Roles of phosphatidate phosphatase enzymes in lipid metabolism

Cross-talk phosphorylations by protein kinase C and Pho85p-Pho80p protein kinase regulate Pah1p phosphatidate phosphatase abundance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast Pah1p is the phosphatidate phosphatase that catalyzes the penultimate step in triacylglycerol synthesis and plays a role in the transcriptional regulation of phospholipid synthesis genes. The enzyme is multiply phosphorylated, some of which is mediated by Pho85p-Pho80p, Cdc28p-cyclin B, and protein kinase A. Here, we showed that Pah1p is a bona fide substrate of protein kinase C; the phosphorylation reaction was time- and dose-dependent and dependent on the concentrations of ATP (Km = 4.5 μm) and Pah1p (Km = 0.75 μm). The stoichiometry of the reaction was 0.8 mol of phosphate/mol of Pah1p. By combining mass spectrometry, truncation analysis, site-directed mutagenesis, and phosphopeptide mapping, we identified Ser-677, Ser-769, Ser-773, and Ser-788 as major sites of phosphorylation. Analysis of Pah1p phosphorylations by different protein kinases showed that prephosphorylation with protein kinase C reduces its subsequent phosphorylation with protein kinase A and vice versa. Prephosphorylation with Pho85p-Pho80p had an inhibitory effect on its subsequent phosphorylation with protein kinase C; however, prephosphorylation with protein kinase C had no effect on the subsequent phosphorylation with Pho85p-Pho80p. Unlike its phosphorylations by Pho85p-Pho80p and protein kinase A, which cause a significant reduction in phosphatidate phosphatase activity, the phosphorylation of Pah1p by protein kinase C had a small stimulatory effect on the enzyme activity. Analysis of phosphorylation-deficient forms of Pah1p indicated that protein kinase C does not have a major effect on its location or its function in triacylglycerol synthesis, but instead, the phosphorylation favors loss of Pah1p abundance when it is not phosphorylated with Pho85p-Pho80p.

Francisella tularensis LVS induction of prostaglandin biosynthesis by infected macrophages requires specific host phospholipases and lipid phosphatases

Francisella tularensis induces the synthesis of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) by infected macrophages to alter host immune responses, thus providing a survival advantage to the bacterium. We previously demonstrated that PGE(2) synthesis by F. tularensis-infected macrophages requires cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA(2)), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES1). During inducible PGE(2) synthesis, cPLA(2) hydrolyzes arachidonic acid (AA) from cellular phospholipids to be converted to PGE(2). However, in F. tularensis-infected macrophages we observed a temporal disconnect between Ser505-cPLA(2) phosphorylation (a marker of activation) and PGE(2) synthesis. These results suggested to us that cPLA(2) is not responsible for the liberation of AA to be converted into PGE(2) by F. tularensis-infected macrophages. Utilizing small-molecule inhibitors, we demonstrated that phospholipase D and diacylglycerol lipase were required for providing AA for PGE(2) biosynthesis. cPLA(2), on the other hand, was required for macrophage cytokine responses to F. tularensis. We also demonstrated for the first time that lipin-1 and PAP2a contribute to macrophage inflammation in response to F. tularensis. Our results identify both an alternative pathway for inducible PGE(2) synthesis and a role for lipid-modifying enzymes in the regulation of macrophage inflammatory function.

Crystal structure of lipid phosphatase Escherichia coli phosphatidylglycerophosphate phosphatase B

Membrane-integrated type II phosphatidic acid phosphatases (PAP2s) are important for numerous bacterial to human biological processes, including glucose transport, lipid metabolism, and signaling. Escherichia coli phosphatidylglycerol-phosphate phosphatase B (ecPgpB) catalyzes removing the terminal phosphate group from a lipid carrier, undecaprenyl pyrophosphate, and is essential for transport of many hydrophilic small molecules across the membrane. We determined the crystal structure of ecPgpB at a resolution of 3.2 Å. This structure shares a similar folding topology and a nearly identical active site with soluble PAP2 enzymes. However, the substrate binding mechanism appears to be fundamentally different from that in soluble PAP2 enzymes. In ecPgpB, the potential substrate entrance to the active site is located in a cleft formed by a V-shaped transmembrane helix pair, allowing lateral movement of the lipid substrate entering the active site from the membrane lipid bilayer. Activity assays of point mutations confirmed the importance of the catalytic residues and potential residues involved in phosphate binding. The structure also suggests an induced-fit mechanism for the substrate binding. The 3D structure of ecPgpB serves as a prototype to study eukaryotic PAP2 enzymes, including human glucose-6-phosphatase, a key enzyme in the homeostatic regulation of blood glucose concentrations.

Storage lipids of yeasts: a survey of nonpolar lipid metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, and Yarrowia lipolytica

Biosynthesis and storage of nonpolar lipids, such as triacylglycerols (TG) and steryl esters (SE), have gained much interest during the last decades because defects in these processes are related to severe human diseases. The baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has become a valuable tool to study eukaryotic lipid metabolism because this single-cell microorganism harbors many enzymes and pathways with counterparts in mammalian cells. In this article, we will review aspects of TG and SE metabolism and turnover in the yeast that have been known for a long time and combine them with new perceptions of nonpolar lipid research. We will provide a detailed insight into the mechanisms of nonpolar lipid synthesis, storage, mobilization, and degradation in the yeast S. cerevisiae. The central role of lipid droplets (LD) in these processes will be addressed with emphasis on the prevailing view that this compartment is more than only a depot for TG and SE. Dynamic and interactive aspects of LD with other organelles will be discussed. Results obtained with S. cerevisiae will be complemented by recent investigations of nonpolar lipid research with Yarrowia lipolytica and Pichia pastoris. Altogether, this review article provides a comprehensive view of nonpolar lipid research in yeast.

Spatial control of phospholipid flux restricts endoplasmic reticulum sheet formation to allow nuclear envelope breakdown

The nuclear envelope is a subdomain of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, Oegema and colleagues characterize the conserved lipin-activating protein phosphatase CNEP-1, which is specifically enriched on the nuclear envelope. The data show that CNEP-1 spatially controls lipin-dependent phospholipid flux to limit phosphatidylinositol levels and restrict ER sheet formation in the vicinity of the nuclear envelope. This study reveals coupling between control of phospholipid synthesis and ER subdomain structure.

The nuclear envelope is a subdomain of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here we characterize CNEP-1 (CTD [C-terminal domain] nuclear envelope phosphatase-1), a nuclear envelope-enriched activator of the ER-associated phosphatidic acid phosphatase lipin that promotes synthesis of major membrane phospholipids over phosphatidylinositol (PI). CNEP-1 inhibition led to ectopic ER sheets in the vicinity of the nucleus that encased the nuclear envelope and interfered with nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD) during cell division. Reducing PI synthesis suppressed these phenotypes, indicating that CNEP-1 spatially regulates phospholipid flux, biasing it away from PI production in the vicinity of the nuclear envelope to prevent excess ER sheet formation and NEBD defects.

