三角褐指藻甘油酯对氮胁迫的响应

【背景】三角褐指藻作为生物燃料潜在的生产者,在胁迫条件下能通过改变其甘油酯组成来适应外部环境的变化,同时伴随着生物燃料原料甘油三酯(TAG)的积累,研究三角褐指藻甘油酯对氮胁迫的响应机制有利于深入认识TAG的积累过程。【目的】通过分析三角褐指藻在正常和氮胁迫条件下各类脂质含量及其脂肪酸成分的变化,揭示氮胁迫诱导积累的TAG酰基主要来源,以及在胁迫前生成的各极性甘油酯脂肪酸的去向,从而为进一步认识三角褐指藻对氮胁迫的响应机制提供新信息。【方法】利用高效薄层色谱结合气相色谱法分析三角褐指藻在正常和氮胁迫条件下的脂肪酸及甘油酯组分的变化。【结果】三角褐指藻在氮胁迫条件下TAG含量增加至57.8 mg/g时,总甘油酯含量几乎不变,但各甘油酯含量变化差异很大,表现为各极性脂含量显著降低。在此期间,各类甘油酯脂肪酸组成含量的变化表明,三角褐指藻TAG主要积累饱和及单不饱和脂肪酸,即16:0和16:1n7,分别以从头合成及原有极性脂转化为主,极性脂的部分二十碳五烯酸(EPA)作为酰基供体也向TAG发生了转化;此外组成极性脂的多不饱和脂肪酸16:2n4、16:3n4及EPA分解导致其含量显著下降。【结论】当氮胁迫诱导的三角褐指藻TAG含量为57.8 mg/g时,积累的TAG酰基中有48%来自从头合成,52%来自极性脂转化;而氮胁迫诱导所减少的极性脂酰基中有54%转化成TAG,46%发生了分解。     

莱茵衣藻Nfr-4突变株中类胡萝卜素含量的变化及其对藻生长的影响

文章对相同条件下培养的莱茵衣藻野生型CC-137和八氢番茄红素脱氢酶(phytoene desaturase,PDS)基因突变株Nfr-4的生长进行分析;并用反相高效液相色谱分析总有色类胡萝卜素以及叶绿素含量变化,结果表明两者生长的差异明显;Nfr-4突变株的单细胞叶绿素和总有色类胡萝卜素含量高于野生型CC-137的。     

RNA干扰20S蛋白酶体α亚基基因对莱茵衣藻油脂代谢的影响

为了解20S蛋白酶体α亚基(20S proteasome alpha subunit A, POA1)基因对莱茵衣藻(Chlamydomonas reinhardtii)油脂代谢的调控,对莱茵衣藻CC425在低氮胁迫下的CrPOA1表达进行了分析,克隆POA1同源基因片段,构建pMaa7IR/XIR干涉载体并转化莱茵衣藻CC425,对CrPOA1进行有效沉默,测定转基因藻株细胞干质量和油脂含量;克隆全长基因,构建CrPOA1-GFP融合表达载体并转化洋葱表皮细胞,进行亚细胞定位。结果表明,莱茵衣藻在低氮培养下,CrPOA1 mRNA水平比对照(正常培养)显著降低(P0.01),RNAi转基因藻株CrPOA1 mRNA水平比对照pMaa7IR/XIR(maa7)降低79.36%～85.35%,沉默效果较好;RNAi转基因藻株细胞干质量与对照maa7无显著差异,油脂含量比对照maa7显著降低6.38%～24.63%,CrPOA1正向调控莱茵衣藻油脂;亚细胞定位于细胞核。这表明CrPOA1参与了莱茵衣藻的油脂代谢过程。     

生长速度快且油脂产率高的湛江等鞭金藻诱变株的筛选

【目的】筛选生长速度快的高产油湛江等鞭金藻诱变株。【方法】利用常压室温等离子体射流诱变技术对湛江等鞭金藻进行诱变,通过96孔板、摇瓶和反应器培养对诱变株进行筛选。【结果】传至第13代,600 m L反应器培养7 d,诱变株IM110020最大比生长速率、细胞密度和油脂产率可分别达0.72 d-1、16 750×104 cells/m L、109.8 mg/(L·d),分别比野生株提高12.5%、20.8%和17.9%。【结论】获得了一株生长速度快且油脂产率高的诱变株IM110020,且经过多次传代性质稳定。     

