Stimulation of carnitine acylcarnitine translocase activity in heart mitochondria from hyperthyroid rats

The effect of hyperthyroidism on fatty acid oxidation and on carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase activity in rat heart mitochondria has been studied. The rates of palmitoylcarnitine supported respiration as well as the carnitine-palmitoylcarnitine exchange reaction were both stimulated (approx. 36%) in heart mitochondria from hyperthyroid rats. Kinetic analysis of the carnitine-carnitine exchange reaction showed that thyroid hormone affects the Vmax of this process, while having no effect on the Km values. The level of cardiolipin was significantly higher (approx. 40%) in heart mitoplasts from hyperthyroid rats than from the control rats. It can be concluded that thyroid hormones produce a stimulation of heart mitochondrial carnitine translocase activity and that the basis of this effect is likely an increase in the cardiolipin content.

Involvement of carnitine acyltransferases in peroxisomal fatty acid metabolism by the yeast Pichia guilliermondii

This article provides information about peroxisomal fatty acid metabolism in the yeast Pichia guilliermondii. The existence of inducible mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase and peroxisomal carnitine octanoyl-transferase activities was demonstrated after culture of this yeast in a medium containing methyl oleate. The subcellular sites and induction patterns were studied. The inhibition of carnitine octanoyl- and palmitoyl-transferases by chlorpromazine to a large extent prevented the otherwise observed metabolism-dependent inactivation of thiolase by 2-bromofatty acids in vivo. We concluded that the metabolism of long- and medium-chain fatty acids in the peroxisome of this yeast involved carnitine intermediates.

The effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibition on tissue levels of carnitine and carnitine acyltransferase activity in the rabbit

Recently, a new class of lipid lowering agents [3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors] was introduced into clinical practice. The use of these agents could lead to a secondary deficiency in carnitine, which may manifest clinically as a myalgia/myositis-a side effect that is occasionally seen with this class of drugs. In the present study, we examined the effect of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (lovastatin) on serum and tissue levels of carnitine and carnitine acyltransferase activities in the rabbit. Rabbits (n = 6) were fed chow containing lovastatin (30 mg/d) for 16 wk. Blood was collected and tissues (liver, heart, and skeletal muscle) harvested at sacrifice. Free and total carnitine were measured in serum and tissues by a radioenzymatic method. Carnitine acetyltransferase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activities were determined and expressed relative to DNA. Serum free (24.0 +/- 2.6 vs. 29.4 +/- 3.1 microM) and total (35.1 +/- 4.7 vs. 52.8 +/- 8.8 microM) carnitine levels increased significantly with 16 wk of treatment. This increase in total carnitine was mainly due to an increase in the levels of serum acylcarnitine (12.7 +/- 3.1 vs 26.5 +/- 5.7 microM). Tissue levels of total carnitine were significantly decreased by the treatment. Carnitine acetyltransferase was unaffected by the treatment, whereas there was a significant increase in the activity of CPT in the liver and heart.

Role of free L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine in post-gonadal maturation of mammalian spermatozoa