The mechanical activation of mTOR signaling: an emerging role for late endosome/lysosomal targeting

It is well recognized that mechanical signals play a critical role in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass, and the maintenance of muscle mass is essential for mobility, disease prevention and quality of life. Furthermore, over the last 15 years it has become established that signaling through a protein kinase called the mammalian (or mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR) is essential for mechanically-induced changes in protein synthesis and muscle mass, however, the mechanism(s) via which mechanical stimuli regulate mTOR signaling have not been defined. Nonetheless, advancements are being made, and an emerging body of evidence suggests that the late endosome/lysosomal (LEL) system might play a key role in this process. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize this body of evidence. Specifically, we will first explain why the Ras homologue enriched in brain (Rheb) and phosphatidic acid (PA) are considered to be direct activators of mTOR signaling. We will then describe the process of endocytosis and its involvement in the formation of LEL structures, as well as the evidence which indicates that mTOR and its direct activators (Rheb and PA) are all enriched at the LEL. Finally, we will summarize the evidence that has implicated the LEL in the regulation of mTOR by various growth regulatory inputs such as amino acids, growth factors and mechanical stimuli.

Inactivation of the host lipin gene accelerates RNA virus replication through viral exploitation of the expanded endoplasmic reticulum membrane

RNA viruses take advantage of cellular resources, such as membranes and lipids, to assemble viral replicase complexes (VRCs) that drive viral replication. The host lipins (phosphatidate phosphatases) are particularly interesting because these proteins play key roles in cellular decisions about membrane biogenesis versus lipid storage. Therefore, we examined the relationship between host lipins and tombusviruses, based on yeast model host. We show that deletion of PAH1 (phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase), which is the single yeast homolog of the lipin gene family of phosphatidate phosphatases, whose inactivation is responsible for proliferation and expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, facilitates robust RNA virus replication in yeast. We document increased tombusvirus replicase activity in pah1Δ yeast due to the efficient assembly of VRCs. We show that the ER membranes generated in pah1Δ yeast is efficiently subverted by this RNA virus, thus emphasizing the connection between host lipins and RNA viruses. Thus, instead of utilizing the peroxisomal membranes as observed in wt yeast and plants, TBSV readily switches to the vastly expanded ER membranes in lipin-deficient cells to build VRCs and support increased level of viral replication. Over-expression of the Arabidopsis Pah2p in Nicotiana benthamiana decreased tombusvirus accumulation, validating that our findings are also relevant in a plant host. Over-expression of AtPah2p also inhibited the ER-based replication of another plant RNA virus, suggesting that the role of lipins in RNA virus replication might include several more eukaryotic viruses.

The response to inositol: regulation of glycerolipid metabolism and stress response signaling in yeast

This article focuses on discoveries of the mechanisms governing the regulation of glycerolipid metabolism and stress response signaling in response to the phospholipid precursor, inositol. The regulation of glycerolipid lipid metabolism in yeast in response to inositol is highly complex, but increasingly well understood, and the roles of individual lipids in stress response are also increasingly well characterized. Discoveries that have emerged over several decades of genetic, molecular and biochemical analyses of metabolic, regulatory and signaling responses of yeast cells, both mutant and wild type, to the availability of the phospholipid precursor, inositol are discussed.

Hepatic-specific lipin-1 deficiency exacerbates experimental alcohol-induced steatohepatitis in mice

Lipin-1 regulates lipid metabolism by way of its function as an enzyme in the triglyceride synthesis pathway and as a transcriptional coregulatory protein and is highly up-regulated in alcoholic fatty liver disease. In the present study, using a liver-specific lipin-1-deficient (lipin-1LKO) mouse model, we aimed to investigate the functional role of lipin-1 in the development of alcoholic steatohepatitis and explore the underlying mechanisms. Alcoholic liver injury was achieved by pair feeding wild-type and lipin-1LKO mice with modified Lieber-DeCarli ethanol-containing low-fat diets for 4 weeks. Surprisingly, chronically ethanol-fed lipin-1LKO mice showed markedly greater hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol accumulation, and augmented elevation of serum liver enzymes accompanied by increased hepatic proinflammatory cytokine expression. Our studies further revealed that hepatic removal of lipin-1 in mice augmented ethanol-induced impairment of hepatic fatty acid oxidation and lipoprotein production, likely by way of deactivation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 alpha, a prominent transcriptional regulator of lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver-specific lipin-1 deficiency in mice exacerbates the development and progression of experimental alcohol-induced steatohepatitis. Pharmacological or nutritional modulation of hepatic lipin-1 may be beneficial for the prevention or treatment of human alcoholic fatty liver disease.

PAH1-encoded phosphatidate phosphatase plays a role in the growth phase- and inositol-mediated regulation of lipid synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the synthesis of phospholipids in the exponential phase of growth occurs at the expense of the storage lipid triacylglycerol. As exponential phase cells progress into the stationary phase, the synthesis of triacylglycerol occurs at the expense of phospholipids. Early work indicates a role of the phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP) in this metabolism; the enzyme produces the diacylglycerol needed for the synthesis of triacylglycerol and simultaneously controls the level of phosphatidate for the synthesis of phospholipids. Four genes (APP1, DPP1, LPP1, and PAH1) encode PAP activity in yeast, and it has been unclear which gene is responsible for the synthesis of triacylglycerol throughout growth. An analysis of lipid synthesis and composition, as well as PAP activity in various PAP mutant strains, showed the essential role of PAH1 in triacylglycerol synthesis throughout growth. Pah1p is a phosphorylated enzyme whose in vivo function is dependent on its dephosphorylation by the Nem1p-Spo7p protein phosphatase complex. nem1Δ mutant cells exhibited defects in triacylglycerol synthesis and lipid metabolism that mirrored those imparted by the pah1Δ mutation, substantiating the importance of Pah1p dephosphorylation throughout growth. An analysis of cells bearing PPAH1-lacZ and PPAH1-DPP1 reporter genes showed that PAH1 expression was induced throughout growth and that the induction in the stationary phase was stimulated by inositol supplementation. A mutant analysis indicated that the Ino2p/Ino4p/Opi1p regulatory circuit and transcription factors Gis1p and Rph1p mediated this regulation.

