Nonspecific lipid transfer protein (sterol carrier protein-2) defective in patients with deficient peroxisomes

The biosynthesis and intracellular localization of nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) in control human subjects and in patients with peroxisome-deficient disorders were investigated. The molecular mass of human nsLTP was indistinguishable from that of rat nsLTP (13 kDa) by immunoblot analysis. Intracellular localization was identical with that of catalase, a marker enzyme of peroxisomal matrix, by a double immunofluorescence study. The nsLTP was deficient in liver tissues or fibroblasts from patients with peroxisome-deficient disorders such as Zellweger syndrome and neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Pulse-chase experiments showed that nsLTP was synthesized as a large precursor in both the control and Zellweger fibroblasts. However, the processing to the 13 kDa mature protein was disturbed and the degradation was rapid in Zellweger fibroblasts. After somatic cell fusion using Zellweger fibroblasts from different genetic groups, the processing was normalized. These results suggest that the biosynthesis and localization of human nsLTP are similar to those of rat nsLTP and that the defect of nsLTP in peroxisome-deficient disorders is a phenomenon secondary to an abnormal transport mechanism of peroxisomal proteins. The defect of nsLTP may play an important role in metabolic disturbances in bile acid synthesis and steroidogenesis in peroxisome-deficient disorders.     

Peroxisomal deficiencies are associated with altered activity of endothelial NOS in human fibroblasts.

As shown recently, in human skin fibroblasts both a constitutively expressed and the inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoform are present. To identify the NOS isoforms expressed under standard conditions in healthy human skin fibroblasts and fibroblasts with peroxisomal deficiencies (cell lines from patients suffering from X-chromosome linked Adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) and the Zellweger Syndrome), we cultivated the cells in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium without inflammatory mediators. Our experiments clearly showed that human fibroblasts with and without peroxisomal deficiencies only contain the constitutively expressed endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) isoform and that the eNOS is tyrosine-phosphorylated. The inducible isoform (iNOS) could not be detected under standard conditions. Healthy human skin fibroblasts show a higher specific NOS activity than X-ALD and Zellweger cells (2.25 to 1.68 and 1.17 pmol L-citrulline/min/mg total cellular protein), although the content of eNOS protein does not differ significantly in these cell lines. However the tyrosine-phosphorylated portion of eNOS is significantly lower in X-ALD and Zellweger cells.     

Properties of the enzymes catalyzing the biosynthesis of lysophosphatidate and its ether analog in cultured fibroblasts from Zellweger syndrome patients and normal controls

The activities, properties, and steady-state kinetics of the five enzymes catalyzing the synthesis of 1-acyl- and 1-alkyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate in the cultured skin fibroblasts from Zellweger syndrome patients and normal controls were studied in detail. Judging from their Km and Vmax values, glycerol phosphate acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.15), acyl/alkyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate reductase (EC 1.1.1.101), and acyl coenzyme A reductase (long-chain alcohol forming), appear to be affected only slightly by the absence of peroxisomes characteristic of the Zellweger syndrome. Glycerophosphate acyltransferase also showed no differences in N-ethylmaleimide sensitivity nor in inhibition by dihydroxyacetone phosphate between these cell types. Dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.42) and alkyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase (EC 2.5.1.26) have altered activity and kinetic constants in homogenates from Zellweger syndrome fibroblasts. Dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase has similar Km (DHAP) values in both control and Zellweger syndrome cells; however, the value for the Vmax in Zellweger syndrome cells is only 6% of that found in the controls. This is interpreted as indicating that this enzyme is not defective in this disease but is simply present at a depressed level. Also, this enzyme activity has a maximum rate at pH 7.0-7.5 in the mutant cells as opposed to pH 5.4 in the controls. Acylation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate by control cell homogenate was stimulated by N-ethylmaleimide at both pH 5.7 and 7.5 whereas this activity from Zellweger syndrome cells was slightly inhibited at pH 5.7 and strongly inhibited at pH 7.5. In the absence of detergent, dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase in the Zellweger syndrome cells was much more labile to trypsin than in the control cells. Alkyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase had a slightly higher Km (33 vs 17 microM) for palmitoyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate and a lower Vmax (0.07 vs 0.24 mU/mg protein) in the Zellweger syndrome cells as compared to controls. Although this is a substantial decrease in activity, it probably contributes little to the decreased rate of ether lipid synthesis in these cells. The major problem in this respect is apparently the loss of dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activity. All of these enzymes, in both control and Zellweger syndrome cell homogenates, are sedimentable by centrifugation at 100,000g. Also, with the exception of dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase they had similar patterns of inactivation by heat in both cell types.     

