Hepatic lipase. Synthesis, processing, and secretion by isolated rat hepatocytes

Hepatic lipase, a glycoprotein synthesized and secreted by the hepatocyte, binds to sinusoidal endothelium where it is involved in metabolism of lipoprotein phospholipid and triglyceride. To better understand the regulation of hepatic lipase, we investigated the synthesis, post-translational processing, and secretion of the enzyme by isolated rat hepatocytes. Metabolically labeled [35S]methionine hepatic lipase protein, produced by the collagenase-dispersed hepatocytes, was immunoisolated from detergent-solubilized cells and incubation medium at designated times, using a polyclonal rabbit anti-rat hepatic lipase antibody raised against hepatic lipase purified to homogeneity from rat liver post-heparin perfusates. Following polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography, radiolabeled hepatic lipase was quantitated by densitometry. Newly synthesized hepatic lipase was rapidly secreted and accumulated in the medium as a 59,000-dalton protein in a manner consistent with a constitutive process. An intracellular 53,000-dalton precursor of the mature 59,000-dalton hepatic lipase was identified by immunoprecipitation. The 53,000-dalton form could also be generated by endoglycosidase digestion of the secreted 59,000-dalton protein. In pulse-chase experiments, the 53,000-dalton protein was converted into the 59,000-dalton form. A 47,000-dalton form of hepatic lipase was immunoisolated from cell lysates only after tunicamycin treatment and could be generated from the secreted 59,000-dalton enzyme by prolonged endoglycosidase digestion. These data show that hepatic lipase is synthesized and rapidly secreted by isolated rat hepatocytes. Further, an intracellular 47,000-dalton precursor peptide can be identified after tunicamycin treatment, which may represent the hepatic lipase polypeptide, presumably after removal of its signal sequence; a 53,000-dalton partially glycosylated peptide exists as a major precursor form in the cell; and the mature 59,000-dalton hepatic lipase is present in the hepatocyte, but it is rapidly secreted.     

Activation of myocardial neutral triglyceride lipase and neutral cholesterol esterase by cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Lipolysis of intracellular triglycerides in the heart has been shown to be regulated by hormones. However, activation of myocardial triglyceride lipase in a cell-free system has not been directly demonstrated. In the present studies, initial attempts to demonstrate cAMP-dependent activation of triglyceride lipase using the 1,000 X g supernatant fraction (S1) of mouse heart homogenate were unsuccessful, presumably due to the masking effects of high levels of lipoprotein lipase activity even when assayed at pH 7.4 and in the absence of apolipoprotein C-II. Myocardial lipoprotein lipase in the 40,000 X g supernatant fraction was then removed by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The lipoprotein lipase-free fractions were shown to contain neutral triglyceride lipase and neutral cholesterol esterase of about equal activities. The triglyceride lipase and cholesterol esterase activities fell progressively during preincubation in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+. Additions of cAMP and ATP resulted in 40-70% activation of both triglyceride lipase and cholesterol esterase. The activation was blocked by protein kinase inhibitor and was restored by the addition of exogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Since lipoprotein lipase has no activity toward cholesteryl oleate, activation of cholesterol esterase in untreated S1 was readily demonstrable. Both triglyceride lipase and cholesterol esterase activities were present in homogenates prepared from isolated rat heart myocytes. We conclude that the myocardium contains a hormone-sensitive lipase that is regulated in a fashion similar to that of the adipose tissue enzyme.     

Human hepatic triglyceride lipase: cDNA cloning, amino acid sequence and expression in a cultured cell line

By immunoscreening of a human cDNA expression library and hybridization of colonies, four partially overlapping cDNA clones of human hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL) mRNA were isolated. The clones included the complete coding sequence, the 3'- and at least part of the 5'-untranslated region. The length of the composite HTGL cDNA segment (1.7 kb) was consistent with the size of the mRNA identified in an established human hepatoma cell line. DNA-sequence analysis of cDNAs of partially unspliced mRNAs, and of cloned genomic DNA indicated that the HTGL coding sequence comprises at least six exons. As predicted from the cDNA, the unprocessed HTGL protein has a molecular weight of 56, three potential glycosylation sites, and a signal peptide of 23 amino acids. Sequence comparison with cDNA of other lipases, including rat hepatic lipase, revealed 30%-75% protein-sequence homology. The data establish that HTGL is a secretory protein produced in the hepatocyte, and that its synthesis can be continued in permanent cell lines of hepatoma origin. Our studies also showed that HTGL is another member of a lipase gene family which has interfacial binding sites and possibly other functional domains in common.     