Spermatozoa are produced in the testis and undergo post-gonadal modifications in the epididymis to acquire fertilizing ability. In epididymal plasma, high-molecular-weight proteins and such small molecules as free-L carnitine convert the gametes into "competent' and functional cells. This review summarizes the knowledge pertaining to L-carnitine and the significance of free L-carnitine uptake into the mature spermatozoa of mammals. We provide an overview of the function of free L-carnitine and carnitine esters in the metabolism of eukaryotic cells and review the role of the specific carnitine acyltransferases in mitochondrial transport of fatty acids and in modulating acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) pools in cellular organelles. In mammals, including man, free L-carnitine is taken from blood plasma and concentrated in the epididymal lumen. This epididymal secretion is beneficial for spermatozoa and is not merely an excretory waste. The uptake of free L-carnitine into the spermatozoa and its metabolic outcome are discussed first in in-vivo and then in in-vitro situations. Free L-carnitine goes through the sperm plasma membrane by passive diffusion. Free L-carnitine is acetylated in mature spermatozoa only. The excess acetyl-CoA from the mitochondria is probably stored as acetyl-L-carnitine and modulates the reserves of free CoA essential to the function of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. These properties of L-carnitine of buffering CoA in the mitochondrial matrix are known in somatic cells but are accentuated in this study of the male germinal cells. In the future, a precise measurement of the in-vivo and in-vitro concentrations of free CoA and acetyl-CoA in the cellular compartments of immature and mature spermatozoa might complete these data. The relationship between the endogenous pools of free and acetylated L-carnitine and the percentage of progressive sperm motility indicates a more important metabolic function related to flagellar movement. In conclusion, the potential to initiate sperm motility, which takes place in the epididymis, is probably independent of the carnitine system, while the energy properties of acetyl-L-carnitine can only be relevant in situations of "energy crisis'. The uptake of "cytoplasmic' free L-carnitine in mature spermatozoa must be a protective form of mitochondrial metabolism, useful to the survival of this isolated cell.

Effects of dicarboxylic acids on fatty acid-metabolizing enzymes in cultured rat hepatocytes

A clear chain-length dependent effect was observed for peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation and carnitine acetyltransferase and also for mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. The extent of modulation of peroxisomal beta-oxidation was higher with even-carbon numbered dicarboxylic acids than with odd-carbon numbered ones, although such a tendency was not detected in the mitochondrial reactions. These results indicate difference in the effect of fatty acid-derived dicarboxylates on peroxisomal and mitochondrial functions.

Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase activity in cardiac mitochondria from aged rats: the effect of acetyl-L-carnitine

Age-related changes in mitochondrial fatty acids metabolism may underlie the progressive decline in cardiac function. The effect of aging and acute treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine on fatty acids oxidation and on carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase activity in rat heart mitochondria was studied. Rates of palmitoylcarnitine supported respiration as well as carnitine-carnitine and carnitine-palmitoylcarnitine exchange reactions were all depressed (approx. 35%) in heart mitochondria from aged rats. These effects were almost completely reversed following treatment of aged rats with acetyl-L-carnitine. Heart mitochondrial cardiolipin content was significantly reduced (approx. 38%) in aged rats. Treatment of aged rats with acetyl-L-carnitine restored the level of cardiolipin to that of young rats. It is suggested that acetyl-L-carnitine is able to reverse age-related decrement in mitochondrial carnitine-acylcarnitine exchange activity by restoring the normal cardiolipin content.

Solubilization and separation of two distinct carnitine acyltransferases from hepatic microsomes: characterization of the malonyl-CoA-sensitive enzyme

Conditions have been developed for the solubilization of hepatic microsomal carnitine acyltransferase activity in good yield, with excellent long-term stability and with retention of malonyl-CoA sensitivity. Solubilized microsomal carnitine acyltransferase activity can be separated into malonyl-CoA-sensitive and -insensitive activities either by gel filtration on Superdex 200 or by anion-exchange chromatography on Resource Q. On gel filtration the apparent molecular masses of the malonyl-CoA-sensitive and -insensitive activities are approx. 300 kDa and 60 kDa respectively. The malonyl-CoA-sensitive and -insensitive activities have different fatty-acyl-chain-length specificities and different stabilities in the detergent octyl glucoside. Together these findings indicate that the malonyl-CoA-sensitive and -insensitive activities are due to different enzymes. The malonyl-CoA sensitivity of the inhibitable enzyme is markedly increased on reconstitution into soybean L-alpha-lecithin liposomes, demonstrating that phospholipids play a crucial role in the inhibition by this metabolite. Evidence is also provided that the malonyl-CoA-sensitive microsomal carnitine acyltransferase is a different enzyme from the malonyl-CoA-sensitive carnitine palmitoyltransferase found in the mitochondrial outer membrane. The possible physiological role of the two microsomal acyltransferases is discussed.

