Cell-free synthesis of the enzymes of peroxisomal beta-oxidation

Three enzymes of peroxisomal β-oxidation of rat liver were synthesized in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system derived from rabbit reticulocyte lysate. The $\text{in}\text{vitro}$ products of acyl-CoA oxidase and enoyl-CoA hydratase-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase multifunctional protein were similar in size to or slightly larger than the subunit of the respective mature enzymes. The $\text{in}\text{vitro}$ product of peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase was about 3,000 daltons larger than the mature subunit. The hepatic levels of translatable mRNAs coding for these three enzymes were about 10 times higher in rats fed a di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate-containing diet than in control animals.     

The multifunctional protein AtMFP2 is co-ordinately expressed with other genes of fatty acid beta-oxidation during seed germination in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh

In germinating oilseeds peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation is responsible for the mobilization of storage lipids. This pathway also occurs in other tissues where it has a variety of additional physiological functions. The central enzymatic steps of peroxisomal beta-oxidation are performed by acyl-CoA oxidase (ACOX), the multifunctional protein (MFP) and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (thiolase). In order to investigate the function and regulation of beta-oxidation in plants it is first necessary to identify and characterize genes encoding the relevant enzymes in a single model species. Recently we and others have reported on the cloning and characterization of genes encoding four ACOXs and a thiolase from the oilseed Arabidopsis thaliana. Here we identify a gene encoding an Arabidopsis MFP (AtMFP2) that is induced transiently during germination. The pattern of AtMFP2 expression closely reflects changes in the activities of 2-trans-enoyl-CoA hydratase and L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. Similar patterns of expression have previously been reported for ACOX and thiolase genes. We conclude that genes encoding the three main proteins responsible for beta-oxidation are co-ordinately expressed during oilseed germination and may share a common mechanism of regulation.     

Genetic-dependency of peroxisomal cell functions - emerging aspects

This paper reviews aspects concerning the genetic regulation of the expression of the well studied peroxisomal genes including those of fatty acid β-oxidation enzymes; acyl-CoA oxidase, multifunctional enzyme and thiolase from different tissues and species. An important statement is PPARα, which is now long known to be in rodents the key nuclear receptor orchestrating liver peroxisome proliferation and enhanced peroxisomal β-oxidation, does not appear to control so strongly in man the expression of genes involved in peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation related enzymes. In this respect, the present review strengthens among others the emerging concept that, in the humans, the main genes whose expression is up-regulated by PPARα are mitochondrial and less peroxisomal genes. A special emphasis is also made on the animal cold adaptation and on need for sustained study of peroxisomal enzymes and genes; challenging that some essential roles of peroxisomes in cell function and regulation still remain to be discovered.     

Immunocytochemical demonstration of peroxisomal enzymes in human kidney biopsies

Peroxisomes are particularly abundant in the proximal tubules of the mammalian kidney. We describe the immunocytochemical localization of catalase and three peroxisomal lipid beta-oxidation enzymes: acyl-CoA oxidase, bifunctional protein (enoyl-CoA hydratase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase) and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase, in human renal biopsies fixed with glutaraldehyde and embedded in Epon. For light microscopy of semithin sections, satisfactory immunostaining required removal of the resin and controlled proteolytic digestion followed by the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Brief etching of ultrathin sections with alkoxide followed by the protein A-gold method were used for electron microscopic localization of the enzymes. The immunoreactive peroxisomes were distinctly visualized in proximal tubular epithelial cells with no staining of any other cell organelles. The results establish the presence of catalase and of peroxisomal lipid beta-oxidation system proteins in human kidney. The immunocytochemical procedure described herein provides a simple approach for the investigation of peroxisomal structure and function in human renal biopsies processed for ultrastructural studies.     