Activity of peroxisomal enzymes and intracellular distribution of catalase in Zellweger syndrome

The activity of peroxisomal enzymes was studied in human liver and cultured human skin fibroblasts in relation to the finding (Goldfischer, S. et al. (1973) Science 182, 62-64) that morphologically distinct peroxisomes are not detectable in patients with the cerebro-hepato-renal (Zellweger) syndrome. In homogenates of liver from the patients, dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase, a membrane-bound peroxisomal enzyme, is deficient (Schutgens, R.B.H., et al. (1984) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 120, 179-184). In contrast, there is no deficiency of the soluble peroxisomal matrix enzymes catalase, L-alpha-hydroxyacid oxidase and E-aminoacid oxidase. Catalase is also not deficient in homogenates of cultured skin fibroblasts from the patients. The results of digitonin titration experiments showed that in control fibroblasts at least 70% of the catalase activity is present in subcellular particles distinct from mitochondria or lysosomes. In contrast, all of the catalase activity in fibroblasts from Zellweger patients is found in the same compartment as the cytosolic marker enzyme lactate dehydrogenase.     

Presence of peroxisomal membrane proteins in liver and fibroblasts from patients with the Zellweger syndrome and related disorders: evidence for the existence of peroxisomal ghosts

The presence and intracellular localization of peroxisomal integral membrane proteins (PMP) were investigated in liver and cultured skin fibroblasts from control subjects and patients with the Zellweger syndrome and related disorders in which peroxisomes are virtually absent. Immunoblotting experiments showed that 22, 36 and 69 kDa PMPs were present and were confined to the membranous fraction both in the control liver and in the livers from the Zellweger patients. The 22 and 36 kDa PMPs were present in significantly lower amounts in the patients' livers than in the control liver. A reduced amount of the 69 kDa PMP was found in liver from one Zellweger but not in liver from another. The subcellular localization in fibroblasts of catalase and the 69 kDa PMP was studied by indirect immunofluorescence. A characteristic punctate fluorescence was seen in control cells incubated with either anti-(catalase) or with anti-(69 kDa PMP). Incubation of mutant cells with anti-(catalase) resulted in a diffuse fluorescence, whereas with anti-(69 kDa PMP) fluorescent particles were visualized which, in some cell lines, were larger and fewer in number than in control cells. Cryosections of control and mutant cells were examined by electron microscopy using immunogold labeling. Control cells contained small structures consisting of a single membrane enclosing a homogeneous matrix; the membranes reacted with anti-(69 kDa PMP) and the matrix with anti-(catalase). The mutant cell lines contained spherical or ellipsoidal structures whose membranes reacted with anti-(69 kDa PMP); no labeling was observed with anti-(catalase). We conclude that peroxisomal ghosts, the membranes of which contain the 69 kDa PMP, are present in peroxisome-deficient cell lines from all complementation groups studied so far.     

Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants defective in peroxisome biogenesis. Comparison to Zellweger syndrome

We have previously reported the isolation of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutants that are defective in the biosynthesis of plasmalogens, deficient in at least two peroxisomal enzymes (dihydroxyacetonephosphate (DHAP) acyltransferase and alkyl-DHAP synthase), and in which catalase is not found within peroxisomes (Zoeller, R. A., and Raetz, C. R. H. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 5170). We now provide further evidence that three such strains are more generally defective in peroxisome biogenesis. Electron microscopic cytochemistry revealed that the mutants did not contain recognizable peroxisomes. However, immunofluorescence microscopy using an antibody directed against peroxisomal integral membrane proteins revealed the presence of peroxisomal membrane ghosts resembling those seen in cells of patients suffering from one of the human peroxisomal disorders, Zellweger syndrome. Immunoblot analyses, using antibodies specific for peroxisomal matrix proteins, demonstrated deficiencies of peroxisomal proteins in the mutant CHO cells that were similar to those in Zellweger syndrome. Fusion of a CHO mutant with fibroblasts obtained from Zellweger patients resulted in restoration of peroxisomal dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase and peroxisomal acyl-coenzyme A oxidation activities. The hybrid cells also regained the ability to synthesize plasmenylethanolamine. Moreover, normal peroxisomes were seen by immunofluorescence in the hybrid cells. These results indicate that the hybrid cells have recovered the ability to assemble peroxisomes and that, although the mutant CHO cells are biochemically and morphologically very similar to cells from patients with Zellweger syndrome, the genetic lesions are distinct. Our somatic cell mutants should be useful in identifying factors and genes involved in peroxisome biogenesis and may aid the genetic categorization of the various peroxisomal disorders.     