Suppression of DS1 phosphatidic acid phosphatase confirms resistance to Ralstonia solanacearum in Nicotiana benthamiana

Nicotianabenthamiana is susceptible to Ralstonia solanacearum. To analyze molecular mechanisms for disease susceptibility, we screened a gene-silenced plant showing resistance to R. solanacearum, designated as DS1 (Disease suppression 1). The deduced amino acid sequence of DS1 cDNA encoded a phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP) 2. DS1 expression was induced by infection with a virulent strain of R. solanacearum in an hrp-gene-dependent manner. DS1 rescued growth defects of the temperature-sensitive ∆lpp1∆dpp1∆pah1 mutant yeast. Recombinant DS1 protein showed Mg(2+)-independent PAP activity. DS1 plants showed reduced PAP activity and increased phosphatidic acid (PA) content. After inoculation with R. solanacearum, DS1 plants showed accelerated cell death, over-accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and hyper-induction of PR-4 expression. In contrast, DS1-overexpressing tobacco plants showed reduced PA content, greater susceptibility to R. solanacearum, and reduced ROS production and PR-4 expression. The DS1 phenotype was partially compromised in the plants in which both DS1 and NbCoi1 or DS1 and NbrbohB were silenced. These results show that DS1 PAP may affect plant immune responses related to ROS and JA cascades via regulation of PA levels. Suppression of DS1 function or DS1 expression could rapidly activate plant defenses to achieve effective resistance against Ralstonia solanacearum.

Lipids of mitochondria

A unique organelle for studying membrane biochemistry is the mitochondrion whose functionality depends on a coordinated supply of proteins and lipids. Mitochondria are capable of synthesizing several lipids autonomously such as phosphatidylglycerol, cardiolipin and in part phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid and CDP-diacylglycerol. Other mitochondrial membrane lipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, sterols and sphingolipids have to be imported. The mitochondrial lipid composition, the biosynthesis and the import of mitochondrial lipids as well as the regulation of these processes will be main issues of this review article. Furthermore, interactions of lipids and mitochondrial proteins which are highly important for various mitochondrial processes will be discussed. Malfunction or loss of enzymes involved in mitochondrial phospholipid biosynthesis lead to dysfunction of cell respiration, affect the assembly and stability of the mitochondrial protein import machinery and cause abnormal mitochondrial morphology or even lethality. Molecular aspects of these processes as well as diseases related to defects in the formation of mitochondrial membranes will be described.

Antioxidant activity of penta-oligogalacturonide, isolated from haw pectin, suppresses triglyceride synthesis in mice fed with a high-fat diet

To expand application of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge) fruit, the antioxidant and anti-lipidemic effects of haw pectin penta-oligogalacturonide (HPPS) prepared from hawthorn fruit were investigated in vitro and in mice. HPPS exhibited concentration-dependent scavenging activities against superoxide anion, hydroxyl and DPPH radicals. Additionally, HPPS supplementation significantly enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, increased the total antioxidant capacity and the levels of glutathione, but lowered the malondialdehyde content in the liver of high-fat fed mice. Furthermore, HPPS significantly decreased the TG levels, the activity and the mRNA and protein levels of glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) in mice livers. Moreover, liver steatosis of mice associated with diffuse hepatocyte ballooning induced by a high-fat diet was markedly improved by a dose of 300 mg/kg HPPS-consumption. The results revealed that HPPS might be applicable as a dietary supplement for the prevention of fatty liver and oxidative damage.

Revising the Representation of Fatty Acid, Glycerolipid, and Glycerophospholipid Metabolism in the Consensus Model of Yeast Metabolism

Genome-scale metabolic models are built using information from an organism's annotated genome and, correspondingly, information on reactions catalyzed by the set of metabolic enzymes encoded by the genome. These models have been successfully applied to guide metabolic engineering to increase production of metabolites of industrial interest. Congruity between simulated and experimental metabolic behavior is influenced by the accuracy of the representation of the metabolic network in the model. In the interest of applying the consensus model of Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolism for increased productivity of triglycerides, we manually evaluated the representation of fatty acid, glycerophospholipid, and glycerolipid metabolism in the consensus model (Yeast v6.0). These areas of metabolism were chosen due to their tightly interconnected nature to triglyceride synthesis. Manual curation was facilitated by custom MATLAB functions that return information contained in the model for reactions associated with genes and metabolites within the stated areas of metabolism. Through manual curation, we have identified inconsistencies between information contained in the model and literature knowledge. These inconsistencies include incorrect gene-reaction associations, improper definition of substrates/products in reactions, inappropriate assignments of reaction directionality, nonfunctional β-oxidation pathways, and missing reactions relevant to the synthesis and degradation of triglycerides. Suggestions to amend these inconsistencies in the Yeast v6.0 model can be implemented through a MATLAB script provided in theSupplementary Materials, Supplementary Data S1(Supplementary Data are available online at www.liebertpub.com/ind).

Lipid droplets and peroxisomes: key players in cellular lipid homeostasis or a matter of fat--store 'em up or burn 'em down

Lipid droplets (LDs) and peroxisomes are central players in cellular lipid homeostasis: some of their main functions are to control the metabolic flux and availability of fatty acids (LDs and peroxisomes) as well as of sterols (LDs). Both fatty acids and sterols serve multiple functions in the cell—as membrane stabilizers affecting membrane fluidity, as crucial structural elements of membrane-forming phospholipids and sphingolipids, as protein modifiers and signaling molecules, and last but not least, as a rich carbon and energy source. In addition, peroxisomes harbor enzymes of the malic acid shunt, which is indispensable to regenerate oxaloacetate for gluconeogenesis, thus allowing yeast cells to generate sugars from fatty acids or nonfermentable carbon sources. Therefore, failure of LD and peroxisome biogenesis and function are likely to lead to deregulated lipid fluxes and disrupted energy homeostasis with detrimental consequences for the cell. These pathological consequences of LD and peroxisome failure have indeed sparked great biomedical interest in understanding the biogenesis of these organelles, their functional roles in lipid homeostasis, interaction with cellular metabolism and other organelles, as well as their regulation, turnover, and inheritance. These questions are particularly burning in view of the pandemic development of lipid-associated disorders worldwide.

Lipid transport between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria

Mitochondria are partially autonomous organelles that depend on the import of certain proteins and lipids to maintain cell survival and membrane formation. Although phosphatidylglycerol, cardiolipin, and phosphatidylethanolamine are synthesized by mitochondrial enzymes, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, and sterols need to be imported from other organelles. The origin of most lipids imported into mitochondria is the endoplasmic reticulum, which requires interaction of these two subcellular compartments. Recently, protein complexes that are involved in membrane contact between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were identified, but their role in lipid transport is still unclear. In the present review, we describe components involved in lipid translocation between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria and discuss functional as well as regulatory aspects that are important for lipid homeostasis.