Induction of peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes in primary cultured rat hepatocytes by clofibric acid

Rat hepatocytes were cultured for 72 h with or without the addition of 0.5 mM clofibric acid. The activities of individual enzymes of the peroxisomal beta-oxidation pathway (acyl-CoA oxidase, enoyl-CoA hydratase-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase bifunctional protein, and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase) decreased in the control culture, but markedly increased synchronously in the clofibric acid-treated culture. The levels of mRNAs coding for these enzymes and the rates of synthesis of the enzymes were also elevated in the clofibric acid-treated culture, although no proportional relationship was observed between the time-dependent changes of these parameters. The increase in mRNAs was much higher than the increase in the rate of synthesis of the enzymes. The activity of catalase, its mRNA level and the rate of its synthesis were slightly affected. The effects of clofibric acid on the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes and catalase in primary cultured hepatocytes were very similar to those observed in vivo. These results, therefore, suggest that primary culture of hepatocytes should provide a useful means for investigating the mechanism of induction of peroxisomal enzymes and the mechanism of action of peroxisome proliferators.     

Intraparticulate localization of some peroxisomal enzymes related to fatty acid beta-oxidation

Male Wistar rats were given a diet containing 0.05% (w/w) LK-903 (alpha-methyl-p-myristyroxycinnamic acid 1-monoglyceride) for 2 weeks. The activities of four hepatic peroxisomal enzymes involved in the fatty acyl-CoA beta-oxidizing system were determined. The activities of fatty acyl-CoA oxidase, crotonase, beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase and thiolase were all increased about three times by administration of LK-903. The intraparticulate localizations of the four enzymes were then investigated by treatment of the purified peroxisomes with Triton X-100, by sonication, and by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation after Triton X-100 treatment. The results suggest that thiolase is localized in the matrix of peroxisomes, that crotonase and beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase are located in the core, and that all or at least part of fatty acyl-CoA oxidase is associated with the core, though its association is weak.     

Peroxisomal lipid degradation via β-and α-oxidation in Mammals

Peroxisomal β-oxidation is involved in the degradation of long chain and very long chain fatty acyl-(coenzyme A)CoAs, long chain dicarboxylyl-CoAs, the CoA esters of eicosanoids, 2-methyl-branched fatty acyl-CoAs (e.g. pristanoyl-CoA), and the CoA esters of the bile acid intermediates di- and trihydroxycoprostanic acids (side chain of cholesterol). In the rat, straight chain acyl-CoAs (including the CoA esters of dicarboxylic fatty acids and eicosanoids) are β-oxidized via palmitoyl-CoA oxidase, multifunctional protein-1 (which displays 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase and L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA, dehydrogenase activities) and peroxisomal thiolase. 2-Methyl-branched acyl-CoAs are degraded via pristanoyl-CoA oxidase, multifunctional protein-2 (MFP-2) (which displays 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase and D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities) and sterol carrier protein-X (SCPX; displaying 2-methyl-3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase activity). The side chain of the bile acid intermediates is shortened via one cycle of β-oxidation catalyzed by trihydroxycoprostanoyl-CoA oxidase, MFP-2 and SCPX. In the human, straight chain acyl-CoAs are oxidized via palmitoyl-CoA oxidase, multifunctional protein-1, and peroxisomal thiolase, as is the case in the rat. The CoA esters of 2-methyl-branched acyl-CoAs and the bile acid intermediates, which also possess a 2-methyl substitution in their side chain, are shortened, via branched chain acyl-CoA oxidase (which is the human homolog of trihydroxycoprostanoyl-CoA oxidase), multifunctional protein-2, and SCPX. The rat and the human enzymes have been purified, cloned, and kinetically and stereochemically characterized. 3-Methyl-branched fatty acids such as phytanic acid are not directly β-oxidizable because of the position of the methyl-branch. They are first shortened by one carbon atom through the a-oxidation process to a 2-methyl-branched fatty acid (pristanic acid in the case of phytanic acid), which is then degraded via peroxisomal β-oxidation. In the human and the rat, α-oxidation is catalyzed by an acyl-CoA synthetase (producing a 3-methylacyl-CoA), a 3-methylacyl-CoA 2-hydroxylase (resulting in a 2-hydroxy-3-methylacyl-CoA), and a 2-hydroxy-3-methylacyl-CoA lyase that cleaves the 2-hydroxy-3-methylacyl-CoA into a 2-methyl-branched fatty aldehyde and formyl-CoA. The fatty aldehyde is dehydrogenated by an aldehyde dehydrogenase to a 2-methyl-branched fatty acid while formyl-CoA is hydrolyzed to formate, which is then converted to CO₂. The activation, hydroxylation and cleavage reactions and the hydrolysis of formyl-CoA are performed by peroxisomal enzymes; the aldehyde dehydrogenation remains to be localized whereas the conversion of formate to CO₂ occurs mainly in the cytosol.     