Peroxisomes and peroxisomal functions in muscle. Studies with muscle cells from controls and a patient with the cerebro-hepato-renal (Zellweger) syndrome

In the present study we investigated peroxisomal functions in cultured human muscle cells from control subjects and from a patient with the Zellweger syndrome, a genetic disease characterized by the absence of morphologically distinguishable peroxisomes in liver and kidney. In homogenates of cultured muscle cells from control subjects, catalase is contained within subcellular particles, acyl-CoA:dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase activity is present and palmitoyl-CoA can be oxidized by a peroxisomal beta-oxidative pathway; these findings are indicative of the presence of peroxisomes in the cells. In homogenates of cultured muscle cells from the patient with the Zellweger syndrome, acyl-CoA:dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase activity was deficient, peroxisomal beta-oxidation of palmitoyl-CoA was impaired and catalase was not particle-bound. These findings indicate that functional peroxisomes are absent in muscle from patients with the Zellweger syndrome. We conclude that cultured human muscle cells can be used as a model system to study peroxisomal functions in muscle and the consequences for this tissue of a generalized dysfunction of peroxisomes.     

Peroxisomal localization in the developing mouse cerebellum: implications for neuronal abnormalities related to deficiencies in peroxisomes

In subjects with Zellweger syndrome, the most severe phenotype of peroxisomal biogenesis disorder, brain abnormalities include cortical dysplasia, neuronal heterotopia, and dysmyelination. To clarify the relationship between the lack of peroxisomes and neuronal abnormalities, we investigated peroxisomal localization in the mouse cerebellum, using double immunofluorescent staining for peroxisomal proteins. On immunostaining for peroxisomal matrix protein, while there are few peroxisomes in Purkinje cells, many locate in astroglia, especially soma of Bergmann glia. Clusters of peroxisomes were seen on the inferior side of the Purkinje cell layer in mice on postnatal days 3-5, and with time there was a shift to the superior side. The peroxisomal punctate pattern was seen to be radial and co-localized with Bergmann glial fibers. In cultured cells from the mouse cerebellum, peroxisomes were few in Purkinje cells, whereas many were evident in glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells. On the other hand, on immunostaining for peroxisomal membrane protein Pex14p, many particles were seen in Purkinje cells during all developmental stages, which means Purkinje cells possessed empty peroxisomal structures similar to findings of fibroblasts from the Zellweger patients. As peroxisomes in glial cells may control the development of neurons, the neuron-glial interaction and mechanisms of developing central nervous systems deserve ongoing attention.     

Impaired Very Long-chain Acyl-CoA β-Oxidation in Human X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy Fibroblasts Is a Direct Consequence of ABCD1 Transporter Dysfunction