3-Amino-5,5-dimethylhexanoic acid. Synthesis, resolution, and effects on carnitine acyltransferases

The selective inhibition of individual carnitine acyltransferases may be useful in the therapy of diabetes and heart disease. Aminocarnitine (3) is a weak competitive inhibitor (K(i) = 4.0 mM) for carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT), although the N-acetyl derivative 4 is about 165 times more potent (K(i) = 0.024 mM) than 3. Compound 3 is also a potent competitive inhibitor for carnitine palmitoyltransferases 1 and 2 (CPT-1 and CPT-2) (IC50 for CPT-2 = 805 nM). We synthesized 3-amino-5,5-dimethylhexanoic acid (7) and its N-acetyl derivative (8) as isosteric analogs of 3 and 4 that lack the quaternary ammonium positive charge. Like 3 and 4, compounds 7 and 8 were competitive inhibitors of CAT with significantly different potencies, but in this case, 8 (K(i) = 25 mM) was 10 times less potent than 7 (K(i) = 2.5 mM). R-(-)-7 and S-(+)-7 were stereoselective inhibitors of CAT (K(i) = 1.9 and 9.2 mM, respectively). Racemic 7 was a weak competitive inhibitor of CPT-2 (K(i) = 20 mM) and had no effect on CPT-1. These results are consistent with differences among the carnitine-binding sites on carnitine acyl-transferases that may be useful in selective inhibitor design. Furthermore, the data suggest that the quaternary ammonium positive charge of carnitine may be important for the proper orientation of carnitine and its analogs in the binding site.

Comparison of the active sites of the purified carnitine acyltransferases from peroxisomes and mitochondria by using a reaction-intermediate analogue

The carnitine acyltransferases contribute to the modulation of the acyl-CoA/CoA ratio in various cell compartments with consequent effects on many aspects of fatty acid metabolism. The properties of the enzymes are different in each location. The kinetic mechanisms and kinetic parameters for the carnitine acyltransferases purified from peroxisomes (COT) and from the mitochondrial inner membrane (CPT-II) were determined. Product-inhibition studies established that COT follows a rapid-equilibrium random-order mechanism, but CPT-II follows a strictly ordered mechanism in which acyl-CoA or CoA must bind before the carnitine substrate. Hemipalmitoylcarnitinium [(+)-HPC], a prototype tetrahedral intermediate analogue of the acyltransferase reaction, inhibits CPT-II 100-fold better than COT. (+)-HPC behaves as an analogue of palmitoyl-L-carnitine with COT. In contrast, with CPT-II(+)-HPC binds more tightly to the enzyme than do substrates or products, suggesting that it is a good model for the transition state and, unlike palmitoyl-L-carnitine, (+)-HPC can bind to the free enzyme. The data support the concept of three binding domains for the acyltransferases, a CoA site, an acyl site and a carnitine site. The CoA site is similar in COT and CPT-II, but there are distinct differences between the carnitine-binding site which may dictate the kinetic mechanism.

The carnitine acyltransferases and their role in modulating acyl-CoA pools

The role of carnitine via the action of carnitine acyltransferase in buffering CoA availability in the mitochondrial matrix is well known. There is now sufficient evidence to extend this to a general role. Carnitine can buffer the acylation state of the CoA pool for any type of acyl group that is a substrate for the carnitine acyltransferase family of enzymes. Specific carnitine acyltransferases in each organelle or membrane can modulate the reserves of free CoA and acyl-CoA in ways specific to the local metabolic demands. The use of inhibitors of carnitine acyltransferases in complex systems and in vivo now permits exploration of the consequences of this role.

