Metabolic pathways in mammalian peroxisomes

Biochemistry of peroxisomes in health and disease

The ubiquitous distribution of peroxisomes and the identification of a number of inherited diseases associated with peroxisomal dysfunction indicate that peroxisomes play an essential part in cellular metabolism. Some of the most important metabolic functions of peroxisomes include the synthesis of plasmalogens, bile acids, cholesterol and dolichol, and the oxidation of fatty acids (very long chain fatty acids > C22, branched chain fatty acids (e.g. phytanic acid), dicarboxylic acids, unsaturated fatty acids, prostaglandins, pipecolic acid and glutaric acid). Peroxisomes are also responsible for the metabolism of purines, polyamines, amino acids, glyoxylate and reactive oxygen species (e.g. O-2 and H2O2). Peroxisomal diseases result from the dysfunction of one or more peroxisomal metabolic functions, the majority of which manifest as neurological abnormalities. The quantitation of peroxisomal metabolic functions (e.g. levels of specific metabolites and/or enzyme activity) has become the basis of clinical diagnosis of diseases associated with the organelle. The study of peroxisomal diseases has also contributed towards the further elucidation of a number of metabolic functions of peroxisomes.

Peroxisomal multifunctional enzyme of beta-oxidation metabolizing D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA esters in rat liver: molecular cloning, expression and characterization

In the present study we have cloned and characterized a novel rat peroxisomal multifunctional enzyme (MFE) named perMFE-II. The purified 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase 2 with an M(r) of 31500 from rat liver [Malila, Siivari, Mäkelä, Jalonen, Latipää, Kunau and Hiltunen (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 21578-21585] was subjected to tryptic fragmentation and the resulting peptides were isolated and sequenced. Surprisingly, the full-length cDNA, amplified by PCR, had an open reading frame of 2205 bp encoding a polypeptide with a predicted M(r) of 79,331 and contained a potential peroxisomal targeting signal in the C-terminus (Ala-Lys-Leu). The sequenced peptide fragments of hydratase 2 gave a full match in the middle portion of the cDNA-derived amino acid sequence. The predicted amino acid sequence showed a high degree of similarity with pig 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type IV and MFE of yeast peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Recombinant perMFE-II (produced in Pichia pastoris) had 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase 2 and D-specific 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities and was catalytically active with several straight-chain trans-2-enoyl-CoA, 2-methyltetradecenoyl-CoA and pristenoyl-CoA esters. The results showed that in addition to an earlier described multifunctional isomerase-hydratase-dehydrogenase enzyme from rat liver peroxisomes (perMFE-I), another MFE exists in rat liver peroxisomes. They both catalyse sequential hydratase and dehydrogenase reactions of beta-oxidation but through reciprocal stereochemical courses.

Identification and characterization of the 2-enoyl-CoA hydratases involved in peroxisomal beta-oxidation in rat liver

In this study we attempted to determine the number of 2-enoyl-CoA hydratases involved in peroxisomal beta-oxidation. We therefore separated peroxisomal proteins from rat liver on several chromatographic columns and measured hydratase activities on the eluates with different substrates. The results indicate that rat liver peroxisomes contain two hydratase activities: (1) a hydratase activity associated with multifunctional protein 1 (MFP-1) (2-enoyl-CoA hydratase/delta 3, delta 2-enoyl-CoA isomerase/L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase) and (2) a hydratase activity associated with MFP-2 (17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase/2-enoyl-CoA hydratase). MFP-1 forms and dehydrogenates L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA species, whereas MFP-2 forms and dehydrogenates D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA species. A portion of MFP-2 is proteolytically cleaved, most probably in the peroxisome, into a 34 kDa 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and a 45 kDa D-specific 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase. Finally, the results confirm that MFP-1 is involved in the degradation of straight-chain fatty acids, whereas MFP-2 and its cleavage products seem to be involved in the degradation of the side chain of cholesterol (bile acid synthesis).