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), an inherited peroxisomal disorder, is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene encoding the peroxisomal ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCD1 (adrenoleukodystrophy protein, ALDP). Biochemically, X-ALD is characterized by an accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids and partially impaired peroxisomal β-oxidation. In this study, we used primary human fibroblasts from X-ALD and Zellweger syndrome patients to investigate the peroxisomal β-oxidation defect. Our results show that the degradation of C26:0-CoA esters is as severely impaired as degradation of unesterified very long-chain fatty acids in X-ALD and is abolished in Zellweger syndrome. Interestingly, the β-oxidation rates for both C26:0-CoA and C22:0-CoA were similarly affected, although C22:0 does not accumulate in patient fibroblasts. Furthermore, we show that the β-oxidation defect in X-ALD is directly caused by ABCD1 dysfunction as blocking ABCD1 function with a specific antibody reduced β-oxidation to levels observed in X-ALD fibroblasts. By quantification of mRNA and protein levels of the peroxisomal ABC transporters and by blocking with specific antibodies, we found that residual β-oxidation activity toward C26:0-CoA in X-ALD fibroblasts is mediated by ABCD3, although the efficacy of ABCD3 appeared to be much lower than that of ABCD1. Finally, using isolated peroxisomes, we show that β-oxidation of C26:0-CoA is independent of additional CoA but requires a cytosolic factor of >10-kDa molecular mass that is resistant to N-ethylmaleimide and heat inactivation. In conclusion, our findings in human cells suggest that, in contrast to yeast cells, very long-chain acyl-CoA esters are transported into peroxisomes by ABCD1 independently of additional synthetase activity.     

Kinetics of transport and phosphorylation of glucose in cancer cells

Metabolic control analysis of tumor glycolysis has indicated that hexokinase (HK) and glucose transporter (GLUT) exert the main flux control (71%). To understand why they are the main controlling steps, the GLUT and HK kinetics and the contents of GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT3, GLUT4, HKI, and HKII were analyzed in rat hepatocarcinoma AS‐30D and HeLa human cervix cancer. An improved protocol to determine the kinetic parameters of GLUT was developed with D ‐[2‐³H‐glucose] as physiological substrate. Kinetic analysis revealed two components at low‐ and high‐glucose concentrations in both tumor cells. At low glucose and 37°C, the V_max was 55 ± 20 and 17.2 ± 6 nmol (min × mg protein)^?1, whereas the K_m was 0.52 ± 0.7 and 9.3 ± 3 mM for hepatoma and HeLa cells, respectively. GLUT activity was partially inhibited by cytochalasin B (IC₅₀ = 0.44 ± 0.1; K_i = 0.3 ± 0.1 µM) and phloretin (IC₅₀ = 8.7 µM) in AS‐30D hepatocarcinoma. At physiological glucose, GLUT1 and GLUT3 were the predominant active isoforms in HeLa cells and AS‐30D cells, respectively. HK activity in HeLa cells was much lower (60 mU/mg protein) than that in AS‐30D cells (700 mU/mg protein), but both HKs were strongly inhibited by G6P. HKII was the predominant isoform in AS‐30D carcinoma and HeLa cells. The much lower GLUT V_max and catalytic efficiency (V_max/K_m) values in comparison to those of G6P‐sensitive HK suggested the transporter exerts higher control on the glycolytic flux than HK in cancer cells. Thus, GLUT seems a more adequate therapeutic target. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 552–559, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Pex13 inactivation in the mouse disrupts peroxisome biogenesis and leads to a Zellweger syndrome phenotype

Zellweger syndrome is the archetypical peroxisome biogenesis disorder and is characterized by defective import of proteins into the peroxisome, leading to peroxisomal metabolic dysfunction and widespread tissue pathology. In humans, mutations in the PEX13 gene, which encodes a peroxisomal membrane protein necessary for peroxisomal protein import, can lead to a Zellweger phenotype. To develop mouse models for this disorder, we have generated a targeted mouse with a loxP-modified Pex13 gene to enable conditional Cre recombinase-mediated inactivation of Pex13. In the studies reported here, we crossed these mice with transgenic mice that express Cre recombinase in all cells to generate progeny with ubiquitous disruption of Pex13. The mutant pups exhibited many of the clinical features of Zellweger syndrome patients, including intrauterine growth retardation, severe hypotonia, failure to feed, and neonatal death. These animals lacked morphologically intact peroxisomes and showed deficient import of matrix proteins containing either type 1 or type 2 targeting signals. Biochemical analyses of tissue and cultured skin fibroblasts from these animals indicated severe impairment of peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation and plasmalogen synthesis. The brains of these animals showed disordered lamination in the cerebral cortex, consistent with a neuronal migration defect. Thus, Pex13(-/-) mice reproduce many of the features of Zellweger syndrome and PEX13 deficiency in humans.     

Immunological analyses of alkyl-dihydroxyacetone-phosphate synthase in human peroxisomal disorders.

