Formation and function of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine in mammalian cells

Membrane-bound selenoproteins

SIGNIFICANCE

Selenoproteins employ selenium to supplement the chemistry available through the common 20 amino acids. These powerful enzymes are affiliated with redox biology, often in connection with the detection, management, and signaling of oxidative stress. Among them, membrane-bound selenoproteins play prominent roles in signaling pathways, Ca(2+) regulation, membrane complexes integrity, and biosynthesis of lipophilic molecules.

RECENT ADVANCES

The number of selenoproteins whose physiological roles, protein partners, expression, evolution, and biosynthesis are characterized is steadily increasing, thus offering a more nuanced view of this specialized family. This review focuses on human membrane selenoproteins, particularly the five least characterized ones: selenoproteins I, K, N, S, and T.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Membrane-bound selenoproteins are the least understood, as it is challenging to provide the membrane-like environment required for their biochemical and biophysical characterization. Hence, their studies rely mostly on biological rather than structural and biochemical assays. Another aspect that has not received much attention is the particular role that their membrane association plays in their physiological function.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Findings cited in this review show that it is possible to infer the structure and the membrane-binding mode of these lesser-studied selenoproteins and design experiments to examine the role of the rare amino acid selenocysteine.

Lipid Profile in Different Parts of Edible Jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum

Jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum has been exploited commercially as a delicious food for a long time. Although the edible and medicinal values of R. esculentum have gained extensive attention, the effects of lipids on its nutritional value have rarely been reported. In the present of study, the lipid profile including lipid classes, fatty acyl compositions, and fatty acid (FA) positions in lipids from different parts (oral arms, umbrella, and mouth stalk) of R. esculentum was explored by ultraperformance liquid chromatography--electrospray ionization--quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS). More than 87 species from 10 major lipid classes including phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI), phosphatidylserine (PS), ceramide (Cer), ceramide 2-aminoethylphosphonate (CAEP), and triacylglycerol (TAG) were separated and characterized. Semiquantification of individual lipid species in different parts of R. esculentum was also conducted. Results showed that glycerophospholipids (GPLs) enriched in highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) were the major compenents in all parts of R. esculentum, which accounted for 54-63% of total lipids (TLs). Considering the high level of GPLs and the FA compositions in GPLs, jellyfish R. esculentum might have great potential as a health-promoting food for humans and as a growth-promoting diet for some commercial fish and crustaceans. Meanwhile, LPC, LPE, and LPI showed high levels in oral arms when compared with umbrella and mouth stalk, which may be due to the high proportion of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in oral arms. Moreover, a high CAEP level was detected in oral arms, which may render cell membranes with resistance to chemical hydrolysis by PLA2. The relatively low TAG content could be associated with specific functions of oral arms.

Dichotomous roles for externalized cardiolipin in extracellular signaling: Promotion of phagocytosis and attenuation of innate immunity

Among the distinct molecular signatures present in the mitochondrion is the tetra-acylated anionic phospholipid cardiolipin, a lipid also present in primordial, single-cell bacterial ancestors of mitochondria and multiple bacterial species today. Cardiolipin is normally localized to the inner mitochondrial membrane; however, when cardiolipin becomes externalized to the surface of dysregulated mitochondria, it promotes inflammasome activation and stimulates the elimination of damaged or nonfunctional mitochondria by mitophagy. Given the immunogenicity of mitochondrial and bacterial membranes that are released during sterile and pathogen-induced trauma, we hypothesized that cardiolipins might function as "eat me" signals for professional phagocytes. In experiments with macrophage cell lines and primary macrophages, we found that membranes with mitochondrial or bacterial cardiolipins on their surface were engulfed through phagocytosis, which depended on the scavenger receptor CD36. Distinct from this process, the copresentation of cardiolipin with the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist lipopolysaccharide dampened TLR4-stimulated production of cytokines. These data suggest that externalized, extracellular cardiolipins play a dual role in host-host and host-pathogen interactions by promoting phagocytosis and attenuating inflammatory immune responses.