Further characterization of the peroxisomal 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenases from rat liver. Relationship between the different dehydrogenases and evidence that fatty acids and the C27 bile acids di- and tri-hydroxycoprostanic acids are metabolized by separate multifunctional proteins

Recently, we purified five 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenases from isolated rat liver peroxisomal fractions. The enzymes were designated I-V according to their order of elution from the first column used in the purification procedure. Determination of the substrate (L- or D-hydroxyacyl-CoA) stereo-specificity and (de)hydratase measurements with the different 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA stereoisomers of straight-chain fatty acids and the bile acid intermediate trihydroxycoprostanic acid, immunoblotting analysis with antibodies raised against the different enzymes and peptide sequencing, all performed on enzymes I-V and molecular cloning of enzyme III revealed the following picture. Rat liver peroxisomes contain two multifunctional beta-oxidation proteins: (a) multifunctional protein 1 (the classical multifunctional protein; MFP-1) displaying 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase, L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase and delta 3, delta 2-enoyl-CoA isomerase activity (enzyme IV) and (b) multifunctional protein 2 (MFP-2) displaying 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase and D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity (enzyme III). Because of their substrate stereospecificity and because of the stereochemical configuration of the naturally occurring beta-oxidation intermediates, MFP-1 and MFP-2 appear to be involved in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids and bile acids intermediates, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cloned MFP-2 cDNA is highly similar to that of the recently described porcine endometrial estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase [Leenders, F., Adamski, J., Husen, B., Thole, H. H. & Jungblut, P. W. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 222, 221-227]. In agreement, MFP-2 also displayed estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase activity, indicating that MFP-2 and the steroid dehydrogenase are identical enzymes. MFP-2 is partially cleaved, most probably in vivo, in a estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase/D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase that forms a dimeric complex (enzyme I) and a hydratase. The physiological significance of enzyme I in bile acid synthesis (and steroid metabolism) remains to be determined. MFP-1 (enzyme IV) is artefactually cleaved during purification giving rise to 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase V. 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase II is a mitochondrial contaminant similar to porcine and murine mitochondrial 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase.

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARS) and their effects on lipid metabolism and adipocyte differentiation

The three types of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR), alpha, beta (or delta), and gamma, each with a specific tissue distribution, compose a subfamily of the nuclear hormone receptor gene family. Although peroxisome proliferators, including fibrates and fatty acids, activate the transcriptional activity of these receptors, only prostaglandin J2 derivatives have been identified as natural ligands of the PPAR gamma subtype, which also binds thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agents with high affinity. Activated PPARs heterodimerize with RXR and alter the transcription of target genes after binding to specific response elements or PPREs, consisting of a direct repeat of the nuclear receptor hexameric DNA core recognition motif spaced by one nucleotide. The different PPARs can be considered key messengers responsible for the translation of nutritional, pharmacological and metabolic stimuli into changes in the expression of genes, more specifically those genes involved in lipid metabolism. PPAR alpha is involved in stimulating beta-oxidation of fatty acids. In rodents, a PPAR alpha-mediated change in the expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism lies at the basis of the phenomenon of peroxisome proliferation, a pleiotropic cellular response, mainly limited to liver and kidney and which can lead to hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition to their role in peroxisome proliferation in rodents, PPAR is also involved in the control of HDL cholesterol levels by fibrates and fatty acids in rodents and humans. This effect is, at least partially, based on a PPAR-mediated transcriptional regulation of the major HDL apolipoproteins, apo A-I and apo A-II. The hypotriglyceridemic action of fibrates and fatty acids also involves PPARs and can be summarized as follows: (1) an increased lipolysis and clearance of remnant particles, due to changes in LPL and apo C-III levels, (2) a stimulation of cellular fatty acid uptake and their conversion to acyl-CoA derivatives by the induction of FAT, FATP and ACS activity, (3) an induction of fatty acid beta-oxidation pathways, (4) a reduction in fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis, and finally (5) a decrease in VLDL production. Hence, both enhanced catabolism of triglyceride-rich particles as well as reduced secretion of VLDL particles are mechanisms that contribute to the hypolipidemic effect of fibrates and FFAs. Whereas for PPAR beta no function so far has been identified, PPAR gamma triggers adipocyte differentiation by inducing the expression of several genes critical for adipogenesis.

