP transport machinery is implicated in the regulation of lipid homeostasis.     

CGI-58在动物脂类代谢中的作用

细胞中脂滴(Lipid droplets, LDs)表面存在多个调控脂肪储存和分解的蛋白, 这些蛋白对机体的脂肪代谢起着很重要的调控作用。CGI-58(Comparative gene identification-58)分布在LDs表面, 属于α/β水解酶折叠家族, 是脂肪甘油三酯脂肪酶(Adipose triglyceride lipase, ATGL)和依赖酰基辅酶A溶血磷脂酸酰基转移酶(Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, LPAAT)的激活剂。在脂肪分解过程中, CGI-58结合PAT蛋白家族成员之一的脂滴包被蛋白(Perlipin)和ATGL, 促进脂肪分解, 同时CGI-58对ATGL的激活功能受脂滴包被蛋白家族成员间蛋白质与蛋白质相互作用的影响。文章结合国内外研究热点, 针对CGI-58在动物脂类代谢中的作用进行了综述。     

Unique regulation of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) by perilipin 5, a lipid droplet-associated protein

Lipolysis is a critical metabolic pathway contributing to energy homeostasis through degradation of triacylglycerides stored in lipid droplets (LDs), releasing fatty acids. Neutral lipid lipases act at the oil/water interface. In mammalian cells, LD surfaces are coated with one or more members of the perilipin protein family, which serve important functions in regulating lipolysis. We investigated mechanisms by which three perilipin proteins control lipolysis by adipocyte triglyceride lipase (ATGL), a key lipase in adipocytes and non-adipose cells. Using a cell culture model, we examined interactions of ATGL and its co-lipase CGI-58 with perilipin 1 (perilipin A), perilipin 2 (adipose differentiation-related protein), and perilipin 5 (LSDP5) using multiple techniques as follows: anisotropy Forster resonance energy transfer, co-immunoprecipitation, [(32)P]orthophosphate radiolabeling, and measurement of lipolysis. The results show that ATGL interacts with CGI-58 and perilipin 5; the latter is selectively expressed in oxidative tissues. Both proteins independently recruited ATGL to the LD surface, but with opposite effects; interaction of ATGL with CGI-58 increased lipolysis, whereas interaction of ATGL with perilipin 5 decreased lipolysis. In contrast, neither perilipin 1 nor 2 interacted directly with ATGL. Activation of protein kinase A (PKA) increased [(32)P]orthophosphate incorporation into perilipin 5 by 2-fold, whereas neither ATGL nor CGI-58 was labeled under the incubation conditions. Cells expressing both ectopic perilipin 5 and ATGL showed a 3-fold increase in lipolysis following activation of PKA. Our studies establish perilipin 5 as a novel ATGL partner and provide evidence that the protein composition of perilipins at the LD surface regulates lipolytic activity of ATGL.     

Lipid droplets induced by secreted phospholipase A2 and unsaturated fatty acids protect breast cancer cells from nutrient and lipotoxic stress

Cancer cells driven by the Ras oncogene scavenge unsaturated fatty acids (FAs) from their environment to counter nutrient stress. The human group X secreted phospholipase A₂ (hGX sPLA₂) releases FAs from membrane phospholipids, stimulates lipid droplet (LD) biogenesis in Ras-driven triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and enables their survival during starvation. Here we examined the role of LDs, induced by hGX sPLA₂ and unsaturated FAs, in protection of TNBC cells against nutrient stress. We found that hGX sPLA₂ releases a mixture of unsaturated FAs, including ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs), from TNBC cells. Starvation-induced breakdown of LDs induced by low micromolar concentrations of unsaturated FAs, including PUFAs, was associated with protection from cell death. Interestingly, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) contributed to LD breakdown during starvation, but it was not required for the pro-survival effects of hGX sPLA₂ and unsaturated FAs. High micromolar concentrations of PUFAs, but not OA, induced oxidative stress-dependent cell death in TNBC cells. Inhibition of triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis suppressed LD biogenesis and potentiated PUFA-induced cell damage. On the contrary, stimulation of LD biogenesis by hGX sPLA₂ and suppression of LD breakdown by ATGL depletion reduced PUFA-induced oxidative stress and cell death. Finally, lipidomic analyses revealed that sequestration of PUFAs in LDs by sPLA₂-induced TAG remodelling and retention of PUFAs in LDs by inhibition of ATGL-mediated TAG lipolysis protect from PUFA lipotoxicity. LDs are thus antioxidant and pro-survival organelles that guard TNBC cells against nutrient and lipotoxic stress and emerge as attractive targets for novel therapeutic interventions.     

