An Arabidopsis lipid map reveals differences between tissues and dynamic changes throughout development

Mass spectrometry is the predominant analytical tool used in the field of plant lipidomics. However, there are many challenges associated with the mass spectrometric detection and identification of lipids because of the highly complex nature of plant lipids. Studies into lipid biosynthetic pathways, gene functions in lipid metabolism, lipid changes during plant growth and development, and the holistic examination of the role of plant lipids in environmental stress responses are often hindered. Here, we leveraged a robust pipeline that we previously established to extract and analyze lipid profiles of different tissues and developmental stages from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We analyzed seven tissues at several different developmental stages and identified more than 200 lipids from each tissue analyzed. The data were used to create a web-accessible in silico lipid map that has been integrated into an electronic Fluorescent Pictograph (eFP) browser. This in silico library of Arabidopsis lipids allows the visualization and exploration of the distribution and changes of lipid levels across selected developmental stages. Furthermore, it provides information on the characteristic fragments of lipids and adducts observed in the mass spectrometer and their retention times, which can be used for lipid identification. The Arabidopsis tissue lipid map can be accessed at http://bar.utoronto.ca/efp_arabidopsis_lipid/cgi-bin/efpWeb.cgi .     

Cloning of alkaline phosphatase isozyme gene (iap) of Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli three major alkaline phosphatase isozymes are formed by molecular conversions depending on physiological conditions. A chromosomal gene, iap, is responsible for alkaline phosphatase isozyme conversion and is assumed to code for a proteolytic enzyme removing the arginine residue(s) from the N-terminal position of alkaline phosphatase subunits. A chromosomal fragment which complemented the Iap^? phenotype was cloned into pBR322 by a shotgun method. Transducing phage λiap was constructed in vitro from the chromosomal fragment containing the iap gene and λtna DNA. The integration site of the phage on chromosome was identified as the iap locus by PI transduction, which meant that the cloned chromosomal DNA contained authentic iap gene.The restriction map of the hybrid plasmid was constructed. Based upon this information, several iap deletion plasmids as well as smaller iup⁺ plasmids were constructed. Analysis of the phenotypes conferred by these plasmids enabled us to locate iap gene within a 2-kb segment of the cloned DNA.The cells carrying the iap⁺ plasmid showed very efficient isozyme conversion even in medium containing arginine, an inhibitor for the isozyme conversion. This indicates overproduction of the iap gene product.     

Endogenous ocular lipids as potential modulators of intraocular pressure

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a risk factor in glaucoma, a group of irreversible blinding diseases. Endogenous lipids may be involved in regulation of IOP homeostasis. We present comparative fold analysis of phospholipids and sphingolipids of aqueous humour and trabecular meshwork from human control vs primary open-angle glaucoma and mouse control (normotensive) vs ocular hypertensive state. The fold analysis in control vs disease state was based on ratiometric mass spectrometric data for above classes of lipids. We standardized in vitro assays for rapid characterization of lipids undergoing significant diminishment in disease state. Evaluation of lipids using in vitro assays helped select a finite number of lipids that may potentially expand cellular interstitial space embedded in an artificial matrix or increase fluid flow across a layer of cells. These assays reduced a number of lipids for initial evaluation using a mouse model, DBA/2J with spontaneous IOP elevation. These lipids were then used in other mouse models for confirmation of IOP lowering potential of a few lipids that were found promising in previous assessments. Our results provide selected lipid molecules that can be pursued for further evaluation and studies that may provide insight into their function.     

Lipidomic alteration of plasma in cured COVID-19 patients using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry

Background: The pandemic of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a serious public health crisis worldwide. The symptoms of COVID-19 vary from mild to severe among different age groups, but the physiological changes related to COVID-19 are barely understood.Methods: In the present study, a high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based lipidomic strategy was used to characterize the endogenous plasma lipids for cured COVID-19 patients with different ages and symptoms. These patients were further divided into two groups: those with severe symptoms or who were elderly and relatively young patients with mild symptoms. In addition, automated lipidomic identification and alignment was conducted by LipidSearch software. Multivariate and univariate analyses were used for differential comparison.Results: Nearly 500 lipid compounds were identified in each cured COVID-19 group through LipidSearch software. At the level of lipid subclasses, patients with severe symptoms or elderly patients displayed dramatic changes in plasma lipidomic alterations, such as increased triglycerides and decreased cholesteryl esters (ChE). Some of these differential lipids might also have essential biological functions. Furthermore, the differential analysis of plasma lipids among groups was performed to provide potential prognostic indicators, and the change in signaling pathways.Conclusions: Dyslipidemia was observed in cured COVID-19 patients due to the viral infection and medical treatment, and the discharged patients should continue to undergo consolidation therapy. This work provides valuable knowledge about plasma lipid markers and potential therapeutic targets of COVID-19 and essential resources for further research on the pathogenesis of COVID-19.     