Rat pristanoyl-CoA oxidase. cDNA cloning and recognition of its C-terminal (SQL) by the peroxisomal-targeting signal 1 receptor

The composite pristanoyl-CoA oxidase cDNA sequence, derived from two overlapping clones from a rat liver cDNA library and a 5'-RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) PCR fragment, consisted of 2600 bases and contained an open reading frame of 2100 bases, encoding a protein of 700 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 78445 Da. This value is somewhat larger than the reported molecular mass of 70 kDa as determined earlier by SDS-gel electrophoresis. The amino acid identity with rat palmitoyl-CoA oxidase was rather low (28%) and barely higher than that with the yeast acyl-CoA oxidases (20%), suggesting that the palmitoyl-CoA oxidase/pristanoyl-CoA oxidase duplication occurred early in evolution. The carboxy-terminal tripeptide of pristanoyl-CoA oxidase was SQL. In vitro studies with the bacterially expressed human peroxisomal-targeting signal-1 import receptor indicated that SQL functions as a peroxisome-targeting signal. Northern analysis of tissues from control and clofibrate treated rats demonstrated that the pristanoyl-CoA oxidase gene is transcribed in liver and extrahepatic tissues and that transcription is not enhanced by treatment of rats with peroxisome proliferators. No mRNA could be detected by northern analysis of human tissues, suggesting that the human pristanoyl-CoA oxidase gene, if present, is only poorly or not transcribed.

Regulation of the biosynthesis of 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid

The synthesis of 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (22:6(n-3)) requires that when 6,9,12,15,18,21-tetracosahexaenoic acid (24:6(n-3)) is produced in the endoplasmic reticulum, it preferentially moves to peroxisomes for one cycle of beta-oxidation rather than serving as a substrate for membrane lipid synthesis. Both 24:6(n-3) and its precursor, 9,12,15,18,21-tetracosapentaenoic acid (24:5(n-3)), were poor substrates for acylation into 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1-acyl-GPC) by rat liver microsomes. When peroxisomes were incubated with 1-14C- or 3-14C-labeled 7,10,13,16,19-docosapentaenoic acid (22:5(n-3)), [1-14C]22:6(n-3), [3-14C]24:5(n-3), or [3-14C]24:6(n-3), only small amounts of acid-soluble radioactivity were produced when double bond removal at positions 4 and 5 was required. When microsomes and 1-acyl-GPC were included in incubations, the preferred metabolic fate of acids, with their first double bond at either positions 4 or 5, was to move out of peroxisomes for esterification into the acceptor rather than serving as substrates for continued beta-oxidation. When [1-14C]22:6(n-3) or [3-14C]24:6(n-3) was incubated with peroxisomes, 2-trans-4,7,10,13,16,19-22:7 accumulated. The first cycle of 20:5(n-3) beta-oxidation proceeds through 2-trans-4,8,11,14,17-20:6 and thus requires both Delta3,5,Delta2, 4-dienoyl-CoA isomerase and 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase. The accumulation of the substrate for 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase, as generated from 22:6(n-3), but not from 20:5(n-3), suggests that this enzyme distinguishes between subtle structural differences. When 22:6(n-3) is produced from 24:6(n-3), its continued degradation is impaired because of low 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase activity. This slow reaction rate likely contributes to the transport of 22:6(n-3) out of peroxisomes for rapid acylation into 1-acyl-GPC by microsomes.

Major hyperpipecolataemia in a normal adult

We describe the fortuitous discovery of a 44-year-old man with a very high hyperpipecolataemia (250 mumol/L; normal < 2.5). This patient has none of the clinical features seen in peroxisomal diseases, he is a strictly normal intelligent adult. A stereochemical study of this pipecolic acid was performed using D-amino acid oxidase, and identified it as L-pipecolic acid. We suggest that isolated L-hyperpipecolataemia may be a benign trait.