Purification of carnitine carrier from rat brain mitochondria

Brain mitochondria isolated from rats of different age were solubilized with Triton X-100 and the detergent extract was subjected to chromatography on dry hydroxyapatite and celite. The highest specific activity (110 mumol/10 min per g protein) measured after reconstitution of isolated proteins into phosphatidylcholine vesicles correlated with the appearance of a polypeptide with a molecular mass of 33,000. Activity of the carnitine carrier, both in isolated mitochondria and in the reconstituted system, varied with animal age, being twice higher in suckling rats than in adults. After reconstitution, the carnitine exchange showed sensitivity to SH groups modifying reagents, N-ethylmaleimide and mersalyl. Acetyl, propionyl and palmitoyl esters of carnitine decreased carnitine/carnitine exchange. Short and medium chain acyl derivatives were more potent inhibitors, pointing to a different substrate specificity of carnitine carrier in brain, in comparison with other tissues.

Properties of the medium chain/long chain carnitine acyltransferase purified from rat liver microsomes

Carnitine octanoyltransferase (COT) purified from rat liver microsomes has K0.5 values between 1.0 and 4.0 microM for saturated 6-carbon to 16-carbon length acyl-CoAs, with little differences in Vmax values. The reaction rate is linear with time in the forward direction (acyl-CoA-->acylcarnitine), but it increases with time when assayed in the reverse direction (acylcarnitine-->acyl-CoA). The K0.5 for decanoylcarnitine and CoASH are 0.3 mM for CoASH and between 1.0 and 4.0 mM for decanoylcarnitine. The kinetic data indicate that the enzyme functions in the direction of acyl-carnitine formation. It is moderately inhibited by aminocarnitine, and D-carnitine and etomoxiryl-CoA are weak inhibitors; malonyl-CoA does not inhibit the enzyme. The enzyme has little, if any, capacity to use valproylcarnitine, 3-methylglutarylcarnitine, or pivaloylcarnitine as a substrate. Polyclonal antibodies prepared against COT give a positive Western blot against the purified enzyme and against a protein in microsomes having the molecular mass of COT (53 kDA). Antimitochondrial CPT and antiperoxisomal CAT did not show appreciable cross-reactivity with purified microsomal COT. The inhibitor data, the kinetic data, the molecular masses, and the Western blotting profiles all show that the enzyme purified from rat liver microsomes is a different carnitine acyltransferase than those previously purified from other organelles.

The mitochondrial carnitine carrier: characterization of SH-groups relevant for its transport function

The transport function of the purified and reconstituted carnitine carrier from rat liver mitochondria was correlated to modification of its SH-groups by various reagents. The exchange activity and the unidirectional transport, both catalyzed by the carnitine carrier, were effectively inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide and submicromolar concentrations of mercurial reagents, e.g., mersalyl and p-(chloromercuri)benzenesulfonate. When 1 microM HgCl2 or higher concentrations of the above mentioned mercurials were added, another transport mode of the carrier was induced. After this treatment, the reconstituted carnitine carrier catalyzed unidirectional substrate-efflux and -influx with significantly reduced substrate specificity. Control experiments in liposomes without carrier or with inactivated carrier protein proved the dependence of this transport activity on the presence of active carnitine carrier. The mercurial-induced uniport correlated with inhibition of the 'physiological' functions of the carrier, i.e., exchange and substrate specific unidirectional transport. The effect of consecutive additions of various reagents including N-ethylmaleimide, mercurials, Cu(2+)-phenanthroline and diamide on the transport function revealed the presence of at least two different classes of SH-groups. N-Ethylmaleimide blocked the carrier activity by binding to SH-groups of one of these classes. At least one of these SH-groups could be oxidized by the reagents forming S-S bridges. Besides binding to the class of SH-groups to which N-ethylmaleimide binds, mercurials also reacted with SH-groups of the other class. Modification of the latter led to the induction of the efflux-type of carrier activity characterized by loss of substrate specificity.