莱茵衣藻E2泛素结合酶CrUBC23调控油脂积累

【目的】为研究莱茵衣藻(Chlamydomonas reinhardtii)泛素结合酶(ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes,E2)CrUBC23在莱茵衣藻油脂代谢中的作用,为高产油微藻基因工程改良和揭示藻类油脂合成及代谢调控机理奠定基础。【方法】qRT-PCR分析莱茵衣藻在低氮、低磷胁迫下泛素结合酶CrUBC23表达情况;克隆CrUBC23同源基因干涉片段和全长基因,构建RNAi干涉载体和过量表达载体,转化莱茵衣藻并检测生物量和油脂含量;构建CrUBC23-GFP融合表达载体,用农杆菌浸染洋葱表皮细胞进行亚细胞定位。【结果】莱茵衣藻在低氮、低磷胁迫下CrUBC23基因表达量显著增加,增加幅度分别为正常培养的4.98–5.80倍和1.85–5.20倍。RNAi干扰结果显示,转基因藻细胞中性脂含量降低5.5%,总脂含量降低3.16%–17.6%。过量表达结果显示,转基因藻细胞中性脂含量增加8.8%,总脂含量增加4.51%–14.03%。【结论】CrUBC23正向调控莱茵衣藻油脂代谢,该基因定位于细胞核。     

一株可增强莱茵衣藻耐盐能力细菌MEZX29的分离与鉴定

【背景】水体中的藻类、细菌及这些微生物之间的相互作用对水体生态系统的功能有着重要作用。近年来,一些河流、湖泊等淡水资源的盐渍化不断加重,对水体生态系统造成严重影响。然而,高盐胁迫条件如何影响藻类与其他细菌的相互作用,以及是否存在能够促进藻类耐盐能力的有益细菌等问题尚未得到深入研究。【目的】分离和鉴定可以促进淡水藻类莱茵衣藻抗盐能力的细菌,并开展相关机制分析。【方法】通过富集培养、筛选和共接种实验,获得可以促进衣藻耐盐的细菌;基于活细胞浓度、叶绿素含量等参数评价衣藻在不同条件下的生长能力;对菌株进行16S rRNA基因序列分析和基因组分析,预测其可能的菌藻相互作用机制。【结果】获得一株在250-290 mmol/L NaCl条件下可以显著增强衣藻耐盐能力的菌株MEZX29,16S rRNA基因序列分析表明,该菌可能属于Rhodococcus qingshengii;基因组分析结果表明,该细菌含有参与糖代谢、乙烯合成、生物膜形成等途径的基因,这些基因可能在促进衣藻抗盐过程中起到重要作用。【结论】Rhodococcus qingshengiiMEZX29可以增强莱茵衣藻21gr抵抗高盐胁迫的能力,为研究藻类与其他微生物之间的有益相互作用提供了新的材料。     

一株高蛋白含量小球藻TX的分离鉴定及其诱变育种

【背景】小球藻由于蛋白含量高、营养丰富,在水产养殖上可直接作为鱼、虾、贝类的优质饵料。【目的】对从养殖环境中分离的小球藻进行诱变,选育生长快、蛋白含量高的突变株,为水产养殖天然饵料生产提供优良藻种资源。【方法】以从养殖环境中筛选的生长相对较快且蛋白含量较高的TX作为出发藻株,对该藻株进行分子鉴定,并对该藻株进行紫外诱变、甲基磺酸乙脂(ethyl methyl sulfonate,EMS)诱变和复合诱变,采用96孔板高通量筛选技术和递进式重复筛选方法选育高生物量、高蛋白突变株。【结果】经18SrRNA基因序列分析,TX鉴定为Chlorella sorokiniana,从540个可能的突变株中筛选到8个遗传稳定且生长较快的突变株,其中H10的总蛋白含量达64.2%,可溶性蛋白含量达0.44g/L,干重达0.72g/L,分别较出发藻株提高3.4%、15.8%和26.2%。【结论】突变株H10蛋白含量高且生长较快,可用于天然饵料生产。     

高产油小球藻的筛选及其油脂分析

小球藻广泛分布于各种生境,特别是淡水环境中,适应性强。其同化产物主要是淀粉,但在环境胁迫条件下可显著积累中性脂,其脂肪酸类型主要为C16和C18,适合作为生物柴油的原料。我们从中国部分地区水体中分离纯化到若干株小球藻,通过薄层层析比较分析了21株产油小球藻的油脂含量,筛选到一株三酰基甘油含量较高的藻株Chlorella sp.NMX37N。其适宜生长温区为15—35℃,在25℃时生长速率最快,比生长速率为0.53/d,生长的最适光强为250μmol photons/(m2.s)。批量培养实验显示,藻细胞的三酰基甘油含量随培养时间延长而增加,并在培养的稳定期达到最大值,此时培养液中氮基本被耗尽。在批量培养条件下培养Chlorella sp.NMX37N约40d,藻细胞中总脂含量可达到33%左右,与此相比通过两步培养方式,将培养至对数后期(约20d)的藻细胞缺氮处理48h后,得到的总脂产率相当。通过两步培养方式可以大大缩短培养时间,使得该藻细胞快速有效积累油脂。另外,气相色谱分析显示,该藻的总脂和三酰基甘油的脂肪酸均以C16∶0和C18∶2为主,占总脂肪酸的70%以上,且不含C20以上的长链脂肪酸,可以作为优质的生物柴油原料。     