Hydrogen peroxide metabolism during peroxisome proliferation by fenofibrate

Fenofibrate, the hypolipidemic drug and peroxisome proliferator, was given to mice (0.23% w/w in the diet) during 1-3 weeks and enzyme activities, H2O2 concentration, and H2O2 production rate were determined. A maximal increase of 150% in liver/body weight ratio was observed after 3 weeks of treatment. Acyl-CoA oxidase, catalase and uricase activities were increased by 712%, 506% and 41% respectively by treatment with fenofibrate. Se- and non Se-glutathione peroxidase and Mn-superoxide dismutase activities were increased by 331%, 188% and 130% respectively in the liver of 2 weeks-treated mice. Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activity was not affected by fenofibrate treatment. H2O2 steady-state concentration showed an increase of 89% after 2 weeks of treatment. H2O2 production rates, and the steady-state concentrations of the intermediates HO, R and ROO, calculated using experimental data, were higher in the liver of fenofibrate-treated mice than in control animals. According to our findings, the imbalance between H2O2 production and its degradation by its metabolizing enzymes during peroxisome proliferation, would result in an increased level of H2O2 steady-state concentration, with the resulting oxidative stress which may lead to the generation of oxidative damage and to the induction of liver carcinogenesis.

Alkyl dihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase in glycosomes of Trypanosoma brucei

Alkyl-dihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase (E.C. 2.5.1.26), the key enzyme in ether phospholipid biosynthesis, was demonstrated to be present in Trypanosoma brucei. The distribution of alkyl-dihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase was found to be identical to that of dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (E.C. 2.3.1.42), which has previously been shown to be exclusively associated with the glycosome fraction (Opperdoes, F.R. (1984) FEBS Lett. 169, 35-39). Studies with gradient purified glycosomes indicated that the formation of alkyl-dihydroxyacetone phosphate was completely dependent on the presence of acyl-dihydroxyacetone phosphate. The glycosomal alkyl-dihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase activity was characterized with respect to its pH optimum, Triton X-100 sensitivity and the dependency on the concentration of the substrates palmitoyl-dihydroxyacetone phosphate and hexadecanol. Using thin-layer chromatographic and alkaline hydrolysis procedures the reaction product was identified as alkyl-dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Alkyl-dihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase was resistant to proteolytic inactivation by trypsin in intact glycosomes but not in Triton X-100 disrupted glycosomes. It is concluded that T. brucei glycosomes contain the enzymes responsible for glycero-ether bond formation analogous to mammalian peroxisomes.

Human peroxisomal targeting signal-1 receptor restores peroxisomal protein import in cells from patients with fatal peroxisomal disorders

Two peroxisomal targeting signals, PTS1 and PTS2, are involved in the import of proteins into the peroxisome matrix. Human patients with fatal generalized peroxisomal deficiency disorders fall into at least nine genetic complementation groups. Cells from many of these patients are deficient in the import of PTS1-containing proteins, but the causes of the protein-import defect in these patients are unknown. We have cloned and sequenced the human cDNA homologue (PTS1R) of the Pichia pastoris PAS8 gene, the PTS1 receptor (McCollum, D., E. Monosov, and S. Subramani. 1993. J. Cell Biol. 121:761-774). The PTS1R mRNA is expressed in all human tissues examined. Antibodies to the human PTS1R recognize this protein in human, monkey, rat, and hamster cells. The protein is localized mainly in the cytosol but is also found to be associated with peroxisomes. Part of the peroxisomal PTS1R protein is tightly bound to the peroxisomal membrane. Antibodies to PTS1R inhibit peroxisomal protein-import of PTS1-containing proteins in a permeabilized CHO cell system. In vitro-translated PTS1R protein specifically binds a serine-lysine-leucine-peptide. A PAS8-PTS1R fusion protein complements the P. pastoris pas8 mutant. The PTS1R cDNA also complements the PTS1 protein-import defect in skin fibroblasts from patients--belonging to complementation group two--diagnosed as having neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy or Zellweger syndrome. The PTS1R gene has been localized to a chromosomal location where no other peroxisomal disorder genes are known to map. Our findings represent the only case in which the molecular basis of the protein-import deficiency in human peroxisomal disorders is understood.

