Fatty acid transport and activation and the expression patterns of genes involved in fatty acid trafficking

These studies defined the expression patterns of genes involved in fatty acid transport, activation and trafficking using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and established the kinetic constants of fatty acid transport in an effort to define whether vectorial acylation represents a common mechanism in different cell types (3T3-L1 fibroblasts and adipocytes, Caco-2 and HepG2 cells and three endothelial cell lines (b-END3, HAEC, and HMEC)). As expected, fatty acid transport protein (FATP)1 and long-chain acyl CoA synthetase (Acsl)1 were the predominant isoforms expressed in adipocytes consistent with their roles in the transport and activation of exogenous fatty acids destined for storage in the form of triglycerides. In cells involved in fatty acid processing including Caco-2 (intestinal-like) and HepG2 (liver-like), FATP2 was the predominant isoform. The patterns of Acsl expression were distinct between these two cell types with Acsl3 and Acsl5 being predominant in Caco-2 cells and Acsl4 in HepG2 cells. In the endothelial lines, FATP1 and FATP4 were the most highly expressed isoforms; the expression patterns for the different Acsl isoforms were highly variable between the different endothelial cell lines. The transport of the fluorescent long-chain fatty acid C₁-BODIPY-C₁₂ in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and 3T3-L1 adipocytes followed typical Michaelis–Menten kinetics; the apparent efficiency (k_cat/K_T) of this process increases over 2-fold (2.1 × 10⁶–4.5 × 10⁶ s⁻¹ M⁻¹) upon adipocyte differentiation. The V_max values for fatty acid transport in Caco-2 and HepG2 cells were essentially the same, yet the efficiency was 55% higher in Caco-2 cells (2.3 × 10⁶ s⁻¹ M⁻¹ versus 1.5 × 10⁶ s⁻¹ M⁻¹). The kinetic parameters for fatty acid transport in three endothelial cell types demonstrated they were the least efficient cell types for this process giving V_max values that were nearly 4-fold lower than those defined form 3T3-L1 adipocytes, Caco-2 cells and HepG2 cells. The same cells had reduced efficiency for fatty acid transport (ranging from 0.82 × 10⁶ s⁻¹ M⁻¹ to 1.35 × 10⁶ s⁻¹ M⁻¹).     

Fatty acid acylation regulates trafficking of the unusual Plasmodium falciparum calpain to the nucleolus

The Plasmodium falciparum genome encodes a single calpain. By generating P. falciparum clones expressing C-terminally tagged calpain, we localized this protein to the nucleolus. Pf_calpain possesses an unusual and long N-terminal domain in which we identified three subregions that are highly conserved among Plasmodium species. Two have putative targeting signals: a myristoylation motif and a nuclear localization sequence. We assessed their functionality. Our data show that the nuclear localization sequence is an active nuclear import motif that contains an embedded signal conferring nucleolar localization on various chimeras. The N-terminus is myristoylated at Gly2 and palmitoylated at Cys3 and Cys22. Palmitoylation status has an important role in dictating P. falciparum calpain localization. The targeting signals function in mammalian cells as well as in the parasite. P. falciparum calpain is a unique nucleolar protein with an interesting mechanism of targeting.     

Fatty acid binding sites of rodent adipocyte and heart fatty acid binding proteins: characterization using fluorescent fatty acids

Murine adipocyte and rat heart fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) are closely related members of a family of cytosolic proteins which bind long-chain free fatty acids (ffa). The physical and chemical characteristics of the fatty acid binding sites of these proteins were studied using a series of fluorescent analogues of stearic acid (18:0) with an anthracene moiety covalently attached at seven different positions along the length of the hydrocarbon chain (AOffa). Previously, we used these probes to investigate the binding site of rat liver FABP (L-FABP) [Storch et al. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 8708-8713]. Here we extend those studies to adipocyte and heart FABP, two members of the FABP family which share a high degree of sequence homology with each other (62% identity) but which are less homologous with L-FABP (approximately 30%). The results show that the fluorescence emission spectra of AOffa bound to adipocyte FABP (A-FABP) are blue-shifted relative to heart FABP (H-FABP), indicating that AOffa bound to A-FABP are held in a more constrained configuration. For both proteins, constraint on the bound ffa probe is highest at the midportion of the acyl chain. Ffa are bound in a hydrophobic environment in both proteins. Excited-state lifetimes and fluorescence quantum yields suggest that the binding site of H-FABP is more hydrophobic than that of A-FABP. Nevertheless, acrylamide quenching experiments indicate that ffa bound to H-FABP are more accessible to the aqueous environment than are A-FABP-bound ffa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fatty acid degradation in Caulobacter crescentus.