Molecular analysis of peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes in infants with peroxisomal disorders indicates heterogeneity of the primary defect

Immunoblot analysis of peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes proteins was carried on liver samples from 15 patients with peroxisomal disorders in which accumulation of very long chain fatty acids was always observed in plasma. In 11 cases including 4 cerebro-hepatorenal syndrome (CHRS), 4 neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD) and 3 infantile Refsum's disease, the liver peroxisomes could not be detected by electron microscopy. Immunoblot analysis revealed the absence, or presence in weak amounts, of the 72-kDa subunit of acyl-CoA oxidase, and the complete absence of the 52-kDa and 21-kDa subunits which are processed from the 72-kDa. The bifunctional protein (78-kDa) was absent or very reduced, as was the mature form of peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (41-kDa). Multiple defects of peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes may be caused by an absence of synthesis or an inability to import proteins into peroxisomes in these patients. One patient, diagnosed as NALD, had no detectable liver peroxisomes but the presence, in normal amounts, of the three peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme proteins suggests that the transport of these enzymes into "peroxisomal ghosts" was still intact. The last 3 patients, clinically diagnosed as NALD, had normal liver peroxisomes. One patient had an isolated deficiency of the bifunctional protein and the 2 others had normal amounts of the 3 peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes, as shown by immunoblotting. This suggests that import and translocation of some peroxisomal proteins had occurred and that a mechanism is therefore required to explain the defect in these patients.     

Peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme proteins in the Zellweger syndrome

The absence of peroxisomes in patients with the cerebro-hepato-renal (Zellweger) syndrome is accompanied by a number of biochemical abnormalities, including an accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids. We show by immunoblotting that there is a marked deficiency in livers from patients with the Zellweger syndrome of the peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzyme proteins acyl-CoA oxidase, the bifunctional protein with enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities and 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase. Using anti-(acyl-CoA oxidase), increased amounts of cross-reactive material of low Mr were seen in the patients. With anti-(oxoacyl-CoA thiolase), high Mr cross-reactive material, presumably representing precursor forms of 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase, was detected in the patients. Catalase protein was not deficient, in accordance with the finding that catalase activity is not diminished in the patients. Thus in contrast to the situation with catalase functional peroxisomes are required for the stability and normal activity of peroxisomal beta-oxidation enzymes.     

Significance of catalase in peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA beta-oxidation

Catalase activity was inhibited by aminotriazole administration to rats in order to evaluate the influence of catalase on the peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA beta-oxidation system. 2 h after the administration of aminotriazole, peroxisomes were prepared from rat liver, and the activities of catalase, the beta-oxidation system and individual enzymes of beta-oxidation (fatty acyl-CoA oxidase, crotonase, beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase and thiolase) were determined. Catalase activity was decreased to about 2% of the control. Among the individual enzymes of the beta-oxidation system, thiolase activity was decreased to 67%, but the activities of fatty acyl-CoA oxidase, crotonase and beta-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase were almost unchanged. The activity of the peroxisomal beta-oxidation system was assayed by measuring palmitoyl-CoA-dependent NADH formation, and the activity of the purified peroxisome preparation was found to be almost unaffected by the administration of aminotriazole. The activity of the system in the aminotriazole-treated preparation was, however, significantly decreased to 55% by addition of 0.1 mM H2O2 to the incubation mixture. Hydrogen peroxide (0.1 mM) reduced the thiolase activity of the aminotriazole-treated peroxisomes to approx. 40%, but did not affect the other activities of the system. Thiolase activity of the control preparation was decreased to 70% by addition of hydrogen peroxide (0.1 mM). The half-life of 0.1 mM H2O2 added to the thiolase assay mixture was 2.8 min in the case of aminotriazole-treated peroxisomes, and 4 s in control peroxisomes. The ultraviolet spectrum of acetoacetyl-CoA (substrate of thiolase) was clearly changed by addition of 0.1 mM H2O2 to the thiolase assay mixture without the enzyme preparation; the absorption bands at around 233 nm (possibly due to the thioester bond of acetoacetyl-CoA) and at around 303 nm (due to formation of the enolate ion) were both significantly decreased. These results suggest that H2O2 accumulated in peroxisomes after aminotriazole treatment may modify both thiolase and its substrate, and consequently suppress the fatty acyl-CoA beta-oxidation. Therefore, catalase may protect thiolase and its substrate, 3-ketoacyl-CoA, by removing H2O2, which is abundantly produced during peroxisomal enzyme reactions.     