Identification, cloning and characterization of a GDSL lipase secreted into the nectar of Jacaranda mimosifolia

The presence and function of several proteins secreted into floral nectars has been described in recent years. Here we report the presence of at least eight distinct proteins secreted into the floral nectar of the tropical tree Jacaranda mimosifolia (Bignoniaceae). Steps were initiated to identify and characterize these proteins in order to determine potential functions. The N-terminal sequence of the major Jacaranda nectar protein, JNP1, at 43 kDa contained similarity with members of the plant GDSL lipase/esterase gene family. Based upon this sequence, a full-length cDNA was isolated and predicted to encode a mature protein of 339 amino acids with a molecular mass of 37 kDa. Both raw nectar and heterologously expressed JNP1 displayed lipase/esterase activities. Interestingly, J. mimosifolia flowers produce an opaque, white colored nectar containing spherical, lipophilic particles approximately 5 microm in diameter and smaller. GS-MS analysis also identified the accumulation of free fatty acids within the nectar. It is proposed that JNP1 hydrolyzes Jacaranda nectar lipids with the concomitant release of free fatty acids. Potential functions of JNP1 in relation to pollinator attraction and prevention of microbial growth within nectar are briefly discussed.     

Molecular cloning and expression of cDNA for rat pancreatic cholesterol esterase

A full-length cDNA complementary to the rat pancreatic cholesterol esterase mRNA was isolated by screening a rat pancreatic cDNA expression library in lambda gt11 vector with antibodies against the porcine pancreatic cholesterol esterase. The isolated cholesterol esterase cDNA is 2050 bp in length and contains an open reading frame coding for a protein of 612 amino acids. A 20-amino acid hydrophobic leader sequence is predicted, based on the position of the first ATG initiation codon upstream from the sequenced amino terminus of the isolated cholesterol esterase. The cholesterol esterase cDNA was subcloned into a mammalian expression vector, pSVL, for transfection studies. Expression of the cDNA in COS cells resulted in the production of bile salt-stimulated cholesterol esterase. Comparison of the cholesterol esterase cDNA sequence with other proteins revealed that the pancreatic cholesterol esterase is identical to rat pancreatic lysophospholipase. The primary structure of cholesterol esterase displayed no significant homology with other lipases, although the putative lipid interfacial recognition site of G-X-S-X-G is present in the cholesterol esterase sequence. However, the cholesterol esterase sequence revealed a 63-amino-acid domain which is highly homologous to the active site domain of other serine esterases. These data suggest that cholesterol esterase may be a member of the serine esterase supergene family. Analysis of the cholesterol esterase structure also revealed a repetitive sequence enriched with Pro, Asp, Glu, Ser, and Thr residues at the C-terminal end of the protein. This sequence is reminiscent of the PEST-rich sequences in short-lived proteins, suggesting that cholesterol esterase may have a short half-life in vivo. Northern blot hybridization showed that the bile salt-stimulated cholesterol esterase mRNA is present in liver suggesting that this protein may also be synthesized by liver cells.     

Isolation and cDNA sequence of human postheparin plasma hepatic triglyceride lipase

Hepatic triglyceride lipase (H-TGL) was isolated from human postheparin plasma by column chromatography on heparin-Sepharose and phenyl-Sepharose and immunoaffinity chromatography with monoclonal antibodies. The purified enzyme had an apparent molecular weight of 65,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and an amino-terminal sequence of Leu-Gly-Gln-Ser-Leu-Lys-Pro-Glu. Partial amino acid sequences of seven cyanogen bromide peptides were obtained. A human hepatoma cDNA library was screened with synthetic oligonucleotides derived from the partial protein sequence. The cloned H-TGL cDNA of 1569 nucleotides predicts a mature protein of 477 amino acids plus a leader sequence of 22 amino acids. Blot hybridization analysis of poly(A)+ mRNA with a putative H-TGL cDNA clone gave a single hybridizing band of 1.7 kilobases. The protein contains four consensus N-glycosylation sequences based on the cDNA sequence. Comparison of the enzyme sequence with that of other lipases reveals highly conserved sequences in regions of putative lipid and heparin binding. The carboxyl terminus of H-TGL contains a highly basic sequence which is not reported to be present in rat H-TGL or other members of the lipase gene family.     

