Enzymic synthesis of ether types of choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides by microsomal fractions from rat brain and liver.

The formation of product by ethanolamine phosphotransferases (EC 2.7.8.1) and cholinephosphotransferases (EC 2.7.8.2) in microsomal fractions from brains and livers of mature rats is increased several fold by 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols. With the addition of 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerols, we have found an 11-fold increase with brain microsomes and a 20-fold increase with lvier microsomes in the synthesis of choline ether lipids (1-alkyl-2-acyl- and 1-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholines). For the synthesis of ethanolamine ether lipids (1-alkyl-2-acyl and 1-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylethanolamines), the stimulation of alkylacylglycerols was 7-fold for brain microsomes and 18-fold for liver microsomes. The alkylacyl glycerols (8 mM) also inhibited the synthesis of diacyl phosphoglycerides by 44 to 65%, indicating that the same ethanolaminephosphotransferases and cholinephosphotransferases are utilized for the synthesis of alkylacyl phosphoglycerides and diacyl phosphoglycerides. A desaturation of the alkyl groups may take place in the same reaction mixture. The rate of incorporation of phosphorylcholine into alkenylacyl glycerophosphorylcholines (choline plasmalogens) with alkylacylglycerols, cytidine diphosphate choline, and liver microsomes was 15 nmoles per mg protein per hour. The in vitro synthesis of choline plasmalogens with alkylacylglycerols had not been observed previously. The corresponding rate of incorporation of phosphorylethanolamine into ethanolamine plasmalogens was 10 nmoles per mg protein per hour, a value greater than any of the previously reported values for ethanolamine plasmalogen formation from alkylacyl glycerophosphorylethanolamines.     

Rapid turnover of principal phospholipids in BHK-21 cells

When BHK-21 cells are pulse-labeled with (2-³H)-glycerol for 1 hr, followed by chase periods of 0–22 hrs, rapid turnover of the newly synthesized major phospholipids is observed 2–6 hrs after termination of the pulse, indicating a half-life of 2.0–2.5 hrs. These lipids are also labeled to equilibrium rapidly, within 8 hrs, indicating that the bulk of these lipids participates in this rapid turnover.     

Sidedness of ceramide-phosphoethanolamine synthesis on rat liver and brain microsomal membranes

Phosphatidylethanolamine:ceramide-ethanolamine-phosphotransferase catalyzes the synthesis of ceramide-phosphoethanolamine, a sphingomyelin analogue. Its localization was studied in rat liver and brain microsomes. After testing the integrity and the sidedness of microsomal vesicles, trypsin treatment of intact or deoxycholate-disrupted microsomes made it possible to conclude that both the transferase and the ceramide-phosphoethanolamine are located in the cisternal leaflet of the membrane bilayer. Using trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid as a probe, no trace of newly synthesized ceramide-phosphoethanolamine was detectable on the cytoplasmic side of the microsomes.     

Design and synthesis of new adamantyl-substituted antileishmanial ether phospholipids

A series of new 2-[3-(2-alkyloxy-ethyl)-adamantan-1-yl]-ethoxy substituted ether phospholipids was synthesized and their antileishmanial activity was evaluated against Leishmania infantum amastigotes. The majority of the new analogues were significantly less cytotoxic than miltefosine while, antiparasitic activity depended on the length of the 2-alkyloxy substituent. The most potent compounds were {2-[[[3-(2-hexyloxy-ethyl)-adamant-1-yl]-ethoxy]hydroxyphosphinyloxy]ethyl}-Ν,Ν,Ν-trimethyl-ammonium inner salt (5b) and {2-[[[3-(2-octyloxy-ethyl)-adamant-1-yl]-ethoxy]hydroxyphosphinyloxy]ethyl}-Ν,Ν,Ν-trimethyl-ammonium inner salt (5c).     

Participation of microsomal aldehyde reductase in long-chain fatty alcohol synthesis in the rat brain

The participation of microsomal aldehyde reductase in long-chain fatty alcohol synthesis in the rat brain was examined. A reaction mixture of [1-14C]hexadecanoic acid with brain microsomes and NADPH formed two radioactive products having the same mobilities as pure hexadecanal (RF 0.61) and hexadecanol (RF 0.22), respectively, on TLC plates. The product of the RF 0.61 spot was further identified as hexadecanal using gas-liquid chromatography after methylation and TLC of its reduced product with LiAlH4 and semicarbazide. The ratio of hexadecanal to hexadecanol varied from 0.4 to 1.2 under the present experimental conditions. When solubilized rat brain microsomes were applied to a Sepharose 4B column coupled with the rabbit antibody raised against rat liver microsomal NADPH-cytochrome-c reductase, which reacts with aldehyde reductase from rat brain, the eluted fraction ceased to form [14C]hexadecanol but continued to form [14C]hexadecanal from [14C]hexadecanoic acid. These results strongly indicate that hexadecanal is the intermediate in the synthesis of hexadecanol from hexadecanoic acid in rat brain microsomes with the participation of microsomal aldehyde reductase.     