Malonyl-CoA inhibition of peroxisomal carnitine octanoyltransferase

Although the malonyl-CoA sensitivity of peroxisomal carnitine octanoyltransferase (COT) is reportedly lost on solubilization, we show that malonyl-CoA does inhibit the purified enzyme. Assay conditions such as buffer composition, pH, acyl-CoA substrate and the presence or absence of BSA can affect the observed inhibition. When assayed in the absence of BSA, COT shows simple competitive inhibition by malonyl-CoA. The Ki value for inhibition of purified COT is high (106 microM) compared with physiological concentrations (1-6 microM) and other short-chain acyl-CoA esters inhibit COT to the same degree. However, when COT is assayed in intact peroxisomes, the Ki for malonyl-CoA is almost 20-fold lower than found with the purified enzyme, whereas inhibition by other short-chain acyl-CoA esters does not change significantly. Several features of the inhibition of peroxisomal COT, including the specificity of malonyl-CoA over other short-chain acyl-CoA esters, resemble those of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT)-I, suggesting that the regulation of COT and CPT-I in parallel may be necessary for the control of cellular fatty acid metabolism.

Evidence for malonyl-CoA-sensitive carnitine acyl-CoA transferase activity in sarcoplasmic reticulum of canine heart

The formation of palmitoylcarnitine is catalyzed by carnitine palmitoyl-transferase (CPT-I) and this catalysis is the first committed step in beta-oxidation. The malonyl-CoA-inhibited isoform appears to be distinct from latent (CPT-II) activity, which is localized to the matrix side of the mitochondrial inner membrane. Sarcoplasmic reticulum from canine cardiac muscle was fractionated on a discontinuous sucrose density gradient into three major bands, all of which contained Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. Only the fraction that banded at a concentration of 38% surcrose was slightly contaminated by mitochondria. Peroxisomal uricase was low or absent in fractionated SR. All sarcoplasmic reticulum fractions contained malonyl-CoA-sensitive medium- (COT) and long-chain (CPT) carnitine acyltransferase activities. CPT activity decreased in sarcoplasmic reticulum when Triton X-100 was present. Carnitine acyltransferase activities were inactivated by preincubating the sarcoplasmic reticulum with the sulfhydryl reagent, 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB). In contrast, mitochondrial CPT-II activity was stable in the presence of DTNB and activated by Triton X-100. Western blots of mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum fractions showed that the mitochondrial fractions reacted with antibody to mitochondrial CPT-II but not with SR protein when both were added at comparable specific activities. The data suggest that cardiac SR contains a unique malonyl-CoA-sensitive isoform of CPT, and that synthesis of acylcarnitine may occur in the microenvironment of Ca2+ transport, where the extent of production of acylcarnitine is controlled by cardiac acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity.

Peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation and inhibitors of the mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase I in isolated rat hepatocytes

Fatty acid oxidation was studied in the presence of inhibitors of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT I), in normal and in peroxisome-proliferated rat hepatocytes. The oxidation decreased in mitochondria, as expected, but in peroxisomes it increased. These two effects were seen, in variable proportions, with (+)-decanoylcarnitine, 2-tetradecylglycidic acid (TDGA) and etomoxir. The decrease in mitochondrial oxidation (ketogenesis) affected saturated fatty acids with 12 or more carbon atoms, whereas the increase in peroxisomal oxidation (H2O2 production) affected saturated fatty acids with 8 or more carbon atoms. The peroxisomal increase was sensitive to chlorpromazine, a peroxisomal inhibitor. To study possible mechanisms, palmitoyl-, octanoyl- and acetyl-carnitine acyltransferase activities were measured, in homogenates and in subcellular fractions from control and TDGA-treated cells. The palmitoylcarnitine acyltransferase was inhibited, as expected, but the octanoyltransferase activity also decreased. The CoA derivative of TDGA was synthesized and tentatively identified as being responsible for inhibition of the octanoylcarnitine acyltransferase. These results show that inhibitors of the mitochondrial CPT I may also inhibit the peroxisomal octanoyl transferase; they also support the hypothesis that the octanoyltransferase has the capacity to control or regulate peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation.