Alkyl-dihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase (alkyl-DHAP synthase) is a peroxisomal enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of ether phospholipids. To localize the enzyme in human peroxisomal disorders, indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis was performed. In Zellweger syndrome and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata fibroblast cell lines, alkyl-DHAP synthase protein levels on immunoblots were strongly decreased and residual immunofluorescence was diffusely localized throughout the cytoplasm. In a particular neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy cell line, characterized by the absence of a functional peroxisomal targeting signal 1 receptor, the precursor form of the enzyme was detected in Western blots at levels comparable to that of the mature enzyme in control fibroblasts. Similarly, fibroblasts from patients with a single deficiency in the activity of either alkyl-DHAP synthase or DHAP-acyltransferase showed normal levels of the mature alkyl-DHAP synthase protein on immunoblots. Immunofluorescence experiments revealed a peroxisomal localization of both the precursor and the mature form of the enzyme. Collectively, these results visualize the peroxisomal localization of alkyl-DHAP synthase, indicate that the enzyme is unstable outside its target organelle and explain that normal enzyme protein levels found in some peroxisomal disorders result from protection against cytoplasmic degradation through import into peroxisomes. Additionally, alkyl-DHAP synthase could be detected in rat mesangial cells and murine NIH-3R3 fibroblasts by immunofluorescence as well as immunoblot analysis. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that the enzyme is predominantly located on the lumenal side of the peroxisomal membrane in rat and guinea pig liver.     

Interleukin-1β induction of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) is functionally antagonized by prostaglandin E2 in human synovial fibroblasts

Elevated levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases-1 (TIMP-1) have been demonstrated in inflamed synovial membranes, and it is believed that the inhibitor may play a critical role in the regulation of connective tissue degradation. The present study was undertaken to define the cellular mechanism of action of the inflammatory mediators, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), in the control of TIMP-1 synthesis and expression in human synovial fibroblasts. Recombinant human IL-1β induced a time- and dose-dependent saturable response in terms of TIMP-1 mRNA expression (effective concentration for 50% maximal response, EC₅₀ = 31.5 ± 3.3 pg/ml) and protein synthesis (EC₅₀ = 30 ± 3.3 pg/ml). The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, H-7, staurosporine, and calphostin C, reversed the rhIL-1β induction of TIMP-1 mRNA. PGE₂ also inhibited rhIL-1β-stimulated TIMP-1 mRNA expression and protein secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. The concentration of PGE₂ necessary to block 50% of rhIL-1β-stimulated TIMP-1 secretion, IC₅₀, was 1.93 ng/ml (4.89 nM). Forskolin, and other stable derivatives of cAMP, mimicked, to a large extent, the effects of PGE₂. The phorbol ester, PMA, up-regulated considerably the mRNA expression of TIMP-1 but had no effect on protein production. Calphostin C substantially reduced PMA-activated TIMP-1 expression. Staurosporine, calphostin C, H-7, and substances that elevate cellular levels of cAMP, like PGE₂, also reduced basal expression and synthesis of TIMP-1. Taken together, the data suggest that PKA and C may mediate opposing effects in terms of TIMP-1 expression and secretion in human synovial fibroblasts.     

Peroxisomal integral membrane proteins in control and Zellweger fibroblasts

An entire organelle, the peroxisome, appears to be missing in Zellweger syndrome, causing profound neurological problems and neonatal death. One hypothesis for the molecular cause of this defect is a failure in the assembly of the peroxisomal membrane. An alternative is that the peroxisomal membrane is assembled, but the post-translational import of the matrix proteins is defective. We have investigated these possibilities by analytical cell fractionation, immunoblotting, and immunoelectron microscopy of fibroblasts. We identified four integral membrane proteins that can serve as markers for the human peroxisomal membrane. In Zellweger fibroblasts, peroxisomal membranes were found but they were abnormal; they had an equilibrium density of 1.10 g/cm3 instead of the normal density of 1.17 g/cm3, their diameters were generally 2-4 times greater than normal, and they lacked most content. The existence of these peroxisomal ghosts in Zellweger syndrome fibroblasts supports the hypothesis that the defect in this disease is in the protein import machinery.     