酿酒酵母酚类抑制物耐受性脂质组学研究

通过脂质组学分析方法从细胞膜磷脂分布方面探究适应进化酿酒酵母酚酸耐受性机制。主要利用高效液相色谱-质谱(LC-MS)对酚酸胁迫下适应进化菌株和原始菌株脂质成分检测并进行统计学比较分析。检测出565种脂质代谢物,包含细胞膜磷脂185种。相比初始菌株,适应进化菌株细胞膜中磷脂酰胆碱(PC)、磷脂酰乙醇胺(PE)和磷脂酰肌醇(PI)类磷脂分子相对含量增加,含有长链(C32-C36)和双不饱和脂酰链的磷脂分子含量增加。统计学分析表明显著性差异磷脂分子主要为含有长链不饱和脂酰链的PC和PE类磷脂分子。推测适应进化菌株通过膜磷脂重塑提高细胞膜完整性,对酚类抑制物起到选择性屏障作用,从而保持细胞活性。     

Comparative proteomic analysis of cysteine oxidation in colorectal cancer patients

Oxidative stress promotes damage to cellular proteins, lipids, membranes and DNA, and plays a key role in the development of cancer. Reactive oxygen species disrupt redox homeostasis and promote tumor formation by initiating aberrant activation of signaling pathways that lead to tumorigenesis. We used shotgun proteomics to identify proteins containing oxidation-sensitive cysteines in tissue specimens from colorectal cancer patients. We then compared the patterns of cysteine oxidation in the membrane fractions between the tumor and non-tumor tissues. Using nano-UPLC-MS^E proteomics, we identified 31 proteins containing 37 oxidation-sensitive cysteines. These proteins were observed with IAM-binding cysteines in non-tumoral region more than tumoral region of CRC patients. Then using the Ingenuity pathway program, we evaluated the cellular canonical networks connecting those proteins. Within the networks, proteins with multiple connections were related with organ morphology, cellular metabolism, and various disorders. We have thus identified networks of proteins whose redox status is altered by oxidative stress, perhaps leading to changes in cellular functionality that promotes tumorigenesis.     

Cholesterol transport between red blood cells and lipoproteins contributes to cholesterol metabolism in blood

Lipoproteins play a key role in transport of cholesterol to and from tissues. Recent studies have also demonstrated that red blood cells (RBCs), which carry large quantities of free cholesterol in their membrane, play an important role in reverse cholesterol transport. However, the exact role of RBCs in systemic cholesterol metabolism is poorly understood. RBCs were incubated with autologous plasma or isolated lipoproteins resulting in a significant net amount of cholesterol moved from RBCs to HDL, while cholesterol from LDL moved in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the bi-directional cholesterol transport between RBCs and plasma lipoproteins was saturable and temperature-, energy-, and time-dependent, consistent with an active process. We did not find LDLR, ABCG1, or scavenger receptor class B type 1 in RBCs but found a substantial amount of ABCA1 mRNA and protein. However, specific cholesterol efflux from RBCs to isolated apoA-I was negligible, and ABCA1 silencing with siRNA or inhibition with vanadate and Probucol did not inhibit the efflux to apoA-I, HDL, or plasma. Cholesterol efflux from and cholesterol uptake by RBCs from Abca1^+/+ and Abca1^−/− mice were similar, arguing against the role of ABCA1 in cholesterol flux between RBCs and lipoproteins. Bioinformatics analysis identified ABCA7, ABCG5, lipoprotein lipase, and mitochondrial translocator protein as possible candidates that may mediate the cholesterol flux. Together, these results suggest that RBCs actively participate in cholesterol transport in the blood, but the role of cholesterol transporters in RBCs remains uncertain.