Metabolic effects of pivalate in isolated rat hepatocytes

Pivalate (trimethylacetic acid) administration in humans or rat has been reported to cause metabolic changes and increased urinary carnitine excretion secondary to pivaloylcarnitine generation. As pivaloylcarnitine formation is dependent on intracellular activation of pivalate, the effects of pivalate on cellular coenzyme A and acyl-CoA contents and oxidative metabolism were defined using isolated rat hepatocytes. During incubations with pivalate (1.0 mM), hepatocyte coenzyme A content fell to less than 0.05 nmol/10(6) cells (vs 0.97 nmol/10(6) cells in the absence of pivalate) as pivaloyl-CoA accumulated. Pivalate (5 mM) inhibited 14CO2 generation from 10 mM [1-14C]pyruvate by 34%, but had no effect on 0.8 mM [1-14C]palmitate oxidation. Pivaloyl-CoA was a substrate for hepatocyte carnitine acyltransferase activity, but supported acylcarnitine formation at rates only 10-20% of those observed with equimolar acetyl-CoA or isovaleryl-CoA as substrates. Thus, hepatocytes activate pivalate to pivaloyl-CoA, which can then be used as a substrate for pivaloylcarnitine formation. The sequestration of hepatocyte coenzyme A as pivaloyl-CoA is associated with inhibition of pyruvate oxidation. As with other organic carboxylic acids, activation of pivalate to the coenzyme A thioester is an important aspect in the biochemical toxicology of the compound.

Carnitine acyltransferases in normal human skeletal muscle and in muscle of patients with carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency

Carnitine acyltransferase activities were studied in normal human skeletal muscle and in muscle of three patients with carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency. Carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT), carnitine octanoyltransferase (COT), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) were differentiated (i) by the use of the substrates acetyl-CoA, octanoyl-CoA, lauroyl-CoA, and palmitoyl-CoA, (ii) by the inhibitors malonyl-CoA, chlorpromazine, and dithio-bis-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB), and (iii) by the solubilities of the carnitine acyltransferase activities after centrifugation at 48,000 g for 30 min. The results are consistent with the notion of three different carnitine acyltransferases in human skeletal muscle: a membrane-bound malonyl-CoA-sensitive CPT, a soluble malonyl-CoA-insensitive CAT, and a malonyl-CoA-sensitive COT that is not attached to the mitochondrial membrane. The different solubilities of the carnitine acyltransferases allow a clear differentiation of CPT from CAT and COT in homogenates of previously frozen muscle biopsies whereas a separate determination of CAT and COT is only partially possible. In patients with CPT deficiency total CPT activity was within the normal range but was abnormally inhibited by malonyl-CoA and chlorpromazine. Activities of carnitine acyltransferases with the substrates acetyl-CoA and octanoyl-CoA were normal indicating that the biochemical defect in CPT deficiency is confined to CPT without compensatory changes of CAT and COT.

Cardiac carnitine acyltransferase activities in exercised normal and dystrophic hamsters

Carnitine acyltransferase activities in the hearts of normal and dystrophic, sedentary and swim exercised hamsters were studied, in order to analyze the relationship between carnitine metabolism and exercise in cardiomyopathy. After 12 weeks, the mean specific activities of cardiac carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT), carnitine octanoyltransferase (COT) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) were significantly higher in the dystrophic sedentary group, relative to the normal sedentary group (p less than 0.05). There was no significant effect of exercise on the mean specific activity of the carnitine acyltransferases, compared to the dystrophic or normal sedentary controls. Thus, the improvements in cardiac histopathology due to exercise noted previously are not associated with altered carnitine acyltransferase activity.

The medium-chain carnitine acyltransferase activity associated with rat liver microsomes is malonyl-CoA sensitive