Effects of hypothyroidism on RNA synthesis in the adult rat brain

In this study we investigated the effects of hypothyroidism on adult brain RNA synthesis. Our data show that in the cerebral hemispheres of hypothyroid rats there is a decrease in microsomal RNA content and microsomal [³H]uridine incorporation. Sucrose gradient analysis revealed that these changes are mainly associated with free ribosomes and subunits and reflect changes in rRNA. The above changes are accompanied by a decrease in RNA polymerase I activity. All of the above mentioned changes returned to normal after thyroxine (T₄) treatment. In contrast to RNA polymerase I, RNA polymerase II activity was not affected. However, electrophoretic analysis of the in vitro poly(A)⁺RNA translation products revealed that hypothyroidism affects a few mRNAs. These results indicate that thyroid hormones have a role in adult brain tissue metabolism.     

Arachidonyl transfer from diacyl phosphatidylcholine to ether phospholipids in rat platelets.

High levels of ether phospholipids were found in rat platelets. Alkylacyl compounds constituted 18 and 29% of glycerophosphocholine (GPC) and glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE). Alkenylacyl compounds, not detected in GPC, represented 40% of GPE. Arachidonate comprised 60%, 42% and 26% of the acyl residues in the sn-2 position of alkenylacyl-GPE, alkylacyl-GPE and alkylacyl-GPC respectively. Based on all arachidonate being linked to the sn-2 position of the diacyl species, the arachidonate level was 47% in diacyl-GPE and 30% in diacyl-GPC. The incorporation and metabolic fate of arachidonate in various phospholipid classes of resting platelets was examined. Arachidonate was essentially recovered in the diacyl phospholipids and very poorly in alkylacyl- and alkenylacyl-GPE and GPC after 30 min incubation in the presence of [14C]arachidonic acid. Upon reincubation of the platelets after removal of free arachidonate, the radioactivity was gradually lost from diacyl-GPC. Concomitantly, the radioactivities in alkylacyl-GPC, alkylacyl-GPE, alkenylacyl-GPE and to a lower extent in diacyl-GPE were increased. Labelling of glycerophosphoinositol was not changed. This labelling transfer was linear up to 5-6 h, except for alkylacyl-GPC; then labelling remained constant. These data strongly suggest that free arachidonate incorporation through the Lands pathway occurs only for diacyl species and that arachidonate incorporation into the ether phospholipids is achieved by exchange from diacyl-GPC. Based on specific activities related to phosphorus content, the arachidonate incorporation rates into diacyl-GPE and diacyl-GPC were approximately equivalent. The very large differences between specific radioactivities related to arachidonate observed at the starting reincubation time were strongly attenuated when labelling equilibrium was reached. The turnover rate by this exchange pathway was higher in alkylacyl-GPC than in alkyl- and alkenylacyl-GPE. This finding agrees with the selectivity for arachidonate observed in the acylation of PAF-acether in human neutrophils [Chilton, O'Flaherty, Ellis, Swendsen & Wykle (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 7268-7271].     

Studies on the synthesis of liver phospholipids and the turnover of plasma phospholipids in non pregnant female rats using radioactive palmitate.

Using the tracer method and a compartmental model we found that 0.9 mumoles plasma free fatty acids per min are esterified to liver phospholipids. The turnover rate of plasma phospholipid fatty acids was determined to be 0.5 mumoles phospholipid fatty acids per min. The turnover time of the plasma phospholipid fatty acids was calculated to be 0.9 hours. The results indicate that only 69 per cent of plasma free fatty acids esterified to liver phospholipids are secreted by the liver into the plasma.     

Hypothyroidism increases serotonin turnover and sympathetic activity in the adult rat.

Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent surgical thyroidectomy (Tx) or sham surgery. In all three experiments from which data are reported, a 3-week recovery period was allowed. In experiments I and II, baseline measurements of colonic temperature (Tc) and urinary norepinephrine excretion (NE) were obtained, and both variables were monitored daily for the duration of the studies. After baseline measurements, half of each surgical group was given either triiodothyronine (T3) or vehicle injections subcutaneously; in experiment I replacements continued for 1.5 days, while in experiment II T3 replacement continued for 3.5 days. Rats were decapitated at the end of each experiment and serotonin (5-HT) turnover was measured in brainstem. Serotonin turnover in rostral and caudal brainstem was increased with Tx (p less than 0.05). Increased turnover in caudal brainstem was normalized by T3 only in experiment II. Similarly, decreased Tc and elevated NE with Tx were normalized in experiment II but not in experiment I. In experiment III, NE measurements normalized on a creatinine excretion basis indicated that increased NE is evident with Tx, irrespective of normalization procedure. Significant correlations between 5-HT in caudal brainstem and metabolic correlates of sympathetic function, concurrent normalization of NE and 5-HT in caudal brainstem, plus work from other laboratories describing sympathoexcitatory serotonergic neurons located in the caudal brainstem suggest that the central and peripheral changes in the hypothyroid rat are causally related.     