转基因衣藻lba及对照藻产氢培养条件的优化

通过对莱茵衣藻849及其转基因衣藻lba进行光照强度、细胞浓度和培养基中硫酸盐含量三因素三水平的正交实验,确定了两个藻种的最佳产氢条件,同时对转基因藻和849产氢培养条件下的光合放氧速率和pH进行了检测。实验结果表明,在25 ℃下,莱茵衣藻849和转基因衣藻lba的最佳产氢条件都为光照强度 60μmol/(m²·s),细胞浓度为叶绿素含量12.5μg/ml,培养基中硫酸盐含量0μmol/L。莱茵衣藻849和转基因衣藻lba的最高氢气产量分别达到了349μl/mg chlorophyll 和634μl/mg chlorophyll。在产氢条件下,转基因藻lba的净光合放氧速率比849低。结果为利用豆血红蛋白特性通过基因工程手段提高莱茵衣藻产氢量提供基础实验数据。     

高产DHA破囊壶菌Aurantiochytrium sp. PKU#SW7诱变株的筛选

【目的】对野生菌株Aurantiochytrium sp.PKU#SW7诱变育种,筛选高产DHA突变株。【方法】采用UV诱变和化学药物胁迫筛选方式,以菌株的生物量、油脂产量、DHA产量作为筛选指标,获得高产DHA突变株。【结果】经鉴定获得一株DHA高产突变株PKU#PM003,该菌株传代4次后仍保持较好的遗传稳定性。摇瓶发酵后,PKU#PM003生物量产量高达6.62 g/L,比原始菌株5.95 g/L提高了11.26%,脂肪酸含量高达4.01 g/L,比原始菌株3.18 g/L提高了26.1%,DHA在脂肪酸中所占比例由29.97%增加到33.43%,产量提高了41.01%,油脂突变效果显著。【结论】突变株PKU#PM003可作为性状优良的工业化发酵生产菌种,并在DHA产量提升上仍具有巨大的空间。     

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.     

Effects of human pancreatic lipase-colipase and carboxyl ester lipase on eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acid ester bonds of triacylglycerols rich in fish oil fatty acids

Fish oil chylomicrons, obtained from mesenteric duct chyle of rats fed [3H]20:5 and [14C]20:4 or [3H]20:5 and [14C]18:2 in a fish oil emulsion, were incubated with human pancreatic lipase-colipase, human carboxyl ester lipase (CEL) and human duodenal contents. With duodenal contents, the triacylglycerols labelled with [3H]20:5 and [14C]20:4 were rapidly converted to free fatty acids (FFA) and monoacylglycerols. Also during incubation with lipase-colipase the [3H]- and [14C]triacylglycerols disappeared completely and at equal rates, but in this case much [3H]20:5 and [14C]20:4 accumulated in diacylglycerols. When CEL was also added, the rate of disappearance of [3H]- and [14C]triacylglycerols increased and the radioactivity of diacylglycerols decreased markedly. During incubation of chylomicrons labelled with [3H]20:5 and [14C]18:2 with lipase-colipase, the rates of hydrolysis of [3H]- and [14C]triacylglycerols were similar, but more [3H]20:5 than [14C]18:2 accumulated in diacylglycerols. The accumulation of [3H]diacylglycerol was reduced by adding CEL. Also when fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography, 20:5 was enriched in remaining triacylglycerol and in diacylglycerol after incubation with lipase-colipase alone. The data thus indicate that both lipase-colipase and CEL participate in the hydrolysis of 20:5 and 20:4 ester bonds of dietary triacylglycerol.     