ELMOD2 is anchored to lipid droplets by palmitoylation and regulates adipocyte triglyceride lipase recruitment

Adipocyte triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is the major enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of triglycerides. The Arf1–coat protein complex I (COPI) machinery is known to be engaged in the recruitment of ATGL to lipid droplets (LDs), but the regulatory mechanism has not been clarified. In the present study, we found that ELMOD2, a putative noncanonical Arf–GTPase activating protein (GAP) localizing in LDs, plays an important role in controlling ATGL transport to LDs. We showed that knockdown of ELMOD2 by RNA interference induced an increase in the amount of ATGL existing in LDs and decreased the total cellular triglycerides. These effects of ELMOD2 knockdown were canceled by transfection of small interfering RNA-resistant cDNA of wild-type ELMOD2 but not by that of mutated ELMOD2 lacking the Arf-GAP activity. ELMOD2 was distributed in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria as well as in LDs, but palmitoylation was required only for distribution to LDs. An ELMOD2 mutant deficient in palmitoylation failed to reconstitute the ATGL transport after the ELMOD2 knockdown, indicating that distribution in LDs is indispensable to the functionality of ELMOD2. These results indicate that ELMOD2 regulates ATGL transport and cellular lipid metabolism by modulating the Arf1-COPI activity in LDs.     

The C-terminal region of human adipose triglyceride lipase affects enzyme activity and lipid droplet binding

Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) catalyzes the first step in the hydrolysis of triacylglycerol (TG) generating diacylglycerol and free fatty acids. The enzyme requires the activator protein CGI-58 (or ABHD5) for full enzymatic activity. Defective ATGL function causes a recessively inherited disorder named neutral lipid storage disease that is characterized by systemic TG accumulation and myopathy. In this study, we investigated the functional defects associated with mutations in the ATGL gene that cause neutral lipid storage disease. We show that these mutations lead to the expression of either inactive enzymes localizing to lipid droplets (LDs) or enzymatically active lipases with defective LD binding. Additionally, our studies assign important regulatory functions to the C-terminal part of ATGL. Truncated mutant ATGL variants lacking approximately 220 amino acids of the C-terminal protein region do not localize to LDs. Interestingly, however, these mutants exhibit substantially increased TG hydrolase activity in vitro (up to 20-fold) compared with the wild-type enzyme, indicating that the C-terminal region suppresses enzyme activity. Protein-protein interaction studies revealed an increased binding of truncated ATGL to CGI-58, suggesting that the C-terminal part interferes with CGI-58 interaction and enzyme activation. Compared with the human enzyme, the C-terminal region of mouse ATGL is much less effective in suppressing enzyme activity, implicating species-dependent differences in enzyme regulation. Together, our results demonstrate that the C-terminal region of ATGL is essential for proper localization of the enzyme and suppresses enzyme activity.     

Vascular lipid droplets formed in response to TNF,hypoxia, or OA: biochemical composition and prostacyclin generation

Biogenesis of lipid droplets (LDs) in various cells plays an important role in various physiological and pathological processes. However, the function of LDs in endothelial physiology and pathology is not well understood. In the present work, we investigated the formation of LDs and prostacyclin (PGI₂) generation in the vascular tissue of isolated murine aortas following activation by proinflammatory factors: tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), angiotensin II (AngII), hypoxic conditions, or oleic acid (OA). The abundance, size, and biochemical composition of LDs were characterized based on Raman spectroscopy and fluorescence imaging. We found that blockade of lipolysis by the adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) delayed LDs degradation and simultaneously blunted PGI₂ generation in aorta treated with all tested proinflammatory stimuli. Furthermore, the analysis of Raman spectra of LDs in the isolated vessels stimulated by TNF, LPS, AngII, or hypoxia uncovered that these LDs were all rich in highly unsaturated lipids and had a negligible content of phospholipids and cholesterols. Additionally, by comparing the Raman signature of endothelial LDs under hypoxic or OA-overload conditions in the presence or absence of ATGL inhibitor, atglistatin (Atgl), we show that Atgl does not affect the biochemical composition of LDs. Altogether, independent of whether LDs were induced by pro-inflammatory stimuli, hypoxia, or OA and of whether they were composed of highly unsaturated or less unsaturated lipids, we observed LDs formation invariably associated with ATGL-dependent PGI₂ generation. In conclusion, vascular LDs formation and ATGL-dependent PGI₂ generation represent a universal response to vascular proinflammatory insult.     

The Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein Inhibits Adipose Triglyceride Lipase (ATGL)-mediated Lipid Mobilization and Enhances the ATGL Interaction with Comparative Gene Identification 58 (CGI-58) and Lipid Droplets

Liver steatosis is a common health problem associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and an important risk factor for the development of liver fibrosis and cancer. Steatosis is caused by triglycerides (TG) accumulating in lipid droplets (LDs), cellular organelles composed of neutral lipids surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipids. The HCV nucleocapsid core localizes to the surface of LDs and induces steatosis in cultured cells and mouse livers by decreasing intracellular TG degradation (lipolysis). Here we report that core at the surface of LDs interferes with the activity of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), the key lipolytic enzyme in the first step of TG breakdown. Expressing core in livers or mouse embryonic fibroblasts of ATGL^−/− mice no longer decreases TG degradation as observed in LDs from wild-type mice, supporting the model that core reduces lipolysis by engaging ATGL. Core must localize at LDs to inhibit lipolysis, as ex vivo TG hydrolysis is impaired in purified LDs coated with core but not when free core is added to LDs. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that core does not directly interact with the ATGL complex but, unexpectedly, increased the interaction between ATGL and its activator CGI-58 as well as the recruitment of both proteins to LDs. These data link the anti-lipolytic activity of the HCV core protein with altered ATGL binding to CGI-58 and the enhanced association of both proteins with LDs.     

Cytoplasmic receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) interacts with perilipin to regulate lipolysis

Receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) is abundantly expressed in mature adipocyte and modulates gene expression involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. Protein kinase C epsilon and protein arginine methyltransferase 1 can sequentially stimulate RIP140 phosphorylation and then methylation, thereby promoting its export to the cytoplasm. Here we report a lipid signal triggering cytoplasmic accumulation of RIP140, and a new functional role for cytoplasmic RIP140 in adipocyte to regulate lipolysis. Increased lipid content, particularly an elevation in diacylglycerol levels, promotes RIP140 cytoplasmic accumulation and increased association with lipid droplets (LDs) by its direct interaction with perilipin. By interacting with RIP140, perilipin more efficiently recruits hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) to LDs and enhances adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) forming complex with CGI-58, an activator of ATGL. Consequentially, HSL can more readily access its substrates, and ATGL is activated, ultimately enhancing lipolysis. In adipocytes, blocking cytoplasmic RIP140 accumulation reduces basal and isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis and the pro-inflammatory potential of their conditioned media (i.e. activating NF-κB and inflammatory genes in macrophages). These results show that in adipocytes with high lipid contents, RIP140 increasingly accumulates in the cytoplasm and enhances triglyceride catabolism by directly interacting with perilipin. The study suggests that reducing nuclear export of RIP140 might be a useful means of controlling adipocyte lipolysis.     

Structure of a CGI-58 Motif Provides the Molecular Basis of Lipid Droplet Anchoring

Triacylglycerols (TGs) stored in lipid droplets (LDs) are hydrolyzed in a highly regulated metabolic process called lipolysis to free fatty acids that serve as energy substrates for β-oxidation, precursors for membrane lipids and signaling molecules. Comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) stimulates the enzymatic activity of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), which catalyzes the hydrolysis of TGs to diacylglycerols and free fatty acids. In adipose tissue, protein-protein interactions between CGI-58 and the LD coating protein perilipin 1 restrain the ability of CGI-58 to activate ATGL under basal conditions. Phosphorylation of perilipin 1 disrupts these interactions and mobilizes CGI-58 for the activation of ATGL. We have previously demonstrated that the removal of a peptide at the N terminus (residues 10–31) of CGI-58 abrogates CGI-58 localization to LDs and CGI-58-mediated activation of ATGL. Here, we show that this tryptophan-rich N-terminal peptide serves as an independent LD anchor, with its three tryptophans serving as focal points of the left (harboring Trp²¹ and Trp²⁵) and right (harboring Trp²⁹) anchor arms. The solution state NMR structure of a peptide comprising the LD anchor bound to dodecylphosphocholine micelles as LD mimic reveals that the left arm forms a concise hydrophobic core comprising tryptophans Trp²¹ and Trp²⁵ and two adjacent leucines. Trp²⁹ serves as the core of a functionally independent anchor arm. Consequently, simultaneous tryptophan alanine permutations in both arms abolish localization and activity of CGI-58 as opposed to tryptophan substitutions that occur in only one arm.     