OCTN3 is a mammalian peroxisomal membrane carnitine transporter

Carnitine is a zwitterion essential for the beta-oxidation of fatty acids. The role of the carnitine system is to maintain homeostasis in the acyl-CoA pools of the cell, keeping the acyl-CoA/CoA pool constant even under conditions of very high acyl-CoA turnover, thereby providing cells with a critical source of free CoA. Carnitine derivatives can be moved across intracellular barriers providing a shuttle mechanism between mitochondria, peroxisomes, and microsomes. We now demonstrate expression and colocalization of mOctn3, the intermediate-affinity carnitine transporter (Km 20 microM), and catalase in murine liver peroxisomes by TEM using immunogold labelled anti-mOctn3 and anti-catalase antibodies. We further demonstrate expression of hOCTN3 in control human cultured skin fibroblasts both by Western blotting and immunostaining analysis using our specific anti-mOctn3 antibody. In contrast with two peroxisomal biogenesis disorders, we show reduced expression of hOCTN3 in human PEX 1 deficient Zellweger fibroblasts in which the uptake of peroxisomal matrix enzymes is impaired but the biosynthesis of peroxisomal membrane proteins is normal, versus a complete absence of hOCTN3 in human PEX 19 deficient Zellweger fibroblasts in which both the uptake of peroxisomal matrix enzymes as well as peroxisomal membranes are deficient. This supports the localization of hOCTN3 to the peroxisomal membrane. Given the impermeability of the peroxisomal membrane and the key role of carnitine in the transport of different chain-shortened products out of peroxisomes, there appears to be a critical need for the intermediate-affinity carnitine/organic cation transporter, OCTN3, on peroxisomal membranes now shown to be expressed in both human and murine peroxisomes. This Octn3 localization is in keeping with the essential role of carnitine in peroxisomal lipid metabolism.     

Catalase in cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with the cerebro-hepato-renal (Zellweger) syndrome: normal maturation in peroxisome-deficient cells

We have compared the properties of catalase in cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with the cerebro-hepato-renal (Zellweger) syndrome, in which peroxisomes are deficient, with those of catalase in fibroblasts from control subjects. The enzymes from the two types of fibroblasts are indistinguishable with respect to kinetic properties, subunit size and molecular mass of the native enzyme. The turnover of the enzyme, measured by following the rate of reappearance of catalase activity in fibroblasts after irreversible inactivation of existing molecules by 3-aminotriazole treatment of the cells, was the same in Zellweger fibroblasts as in control cells. These findings indicate that normal maturation of catalase can occur in the soluble cytoplasm and provide an explanation for the occurrence of extra-peroxisomal catalase in tissues and cells.     

Alterations of the glutathione redox cycle status in fumonisin B1-treated pig kidney cells

Fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) causes equine leukoencephalomalacia, porcine pulmonary edema, and liver tumors and chronic nephritis in rats. To investigate mechanisms by which FB₁ induces toxicity, effects of FB₁ on cellular glutathione (GSH) redox status and GSH depletion on FB₁ toxicity in pig kidney (LLC-PK₁) cells were studied. Treatment of LLC-PK₁ cells with 50 μM FB₁ for 24 hours significantly decreased cellular GSH contents from 56 ± 3.2 to 42.7 ± 4.4 nmol/mg protein (p < 0.05) and increased the activities of glutathione reductase (GR) from 25.7 ± 2.4 to 35.7 ± 5.0 μmol NADPH/mg protein (p < 0.05). The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx), catalase, and Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) were not changed by this treatment. Treatment of LLC-PK₁ cells for 12 hours with 0.1. mM buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a selective inhibitor of the enzyme γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase that catalyzes the rate-limiting reaction in de novo GSH synthesis, decreased cellular GSH levels to about 20% of that found in the control cells. The cells pretreated with 0.1 mM BSO for 12 hours were significantly sensitized to the FB₁ cytotoxicity as determined by a long-term survival assay (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that FB₁ changes GSH redox cycle status in LLC-PK₁ cells, and GSH may play a role in cytoprotection against FB₁ toxicity. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Arachidonic acid metabolism in fibroblasts from patients with peroxisomal diseases: response to interleukin 1