The regulation of the fatty-acid composition of the triacylglycerols in microsomal preparations from avocado mesocarp and the developing cotyledons of safflower

The utilisation of [¹⁴C]glycerol 3-phosphate and [¹⁴C]linoleoyl-CoA in the synthesis of triacylglycerol has been studied in the microsomal preparations of developing cotyledons of safflower seed. The results confirm that the glycerol backbone, which flows towards triacylglycerol from phosphatidic acid through the Kennedy pathway, can enter phosphatidylcholine from diacylglycerol. The equilibration between diacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine offers a mechanism for the return of oleate to phosphatidylcholine for desaturation to linoleate. We have established that the oleate entering position 1 of sn-phosphatidylcholine from diacylglycerol is desaturated in situ to linoleate. The results indicate that the diacylglycerol phosphatidylcholine interconvertion coupled to the acyl exchange between acyl-CoA and position 2 of sn-phosphatidylcholine brings about the continuous enrichment of the glycerol backbone with C₁₈-polyunsaturated fatty acids and hence these enzymes are of major importance in regulating the acyl quality of the accumulating triacylglycerols. Microsomal preparations from avocado mesocarp, however, did not have detectable acyl exchange between acyl-CoA and phosphatidylcholine or diacylglycerol phosphatidylcholine interconversion despite the high activity of the enzymes of the Kennedy pathway. A scheme is presented which incorporates many of the observations on triacylglycerol synthesis and provides a working model for the regulation of acyl quality in linoleate-rich vegetable oils.Abbreviation BSA bovine serum albumin     

Triacylglycerols are synthesised and utilized by transacylation reactions in microsomal preparations of developing safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seeds

Microsomal membrane preparations from the immature cotyledons of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) catalysed the interconversion of the neutral lipids, mono-, di-, and triacylglycerol. Membranes were incubated with neutral lipid substrates, ¹⁴C-labelled either in the acyl or glycerol moiety, and the incorporation of radioactivity into other complex lipids determined. It was clear that diacylglycerol gave rise to triacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol as well as phosphatidylcholine. Radioactivity from added [¹⁴C] triacylglycerol was to a small extent transferred to diacylglycerol whereas added [¹⁴C] monoacylglycerol was rapidly converted to diacylglycerols and triacylglycerols. The formation of triacylglycerol from diacylglycerol occurred in the absence of acyl-CoA and hence did not involve diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT) activity. Monoacylglycerol was not esterified by direct acylation from acyl-CoA. We propose that these reactions were catalyzed by a diacylglycerol: diacylglycerol transacylase which yielded triacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol, the reaction being freely reversible. The specific activity of the transacylase was some 25% of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity and, hence, during the net accumulation of oil, substantial newly formed triacylglycerol equilibrated with the diacylglycerol pool. In its turn the diacylglycerol rapidly interconverted with phosphatidylcholine, the major complex lipid substrate for Δ12 desaturation. Hence, the oleate from triacylglycerols entering phosphatidylcholine via this route could be further desaturated to linoleate. A model is presented which reconciles these observations with our current understanding of fatty acid desaturation in phosphatidylcholine and oil assembly in oleaceous seeds. Received: 8 November 1996 / Accepted: 5 February 1997     

Effects of substrate fatty acids on products of lecithin hydrolysis and acyl-CoA-independent transacylation with cholesterol by aortic enzyme preparations

The acyl composition of substrates and products of enzymatic hydrolysis and transacylation of lecithin with cholesterol in the arterial wall was investigated. Saturated acyl residues predominated in lysolecithin and unsaturated ones in acids released by hydrolysis of egg lecithin. In the reaction system with cholesterol, saturated acyls predominated in both lysolecithin and acids released whereas unsaturated ones were more abundant in newly formed acylcholesterols. Mainly unsaturated acyls were present in the hydrolysis products from soybean lecithin in the reaction systems with and without cholesterol. For acylcholesterols formed in the presence of either lecithin, the percent values are in the numerical order of C18:2 greater than C18:1 greater than C16:0 greater than or equal to C18:0. It It is concluded that acyl preferences and interactions in the enzyme-catalyzed reactions studied may contribute to the different accumulation and removal of the compounds involved from the artery.     