Prokaryotic Expression, Identification and Bioinformatics Analysis of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3807c Gene Encoding the Putative Enzyme Committed to Decaprenylphosphoryl-d-arabinose Synthesis

Decaprenylphosphoryl-d-arabinofuranosyl (DPA), the immediate donor for the polymerized d-Araf residues of mycobacterial arabinan, is synthesized from 5-phosphoribose-1-diphosphate (PRPP) in three-step reactions. (i) PRPP is transferred to decaprenyl-phosphate (DP) to form decaprenylphosphoryl-d-5-phosphoribose (DPPR). (ii) DPPR is dephosphorylated to form decaprenylphosphoryl-d-ribose (DPR). (iii) DPR is formed to DPA by the epimerase. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3806c and heteromeric Rv3790/Rv3791 have been identified as the PRPP: decaprenyl-phosphate 5-phosphoribosyltransferase and the epimerase respectively. Rv3807c, however, as the candidate of phospholipid phosphatase, catalyzing the biosynthesis of decapreny-l-phosphoryl-ribose (DPR) from decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-5-phosphoribose by dephosphorylating, has no direct experimental evidence of its essentiality in any species of mycobacterium. In this study, Rv3807c gene was amplified from the genome of M. tuberculosis H37Rv by PCR, and was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) via the recombinant plasmid pColdII-Rv3807c. The resulting protein with the 6× His-tag was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The protein was predicted through bioinformatics to contain three transmembrane domains, the N-terminal peptide, and a core structure with phosphatidic acid phosphatase type2/haloperoxidase. This study provides biochemical and bioinformatics evidence for the importance of Rv3807c in mycobacteria, and further functional studies will be conducted for validating Rv3807c as a promising phospholipid phosphatase in the synthetic pathway of DPA.

Functional analysis of Abp1p-interacting proteins involved in endocytosis of the MCC component in Aspergillus oryzae

We have investigated the functions of three endocytosis-related proteins in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae. Yeast two-hybrid screening using the endocytic marker protein AoAbp1 (A.oryzae homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Abp1p) as a bait identified four interacting proteins named Aip (AoAbp1 interacting proteins). In mature hyphae, EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) fused to Aips colocalized with AoAbp1 at the hyphal tip region and the plasma membrane, suggesting that Aips function in endocytosis. aipA is a putative AAA ATPase and its function has been dissected (Higuchi et al., 2011). aipB, the homolog of A. nidulans myoA, encodes an essential class I myosin and its conditional mutant showed a germination defect. aipC and aipD do not contain any recognizable domains except some proline-rich regions which may interact with two SH3 (Src homology 3) domains of AoAbp1. Neither aipC nor aipD disruptants showed any defects in their growth, but the aipC disruptant formed less conidia compared with the control strain. In addition, the aipC disruptant was resistant to the triazole antifungal drugs that inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis. Although no aip disruptants showed any defects in the uptake of the fluorescent dye FM4-64, the endocytosis of the arginine permease AoCan1, one of the MCC (membrane compartment of Can1p) components, was delayed in both aipC and aipD disruptants. In A. oryzae, AoCan1 localized mainly at the plasma membrane in the basal region of hyphae, suggesting that different endocytic mechanisms exist in apical and basal regions of highly polarized cells.

Differential regulation of the expressions of the PGC-1α splice variants, lipins, and PPARα in heart compared to liver

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and PPARγ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) are crucial transcriptional regulators for genes involved in FA oxidation. Lipin-1 is essential for this increased capacity for β-oxidation in fasted livers, and it is also a phosphatidate phosphatase involved in triacylglycerol and phospholipid synthesis. Little is known about the regulation of these proteins in the heart during fasting, where there is increased FA esterification and oxidation. Lipin-1, lipin-2, lipin-3, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1b (Cpt1b), and PGC-1α-b mRNA were increased by glucocorticoids and cAMP in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. However, Cpt1b upregulation was caused by increased PPARα activation rather than expression. By contrast, the effects of PPARα in fasted livers are mediated through increased expression. During fasting, the expressions of PGC-1α-b and PGC-1α-c are increased in mouse hearts, and this is explained by increased cAMP-dependent signaling. By contrast, PGC-1α-a expression is increased in liver. Contrary to our expectations, lipin-1 expression was decreased and lipin-2 remained unchanged in hearts compared with increases in fasted livers. Our results identify novel differences in the regulation of lipins, PPARα, and PGC-1α splice variants during fasting in heart versus liver, even though the ultimate outcome in both tissues is to increase FA turnover and oxidation.

Identification and physiological characterization of phosphatidic acid phosphatase enzymes involved in triacylglycerol biosynthesis in Streptomyces coelicolor

BACKGROUND

Phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP, EC 3.1.3.4) catalyzes the dephosphorylation of phosphatidate yielding diacylglycerol (DAG), the lipid precursor for triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis. Despite the importance of PAP activity in TAG producing bacteria, studies to establish its role in lipid metabolism have been so far restricted only to eukaryotes. Considering the increasing interest of bacterial TAG as a potential source of raw material for biofuel production, we have focused our studies on the identification and physiological characterization of the putative PAP present in the TAG producing bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor.

RESULTS

We have identified two S. coelicolor genes, named lppα (SCO1102) and lppβ (SCO1753), encoding for functional PAP proteins. Both enzymes mediate, at least in part, the formation of DAG for neutral lipid biosynthesis. Heterologous expression of lppα and lppβ genes in E. coli resulted in enhanced PAP activity in the membrane fractions of the recombinant strains and concomitantly in higher levels of DAG. In addition, the expression of these genes in yeast complemented the temperature-sensitive growth phenotype of the PAP deficient strain GHY58 (dpp1lpp1pah1). In S. coelicolor, disruption of either lppα or lppβ had no effect on TAG accumulation; however, the simultaneous mutation of both genes provoked a drastic reduction in de novo TAG biosynthesis as well as in total TAG content. Consistently, overexpression of Lppα and Lppβ in the wild type strain of S. coelicolor led to a significant increase in TAG production.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study describes the identification of PAP enzymes in bacteria and provides further insights on the genetic basis for prokaryotic oiliness. Furthermore, this finding completes the whole set of enzymes required for de novo TAG biosynthesis pathway in S. coelicolor. Remarkably, the overexpression of these PAPs in Streptomyces bacteria contributes to a higher productivity of this single cell oil. Altogether, these results provide new elements and tools for future cell engineering for next-generation biofuels production.