Prostaglandin E2 synthesis and eicosanoid biosynthetic enzyme activities (arachidonyl CoA synthetase, cyclooxygenase and phospholipase A2) were measured in dermal fibroblasts from patients with metabolic disorders of peroxisomal origin and compared to those from normal subjects and patients with other metabolic disorders of lipid metabolism. Basal- as well as interleukin 1-stimulated prostaglandin E2 syntheses were higher in fibroblasts from patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, the Zellweger cerebrohepatorenal syndrome and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata than in normals. Basal cyclooxygenase and phospholipase A2 activities were elevated in most of the peroxisomal disease cells. Cells from patients with adrenomyeloneuropathy, however, had significantly lower cytokine-stimulated cyclooxygenase and phospholipase A2 activities than normals, as well as lower prostaglandin E2 synthesis in response to interleukin 1. The peroxisomal disease lines exhibited dose-response curves to interleukin 1 similar to controls. Receptor-binding analysis indicated that cells from patients with rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata expressed 5-times fewer interleukin 1 receptors than normals and the other disease lines. Exaggerated arachidonic acid metabolism in response to interleukin 1 suggests that cells from patients with peroxisomal enzyme defects may be useful in elucidating pathways for arachidonate release and eicosanoid synthesis.     

Elevations of intracellular cAMP result in a change in cell shape that resembles dome formation in cultured rat glomerular epithelial cells

Summary Cultured glomerular epithelial cells form a continuous monolayer of polyhedral-shaped cells. PGE₂ (1 μg/ml) in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (MIX) markedly raises intracellular and medium cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels at 20 min (intracellular: MIX alone, 112 ± 6.6 pmol cAMP/mg protein, MIX plus PGE₂, 2252±63 pmol cAMP/mg protein; medium: MIX, 20.6±2.1 pmol cAMP/mg protein; MIX plus PGE₂, 117±3.8 pmol cAMP/mg protein). By 2 h, when cellular and medium cAMP levels were still elevated, the cells underwent a change in shape that was similar to dome formation (15 to 20% of the monolayer changing shape). Derivatives of cAMP [i. e. dibutyryl and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP], when added to the incubation medium also caused shape change in glomerular epithelial cells at 2 h; cAMP itself did not. The formation of domes has been used as a morphological indicator of the vertorial transport of salt and water in other cultured epithelial cells. This work was supported by grant AM 29787 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.     

Genetic diseases caused by peroxisomal dysfunction. New findings in clinical and biochemical studies

Peroxisomes play an essential role in human cellular metabolism. Peroxisomal disorders, a group of genetic diseases caused by peroxisomal dysfunction, can be classified in three groups namely a group of disorders with a general peroxisomal dysfunction (Zellweger syndrome; infantile type of Refsum's disease; neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, hyperpipecolic acidemia), a group with an impairment of some, but not all peroxisomal functions (rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata) and a group with impairment of only a single peroxisomal function (acatalasemia, X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy/adrenomyeloneuropathy; adult type of Refsum's disease; peroxisomal thiolase deficiency; peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase deficiency; hyperoxaluria type I). In this paper we report the typical findings in ophthalmological examinations of patients suspected of Zellweger syndrome contributing to the clinical diagnosis of this disorder. In biochemical studies using a rapid gaschromatographic detection method for plasmalogens we confirmed that plasmalogens are severely deficient in all tissues of Zellweger patients studied. Moreover, using a recently developed radiochemical method, de novo plasmalogen biosynthesis was found to be impaired in fibroblasts from patients with Zellweger syndrome, infantile Refsum's disease, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy or rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata, this in contrast to X-linked chondrodysplasia in which a normal plasmalogen biosynthesis was found. From the literature it is known that peroxisomal beta-oxidation with both long-chain (C16:0) and very long-chain (C24:0; C26:0) fatty acids is deficient in Zellweger syndrome, infantile Refsum's disease and neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy. In contrast, in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy only the peroxisomal beta-oxidation of the very long chain fatty acids is impaired. As a result very long-chain fatty acids accumulate in tissues, plasma, fibroblasts and amniotic fluid cells from patients with Zellweger syndrome, infantile Refsum's disease, neonatal and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, but not in rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata or X-linked chondrodysplasia. Finally we confirmed that the peroxisomal enzyme alanine glyoxylate aminotransferase is severely deficient in liver from a patient that died because of the neonatal type of hyperoxaluria type I, but not in liver from Zellweger patients.