Remodeling of rat hepatocyte phospholipids by selective acyl turnover

Acyl turnover of rat hepatocyte phospholipids and triacylglycerols was assessed by incubating the cells in media containing 40% H2(18)O and measuring the time-dependent incorporation of 18O into ester carbonyls by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of hydrogenated methyl esters. Incorporation of 18O into 22-carbon acyl groups was low in phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine, whereas in phosphatidylethanolamine, it was about the same as in the other acyl groups. Incorporation of 18O into individual molecular species of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine was determined after phospholipase C hydrolysis, derivatization to dinitrobenzoates, and separation by high-performance liquid chromatography. In most molecular species, acyl groups at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions became 18O-labeled at drastically different rates, indicating remodeling through deacylation-reacylation. Molecular species expected to arise de novo from acylation of glycerophosphate exhibited similar rates of 18O incorporation at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions. The data suggest that hepatocyte phospholipids are continually synthesized, remodeled by deacylation-reacylation at specific turnover rates up to 10-15%/h, and degraded. This acyl turnover probably does not involve the majority of intracellular unesterified fatty acids whose 18O incorporation was found to be very low. In contrast, the oxygens of extracellular unesterified fatty acids were readily exchanged with the media. This exchange was enzyme-catalyzed, possibly by lipases released into the media from damaged cells. Incorporation of 18O into exogenously added fatty acids was also rapid and resulted in enhanced uptake of 18O-labeled fatty acids into cellular lipids, primarily triacylglycerols and phosphatidylcholine, without drastic change of the intracellular free fatty acid pool.     

Rapid de-esterification and loss of eicosapentaenoic acid from rat brain phospholipids: an intracerebroventricular study

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) is being explored as a therapy in neurological diseases and disorders. Although it is known that palmitate is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain while EPA is one of the lowest, the mechanism by which the brain maintains this balance is unclear. Therefore, to trace the metabolism of these fatty acids in the brain, (14) C-palmitate or (14) C-EPA was administered via intracerebroventricular infusion to rats. From 4 to 128 days post-infusion, brains were collected after head-focused, high-energy microwave irradiation for biochemical analysis. At day 4 post-infusion, 57% (82 ± 26 nCi) of the total phospholipid radioactivity in (14) C-palmitate-infused brains was intact palmitate; whereas in (14) C-EPA-infused brains, 9% (2 ± 0.9 nCi) of the radioactivity was intact EPA. The half-life of esterified (14) C-palmitate and (14) C-EPA was 32 ± 4 (2% loss per day) and 5 ± 0.2 days (14% loss per day), respectively. Radioactivity was also detected in other saturates, monounsaturates, and cholesterol, suggesting that the infused radiolabeled fatty acids were β-oxidized. In conclusion, the low concentration of EPA in brain phospholipids may be the result of extensive metabolism of EPA, in part by β-oxidation, upon entry into the brain and upon de-esterification from phospholipids.     

Alpha-synuclein gene ablation increases docosahexaenoic acid incorporation and turnover in brain phospholipids

Previously, we demonstrated that ablation of alpha-synuclein (Snca) reduces arachidonate (20:4n-6) turnover in brain phospholipids through modulation of an endoplasmic reticulum-localized acyl-CoA synthetase (Acsl). The effect of Snca ablation on docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) metabolism is unknown. In the present study, we examined the effect of Snca gene ablation on brain 22:6n-3 metabolism. We determined 22:6n-3 uptake and incorporation into brain phospholipids by infusing awake, wild-type and Snca-/- mice with [1-14C]22:6n-3 using steady-state kinetic modeling. In addition, because Snca modulates 20:4n-6-CoA formation, we assessed microsomal Acsl activity using 22:6n-3 as a substrate. Although Snca gene ablation does not affect brain 22:6n-3 uptake, brain 22:6n-3-CoA mass was elevated 1.5-fold in the absence of Snca. This is consistent with the 1.6- to 2.2-fold increase in the incorporation rate and turnover in ethanolamine glycerophospholipid, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol pools. Increased 22:6n-3-CoA mass was not the result of altered Acsl activity, which was unaffected by the absence of Snca. While Snca bound 22:6n-3, Kd = 1.0 +/- 0.5 micromol/L, it did not bind 22:6n-3-CoA. These effects of Snca gene deletion on 22:6n-3 brain metabolism are opposite to what we reported previously for brain 20:4n-6 metabolism and are likely compensatory for the decreased 20:4n-6 metabolism in brains of Snca-/- mice.