Expression of biologically active hormone-sensitive lipase in mammalian (COS) cells.

cDNAs encoding rat adipose tissue hormone-sensitive lipase were expressed in COS cells, under the control of the SV40 promoter to half the level in rat adipocytes, the richest native source of the enzyme. A cDNA lacking most of the long 5'-untranslated region of the full-length rat hormone-sensitive lipase cDNA was, with regard to the lipase activity, on the average 70% more efficiently expressed that the full-length cDNA. The recombinant protein was almost identical to hormone-sensitive lipase of rat adipose tissue with respect to specific activity, susceptibility to inhibitors, molecular size, phosphorylation and activation by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The described eukaryotic expression system will allow analysis of effects of amino acid substitutions introduced into the lipase molecule by site-directed mutagenesis.     

The catalytic site residues and interfacial binding of human pancreatic lipase.

In this study, the essential serine residue and 2 other amino acids in human pancreatic triglyceride lipase (triacylglycerol acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3) were tested for their contribution to the enzyme's catalytic site or interfacial binding site. By site-specific mutagenesis of the cDNA for human pancreatic lipase, amino acid substitutions were made at Ser153, His264, and Asp177. The mutant cDNAs were expressed in transfected COS-1 cells. Both the medium and the cells were examined for the presence of pancreatic lipase by Western blot analysis. The activity of the expressed proteins against triolein and the interfacial binding was measured. Proteins with mutations in Ser153 were secreted by the cells and bound to interfaces but had no detectable activity. Changing His264 to a leucine or Asp177 to an asparagine also produced inactive lipase. Substituting glutamic acid for Asp177 produced an active protein. These results demonstrate that Ser153 is involved in the catalytic site of pancreatic lipase and is not crucial for interfacial binding. Moreover, the essential roles of His264 and Asp177 in catalysis were demonstrated. A Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad similar to that present in serine proteases is present in human pancreatic lipase.     

The uptake of lipids by rat liver cells

1. Unesterified cholesterol, cholesterol esters and triglycerides of chylomicrons were taken up at the same rate by isolated hepatic parenchymal cells. 2. On incubation of hepatic cells, isolated 2min. after the injection of chylomicrons in vivo, the chylomicron triglyceride associated with the cells underwent hydrolysis. 3. In cells isolated 5min. after the injection of chylomicrons, the chylomicron triglyceride bound to the hepatic cells was accessible to added clearing factor lipase. 4. ;Ghost' hepatic cells had the same binding capacity and lipolytic activity per cell as intact cells. 5. Of all subcellular fractions studied, the ;plasma membrane' fraction showed the greatest capacity per unit weight for non-esterified fatty acid and chylomicron triglyceride binding and for triglyceride hydrolysis. 6. Once non-esterified fatty acids entered the hepatic cell, they were apparently metabolized in the same manner, whether taken up from the circulation as such or derived from chylomicron triglyceride.     

Recombinant bovine dihydrofolate reductase produced by mutagenesis and nested PCR of murine dihydrofolate reductase cDNA

Recent reports of the slow-tight binding inhibition of bovine liver dihydrofolate reductase (bDHFR) in the presence of polyphenols isolated from green tea leaves has spurred renewed interest in the biochemical properties of bDHFR. Earlier studies were done with native bDHFR but in order to validate models of polyphenol binding to bDHFR, larger quantities of bDHFR are necessary to support structural studies. Bovine DHFR differs from its closest sequence homologue, murine DHFR, by 19 amino acids. To obtain the bDHFR cDNA, murineDHFR cDNA was transformed by a series of nested PCRs to reproduce the amino acid coding sequence for bovine DHFR. The bovine liver DHFR cDNA has an open reading frame of 561 base pairs encoding a protein of 187 amino acids that has a high level of conservation at the primary sequence level with other DHFR enzymes, and more so for the amino acid residues in the active site of the mammalian DHFR enzymes. Expression of the bovine DHFR cDNA in bacterial cells produced a stable recombinant protein with high enzymatic activity and kinetic properties similar to those previously reported for the native protein.     

De novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis: cloning, sequencing and expression of a chicken PurH cDNA encoding 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-ribonucleotide transformylase-IMP cyclohydrolase

The purH cDNA, encoding 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-ribonucleotide (AICAR) transformylase-inosine monophosphate cyclohydrolase (ATIC), was cloned by functional complementation of an Escherichia coli purH mutant using a chicken liver cDNA expression library. This represents the first report of the cloning of any eukaryotic ATIC-encoding cDNA (PurH). The avian ATIC mRNA is 2.3 kb long and encodes a protein with an Mr of 64,422. The deduced amino acid sequence is 36% identical to the bacterial purH-encoded enzymes from Bacillus subtilis and E. coli. The avian cDNA was expressed as a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein that was purified in a single step by affinity chromatography. A novel vector was employed which permits rapid and highly efficient cleavage of the GST fusion protein yielding 10 mg of purified PurH product per liter of bacterial culture. Km values were determined with the purified fusion protein utilizing AICAR and (6-R)N10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate as substrates. These values compare favorably with the isolated avian enzyme, supporting the idea that kinetic, as well as other physical properties of the recombinant fusion protein are similar to the native avian enzyme. Large quantities of purified enzyme and the ability to generate site-directed mutations should make mechanistic studies possible. The recombinant enzyme also affords a simple and reliable approach to identifying new antifolates.     

Molecular cloning and primary structure of rat testes metalloendopeptidase EC 3.4.24.15

The complete amino acid sequence of rat testes metalloendopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) was deduced from the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone isolated by screening a rat testes library with a polyclonal antibody raised against a homogeneous preparation of the rat testes enzyme. The correctness of the sequence was verified by N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the isolated enzyme and by partial amino acid sequence analysis of three tryptic peptides located near the N-terminus, the middle, and C-terminus of the native protein. The enzyme is composed of 645 amino acids with a molecular weight of 72,985. This value is close to that of the purified rat testes and brain enzyme as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing and reducing conditions and by molecular sieving chromatography. The enzyme contains the putative active-site sequence -H-E-F-G-H- that is homologous to the sequence in the active site of thermolysin and several other related bacterial enzymes, as well as to active-site sequences of several mammalian zinc metallopeptidases. No amino acid sequence homology, beyond this active site, was found with thermolysin, a bacterial zinc metalloendopeptidase, nor with several mammalian zinc metallopeptidases. Northern blot hybridization analyses showed the presence of mRNA encoding the enzyme in rat testes, but not in other rat tissues in spite of the finding that enzyme activity is widely distributed in all tissues and that relatively high activities are present in rat brain and pituitary.     

Cloning,characterization, and expression of cDNA encoding a lipase from Kurtzmanomyces sp. I-11

A cDNA clone of the lipase secreted by Kurtzmanomyces sp. I-11 was isolated from a cDNA library of this yeast by PCR screening using oligonucleotide primers designed on the basis of the partial amino acid sequence of the lipase. The cloned cDNA (lip1) encoded a hydrophobic protein of 484 amino acids, where the first 20 amino acids and the following 6 amino acid sequences were predicted to be the signal sequence for secretion and a pro-sequence, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Kurtzmanomyces lipase was most similar to Candida antarctica DSM 3855 lipase A (74% identity) and weakly to other lipases. The consensus pentapeptide (-Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly-) that forms a part of the interfacial lipid recognition site in lipases was conserved. A high level of lipase was produced by Pichia pastoris transformed with the lip1 cDNA, indicating that the cloned cDNA indeed encodes a lipase.     

The release of hepatic triglyceride lipase from rat monolayered hepatocytes in primary culture

The release of hepatic triglyceride lipase from cultured rat hepatocytes and its hormonal regulation were studied. The activity of lipase released into the medium in the presence of heparin was increasing for 24 hours on the 2nd day of culture. The activity in the absence of heparin was only 10% of that in the presence of heparin. When hepatocytes were cultured with anti-hepatic triglyceride lipase IgG, the lipase activity was suppressed by 92%. The results suggest that the enzyme released into the culture medium is identical to hepatic triglyceride lipase which can be released only in the presence of heparin, the mode of release being similar to that of lipoprotein lipase from adipocytes. The addition of colchicine and monensin to the medium resulted in the inhibition of lipase secretion by 20% and 61%, respectively. Insulin enhanced lipase activity only 20%, whereas dexamethasone suppressed the activity by 44%. These data indicated that hepatic triglyceride lipase is secreted and released from hepatocytes in the presence of heparin and its secretion is regulated by hormones.     