Characterization of P4 ATPase Phospholipid Translocases (Flippases) in Human and Rat Pancreatic Beta Cells: THEIR GENE SILENCING INHIBITS INSULIN SECRETION

The negative charge of phosphatidylserine in lipid bilayers of secretory vesicles and plasma membranes couples the domains of positively charged amino acids of secretory vesicle SNARE proteins with similar domains of plasma membrane SNARE proteins enhancing fusion of the two membranes to promote exocytosis of the vesicle contents of secretory cells. Our recent study of insulin secretory granules (ISG) (MacDonald, M. J., Ade, L., Ntambi, J. M., Ansari, I. H., and Stoker, S. W. (2015) Characterization of phospholipids in insulin secretory granules in pancreatic beta cells and their changes with glucose stimulation. J. Biol. Chem. 290, 11075-11092) suggested that phosphatidylserine and other phospholipids, such as phosphatidylethanolamine, in ISG could play important roles in docking and fusion of ISG to the plasma membrane in the pancreatic beta cell during insulin exocytosis. P4 ATPase flippases translocate primarily phosphatidylserine and, to a lesser extent, phosphatidylethanolamine across the lipid bilayers of intracellular vesicles and plasma membranes to the cytosolic leaflets of these membranes. CDC50A is a protein that forms a heterodimer with P4 ATPases to enhance their translocase catalytic activity. We found that the predominant P4 ATPases in pure pancreatic beta cells and human and rat pancreatic islets were ATP8B1, ATP8B2, and ATP9A. ATP8B1 and CDC50A were highly concentrated in ISG. ATP9A was concentrated in plasma membrane. Gene silencing of individual P4 ATPases and CDC50A inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin release in pure beta cells and in human pancreatic islets. This is the first characterization of P4 ATPases in beta cells. The results support roles for P4 ATPases in translocating phosphatidylserine to the cytosolic leaflets of ISG and the plasma membrane to facilitate the docking and fusion of ISG to the plasma membrane during insulin exocytosis.

Potential Adverse Effects of Prolonged Sevoflurane Exposure on Developing Monkey Brain: From Abnormal Lipid Metabolism to Neuronal Damage

Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic that has been widely used in general anesthesia, yet its safety in pediatric use is a public concern. This study sought to evaluate whether prolonged exposure of infant monkeys to a clinically relevant concentration of sevoflurane is associated with any adverse effects on the developing brain. Infant monkeys were exposed to 2.5% sevoflurane for 9 h, and frontal cortical tissues were harvested for DNA microarray, lipidomics, Luminex protein, and histological assays. DNA microarray analysis showed that sevoflurane exposure resulted in a broad identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the monkey brain. In general, these genes were associated with nervous system development, function, and neural cell viability. Notably, a number of DEGs were closely related to lipid metabolism. Lipidomic analysis demonstrated that critical lipid components, (eg, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylglycerol) were significantly downregulated by prolonged exposure of sevoflurane. Luminex protein analysis indicated abnormal levels of cytokines in sevoflurane-exposed brains. Consistently, Fluoro-Jade C staining revealed more degenerating neurons after sevoflurane exposure. These data demonstrate that a clinically relevant concentration of sevoflurane (2.5%) is capable of inducing and maintaining an effective surgical plane of anesthesia in the developing nonhuman primate and that a prolonged exposure of 9 h resulted in profound changes in gene expression, cytokine levels, lipid metabolism, and subsequently, neuronal damage. Generally, sevoflurane-induced neuronal damage was also associated with changes in lipid content, composition, or both; and specific lipid changes could provide insights into the molecular mechanism(s) underlying anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity and may be sensitive biomarkers for the early detection of anesthetic-induced neuronal damage.

Choline supplementation restores substrate balance and alleviates complications of Pcyt2 deficiency

Choline plays a critical role in systemic lipid metabolism and hepatic function. Here we conducted a series of experiments to investigate the effect of choline supplementation on metabolically altered Pcyt2(+/-) mice. In Pcyt2(+/-) mice, the membrane phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) turnover is reduced and the formation of fatty acids (FA) and triglycerides (TAG) increased, resulting in hypertriglyceridemia, liver steatosis and obesity. One month of choline supplementation reduced the incorporation of FA into TAG and facilitated TAG degradation in Pcyt2(+/-) adipocytes, plasma and liver. Choline particularly stimulated adipocyte and liver TAG lipolysis by specific lipases (ATGL, LPL and HSL) and inhibited TAG formation by DGAT1 and DGAT2. Choline also activated the liver AMPK and mitochondrial FA oxidation gene PPARα and reduced the FA synthesis genes SREBP1, SCD1 and FAS. Liver (HPLC) and plasma (tandem mass spectroscopy and (1)H-NMR) metabolite profiling established that Pcyt2(+/-) mice have reduced membrane cholesterol/sphingomyelin ratio and the homocysteine/methionine cycle that were improved by choline supplementation. These data suggest that supplementary choline is beneficial for restoring FA and TAG homeostasis under conditions of obesity caused by impaired PE synthesis.