Fatty acid degradation was investigated in Caulobacter crescentus, a bacterium that exhibits membrane-mediated differentiation events. Two strains of C. crescentus were shown to utilize oleic acid as sole carbon source. Five enzymes of the fatty acid beta-oxidation pathway, acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthase, crotonase, thiolase, beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, were identified. The activities of these enzymes were significantly higher in C. crescentus than the fully induced levels observed in Escherichia coli. Growth in glucose or glucose plus oleic acid decreased fatty acid uptake and lowered the specific activity of the enzymes involved in beta-oxidation by 2- to 3-fold, in contrast to the 50-fold glucose repression found in E. coli. The mild glucose repression of the acyl-CoA synthase was reversed by exogenous dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Acyl-CoA synthase activity was shown to be the same in oleic acid-grown cells and in cells grown in the presence of succinate, a carbon source not affected by catabolite repression. Thus, fatty acid degradation by the beta-oxidation pathway is constitutive in C. crescentus and is only mildly affected by growth in the presence of glucose. Tn5 insertion mutants unable to form colonies when oleic acid was the sole carbon source were isolated. However, these mutants efficiently transported fatty acids and had beta-oxidation enzyme levels comparable with that of the wild type. Our inability to obtain fatty acid degradation mutants after a wide search, coupled with the high constitutive levels of the beta-oxidation enzymes, suggest that fatty acid turnover, as has proven to be the case fatty acid biosynthesis, might play an essential role in membrane biogenesis and cell cycle events in C. crescentus.     

Identification of the adipocyte acid phosphatase as a PAO-sensitive tyrosyl phosphatase.

We have partially purified an 18-kDa cytoplasmic protein from 3T3-L1 cells, which dephosphorylates pNPP and the phosphorylated adipocyte lipid binding protein (ALBP), and have identified it by virtue of kinetic and immunological criteria as an acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2). The cytoplasmic acid phosphatase was inactivated by phenylarsine oxide (PAO) (Kinact = 10 microM), and the inactivation could be reversed by the dithiol, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (Kreact = 23 microM), but not the monothiol, 2-mercaptoethanol. Cloning of the human adipocyte acid phosphatase revealed that two isoforms exist, termed HAAP alpha and HAAP beta (human adipocyte acid phosphatase), which are distinguished by a 34-amino acid isoform-specific domain. Sequence analysis shows HAAP alpha and HAAP beta share 74% and 90% identity with the bovine liver acid phosphatase, respectively, and 99% identity with both isoenzymes of the human red cell acid phosphatase but no sequence similarity to the protein tyrosine phosphatases (EC 3.1.3.48). HAAP beta has been cloned into Escherichia coli, expressed, and purified as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein. Recombinant HAAP beta was shown to dephosphorylate pNPP and phosphoALBP and to be inactivated by PAO and inhibited by vanadate (Ki = 17 microM). These results describe the adipocyte acid phosphatase as a cytoplasmic enzyme containing conformationally vicinal cysteine residues with properties that suggest it may dephosphorylate tyrosyl phosphorylated cellular proteins.     

Fatty acid synthesis in the regenerating liver of the rat.