Acyl-lipid metabolism

Acyl lipids in Arabidopsis and all other plants have a myriad of diverse functions. These include providing the core diffusion barrier of the membranes that separates cells and subcellular organelles. This function alone involves more than 10 membrane lipid classes, including the phospholipids, galactolipids, and sphingolipids, and within each class the variations in acyl chain composition expand the number of structures to several hundred possible molecular species. Acyl lipids in the form of triacylglycerol account for 35% of the weight of Arabidopsis seeds and represent their major form of carbon and energy storage. A layer of cutin and cuticular waxes that restricts the loss of water and provides protection from invasions by pathogens and other stresses covers the entire aerial surface of Arabidopsis. Similar functions are provided by suberin and its associated waxes that are localized in roots, seed coats, and abscission zones and are produced in response to wounding. This chapter focuses on the metabolic pathways that are associated with the biosynthesis and degradation of the acyl lipids mentioned above. These pathways, enzymes, and genes are also presented in detail in an associated website (ARALIP: http://aralip.plantbiology.msu.edu/). Protocols and methods used for analysis of Arabidopsis lipids are provided. Finally, a detailed summary of the composition of Arabidopsis lipids is provided in three figures and 15 tables.

Characterization of the yeast actin patch protein App1p phosphatidate phosphatase

Yeast App1p is a phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP) that associates with endocytic proteins at cortical actin patches. App1p, which catalyzes the conversion of phosphatidate (PA) to diacylglycerol, is unique among Mg(2+)-dependent PAP enzymes in that its reaction is not involved with de novo lipid synthesis. Instead, App1p PAP is thought to play a role in endocytosis because its substrate and product facilitate membrane fission/fusion events and regulate enzymes that govern vesicular movement. App1p PAP was purified from yeast and characterized with respect to its enzymological, kinetic, and regulatory properties. Maximum PAP activity was dependent on Triton X-100 (20 mm), PA (2 mm), Mg(2+) (0.5 mm), and 2-mercaptoethanol (10 mm) at pH 7.5 and 30 °C. Analysis of surface dilution kinetics with Triton X-100/PA-mixed micelles yielded constants for surface binding (Ks(A) = 11 mm), interfacial PA binding (Km(B) = 4.2 mol %), and catalytic efficiency (Vmax = 557 μmol/min/mg). The activation energy, turnover number, and equilibrium constant were 16.5 kcal/mol, 406 s(-1), and 16.2, respectively. PAP activity was stimulated by anionic lipids (cardiolipin, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, and CDP-diacylglycerol) and inhibited by zwitterionic (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine) and cationic (sphinganine) lipids, nucleotides (ATP and CTP), N-ethylmaleimide, propranolol, phenylglyoxal, and divalent cations (Ca(2+), Mn(2+), and Zn(2+)). App1p also utilized diacylglycerol pyrophosphate and lyso-PA as substrates with specificity constants 4- and 7-fold lower, respectively, when compared with PA.

Assaying plant phosphatidic acid phosphatase activity

Phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP; EC 3.1.3.4) catalyzes the dephosphorylation of phosphatidic acid (PA) to produce diacylglycerol (DAG) and inorganic phosphate. In seed plants, PA plays pivotal roles both as a precursor to membrane lipids and as a signaling molecule. As more information on the roles of PAP in plants becomes available and the importance of PAP is revealed, protocols for assaying plant PAP activity are of interest to an increasing audience. This chapter describes procedures to assay plant PAP activity that are based on recent publications.

Acyl-lipid metabolism

Acyl lipids in Arabidopsis and all other plants have a myriad of diverse functions. These include providing the core diffusion barrier of the membranes that separates cells and subcellular organelles. This function alone involves more than 10 membrane lipid classes, including the phospholipids, galactolipids, and sphingolipids, and within each class the variations in acyl chain composition expand the number of structures to several hundred possible molecular species. Acyl lipids in the form of triacylglycerol account for 35% of the weight of Arabidopsis seeds and represent their major form of carbon and energy storage. A layer of cutin and cuticular waxes that restricts the loss of water and provides protection from invasions by pathogens and other stresses covers the entire aerial surface of Arabidopsis. Similar functions are provided by suberin and its associated waxes that are localized in roots, seed coats, and abscission zones and are produced in response to wounding. This chapter focuses on the metabolic pathways that are associated with the biosynthesis and degradation of the acyl lipids mentioned above. These pathways, enzymes, and genes are also presented in detail in an associated website (ARALIP: http://aralip.plantbiology.msu.edu/). Protocols and methods used for analysis of Arabidopsis lipids are provided. Finally, a detailed summary of the composition of Arabidopsis lipids is provided in three figures and 15 tables.

The role of mTORC1 in regulating protein synthesis and skeletal muscle mass in response to various mechanical stimuli

Skeletal muscle plays a fundamental role in mobility, disease prevention, and quality of life. Skeletal muscle mass is, in part, determined by the rates of protein synthesis, and mechanical loading is a major regulator of protein synthesis and skeletal muscle mass. The mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), found in the multi-protein complex, mTORC1, is proposed to play an essential role in the regulation of protein synthesis and skeletal muscle mass. The purpose of this review is to examine the function of mTORC1 in relation to protein synthesis and cell growth, the current evidence from rodent and human studies for the activation of mTORC1 signaling by different types of mechanical stimuli, whether mTORC1 signaling is necessary for changes in protein synthesis and skeletal muscle mass that occur in response to different types of mechanical stimuli, and the proposed molecular signaling mechanisms that may be responsible for the mechanical activation of mTORC1 signaling.

Negative control of mast cell degranulation and the anaphylactic response by the phosphatase lipin1

Mast cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases; however, how mast cell function is regulated is still not well understood. Both phosphatidic acid (PA) and diacylglycerol (DAG) are important secondary messengers involved in mast cell activ-ation. Lipin1 is a phosphatidate phosphatase that hydrolyzes PA to produce DAG, but the role of lipin1 in mast cell function has been thus far unknown. Here we show that lipin1 is an important and selective inhibitor of mast cell degranulation. Lipin1 deficiency enhanced FcεRI-mediated β-hexosaminidase and prostaglandin D2 release from mast cells in vitro and exacerbated the passive systemic anaphylaxis reaction in vivo. Lipin1 deficiency, however, did not exert obvious effects on IL-6 or TNF-α production following FcεRI engagement. FcεRI-induced PKC and SNAP-23 phosphorylation were augmented in the lipin1-deficient mast cells. Moreover, inhibition of PKC activity reduced SNAP-23 phosphorylation and mast cell degranulation in lipin1-deficient mast cells. Together, our findings suggest that lipin1 may negatively control mast cell degranulation and the anaphylactic response through inhibiting the PKC-SNAP-23 pathway.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae actin patch protein App1p is a phosphatidate phosphatase enzyme

BACKGROUND

Phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP) plays diverse roles in lipid metabolism and cell signaling.

RESULTS

A novel yeast PAP is identified as the actin patch protein encoded by APP1.

CONCLUSION

APP1 and other known genes (PAH1, DPP1, LPP1) are responsible for all detectable PAP activity in yeast.