Modulation of the lipidomic profile due to a lipid challenge and fitness level: a postprandial study

Background

The lipid composition of plasma is known to vary due to both phenotypic factors such as age, gender and BMI as well as with various diseases including cancer and neurological disorders. However, there is little investigation into the variation in the lipidome due to exercise and/ or metabolic challenges. The objectives of this present study were (i) To identify the glycerophospholipid, sphingolipids and ceramide changes in response to an oral lipid tolerance test (OLTT) in healthy adults and (ii) To identify the effect of aerobic fitness level on lipidomic profiles.

Methods

214 healthy adults aged 18–60 years were recruited as part of a metabolic challenge study. A sub-group of 40 volunteers were selected for lipidomic analysis based on their aerobic fitness level. Ceramides, glycerophospholipids and sphingomyelins were quantified in baseline fasting plasma samples as well as at 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min following a lipid challenge using high-throughput flow injection ESI-MS/MS.

Results

Mixed model repeated measures analysis identified lipids which were significantly changing over the time course of the lipid challenge. Included in these lipids were lysophosphoethanolamines (LPE), phosphoethanolamines (PE), phosphoglycerides (PG) and ceramides (Cer). Five lipids (LPE a C18:2, LPE a C18:1, PE aa C36:2, PE aa C36:3 and N-C16:1-Cer) had a fold change > 1.5 at 120 min following the challenge and these lipids remained elevated. Furthermore, three of these lipids (LPE a C18:2, PE aa C36:2 and PE aa C36:3) were predictive of fasting and peak plasma TAG concentrations following the OLTT. Further analysis revealed that fitness level has a significant impact on the response to the OLTT: in particular significant differences between fitness groups were observed for phosphatidylcholines (PC), sphingomyelins (SM) and ceramides.

Conclusion

This study identified specific lipids which were modulated by an acute lipid challenge. Furthermore, it identified a series of lipids which were modulated by fitness level. Future lipidomic studies should take into account environmental factors such as diet and fitness level during biomarker discovery work.

Trial registration

Data, clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01172951

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12944-015-0062-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cardiolipin signaling mechanisms: collapse of asymmetry and oxidation

SIGNIFICANCE

An ancient anionic phospholipid, cardiolipin (CL), ubiquitously present in prokaryotic and eukaryotic membranes, is essential for several structural and functional purposes.

RECENT ADVANCES

The emerging role of CLs in signaling has become the focus of many studies.

CRITICAL ISSUES

In this work, we describe two major pathways through which mitochondrial CLs may fulfill the signaling functions via utilization of their (i) asymmetric distribution across membranes and translocations, leading to the surface externalization and (ii) ability to undergo oxidation reactions to yield the signature products recognizable by the executionary machinery of cells.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

We present a concept that CLs and their oxidation/hydrolysis products constitute a rich communication language utilized by mitochondria of eukaryotic cells for diversified regulation of cell physiology and metabolism as well as for inter-cellular interactions.

Lipidomic profiling of mastoid bone and tissue from patients with chronic otomastoiditis

Introduction Chronic otomastoiditis causes pain, otorrhea, and hearing loss resulting from the growth of tissue within the normally hollow mastoid cavity.

Objectives In this report, we used a lipidomics approach to profile major mastoid bone and tissue lipids from patients with and without otomastoiditis.

Methods The bone dust created during mastoidectomy, as well as the mastoid tissue, was analyzed from seven patients. Bone dust was also collected and analyzed in an additional four otologic cases (parotidectomy requiring mastoidectomy). Samples were subjected to a modified Bligh/Dyer lipid extraction, then high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC), combined gas chromatography/electron impact-mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS), and flow-injection/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (FI/ESI-MSMS). Data were analyzed for identification and profiling of major lipid components.

Results HPTLC revealed the presence of various lipid classes, including phosphatidylcholines, cholesterol, and triacylglycerols. GC/EI-MS analysis revealed the presence of cholesterol and several fatty acids. FI/ESI-MSMS analysis revealed a host of phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, and cholesteryl esters.