1. Synthesis de novo of fatty acids in the rat liver, measured per g wet wt. of tissue, was increased by a factor of about two, between 1 and 4 days after partial hepatectomy, compared with rates in sham-operated control rat livers. 2. There were no associated changes in the rates of liver cholesterol synthesis or of adipose-tissue fatty acid synthesis in rats after partial hepatectomy, compared with rates in sham-operated rats. 3. In regenerating livers, perfused under three different conditions, there was no alteration in the capacity for fatty acid synthesis compared with that of control rats. 4. The increased synthesis of fatty acids in regenerating liver was associated with insignificant increases in plasma concentrations of tricylglycerols and free fatty acids, with a decrease in content of liver glycogen, and with no change in hepatic activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. 5. The accelerated rate of synthesis of fatty adids in regenerating liver appears not to be due to any intrinsic alteration in hepatic capacity for fatty acid synthesis, but it may be caused by the continuous action on liver of unidentified circulating factors.     

Fatty acid-binding protein-hormone-sensitive lipase interaction. Fatty acid dependence on binding

Adipose lipolysis is mediated, in part, via interaction of fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) with hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). Mice with reduced FABP content in fat (adipocyte FABP null) exhibit diminished fat cell lipolysis, whereas transgenic mice with increased FABP content in fat (epithelial FABP transgenic) exhibit enhanced lipolysis. To examine the relationship between the binding of FABP to HSL and activation of catalytic activity, isothermal titration microcalorimetry as well as kinetic analysis using a variety of FABP isoforms have been employed. In the absence of fatty acids, no FABP-HSL association could be demonstrated for any FABP form. However, in the presence of 10 microm oleate, A-FABP and E-FABP each bound to HSL with high affinity (Kd of 0.5 and 3 nM, respectively) in a approximately 1:1 molar stoichiometry, whereas liver FABP and intestinal FABP did not exhibit any association. To compare binding to catalysis, each FABP isoform was incubated with HSL in vitro, and enzymatic activity was assessed. Importantly, each FABP form stimulated HSL activity approximately 2-fold using cholesteryl oleate as substrate but exhibited no activation using p-nitrophenyl butyrate. The activation by A-FABP was dependent upon its fatty acid binding properties because a non-fatty acid binding mutant, R126Q, failed to activate HSL. These results suggest that binding and activation of HSL by FABPs are separate and distinct functions and that HSL contains a site for fatty acid binding that allows for FABP association.     

Fatty acid binding to plasma albumin.

A review of the available information about fatty acid binding to plasma albumin is presented. Albumin is composed of a single polypeptide chain, folded so as to form three or four spherical units. The strong fatty acid binding sites probably are located in crevices between these spherical regions. The anionic form of the fatty acid binds to albumin. Most of the binding energy comes from nonpolar interactions between the fatty acid hydrocarbon chain and uncharged amino acid side chains that line the binding sites. The binding sites are somewhat pliable, and their configuration can adapt to fit the incoming fatty acid. Stepwise association constants for binding to human albumin of fatty acids containing 6-18 carbon atoms are presented. These data indicate that each mole of fatty acid binds with a different affinity and that the association constants for multiple binding diminish sequentially, i.e., kappa 1 greater than kappa 2 greater than kappa 3 greater ... greater kappan. Because of uncertainties concerning fatty acid association in aqueous solutions, the constants for the 14-18 carbon acids probably are not definitive. In the usual physiological concentration range, free fatty acids do not displace appreciable amounts of a second organic compound from albumin. Sensitive spectrophotometric analyses revealed, however, that even small increases in free fatty acid concentration alter the molecular interaction between human albumin and another organic compound.     

Fatty acid composition of Rhizobium spp.

The fatty acid composition of 42 isolates belonging to the major plant affinity groups of Rhizobium has been determined and found to vary reproducible with culture age. Numerical taxonomic techniques applied to the 15 major fatty acid components of log-phase cultures of comparable physiological age showed that the rhizobia constitute a uniform group. However, two clusters comprising soybean-cowpea isolates and pea-bean isolates were evident. These observations, based on a simple analysis of only one group of chemical components, indicate relationships among rhizobia which differ from the conventional plant-affinity groupings but which are consistent with other proposed relationships established using a variety of biochemical and physiological criteria.     