Genes encoding peroxisomal enzymes are not necessarily assigned on the same chromosome of an n-alkane-utilizable yeast Candida tropicalis

We have resolved eight chromosomal bands from an n-alkane-assimilating yeast, Candida tropicalis pK 233, by using contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis (CHEF). From the results of hybridization of DNA probes of yeast peroxisomal enzymes--catalase, acyl-CoA oxidase, carnitine acetyltransferase, isocitrate lyase, malate synthase, acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase, and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase--to Southern transfers of CHEF gels, these genes were proven not necessarily to be located on the same chromosome. This fact shows that the genes encoding the enzymes tested were not distributed to be cistronic, although simultaneous and inducible synthesis of peroxisomal enzymes occurred in harmony with the proliferation of peroxisomes, suggesting that their co-ordinated expression might be mainly regulated by certain trans-acting factors.     

Evidence for a peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation involving D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoAs. Characterization of two forms of hydro-lyase that convert D-(-)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA into 2-trans-enoyl-CoA

A novel D-(-)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA hydro-lyase, forming 2-trans-enoyl-CoA and formerly designated as epimerase (EC 5.1.2.3), was extracted from fat-degrading cotyledons of cucumber seedlings. The enzyme, called D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA hydro-lyase or D-specific 2-trans-enoyl-CoA hydratase, is shown to be required for the degradation of unsaturated fatty acids that contain double bonds extending from even-numbered C atoms. The D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA hydro-lyase was exclusively localized within peroxisomes. A 10,000-fold purification by chromatography on a hydrophobic matrix, a cation exchanger, on hydroxyapatite and Mono S led to two proteins of apparent homogeneity, both exhibiting Mr of 65,000. The D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA hydro-lyases are homodimers with slightly differing isoelectric points around pH = 9.0. They catalyze the conversion of 2-trans-enoyl-CoA into D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA. The reverse reaction was observed but no reaction with 2-cis-enoyl-CoAs or L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoAs. 2-trans-Decenoyl-CoA was converted 10-times faster than 2-trans-butenoyl-CoA. The conversion of 4-cis-decenoyl-CoA into octenoyl-CoA was demonstrated in vitro with purified proteins with an assay mixture containing acyl-CoA oxidase, multifunctional protein, thiolase and the D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA hydro-lyase. Comparisons of enzyme activities present in the cotyledons or isolated peroxisomes clearly show that the pathway via dienoyl-CoA reductase is much less effective than the sequence involving D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA hydro-lyase.     

Investigation of peroxisomal lipid beta-oxidation enzymes in guinea pig liver peroxisomes by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry.

We investigated the immunoreactivity of the peroxisomal lipid beta-oxidation enzymes acyl-CoA oxidase, trifunctional protein, and thiolase in guinea pig liver and compared it with that of homologous proteins in rat, using immunoblotting of highly purified peroxisomal fractions and monospecific antibodies to rat proteins. In addition, the immunocytochemical localization of beta-oxidation enzymes in guinea pig liver was compared with that of catalase. All antibodies showed crossreactivity between the two species, indicating that these peroxisomal proteins have been well conserved, although all exhibited some differences with respect to molecular size and, in the case of acyl-CoA oxidase, in frequency of the immunoreactive bands. In the latter case, a distinct second band in the 70 KD range was observed in guinea pig, in addition to the regular band due to subunit A present in rat liver. This novel band could be due either to trihydroxycoprostanoyl-CoA oxidase or to the non-inducible branched chain fatty acid oxidase described recently. All three beta-oxidation enzymes were immunolocalized by light and electron microscopy to the matrix of peroxisomes, in contrast to catalase, which is also found in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of hepatocytes in guinea pig liver.     