Decoration of myocellular lipid droplets with perilipins as a marker for in vivo lipid droplet dynamics: A super-resolution microscopy study in trained athletes and insulin resistant individuals

In many different cell types neutral lipids can be stored in lipid droplets (LDs). Nowadays, LDs are viewed as dynamic organelles, which store and release fatty acids depending on energy demand (LD dynamics). Proteins like perilipin 2 (PLIN2) and PLIN5 decorate the LD membrane and are determinants of LD lipolysis and fat oxidation, thus affecting LD dynamics. Trained athletes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients both have high levels of intramyocellular lipid (IMCL). While IMCL content scales negatively with insulin resistance, athletes are highly insulin sensitive in contrast to T2D patients, the so-called athlete's paradox. Differences in LD dynamics may be an underlying factor explaining the athlete's paradox. We aimed to quantify PLIN2 and PLIN5 content at individual LDs as a reflection of the ability to switch between fatty acid release and storage depending on energy demand. Thus, we developed a novel fluorescent super-resolution microscopy approach and found that PLIN2 protein abundance at the LD surface was higher in T2D patients than in athletes. Localization of adipocyte triglyceride lipase (ATGL) to the LD surface was lower in LDs abundantly decorated with PLIN2. While PLIN5 abundance at the LD surface was similar in athletes and T2D patients, we have observed previously that the number of PLIN5 decorated LDs was higher in athletes, indicating more LDs in close association with mitochondria. Thus, in athletes interaction of LDs with mitochondria was more pronounced and LDs have the protein machinery to be more dynamic, while in T2D patients the LD pool is more inert. This observation contributes to our understanding of the athlete's paradox.     

ATGL调节细胞内脂质代谢和代谢相关疾病

脂肪组织甘油三酯水解酶(adipose triglyceride lipase, ATGL)是一种催化甘油三酯第一步水解的重要脂肪酶,在机体能量代谢调节中发挥重要作用.本文介绍了ATGL的基因和蛋白质结构,并详细综述了ATGL的功能调控和与其相关联疾病的研究进展,最后通过与激素敏感脂肪酶(HSL)比较,对ATGL的特征进行总结.     

ATGL and CGI-58 are lipid droplet proteins of the hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6

Lipid droplets (LDs) of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) contain large amounts of vitamin A [in the form of retinyl esters (REs)] as well as other neutral lipids such as TGs. During times of insufficient vitamin A availability, RE stores are mobilized to ensure a constant supply to the body. To date, little is known about the enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of neutral lipid esters, in particular of REs, in HSCs. In this study, we aimed to identify LD-associated neutral lipid hydrolases by a proteomic approach using the rat stellate cell line HSC-T6. First, we loaded cells with retinol and FAs to promote lipid synthesis and deposition within LDs. Then, LDs were isolated and lipid composition and the LD proteome were analyzed. Among other proteins, we found perilipin 2, adipose TG lipase (ATGL), and comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58), known and established LD proteins. Bioinformatic search of the LD proteome for α/β-hydrolase fold-containing proteins revealed no yet uncharacterized neutral lipid hydrolases. In in vitro activity assays, we show that rat (r)ATGL, coactivated by rat (r)CGI-58, efficiently hydrolyzes TGs and REs. These findings suggest that rATGL and rCGI-58 are LD-resident proteins in HSCs and participate in the mobilization of both REs and TGs.     