Hepatic oxidative stress and related defenses during treatment of mice with acetylsalicylic acid and other peroxisome proliferators

The peroxisome proliferators perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; 0.02% w/w), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; 0.02%, w/w), nafenopin (0.125%, w/w), clofibrate (0.5%, w/w), and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; 1%, w/w) were administered to male C57 BL/6 mice in their diet for two weeks. Parameters for Fe3+ ADP, NADPH or ascorbic acid-initiated lipid peroxidation in vitro were measured. Approximately a twofold increase in susceptibility to lipid peroxidation was obtained for all the peroxisome proliferators tested. Cotreatment of mice with the peroxisome proliferator ASA (1%, w/w) and a catalase inhibitor, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT; 0.4%, w/w) for 7 days resulted in little inhibition of peroxisome proliferation, an elevated level of H2O2 in vivo, and total inhibition of the increased susceptibility to lipid peroxidation in vitro. No increase in lipid peroxidation in vivo was observed. Certain antioxidant enzymes (DT-diaphorase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) and components (ubiquinone and alpha-tocopherol) were also measured. The results showed that there was some induction of these antioxidant enzymes and components by ASA or aminotriazole, except for glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, which were inhibited. The possible involvement of oxidative stress in the carcinogenicity of peroxisome proliferators is discussed.

Identification and characterization of the putative human peroxisomal C-terminal targeting signal import receptor

To identify proteins interacting with the C-terminal peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS1), we screened a human liver cDNA library by means of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetic system, known as the two-hybrid system. We isolated a cDNA encoding a protein that specifically bound the PTS1 topogenic signal in the intact yeast cell but also in vitro after bacterial expression and purification. Sequence analysis of the full-length cDNA revealed the presence of an open reading frame encoding a 70-kDa polypeptide that belongs to the tetratricopeptide repeat family and that is homologous to the PAS8 and PAS10 gene products, which are required for the formation of normal peroxisomes in yeast. Subcellular fractionation of human liver and immunofluorescence studies on HepG2 cells demonstrated that this PTS1-binding protein is present exclusively in peroxisomes and that the PTS1-binding domain is located to the cytosolic side of the peroxisomal membrane. All available evidence indicates that the PTS1-binding protein is part of the peroxisomal protein import machinery and most probably is the long sought after human PTS1 import receptor.

On the mechanism of stimulation of peroxisomal beta-oxidation in rat heart by partially hydrogenated fish oil

By feeding rats a diet containing 20% (w/w) partially hydrogenated fish oil (PHFO), an apparent 6.3-fold increase in the cyanide insensitive palmitoyl-CoA-dependent NAD+ reduction was observed for the heart peroxisomal fractions. This finding was confirmed by a 7.6-fold and 7.9-fold increase in the specific activity of fatty acyl-CoA oxidase, with palmitoyl-CoA and erucoyl-CoA as the substrates, respectively. Immunoblots after SDS-PAGE of rat heart peroxisomal fractions revealed a 12-fold increase in the 52 kDa fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (FAO) subunit for PHFO-fed rats, whereas the 72 kDa subunit of FAO and several other peroxisomal proteins (including the trifunctional enzyme delta 3,delta 2-enoyl-CoA isomerase, 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase) increased only 2- to 3-fold. The increase in the 52 kDa subunit was markedly higher than the increase in the steady-state mRNA level of FAO (2.0-fold), and is most likely caused by a rather selective stabilization of the 52 kDa FAO subunit. Interestingly, PHFO feeding caused a larger increase in fatty acyl-CoA oxidase and catalase activities than did clofibrate in the heart. The opposite was the case in the liver, especially for fatty acyl-CoA oxidase. Rats fed a semisynthetic diet containing 6% (w/w) erucic acid (C22:1(n - 9), cis) or brassidic acid (C22:1(n - 9), trans) revealed a 5-fold and 3-fold increase vs. the control (pellet fed) rats in heart FAO activity, respectively, as well as a proportional and selective increase in the specific content of 52 kDa FAO subunit. Thus, the relatively high content of C22 monoene fatty acids appears to be one of the main factors responsible for the increase in rat heart peroxisomal FAO activity during PHFO feeding. However, the PHFO diet increased the heart peroxisomal FAO activity more than diets containing a similar amount of C22:1 in the form of erucic or brassidic acid, and additional compounds of lipid or a more xenobiotic nature may also play a role. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of highly purified rat liver peroxisomes revealed that the specific content of polypeptides with mobilities corresponding to that of the beta-oxidation enzyme system, increased by a factor of < 2 as a result of feeding the PHFO diet. The 3.1-fold increase in cyanide insensitive palmitoyl-CoA-dependent NAD+ reduction was comparable to the increase (4.1-fold) in the acyl-CoA oxidase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The importance of tissue fixation for light microscopic immunohistochemical localization of peroxisomal proteins: the superiority of Carnoy's fixative over Baker's formalin and Bouin's solution