Fatty acid composition and lipid synthesis in developing safflower seeds

Linoleic acid predominated in every lipid class during the whole period of seed development of safflower, while linolenic acid decreased with increasing maturation and it was not detected in mature seeds. Just before the initiation of triacylglycerol accumulation, the fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols changed more rapidly than those of phospholipids and glycolipids. Saturated fatty acids tended to accumulate at the 1- and 3-positions of the glycerol molecule and the more highly unsaturated acids at the 2-position. The fatty acid compositions at the 1- and 3-positions were similar in all cases investigated, but in none of the triacylglycerols was the distribution completely symmetrical. The positional distribution of linolenic acid in triacylglycerols prepared from the immature seeds 2 days after flowering and from the leaves was unusual; in spite of its highest degree of unsaturation, it was preferentially esterified at the 1- and 3-positions. When triacylglycerol was most rapidly accumulated (14–18 days after flowering), the incorporation of acetate-[U- ¹⁴C] into total lipids was also maximum and dienoic fatty acids were the principal acids labelled. Diacylglycerols and compound lipids reached the highest rate of synthesis 15 days after flowering, and then a maximum incorporation into triacylglycerol occurred 18 days after flowering. Incubation temperature affected the synthesis of individual lipid classes. Triacylglycerol was more rapidly synthesized at 32° than at 10°, while diacylglycerols and compound lipids were accumulated under the low-temperature condition. A rise of incubation temperature caused a depression in dienoic acid synthesis.     

On the Compartmentation of Triacylglycerol Synthesis in Developing Seeds of Brassica napus

Compartmentation of storage lipid biosynthesis in developing erucate-rich rapeseeds during the period of rapid triacylglycerol accumulation has been investigated by labelling acyl residues and the glycerol backbone in endomembrane lipids of isolated embryos with radioactive precursors, either before (“in vivo”) or after (“in vitro”) subcellular fractionation. In contrast to the low light environment within the pod under normal environmental conditions, the photosynthetic and lipid synthesizing capacities of the embryos were significantly stimulated by their illumination in the isolated state. Both ways of demonstrating “de novo” synthesis of triacylglycerols and erucic acid in endomembrane vesicles show their significantly higher accumulation in oil bodies than in microsomal fractions, where membrane lipids predominate. The increased diacylglycerol acylation in erucate-rich rape embryos appears to be coupled to an alternative elongation mechanism for oleic acid, with another immediate acyl donor than 18:1-CoA. The present results are interpreted as a spatial separation of triacylglycerol formation, with very long-chain fatty acids obtained from residual lipid synthesis and fatty acid elongating capacity located on the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Triacylglycerol lipase activity in the rabbit renal medulla

Although the renal medulla is rich in triacylglycerols, the lipolysis of these intracellular triacylglycerols by a renomedullary triacylglycerol lipase has not been directly demonstrated. The present study demonstrates triacylglycerol lipase activity localized in the particulate subcellular fractions of rabbit renal medullae. Renomedullary triacylglycerol lipase activity, as determined by the hydrolysis of [14C]triolein to [14C]oleic acid, was observed to have a pH optimum of 5.8. Addition of cAMP/ATP/magnesium acetate resulted in an 80% activation of crude homogenate triacylglycerol lipase activity; addition of exogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase resulted in a further activation of lipolysis. 3 mM CaCl2 had no effect on basal triacylglycerol lipase activity. 1 M NaCl did not inhibit lipolysis, suggesting that the lipase activity measured was not due to lipoprotein lipase. Endogenous renomedullary triacylglycerols were hydrolysed by a lipase in the 100,000 X g pellet of renomedullary homogenates, resulting in the release of free fatty acids including arachidonic and adrenic acids. Dispersed renomedullary cells were prepared to monitor hormone-sensitive triacylglycerol lipase activity in intact cells. Addition of 10 microM forskolin and 10 microM epinephrine resulted in 8-fold and 50-fold increases in triacylglycerol lipase activity, respectively, as defined by release of free glycerol from the cells. These studies demonstrate that a cAMP-dependent hormone-sensitive triacylglycerol lipase is present in the renal medulla, and is responsible for the hydrolysis of renomedullary triacylglycerols.     

Bile acids inhibit secretion of very low density lipoprotein by rat hepatocytes

The influence of taurocholate on very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triacylglycerol synthesis and secretion was studied by isolated rat liver-parenchymal cells. The incorporation of [3H]glycerol into cell-associated and VLDL triacylglycerols were measured after incubation in medium containing 0.75 mM oleate. Taurocholate caused a maked decrease in VLDL [3H]triacylglycerol secretion from the hepatocytes: 50-150 microM taurocholate inhibited secretion of VLDL [3H]triacylglycerols by 70-90%. Similar results were obtained when the mass of secreted VLDL triacylglycerols was measured. Taurocholate caused a decreased secretion of VLDL [3H]triacylglycerols after 15-30 min incubation. A higher amount of cellular triacylglycerols was found in taurocholate-supplemented cells. Furthermore taurocholate did not change the intracellular lipolysis of triacylglycerols. These results suggest that bile acids interfere more probably with the assembly and/or secretion of VLDL-particles and not with earlier stages of VLDL formation, e.g. triacylglycerol synthesis.