SIGNIFICANCE

Identification of App1p as a PAP enzyme will facilitate the understanding of its cellular function. Phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP) catalyzes the dephosphorylation of phosphatidate to yield diacylglycerol. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, PAP is encoded by PAH1, DPP1, and LPP1. The presence of PAP activity in the pah1Δ dpp1Δ lpp1Δ triple mutant indicated another gene(s) encoding the enzyme. We purified PAP from the pah1Δ dpp1Δ lpp1Δ triple mutant by salt extraction of mitochondria followed by chromatography with DE52, Affi-Gel Blue, phenyl-Sepharose, MonoQ, and Superdex 200. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis of a PAP-enriched sample revealed multiple putative phosphatases. By analysis of PAP activity in mutants lacking each of the proteins, we found that APP1, a gene whose molecular function has been unknown, confers ~30% PAP activity of wild type cells. The overexpression of APP1 in the pah1Δ dpp1Δ lpp1Δ mutant exhibited a 10-fold increase in PAP activity. The PAP activity shown by App1p heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli confirmed that APP1 is the structural gene for the enzyme. Introduction of the app1Δ mutation into the pah1Δ dpp1Δ lpp1Δ triple mutant resulted in a complete loss of PAP activity, indicating that distinct PAP enzymes in S. cerevisiae are encoded by APP1, PAH1, DPP1, and LPP1. Lipid analysis of cells lacking the PAP genes, singly or in combination, showed that Pah1p is the only PAP involved in the synthesis of triacylglycerol as well as in the regulation of phospholipid synthesis. App1p, which shows interactions with endocytic proteins, may play a role in vesicular trafficking through its PAP activity.

Remodeling the nuclear membrane during closed mitosis

The mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation in eukaryotes must be coordinated with the nuclear envelope (NE) remodeling. In a so-called 'open' mitosis the envelope of the mother nucleus is dismantled allowing the cytoplasmic spindle microtubules to capture the chromosomes. Alternatively, cells undergoing 'closed' mitosis assemble the intranuclear spindle and divide the nucleus without ever losing the nucleocytoplasmic compartmentalization. Here we focus on the mechanisms underlying mitotic NE dynamics in unicellular eukaryotes undergoing a closed nuclear division, paying specific attention to the emerging roles of the lipid biosynthesis machinery in this process. We argue that lessons learned in these organisms may be generally relevant to understanding the NE remodeling and the evolution of mitotic mechanisms throughout the eukaryotic domain.

Proteomic analysis of liver mitochondria of apolipoprotein E knockout mice treated with metformin

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated with insulin resistance. Metformin, a widely known anti-diabetic drug, used for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, is also claimed to be useful in treatment of NAFLD. However, both the clinical efficacy and the putative mechanisms underlying the clinical effects of metformin in treating NAFLD are unclear. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the primary molecular target for metformin, is a known regulator of mitochondrial function. Thus, we used a proteomic approach to investigate the effect of metformin on liver mitochondria of apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE(-/-)) mice, an animal model of NAFLD. Two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry was applied to study the changes in liver mitochondrial protein expression in 6-month old metformin-treated apoE(-/-) mice as compared to non-treated animals. Collectively, 25 differentially expressed proteins were indentified upon metformin treatment including proteins related to metabolism, oxidative stress and cellular respiration. The most up-regulated protein was glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) - an enzyme, whose deficiency was shown to be directly related to the development of NAFLD. Our results clearly point to the strong mitochondrial action of metformin in NAFLD. Up-regulation of GNMT may represent an important mechanism of beneficial action of metformin in NAFLD treatment.

Phosphate starvation and membrane lipid remodeling in seed plants

Phosphate is an essential, yet scarce, nutrient that seed plants need to maintain viability. Phosphate-starved plants utilize their membrane phospholipids as a major source for internal phosphate supply by replacing phospholipids in their membranes with the non-phosphorus galactolipid, digalactosyldiacylglycerol. This membrane lipid remodeling has drawn much attention as a model of metabolic switching from phospholipids to the galactolipid. In the past decade, a considerable effort has been devoted to unraveling the molecular biology of this phenomenon. This review thus aims to summarize recent achievements with a focus on metabolic pathways during lipid remodeling.

Phosphatidate phosphatase, a key regulator of lipid homeostasis

Yeast Pah1p phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP) catalyzes the penultimate step in the synthesis of triacylglycerol. PAP plays a crucial role in lipid homeostasis by controlling the relative proportions of its substrate phosphatidate and its product diacylglycerol. The cellular amounts of these lipid intermediates influence the synthesis of triacylglycerol and the pathways by which membrane phospholipids are synthesized. Physiological functions affected by PAP activity include phospholipid synthesis gene expression, nuclear/endoplasmic reticulum membrane growth, lipid droplet formation, and vacuole homeostasis and fusion. Yeast lacking Pah1p PAP activity are acutely sensitive to fatty acid-induced toxicity and exhibit respiratory deficiency. PAP is distinguished in its cellular location, catalytic mechanism, and physiological functions from Dpp1p and Lpp1p lipid phosphate phosphatases that utilize a variety of substrates that include phosphatidate. Phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is a major mechanism by which Pah1p PAP activity is regulated. Pah1p is phosphorylated by cytosolic-associated Pho85p-Pho80p, Cdc28p-cyclin B, and protein kinase A and is dephosphorylated by the endoplasmic reticulum-associated Nem1p-Spo7p phosphatase. The dephosphorylation of Pah1p stimulates PAP activity and facilitates the association with the membrane/phosphatidate allowing for its reaction and triacylglycerol synthesis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Phospholipids and Phospholipid Metabolism.

Protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of Pah1p phosphatidate phosphatase functions in conjunction with the Pho85p-Pho80p and Cdc28p-cyclin B kinases to regulate lipid synthesis in yeast

Pah1p, which functions as phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, plays a crucial role in lipid homeostasis by controlling the relative proportions of its substrate phosphatidate and its product diacylglycerol. The diacylglycerol produced by PAP is used for the synthesis of triacylglycerol as well as for the synthesis of phospholipids via the Kennedy pathway. Pah1p is a highly phosphorylated protein in vivo and has been previously shown to be phosphorylated by the protein kinases Pho85p-Pho80p and Cdc28p-cyclin B. In this work, we showed that Pah1p was a bona fide substrate for protein kinase A, and we identified by mass spectrometry and mutagenesis that Ser-10, Ser-677, Ser-773, Ser-774, and Ser-788 were the target sites of phosphorylation. Protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of Pah1p inhibited its PAP activity by decreasing catalytic efficiency, and the inhibitory effect was primarily conferred by phosphorylation at Ser-10. Analysis of the S10A and S10D mutations (mimicking dephosphorylation and phosphorylation, respectively), alone or in combination with the seven alanine (7A) mutations of the sites phosphorylated by Pho85p-Pho80p and Cdc28p-cyclin B, indicated that phosphorylation at Ser-10 stabilized Pah1p abundance and inhibited its association with membranes, PAP activity, and triacylglycerol synthesis. The S10A mutation enhanced the physiological effects imparted by the 7A mutations, whereas the S10D mutations attenuated the effects of the 7A mutations. These data indicated that the protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of Ser-10 functions in conjunction with the phosphorylations mediated by Pho85p-Pho80p and Cdc28p-cyclin B and that phospho-Ser-10 should be dephosphorylated for proper PAP function.