We have compared the effects of fixation with three commonly used fixatives upon preservation of the antigenicity of six peroxisomal proteins in rat liver using both immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting of fixed tissue extracts. The immunoreactivity of all six peroxisomal proteins was well preserved and peroxisomes were clearly identified in material fixed in Carnoy's fixative. Moreover, the corresponding proteins stained well in Western blots prepared from extracts of Carnoy-fixed material. The intensity of the immunohistochemical staining was reduced at different rates for individual peroxisomal proteins after fixation in Baker's formalin, but peroxisomes were still well visualized with antibodies to catalase and some beta-oxidation enzymes. No evidence of immunohistochemical staining for any peroxisomal antigens was obtained after fixation in Bouin's fluid. For detection of the antibody binding sites in Carnoy's fixed material, the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) with aminoethyl carbazole as chromogen was found to be superior to the methods of peroxidase-antiperoxidase/diaminobenzidine and protein A-gold with silver intensification. Using Carnoy-fixative and the ABC-method, we demonstrate light microscopic immunohistochemical localization of peroxisomal antigens in several rat tissues as well as in human post-mortem liver.

Measurement of peroxisomal fatty acid beta-oxidation in cultured human skin fibroblasts

One of the main functions of mammalian peroxisomes is the beta-oxidation of a variety of fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives, including very long-chain fatty acids. Oxidation of these fatty acids is deficient in a number of different peroxisomal disorders, including the disorders of peroxisome biogenesis (Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy and infantile Refsum disease), X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and a number of other disorders of peroxisomal beta-oxidation of known and unknown aetiology. Accurate measurement of peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation is of utmost importance for correct postnatal and prenatal diagnosis of these disorders. In this paper we describe a straightforward and accurate assay method to measure the beta-oxidation of palmitic acid (C16:0), hexacosanoic acid (C26:0) and pristanic acid in intact fibroblasts.

Lipid composition of liver peroxisomes isolated from untreated and clofibrate-treated mice and rats

Peroxisomes were isolated from liver tissue of control and clofibrate-treated adult male NMRI mice and Sprague-Dawley rats. Phospholipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids were measured in the peroxisomes. The fatty acid profiles of the phosphatidylethanolamine, the phosphatidylcholine, the triglyceride and the free fatty acid fractions were also analyzed. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the dominating phospholipid in peroxisomes from untreated animals. The fatty acid profiles of phosphatidylethanolamine, free fatty acids and triglycerides were similar for untreated mice and rats but differences between the species were observed in the pattern derived from phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine was the most abundant phospholipid after clofibrate treatment. Clofibrate treatment caused an increase in the concentrations of phospholipids and unsaturated long-chain fatty acids and a decrease in the concentrations of triglycerides, free fatty acids, cholesterol and shorter saturated fatty acids.