The data presented herein show that both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum contain a medium-chain/long-chain carnitine acyltransferase, designated as COT, that is strongly inhibited by malonyl-CoA. The average percentage inhibition by 17 microM malonyl-CoA for 25 preparations is 87.4 +/- 11.7, with nine preparations showing 100% inhibition; the concentrations of decanoyl-CoA and L-carnitine were 17 microM and 1.7 mM, respectively. The concentration of malonyl-CoA required for 50% inhibition is 5.3 microM. The microsomal medium-chain/long-chain carnitine acyltransferase is also strongly inhibited by etomoxiryl-CoA, with 0.6 microM etomoxiryl-CoA producing 50% inhibition. Although palmitoyl-CoA is a substrate at low concentrations, the enzyme is strongly inhibited by high concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA; 50% inhibition is produced by 11 microM palmitoyl-CoA. The microsomal medium-chain/long-chain carnitine acyltransferase is stable to freezing at -70 degrees C, but it is labile in Triton X-100 and octylglucoside. The inhibition by palmitoyl-CoA and the approximate 200-fold higher I50 for etomoxiryl-CoA clearly distinguish this enzyme from the outer form of mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase. The microsomal medium-chain/long-chain carnitine acyltransferase is not inhibited by antibody prepared against mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase, and it is only slightly inhibited by antibody prepared against peroxisomal carnitine octanoyltransferase. When purified peroxisomal enzyme is mixed with equal amounts of microsomal activity and the mixture is incubated with the antibody prepared against the peroxisomal enzyme, the amount of carnitine octanoyltransferase precipitated is equal to all of the peroxisomal carnitine octanoyltransferase plus a small amount of the microsomal activity. This demonstrates that the microsomal enzyme is antigenically different than either of the other liver carnitine acyltransferases that show medium-chain/long-chain transferase activity. These results indicate that medium-chain and long-chain acyl-CoA conversion to acylcarnitines by microsomes in the cytosolic compartment is also modulated by malonyl-CoA.

The role of carnitine in intracellular metabolism

In animal cells long chain fatty acids are transferred into the mitochondria for oxidation as acylcarnitines. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I in the outer membrane, and carnitine translocase plus carnitine palmitoyltransferase II in the inner membrane catalyse the transfer. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I is inhibited by malonyl-CoA, an intermediate in fatty acid synthesis. In the liver of fasted, diabetic, or thyreotoxic animals this enzyme shows increased activity and less inhibition by malonyl-CoA. Peroxisomes also contain carnitine acyltransferases and a beta-oxidation enzyme system. This system is particularly active in the shortening of very long chain fatty acids. The carnitine acyltransferases of the peroxisomes presumably are active in the transfer of the shortened acyl-CoAs and the acetyl-CoA to the mitochondria for complete oxidation. The carnitine acyltransferases of the mitochondria can catalyse the formation of propionylcarnitine and branched chain acylcarnitines from branched chain amino acids, and methylthiopropionylcarnitine from methionine. Their formation may represent a "security valve" preventing acyl-CoA accumulation in the mitochondria. The liver, which normally releases carnitine for other tissues, releases the branched chain acylcarnitines even more easily. This may be important for the development of secondary carnitine deficiency in some inborn errors of metabolism which are accompanied by the accumulation of acyl-CoAs in the tissue.

Muscle malonyl-CoA decreases during exercise

Malonyl-CoA, the inhibitor of carnitine acyltransferase I, is an important regulator of fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis in the liver. Muscle carnitine acyltransferase I has previously been reported to be more sensitive to malonyl-CoA inhibition than is liver carnitine acyltransferase I. Fluctuations in malonyl-CoA concentration may therefore be important in regulating the rate of fatty acid oxidation in muscle during exercise. Male rats were anesthetized (pentobarbital via venous catheters) at rest or after 30 min of treadmill exercise (21 m/min, 15% grade). The gastrocnemius/plantaris muscles were frozen at liquid N2 temperature. Muscle malonyl-CoA decreased from 1.66 +/- 0.17 to 0.60 +/- 0.05 nmol/g during the exercise. This change was accompanied by a 31% increase in cAMP in the muscle. The decline in malonyl-CoA occurred before muscle glycogen depletion and before onset of hypoglycemia. Plasma catecholamines, corticosterone, and free fatty acids were all significantly increased during the exercise. This exercise-induced decrease in malonyl-CoA may be important for allowing the increase in muscle fatty acid oxidation during exercise.