An active site tyrosine residue is essential for amidohydrolase but not for esterase activity of a class 2 histone deacetylase-like bacterial enzyme

HDACs (histone deacetylases) are considered to be among the most important enzymes that regulate gene expression in eukaryotic cells acting through deacetylation of epsilon-acetyl-lysine residues within the N-terminal tail of core histones. In addition, both eukaryotic HDACs as well as their bacterial counterparts were reported to also act on non-histone targets. However, we are still far from a comprehensive understanding of the biological activities of this ancient class of enzymes. In the present paper, we studied in more detail the esterase activity of HDACs, focussing on the HDAH (histone deacetylase-like amidohydrolase) from Bordetella/Alcaligenes strain FB188. This enzyme was classified as a class 2 HDAC based on sequence comparison as well as functional data. Using chromogenic and fluorogenic ester substrates we show that HDACs such as FB188 HDAH indeed have esterase activity that is comparable with those of known esterases. Similar results were obtained for human HDAC1, 3 and 8. Standard HDAC inhibitors were able to block both activities with similar IC(50) values. Interestingly, HDAC inhibitors such as suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) also showed inhibitory activity against porcine liver esterase and Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase. The esterase and the amidohydrolase activity of FB188 HDAH both appear to have the same substrate specificity concerning the acyl moiety. Interestingly, a Y312F mutation in the active site of HDAH obstructed amidohydrolase activity but significantly improved esterase activity, indicating subtle differences in the mechanism of both catalytic activities. Our results suggest that, in principle, HDACs may have other biological roles besides acting as protein deacetylases. Furthermore, data on HDAC inhibitors affecting known esterases indicate that these molecules, which are currently among the most promising drug candidates in cancer therapy, may have a broader target profile requiring further exploration.     

Identification of a lipase-linked cell membrane receptor for pigment epithelium-derived factor

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is an extracellular multifunctional protein belonging to the serpin superfamily with demonstrable neurotrophic, gliastatic, neuronotrophic, antiangiogenic, and antitumorigenic properties. We have previously provided biochemical evidence for high affinity PEDF-binding sites and proteins in plasma membranes of retina, retinoblastoma, and CNS cells. This study was designed to reveal a receptor involved in the biological activities of PEDF. Using a yeast two-hybrid screening, we identified a novel gene from pigment epithelium of the human retina that codes for a PEDF-binding partner, which we term PEDF-R. The derived polypeptide has putative transmembrane, intracellular and extracellular regions, and a phospholipase domain. Recently, PEDF-R (TTS-2.2/independent phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))zeta and mouse desnutrin/ATGL) has been described in adipose cells as a member of the new calcium-independent PLA(2)/nutrin/patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 2 (PNPLA2) family that possesses triglyceride lipase and acylglycerol transacylase activities. Here we describe the PEDF-R gene expression in the retina and its heterologous expression by bacterial and eukaryotic systems, and we demonstrate that its protein product has specific and high binding affinity for PEDF, has a potent phospholipase A(2) activity that liberates fatty acids, and is associated with eukaryotic cell membranes. Most importantly, PEDF binding stimulates the enzymatic phospholipase A(2) activity of PEDF-R. In conclusion, we have identified a novel PEDF-R gene in the retina for a phospholipase-linked membrane protein with high affinity for PEDF, suggesting a molecular pathway by which ligand/receptor interaction on the cell surface could generate a cellular signal.     

Cloning and characterization of human pancreatic lipase cDNA

Pancreatic lipase (triacylglycerol acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3) hydrolyzes dietary long chain triacylglycerol to free fatty acids and monoacylglycerols in the intestinal lumen. In the presence of bile acids, the activity of lipase is stimulated by colipase. As a prelude to studying the relationship of the protein structures to the functional properties of lipase and colipase, a cDNA encoding human pancreatic lipase was isolated from a lambda gt11 cDNA library screened with a rabbit polyclonal anti-human pancreatic lipase antibody. The full length cDNA clone of 1477 base pairs contained an open reading frame encoding a 465-amino acid protein, including a 16-amino acid signal peptide. The nucleotide sequence was 69% identical to the dog pancreatic lipase cDNA. The predicted NH2-terminal protein sequence agreed with the published NH2-terminal sequence of human pancreatic lipase and the predicted protein sequence was 85 and 70% identical to the protein sequences of pig and dog pancreatic lipase, respectively. A region of homology around Ser-153 is conserved in a number of lipid-binding proteins. Human hepatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase share extensive homology with pancreatic lipase, suggesting that the three proteins are members of a small gene family. In vitro translation of mRNA transcribed from the cDNA resulted in a protein of the expected molecular size that could be processed by microsomal membranes to yield a glycolated protein with proper signal peptide cleavage. RNA blot analysis demonstrated tissue specificity for pancreatic lipase. Thus, for the first time, a full length human pancreatic lipase cDNA has been isolated and characterized. The demonstrated regions of homology with other lipases will aid definition of interactions with substrate and colipase through site-specific mutagenesis.     