Biological network modeling identifies IPCS in Leishmania as a therapeutic target

Systems biology aims to develop mathematical models of biological systems by integrating experimental and theoretical techniques by leveraging on the genome wide data to unravel the complexity of gene regulation. Despite the availability of effective chemotherapy, leishmaniasis continues to be one of the major parasitic infections that affect the human population worldwide. Currently, little is known of the structural biology of the parasites that are responsible for the disease and few attempts have been made to develop second generation drugs, which may become essential if multi-drug resistance arises. These facts make the discovery of novel drug targets a priority. Multiscale modeling and simulation techniques permit us to study the spatial and temporal properties of large systems to be simulated using atomic-detail structures. The estimation of kinetic parameters for the mathematical modeling provides a basis for iterative manipulation of biochemical pathways. In this paper, emphasis is laid on the discrete regulation of gene or protein expression as modeling can be done based on pure qualitative knowledge about interaction between genes or proteins that is widely available from the existing experimental methodologies. IPC synthase is one of them, believed to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Leishmania sp. and resides in an acidic macrophage phagolysosome, defining a new class of eukaryotic sphingolipid synthases. This work will facilitate the rational development of inhibitors against a protozoan enzyme with no mammalian equivalent, leading to the prospect of anti-protozoal compounds with minimal toxic side effects. Henceforth, it can be said that exploiting the interactome for novel human drug targets could provide new therapeutic avenues towards the treatment of infectious diseases, which could ameliorate the growing clinical challenge of drug-resistant infections.

Transcriptional changes associated with lack of lipid synthesis in parasitoids

Phenotypic regression of morphological, behavioral, or physiological traits can evolve when reduced trait expression has neutral or beneficial effects on overall performance. Studies on the evolution of phenotypic degradation in animals have concentrated mostly on the evaluation of resulting phenotypes, whereas much less research has been dedicated to uncovering the molecular mechanisms that underlie phenotypic regression. The majority of parasitoids (i.e., insects that develop on or inside other arthropods), do not accumulate lipid reserves during their free-living adult life-stage and represent an excellent system to study phenotypic regression in animals. Here, we study transcriptional patterns associated with lack of lipogenesis in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis. We first confirmed that N. vitripennis does not synthesize lipids by showing a reduction in lipid reserves despite ingestion of dietary sugar, and a lack of incorporation of isotopic labels into lipid reserves when fed deuterated sugar solution. Second, we investigated transcriptional responses of 28 genes involved in lipid and sugar metabolism in short- and long-term sugar-fed females relative to starved females of N. vitripennis. Sugar feeding did not induce transcription of fatty acid synthase (fas) or other key genes involved in the lipid biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, several genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism had a lower transcription in fed than in starved females. Our results reveal that N. vitripennis gene transcription in response to dietary sugar deviates markedly from patterns typically observed in other organisms. This study is the first to identify differential gene transcription associated with lack of lipogenesis in parasitoids and provides new insights into the molecular mechanism that underlies phenotypic regression of this trait.

Nuclear geometry: mitotic nucleus flares out when arrested

Studies of budding yeast arrested in mitosis outline a set of rules for nuclear envelope expansion during closed nuclear division.

Metabolism and regulation of glycerolipids in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Due to its genetic tractability and increasing wealth of accessible data, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a model system of choice for the study of the genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology of eukaryotic lipid metabolism. Glycerolipids (e.g., phospholipids and triacylglycerol) and their precursors are synthesized and metabolized by enzymes associated with the cytosol and membranous organelles, including endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and lipid droplets. Genetic and biochemical analyses have revealed that glycerolipids play important roles in cell signaling, membrane trafficking, and anchoring of membrane proteins in addition to membrane structure. The expression of glycerolipid enzymes is controlled by a variety of conditions including growth stage and nutrient availability. Much of this regulation occurs at the transcriptional level and involves the Ino2–Ino4 activation complex and the Opi1 repressor, which interacts with Ino2 to attenuate transcriptional activation of UAS_INO-containing glycerolipid biosynthetic genes. Cellular levels of phosphatidic acid, precursor to all membrane phospholipids and the storage lipid triacylglycerol, regulates transcription of UAS_INO-containing genes by tethering Opi1 to the nuclear/endoplasmic reticulum membrane and controlling its translocation into the nucleus, a mechanism largely controlled by inositol availability. The transcriptional activator Zap1 controls the expression of some phospholipid synthesis genes in response to zinc availability. Regulatory mechanisms also include control of catalytic activity of glycerolipid enzymes by water-soluble precursors, products and lipids, and covalent modification of phosphorylation, while in vivo function of some enzymes is governed by their subcellular location. Genome-wide genetic analysis indicates coordinate regulation between glycerolipid metabolism and a broad spectrum of metabolic pathways.

Pho85p-Pho80p phosphorylation of yeast Pah1p phosphatidate phosphatase regulates its activity, location, abundance, and function in lipid metabolism

The yeast Pah1p phosphatidate phosphatase, which catalyzes the penultimate step in the synthesis of triacylglycerol and plays a role in the transcriptional regulation of phospholipid synthesis genes, is a cytosolic enzyme that associates with the nuclear/endoplasmic reticulum membrane to catalyze the dephosphorylation of phosphatidate to yield diacylglycerol. Pah1p is phosphorylated on seven (Ser-110, Ser-114, Ser-168, Ser-602, Thr-723, Ser-744, and Ser-748) sites that are targets for proline-directed protein kinases. In this work, we showed that the seven sites are phosphorylated by Pho85p-Pho80p, a protein kinase-cyclin complex known to regulate a variety of cellular processes. The phosphorylation of recombinant Pah1p was time- and dose-dependent and dependent on the concentrations of ATP (3.7 μm) and Pah1p (0.25 μm). Phosphorylation reduced (6-fold) the catalytic efficiency (V(max)/K(m)) of Pah1p and reduced (3-fold) its interaction (K(d)) with liposomes. Alanine mutations of the seven sites ablated the inhibitory effect that Pho85p-Pho80p had on Pah1p activity and on the interaction with liposomes. Analysis of pho85Δ mutant cells, phosphate-starved wild type cells, and cells expressing phosphorylation-deficient forms of Pah1p indicated that loss of Pho85p-Pho80p phosphorylation reduced Pah1p abundance. In contrast, lack of Nem1p-Spo7p, the phosphatase complex that dephosphorylates Pah1p at the nuclear/endoplasmic reticulum membrane, stabilized Pah1p abundance. Although loss of phosphorylation caused a decrease in abundance, a greater amount of Pah1p was associated with membranes when compared with phosphorylated enzyme, and the loss of phosphorylation allowed bypass of the Nem1p-Spo7p requirement for Pah1p function in the synthesis of triacylglycerol.