Neuronal growth regulator 1 promotes adipocyte lipid trafficking via interaction with CD36

Neuronal growth regulator 1 (NEGR1) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein associated with several human pathologies, including obesity, depression, and autism. Recently, significantly enlarged white adipose tissue, hepatic lipid accumulation, and decreased muscle capacity were reported in Negr1-deficient mice. However, the mechanism behind these phenotypes was not clear. In the present study, we found NEGR1 to interact with cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), the major fatty acid translocase in the plasma membrane. Binding assays with a soluble form of NEGR1 and in situ proximal ligation assays indicated that NEGR1-CD36 interaction occurs at the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. Furthermore, we show that NEGR1 overexpression induced CD36 protein destabilization in vitro. Both mRNA and protein levels of CD36 were significantly elevated in the white adipose tissue and liver tissues of Negr1^?/? mice. Accordingly, fatty acid uptake rate increased in NEGR1-deficient primary adipocytes. Finally, we demonstrated that Negr1^?/? mouse embryonic fibroblasts showed elevated reactive oxygen species levels and decreased adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activation compared with control mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Based on these results, we propose that NEGR1 regulates cellular fat content by controlling the expression of CD36.     

Fatty acid synthesis in the perfused liver of adrenalectomized rats.

1. Fatty acid synthesis, measured in the perfused liver of fed adrenalectomized rats with 3H2O and 14C-labelled precursors, was less than in control sham-operated rats. 2. This defect was more extensive for synthesis of fatty acids incorporated into triacylglycerols than into phospholipids. 3. There was impairment in desaturation and export of newly synthesized fatty acid. 4. Fatty acid synthesis and desaturation were restored to normal rates 5h after treatment with cortisol in vivo. 5. Fatty acid synthesis was seasonally variable, being highest in the winter; the impairment after adrenalectomy was observed in all seasons. 6. In perfusions with oleate (0.7 mM), no further impairment in fatty acid synthesis was discerned in livers from adrenalectomized rats, in which the rate resembled that in control livers. 7. No defect in the incorporation of oleate into glycerides was discerned in livers from adrenalectomized rats. 8. Cortisol exerted no stimulatory effect on fatty acid synthesis when added to perfusion media. 9. The impairment in hepatic lipogenesis, demonstrable after adrenalectomy, shows that adrenal glucocorticoids promote hepatic capacity for fatty acid synthesis de novo, at least in intact non-diabetic rats. It is suggested that this effect is mediated by insulin, perhaps through direct action on the liver.     

Fatty acid binding protein (FABP) modulates prostaglandin E binding to rat epididymal adipocyte membrane similarly to albumin

Albumin enhances prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) binding to isolated epididymal adipocyte membrane and also binds PGE2 with low affinity. On the other hand, S-100, ovalbumin and albumin-stearate failed to bind PGE2, as shown by ultrafiltration, and also failed to enhance PGE2 binding to the isolated adipocyte membranes. These results suggested that albumin enhances PGE2 binding possibly by serving as a carrier for the prostaglandin molecules. 3 mM warfarin or 1 mM phenylbutazone inhibited PGE2 binding to albumin by 70% and 95%, respectively, but both drugs failed to affect the enhancement of PGE2 binding to the isolated adipocyte membrane in the presence of albumin. These results exclude the possibility that PGE2 bound to albumin is more accessible to the prostaglandin receptor than free PGE2 in solution. Finally it is shown that fatty acid binding protein (FABP), a cytosolic protein which binds specifically PGE1 but not PGE2, enhances PGE1 and PGE2 binding to isolated adipocyte membranes similarly to albumin. The physiological implications of these findings are discussed.     

Fatty acid desaturation in the intestinal mucosa

Information as to the ability of the enterocyte to desaturate fatty acids is lacking. This is important in understanding whether the source of intestinal arachidonic (20:4(n-6) acid is biliary or from de novo synthesis. Delta 9- and delta 6-desaturase enzymes were assayed in homogenates of rat jejunum, ileum and liver. Rat small intestine possesses desaturase activity to convert palmitic (16:0) to palmitoleic (16:1) and linoleic (18:2(n-6) to linolenic (18:3(n-6) acid. Enzyme activities were highest in liver relative to activity in jejunal and ileal homogenates. It is concluded that delta 9- and delta 6-desaturase activities may have an important role in determining physico-chemical properties and thus transport properties of enterocyte membranes.