Dynamics and regulation of lipid droplet formation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia

Lipid droplets (LDs) are neutral lipid-rich organelles involved in many cellular processes. A well-known example is their accumulation in leukocytes upon activation by pro-inflammatory stimuli such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) derived from gram-negative bacteria. A role of LDs and LD-associated proteins during inflammation in the brain is unknown, however. We have now studied their dynamics and regulation in microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain. We find that LPS treatment of microglia leads to the accumulation in them of LDs, and enhancement of the size of LDs. This induction of LDs was abolished by triacsin C, an inhibitor of triglyceride biosynthesis. LPS strongly activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK stress signaling pathways and increased the expression of LD-associated protein perilipin-2 (ADRP) in a time-dependent manner. Immunostaining showed that perilipin-2 in LPS-treated microglia predominantly colocalized with LDs. Inhibitors of p38 α/β (SB203580) and PI3K/Akt pathway (LY294002), but not that of JNK (SP600125), reduced LPS-induced LD accumulation and eliminated the activating effect of LPS on perilipin-2. In addition, cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)-α), a key enzyme for arachidonic acid release, colocalized with LPS-induced LDs. These observations suggest that LDs may play an important role in eicosanoid synthesis in activated microglia; they provide a novel insight into the regulation of LDs in inflammatory cells of the brain and point to a potential role of p38 α/β in LPS-induced LD accumulation. Collectively, our findings imply that LD formation and perilipin-2 induction could be microglial biomarkers of inflammation in the central nervous system.     

Dynamics and regulation of lipid droplet formation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia

Lipid droplets (LDs) are neutral lipid-rich organelles involved in many cellular processes. A well-known example is their accumulation in leukocytes upon activation by pro-inflammatory stimuli such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) derived from gram-negative bacteria. A role of LDs and LD-associated proteins during inflammation in the brain is unknown, however. We have now studied their dynamics and regulation in microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain. We find that LPS treatment of microglia leads to the accumulation in them of LDs, and enhancement of the size of LDs. This induction of LDs was abolished by triacsin C, an inhibitor of triglyceride biosynthesis. LPS strongly activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK stress signaling pathways and increased the expression of LD-associated protein perilipin-2 (ADRP) in a time-dependent manner. Immunostaining showed that perilipin-2 in LPS-treated microglia predominantly colocalized with LDs. Inhibitors of p38 α/β (SB203580) and PI3K/Akt pathway (LY294002), but not that of JNK (SP600125), reduced LPS-induced LD accumulation and eliminated the activating effect of LPS on perilipin-2. In addition, cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂-α), a key enzyme for arachidonic acid release, colocalized with LPS-induced LDs. These observations suggest that LDs may play an important role in eicosanoid synthesis in activated microglia; they provide a novel insight into the regulation of LDs in inflammatory cells of the brain and point to a potential role of p38 α/β in LPS-induced LD accumulation. Collectively, our findings imply that LD formation and perilipin-2 induction could be microglial biomarkers of inflammation in the central nervous system.     

Interaction between the triglyceride lipase ATGL and the Arf1 activator GBF1

The Arf1 exchange factor GBF1 (Golgi Brefeldin A resistance factor 1) and its effector COPI are required for delivery of ATGL (adipose triglyceride lipase) to lipid droplets (LDs). Using yeast two hybrid, co-immunoprecipitation in mammalian cells and direct protein binding approaches, we report here that GBF1 and ATGL interact directly and in cells, through multiple contact sites on each protein. The C-terminal region of ATGL interacts with N-terminal domains of GBF1, including the catalytic Sec7 domain, but not with full-length GBF1 or its entire N-terminus. The N-terminal lipase domain of ATGL (called the patatin domain) interacts with two C-terminal domains of GBF1, HDS (Homology downstream of Sec7) 1 and HDS2. These two domains of GBF1 localize to lipid droplets when expressed alone in cells, but not to the Golgi, unlike the full-length GBF1 protein, which localizes to both. We suggest that interaction of GBF1 with ATGL may be involved in the membrane trafficking pathway mediated by GBF1, Arf1 and COPI that contributes to the localization of ATGL to lipid droplets.     

Recycling the danger via lipid droplet biogenesis after autophagy

Fatty acids are an important cellular energy source under starvation conditions. However, excessive free fatty acids (FFAs) in the cytoplasm cause lipotoxicity. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms by which cells mobilize lipids and maintain a homeostatic level of fatty acids. Recent evidence suggests that cells can break down lipid droplets (LDs), the intracellular organelles that store neutral lipids, via PNPLA2/adipose triglyceride lipase and a selective type of macroautophagy/autophagy termed lipophagy, to release FFAs under starvation conditions. FFAs generated from LD catabolism are either transported to mitochondria for β-oxidation or converted back to LDs. The biogenesis of LDs under starvation conditions is mediated by autophagic degradation of membranous organelles and requires diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1, which serves as an adaptive cellular protective mechanism against lipotoxicity.