Fatty acid oxidation in hepatic peroxisomes and mitochondria after treatment of rats with di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

Rats were fed a diet containing di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate, which increases the number of peroxisomes and mitochondria in the liver. This proliferation does not change the ratio of phospholipid to protein in mitochondria or microsomes, but causes certain changes in the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids. The highest rates of peroxisomal and mitochondrial beta-oxidation are obtained with 12:0 and 16:0 fatty acids as substrates, respectively. A 3-4 fold increase in the rate of beta-oxidation by both organelles is caused by DEHP treatment, but there are no qualitative changes in the relative rates of oxidation of individual fatty acids. Short- and medium-chain carnitine acyltransferases in peroxisomes, microsomes and mitochondria, as well as the mitochondrial long-chain carnitine acyltransferase are induced to various extents. These results indicate that the increased beta-oxidation of fatty acids caused by phthalate treatment involves the same peroxisomal and mitochondrial pathways which operate under normal conditions.

Participation of peroxisomes in lipid biosynthesis in the harderian gland of guinea pig

Peroxisomal enzyme activities in the guinea-pig harderian gland, which has a unique lipid composition, were studied. Activities of catalase, acyl-CoA oxidase and the cyanide-insensitive acyl-CoA beta-oxidation system in this tissue were comparable with those in rat liver. The activities of dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAPAT, EC 2.3.1.42) and alkyl-DHAP synthase (EC 2.5.1.26) were appreciable, and the distributions of both activities were consistent with that of sedimentable catalase activity. Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT, EC 2.3.1.15), which is localized in both microsomes (microsomal fractions) and mitochondria in the rat liver, was a peroxisomal enzyme in the harderian gland, though the activity was only about one-tenth of the DHAPAT activity. These enzymes had different pH profiles and substrate specificity. The existence of high activities of enzymes of the acyl-DHAP pathway in peroxisomes suggests the physiological significance of peroxisomes in the biosynthesis of glycerol ether phospholipid and 1-alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerol in the guinea-pig harderian gland.

Peroxisomal and mitochondrial beta-oxidation of monocarboxylyl-CoA, omega-hydroxymonocarboxylyl-CoA and dicarboxylyl-CoA esters in tissues from untreated and clofibrate-treated rats

In control rats, long-chain monocarboxylyl-CoA, omega-hydroxymonocarboxylyl-CoA, and dicarboxylyl-CoA esters were substrates for hepatic, renal, and myocardial peroxisomal beta-oxidation. The latter enzyme system could not be detected in skeletal muscle. Clofibrate treatment resulted in an enhancement of peroxisomal beta-oxidizing capacity in various tissues. Intact mitochondria from control rat liver and kidney cortex incubated in the presence of L-carnitine were capable of oxidizing long-chain monocarboxylyl-CoAs and omega-hydroxymonocarboxylyl-CoAs but not dicarboxylyl-CoAs. However, control rat liver mitochondria permeabilized by digitonin oxidized dodecanedioyl-CoA indicating that the liver mitochondrial beta-oxidation system can act on dicarboxylyl-CoA esters even if the overall intact mitochondrial system is inactive on these substrates. Intact liver mitochondria from clofibrate-treated animals rapidly oxidized lauroyl-CoA and 12-hydroxylauroyl-CoA but not dodecanedioyl-CoA. These mitochondria were active on hexadecanedioyl-CoA and this activity amounted to 20-25% of that measured with palmitoyl-CoA and 16-hydroxypalmitoyl-CoA as substrates. No mitochondrial dicarboxylyl-CoA oxidation could be detected in kidney cortex from animals receiving clofibrate in their diet. Heart and skeletal muscle intact mitochondria from untreated and clofibrate-treated rats were capable of oxidizing each type of acyl-CoA as a substrate. Dicarboxylyl-CoA synthetase and carnitine dicarboxylyltransferase activities were detected in various tissues from untreated and clofibrate-treated rats with the exception of carnitine dodecanedioyltransferase reaction in livers from untreated and clofibrate-treated rats. In skeletal muscle, the acyl-CoA synthetase activities could be detected only in the presence of detergents.