Studies on the mechanism of hypertriglyceridemia in the genetically obese Zucker rat

The possibility that impaired removal of lipoprotein triglyceride from the circulation may be a participating factor in the hypertriglyceridemia of the obese Zucker rat was examined. We found no significant differences in the heparin-released lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities of the adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and heart (expressed per gram of tissue) from the lean and obese Zucker rats. Furthermore, the kinetic properties of adipose tissue and heart LPL from the lean and obese rats were similar, indicating that the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme was unaltered in the obese animals. The postheparin plasma LPL activities of lean and obese rats were also similar. However, the postheparin plasma hepatic triglyceride lipase (H-TGL) activity in the obese rats was elevated. The higher activity of H-TGL could not alleviate the hypertriglyceridemia in these animals. Since hypertriglyceridemia in the obese rats could also be due to the hepatic production of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins which are resistant to lipolysis, we therefore isolated very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) from lean and obese rat liver perfusates and examined their degradation by highly purified human milk LPL. Although certain differences were observed in hepatic VLDL triglyceride fatty acid composition, the kinetic patterns of LPL-catalyzed triglyceride disappearance from lean and obese rat liver perfusate VLDL were similar. The isolated liver perfusate VLDL contained sufficient apolipoprotein C-II for maximum lipolysis. These results indicate that impaired lipolysis is not a contributing factor in the genesis of hypertriglyceridemia in the genetically obese Zucker rat. The hyperlipemic state may be attributed to hypersecretion of hepatic VLDL and consequent saturation of the lipolytic removal of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the circulation.     

cDNA cloning and heterologous expression of a wheat proteinase inhibitor of subtilisin and chymotrypsin (WSCI) that interferes with digestive enzymes of insect pests

A cDNA encoding the proteinase inhibitor WSCI (wheat subtilisin/chymotrypsin inhibitor) was isolated by RT-PCR. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers were designed based on the amino acid sequence of WSCI and on the nucleotide sequence of the two homologous inhibitors (CI-2A and CI-2B) isolated from barley. For large-scale production, wsci cDNA was cloned into the E. coli vector pGEX-2T. The fusion protein GST-WSCI was efficiently produced in the bacterial expression system and, as the native inhibitor, was capable of inhibiting bacterial subtilisin, mammalian chymotrypsins and chymotrypsin-like activities present in crude extracts of a number of insect larvae ( Helicoverpa armigera , Plodia interpunctella and Tenebrio molitor ). The recombinant protein produced was also able to interfere with chymotrypsin-like activity isolated from immature wheat caryopses. These findings support a physiological role for this inhibitor during grain maturation.     

The lipid droplet enzyme Tgl1p hydrolyzes both steryl esters and triglycerides in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Based on sequence homology to mammalian acid lipases, yeast reading frame YKL140w was predicted to encode a triacylglycerol (TAG) lipase in yeast and was hence named as TGL1, triglyceride lipase 1. A deletion of TGL1, however, resulted in an increase of the cellular steryl ester content. Fluorescently labeled lipid analogs that become covalently linked to the enzyme active site upon catalysis were used to discriminate between the lipase and esterase activities of Tgl1p. Tgl1p preferred single-chain esterase inhibitors over lipase inhibitors in vitro. Under assay conditions optimal for acid lipases, Tgl1p exhibited steryl esterase activity only and lacked any triglyceride lipase activity. In contrast, at pH 7.4, Tgl1p also exhibited TAG lipase activity; however, steryl ester hydrolase activity was still predominant. Tgl1p localized exclusively to lipid droplets which are the intracellular storage compartment of steryl esters and triacylglycerols in the yeast S. cerevisiae. In a tgl1 deletion mutant, the mobilization of steryl esters in vivo was delayed, but not abolished, suggesting the existence of additional enzymes involved in steryl ester mobilization.