Phosphatidate phosphatase plays role in zinc-mediated regulation of phospholipid synthesis in yeast

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the synthesis of phospholipids is coordinately regulated by mechanisms that control the homeostasis of the essential mineral zinc (Carman, G.M., and Han, G. S. (2007) Regulation of phospholipid synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by zinc depletion. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1771, 322-330; Eide, D. J. (2009) Homeostatic and adaptive responses to zinc deficiency in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J. Biol. Chem. 284, 18565-18569). The synthesis of phosphatidylcholine is balanced by the repression of CDP-diacylglycerol pathway enzymes and the induction of Kennedy pathway enzymes. PAH1-encoded phosphatidate phosphatase catalyzes the penultimate step in triacylglycerol synthesis, and the diacylglycerol generated in the reaction may also be used for phosphatidylcholine synthesis via the Kennedy pathway. In this work, we showed that the expression of PAH1-encoded phosphatidate phosphatase was induced by zinc deficiency through a mechanism that involved interaction of the Zap1p zinc-responsive transcription factor with putative upstream activating sequence zinc-responsive elements in the PAH1 promoter. The pah1Δ mutation resulted in the derepression of the CHO1-encoded phosphatidylserine synthase (CDP-diacylglycerol pathway enzyme) and loss of the zinc-mediated regulation of the enzyme. Loss of phosphatidate phosphatase also resulted in the derepression of the CKI1-encoded choline kinase (Kennedy pathway enzyme) but decreased the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine when cells were deficient of zinc. This result confirmed the role phosphatidate phosphatase plays in phosphatidylcholine synthesis via the Kennedy pathway.

Regulation of phospholipid synthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with its full complement of organelles, synthesizes membrane phospholipids by pathways that are generally common to those found in higher eukaryotes. Phospholipid synthesis in yeast is regulated in response to a variety of growth conditions (e.g., inositol supplementation, zinc depletion, and growth stage) by a coordination of genetic (e.g., transcriptional activation and repression) and biochemical (e.g., activity modulation and localization) mechanisms. Phosphatidate (PA), whose cellular levels are controlled by the activities of key phospholipid synthesis enzymes, plays a central role in the transcriptional regulation of phospholipid synthesis genes. In addition to the regulation of gene expression, phosphorylation of key phospholipid synthesis catalytic and regulatory proteins controls the metabolism of phospholipid precursors and products.

Mechanotransduction and the regulation of mTORC1 signaling in skeletal muscle

Mechanical stimuli play a major role in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass, and the maintenance of muscle mass contributes significantly to disease prevention and issues associated with the quality of life. Although the link between mechanical signals and the regulation of muscle mass has been recognized for decades, the mechanisms involved in converting mechanical information into the molecular events that control this process remain poorly defined. Nevertheless, our knowledge of these mechanisms is advancing and recent studies have revealed that signaling through a protein kinase called the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a central role in this event. In this review we will, (1) discuss the evidence which implicates mTOR in the mechanical regulation of skeletal muscle mass, (2) provide an overview of the mechanisms through which signaling by mTOR can be regulated, and (3) summarize our current knowledge of the potential mechanisms involved in the mechanical activation of mTOR signaling.

Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase deficiency results in mTOR activation, failed translocation of lipin 1α to the nucleus and hypersensitivity to glucose: Implications for the inherited glycolytic disease

Inherited glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) deficiency is the second most frequent glycolytic erythroenzymopathy in humans. Patients present with non-spherocytic anemia of variable severity and with neuromuscular dysfunction. We previously described Chinese hamster (CHO) cell lines with mutations in GPI and loss of GPI activity. This resulted in a temperature sensitivity and severe reduction in the synthesis of glycerolipids due to a reduction in phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP). In the current article we attempt to describe the nature of this pleiotropic effect. We cloned and sequenced the CHO lipin 1 cDNA, a gene that codes for PAP activity. Overexpression of lipin 1 in the GPI-deficient cell line, GroD1 resulted in increased PAP activity, however it failed to restore glycerolipid biosynthesis. Fluorescence microscopy showed a failure of GPI-deficient cells to localize lipin 1α to the nucleus. We also found that glucose-6-phosphate levels in GroD1 cells were 10-fold over normal. Lowering glucose levels in the growth medium partially restored glycerolipid biosynthesis and nuclear localization of lipin 1α. Western blot analysis of the elements within the mTOR pathway, which influences lipin 1 activity, was consistent with an abnormal activation of this system. Combined, these data suggest that GPI deficiency results in an accumulation of glucose-6-phosphate, and possibly other glucose-derived metabolites, leading to activation of mTOR and sequestration of lipin 1 to the cytosol, preventing its proper functioning. These results shed light on the mechanism underlying the pathologies associated with inherited GPI deficiency and the variability in the severity of the symptoms observed in these patients.

Differential gene expression during conidiation in the grape powdery mildew pathogen, Erysiphe necator

Asexual sporulation (conidiation) is coordinately regulated in the grape powdery mildew pathogen Erysiphe necator but nothing is known about its genetic regulation. We hypothesized that genes required for conidiation in other fungi would be upregulated at conidiophore initiation or full conidiation (relative to preconidiation vegetative growth and development of mature ascocarps), and that the obligate biotrophic lifestyle of E. necator would necessitate some novel gene regulation. cDNA amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis with 45 selective primer combinations produced ≈1,600 transcript-derived fragments (TDFs), of which 620 (39%) showed differential expression. TDF sequences were annotated using BLAST analysis of GenBank and of a reference transcriptome for E. necator developed by 454-FLX pyrosequencing of a normalized cDNA library. One-fourth of the differentially expressed, annotated sequences had similarity to fungal genes of unknown function. The remaining genes had annotated function in metabolism, signaling, transcription, transport, and protein fate. As expected, a portion of orthologs known in other fungi to be involved in developmental regulation was upregulated immediately prior to or during conidiation; particularly noteworthy were several genes associated with the light-dependent VeA regulatory system, G-protein signaling (Pth11 and a kelch repeat), and nuclear transport (importin-β and Ran). This work represents the first investigation into differential gene expression during morphogenesis in E. necator and identifies candidate genes and hypotheses for characterization in powdery mildews. Our results indicate that, although control of conidiation in powdery mildews may share some basic elements with established systems, there are significant points of divergence as well, perhaps due, in part, to the obligate biotrophic lifestyle of powdery mildews.