Light microscopic immunocytochemical demonstration of peroxisomal enzymes in epon sections

A procedure is described for light microscopic immunocytochemical localization of catalase and three enzymes of peroxisomal lipid beta-oxidation: acyl-CoA oxidase, enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase in semi-thin sections of rat liver processed for routine electron microscopy. Satisfactory immunostaining required the removal of the epoxy resin with sodium ethoxide, controlled digestion of deplasticized sections with proteases and, in case of osmiumfixed tissue, bleaching with oxidants. Resin removal was essential for successful immunostaining, and protease treatment enhanced markedly the intensity of the reaction. This study shows that tissues processed for conventional ultrastructural studies can be used for postembedding immunocytochemical demonstration of various peroxisomal enzymes.     

The Arabidopsis thaliana multifunctional protein gene (MFP2) of peroxisomal beta-oxidation is essential for seedling establishment

The multifunctional protein (MFP) of peroxisomal beta-oxidation catalyses four separate reactions, two of which (2-trans enoyl-CoA hydratase and L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase) are core activities required for the catabolism of all fatty acids. We have isolated and characterized five Arabidopsis thaliana mutants in the MFP2 gene that is expressed predominantly in germinating seeds. Seedlings of mfp2 require an exogenous supply of sucrose for seedling establishment to occur. Analysis of mfp2-1 seedlings revealed that seed storage lipid was catabolized more slowly, long-chain acyl-CoA substrates accumulated and there was an increase in peroxisome size. Despite a reduction in the rate of beta-oxidation, mfp2 seedlings are not resistant to the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxybutyric acid, which is catabolized to the auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by beta-oxidation. Acyl-CoA feeding experiments show that the MFP2 2-trans enoyl-CoA hydratase only exhibits activity against long chain (C18:0) substrates, whereas the MFP2 L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase is active on C6:0, C12:0 and C18:0 substrates. A mutation in the abnormal inflorescence meristem gene AIM1, the only homologue of MFP2, results in an abnormal inflorescence meristem phenotype in mature plants (Richmond and Bleecker, Plant Cell 11, 1999, 1911) demonstrating that the role of these genes is very different. The mfp2-1 aim1double mutant aborted during the early stages of embryo development showing that these two proteins share a common function that is essential for this key stage in the life cycle.     

Peb1p (Pas7p) is an intraperoxisomal receptor for the NH2-terminal, type 2, peroxisomal targeting sequence of thiolase: Peb1p itself is targeted to peroxisomes by an NH2-terminal peptide

Peb1 is a peroxisome biogenesis mutant isolated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is selectively defective in the import of thiolase into peroxisomes but has a normal ability to package catalase, luciferase and acyl-CoA oxidase (Zhang, J. W., C. Luckey, and P. B. Lazarow. 1993. Mol. Biol. Cell. 4:1351-1359). Thiolase differs from these other peroxisomal proteins in that it is targeted by an NH2-terminal, 16- amino acid peroxisomal targeting sequence type 2 (PTS 2). This phenotype suggests that the PEB1 protein might function as a receptor for the PTS2. The PEB1 gene has been cloned by functional complementation. It encodes a 42,320-D, hydrophilic protein with no predicted transmembrane segment. It contains six WD repeats that comprise the entire protein except for the first 55 amino acids. Peb1p was tagged with hemagglutinin epitopes and determined to be exclusively within peroxisomes by digitonin permeabilization, immunofluorescence, protease protection and immuno-electron microscopy (Zhang, J. W., and P. B. Lazarow. 1995. J. Cell Biol. 129:65-80). Peb1p is identical to Pas7p (Marzioch, M., R. Erdmann, M. Veenhuis, and W.-H. Kunau. 1994. EMBO J. 13: 4908-4917). We have now tested whether Peb1p interacts with the PTS2 of thiolase. With the two-hybrid assay, we observed a strong interaction between Peb1p and thiolase that was abolished by deleting the first 16 amino acids of thiolase. An oligopeptide consisting of the first 16 amino acids of thiolase was sufficient for the affinity binding of Peb1p. Binding was reduced by the replacement of leucine with arginine at residue five, a change that is known to reduce thiolase targeting in vivo. Finally, a thiolase-Peb1p complex was isolated by immunoprecipitation. To investigate the topogenesis of Peb1p, its first 56-amino acid residues were fused in front of truncated thiolase lacking the NH2-terminal 16-amino acid PTS2. The fusion protein was expressed in a thiolase knockout strain. Equilibrium density centrifugation and immunofluorescence indicated that the fusion protein was located in peroxisomes. Deletion of residues 6-55 from native Peb1p resulted in a cytosolic location and the loss of function. Thus the NH2-terminal 56-amino acid residues of Peb1p are necessary and sufficient for peroxisomal targeting. Peb1p is found in peroxisomes whether thiolase is expressed or not. These results suggest that Peb1p (Pas7p) is an intraperoxisomal receptor for the type 2 peroxisomal targeting signal.     