Purification and further characterization of peroxisomal trihydroxycoprostanoyl-CoA oxidase from rat liver

The acyl-CoA oxidase, catalysing the peroxisomal desaturation of the CoA-ester of trihydroxycoprostanic acid, a bile acid intermediate, has been purified to homogeneity from rat liver. Its native molecular mass, as determined by gel filtration and native gel electrophoresis, was 120 and 175 kDa respectively, suggesting a homodimeric protein consisting of 68.6 kDa subunits. If isolated in the presence of FAD, the enzyme showed a typical flavoprotein spectrum and contained most likely 2 mol of FAD per mol of enzyme. The cofactor, however, was loosely bound. The enzyme acted exclusively on 2-methyl-branched compounds, including pristanoyl-CoA and 2-methylhexanoyl-CoA if albumin was present. Important parameters to obtain a pure and active enzyme were the following: (1) using chromatographic separations like hydrophobic interaction and metal affinity, which allow the presence of high salt concentrations, conditions which stabilize the oxidase; (2) avoiding dialysis and (NH4)2SO4 precipitation; (3) including, when appropriate, FAD, dithiothreitol and a diol-compound in the solvents; and (4) carefully monitoring the removal of other acyl-CoA oxidases which possess the same native molecular mass and subunit size.

Large-scale purification and further characterization of rat pristanoyl-CoA oxidase

The elution of pristanoyl-CoA oxidase from butyl-Sepharose required unusually high concentrations of ethylene glycol, enabling the large-scale purification of this oxidase in a single chromatographic step. The enzyme, the native molecular mass of which was estimated previously at 415 kDa by gel filtration (Van Veldhoven, P.P., Vanhove, G., Vanhoutte, F., Dacremont, G., Eyssen, H. J. & Mannaerts, G. P. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 24676-24683), migrated as a 513-kDa protein during native gel electrophoresis. It showed a typical flavoprotein spectrum and probably binds 4 mol FAD/mol enzyme. Its amino acid composition was different from those of other known acyl-CoA oxidases. Screening of different rat tissues, either for enzyme activity or by immunoblotting, revealed the highest level of pristanoyl-CoA oxidase in liver, followed by kidney, intestinal mucosa, spleen and lung. The oxidase activities, measured with 2-methylpalmitoyl-CoA as the substrate, in livers from other vertebrates including man were low compared to rat. This was also confirmed by immunoblotting which provided a clear signal only in rat liver, possibly indicating that pristanoyl-CoA oxidase might be a rat-specific oxidase.

Differential protein import deficiencies in human peroxisome assembly disorders

Two peroxisome targeting signals (PTSs) for matrix proteins have been well defined to date. PTS1 comprises a COOH-terminal tripeptide, SKL, and has been found in several matrix proteins, whereas PTS2 has been found only in peroxisomal thiolase and is contained within an NH2-terminal cleavable presequence. We have investigated the functional integrity of the import routes for PTS1 and PTS2 in fibroblasts from patients suffering from peroxisome assembly disorders. Three of the five complementation groups tested showed a general loss of PTS1 and PTS2 import. Two complementation groups showed a differential loss of peroxisomal protein import: group I cells were able to import a PTS1- but not a PTS2- containing reporter protein into their peroxisomes, and group IV cells were able to import the PTS2 but not the PTS1 reporter into aberrant, peroxisomal ghostlike structures. The observation that the PTS2 import pathway is intact only in group IV cells is supported by the protection of endogenous thiolase from protease degradation in group IV cells and its sensitivity in the remaining complementation groups, including the partialized disorder of group I. The functionality of the PTS2 import pathway and colocalization of endogenous thiolase with the peroxisomal membranes in group IV cells was substantiated further using immunofluorescence, subcellular fractionation, and immunoelectron microscopy. The phenotypes of group I and IV cells provide the first evidence for differential import deficiencies in higher eukaryotes. These phenotypes are analogous to those found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae peroxisome assembly mutants.

Regulation of coenzyme Q biosynthesis

The side-chain moiety of coenzyme Q is synthesized by a trans-prenyltransferase present in microsomes. Condensation of this moiety with the precursor ring takes place in the Golgi system. The enzymes involved, as well as the cytosolic geranylgeranyl-PP synthase, are regulated in an independent fashion. When the size of the farnesyl-PP pool is decreased or increased by employing appropriate inhibitors, the rate of CoQ synthesis is modified accordingly, indicating the dependence of trans-prenyltransferase activity on the level of intracellular substrate concentrations. Administration of peroxisome proliferators elevates CoQ concentrations not only in blood, but also in various tissues. Thus, it may be possible in the future to selectively increase CoQ concentrations in certain organs, without increasing the level of cholesterol.