Modulation of the hepatic fatty acid pool in peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase B-null mice exposed to the selective PPARalpha agonist Wy14,643

The peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase B (Thb) gene was previously identified as a direct target gene of PPARalpha, a nuclear hormone receptor activated by hypolipidemic fibrate drugs. To better understand the role of ThB in hepatic lipid metabolism in mice, Sv129 wild-type and Thb null mice were fed or not the selective PPARalpha agonist Wy14,643 (Wy).Here, it is shown that in contrast to some other mouse models deficient for peroxisomal enzymes, the hepatic PPARalpha signaling cascade in Thb null mice was normal under regular conditions. It is of interest that the hypotriglyceridemic action of Wy was reduced in Thb null mice underlining the conclusion that neither thiolase A nor SCPx/SCP2 thiolase can fully substitute for ThB in vivo. Moreover, a significant increased in the expression of lipogenic genes such as Stearoyl CoA Desaturase-1 (SCD1) was observed in Thb null mice fed Wy. Elevation of Scd1 mRNA and protein levels led to higher SCD1 activity, through a molecular mechanism that is probably SREBP1 independent. In agreement with higher SCD1, enrichment of liver mono-unsaturated fatty acids of the n-7 and n-9 series was found in Thb null mice fed Wy.Overall, we show that the reduced peroxisomal β-oxidation of fat observed in Thb null mice fed Wy is associated with enhanced hepatic lipogenesis, through the combined elevation of microsomal SCD1 protein and activity. Ultimately, not only the amount but also the quality of the hepatic fatty acid pool is modulated upon the deletion of Thb.     

Substrate specificities of peroxisomal members of short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase superfamily: expression and characterization of dehydrogenase part of Candida tropicalis multifunctional enzyme

In addition to several other enzymes, the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase superfamily includes a group of peroxisomal multifunctional enzymes involved in fatty acid and cholesterol side-chain beta-oxidation. Mammalian peroxisomal multifunctional enzyme type 2 (perMFE-2) is a 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase-2/(R)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. As has been shown previously, perMFE-2 hydrates (24E)-3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholest-24-enoyl-CoA to (24R, 25R)-3alpha, 7alpha,12alpha,24xi-tetrahydroxy-5beta-choles tanoyl-CoA, which has been characterized as a physiological intermediate in cholic acid synthesis. Out of four possible stereoisomers of 3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha,24xi-tetrahydroxy-5beta-cholestanoyl-CoA , the mammalian perMFE-2 dehydrogenates only the (24R,25R)-isomer. The yeast peroxisomal multifunctional enzyme (MFE) was first described as 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase-2/(R)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. To investigate the stereospecificity of yeast peroxisomal MFE, the two dehydrogenase domains of C. tropicalis MFE were expressed in E. coli as a 65 kDa recombinant protein. This protein catalyzes the dehydrogenation of straight-chain (R)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoAs, but it is devoid of (S)-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase activities. The protein dehydrogenates (24R,25R)- and (24R, 25S)-isomers of 3alpha,7alpha, 12alpha, 24xi-tetrahydroxy-5beta-cholestanoyl-CoA. Interestingly, the protein also shows 17beta-estradiol dehydrogenase activity.As a monofunctional (R)-specific 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase is currently unavailable, this recombinant enzyme can be used to study the stereochemistry of bile acid synthesis.