Conclusion We used a lipidomics approach to develop an efficient (both in time and tissue amount) methodology for analysis of these tissues, identify the most abundant and common lipid species, and create a base of knowledge from which more focused endeavors in biomarker discovery can emerge. In an effort toward improved patient categorization and individualized intervention, the ultimate goal of this work is to correlate these lipid molecules to disease state and progression. This is the first reported study of its kind on these tissues.

The CDP-Ethanolamine Pathway Regulates Skeletal Muscle Diacylglycerol Content and Mitochondrial Biogenesis without Altering Insulin Sensitivity

Accumulation of diacylglycerol (DG) in muscle is thought to cause insulin resistance. DG is a precursor for phospholipids, thus phospholipid synthesis could be involved in regulating muscle DG. Little is known about the interaction between phospholipid and DG in muscle; therefore, we examined whether disrupting muscle phospholipid synthesis, specifically phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn), would influence muscle DG content and insulin sensitivity. Muscle PtdEtn synthesis was disrupted by deleting CTP:phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase (ECT), the rate-limiting enzyme in the CDP-ethanolamine pathway, a major route for PtdEtn production. While PtdEtn was reduced in muscle-specific ECT knockout mice, intramyocellular and membrane-associated DG was markedly increased. Importantly, however, this was not associated with insulin resistance. Unexpectedly, mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle oxidative capacity were increased in muscle-specific ECT knockout mice and were accompanied by enhanced exercise performance. These findings highlight the importance of the CDP-ethanolamine pathway in regulating muscle DG content and challenge the DG-induced insulin resistance hypothesis.

α-Tocopherol's Location in Membranes Is Not Affected by Their Composition

To this day, α-tocopherol's (aToc) role in humans is not well known. In previous studies, we have tried to connect aToc's biological function with its location in a lipid bilayer. In the present study, we have determined, by means of small-angle neutron diffraction, that not only is aToc's hydroxyl group located high in the membrane but its tail also resides far from the center of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) bilayers. In addition, we located aToc's hydroxyl group above the lipid backbone in 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (POPE), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine (POPS), and sphingomyelin bilayers, suggesting that aToc's location near the lipid-water interface may be a universal property of vitamin E. In light of these data, how aToc efficiently terminates lipid hydroperoxy radicals at the membrane center remains an open question.

Nonenzymatic Reactions above Phospholipid Surfaces of Biological Membranes: Reactivity of Phospholipids and Their Oxidation Derivatives

Phospholipids play multiple and essential roles in cells, as components of biological membranes. Although phospholipid bilayers provide the supporting matrix and surface for many enzymatic reactions, their inherent reactivity and possible catalytic role have not been highlighted. As other biomolecules, phospholipids are frequent targets of nonenzymatic modifications by reactive substances including oxidants and glycating agents which conduct to the formation of advanced lipoxidation end products (ALEs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). There are some theoretical studies about the mechanisms of reactions related to these processes on phosphatidylethanolamine surfaces, which hypothesize that cell membrane phospholipids surface environment could enhance some reactions through a catalyst effect. On the other hand, the phospholipid bilayers are susceptible to oxidative damage by oxidant agents as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Molecular dynamics simulations performed on phospholipid bilayers models, which include modified phospholipids by these reactions and subsequent reactions that conduct to formation of ALEs and AGEs, have revealed changes in the molecular interactions and biophysical properties of these bilayers as consequence of these reactions. Then, more studies are desirable which could correlate the biophysics of modified phospholipids with metabolism in processes such as aging and diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.

Lipid structural effects of oral administration of methylphenidate in Drosophila brain by secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging

We use time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) imaging to investigate the effects of orally administrated methylphenidate on lipids in the brain of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly), a major invertebrate model system in biological study and neuroscience. TOF-SIMS imaging was carried out using a recently designed high energy 40 keV Ar4000(+) gas cluster ion gun which demonstrated improved sensitivity for intact lipids in the fly brain compared to the 40 keV C60(+) primary ion gun. In addition, correlation of TOF-SIMS and SEM imaging on the same fly brain showed that there is specific localization that is related to biological functions of various biomolecules. Different lipids distribute in different parts of the brain, central brain, optical lobes, and proboscis, depending on the length of the carbon chain and saturation level of fatty acid (FA) branches. Furthermore, data analysis using image principal components analysis (PCA) showed that methylphenidate dramatically affected both the distribution and abundance of lipids and their derivatives, particularly fatty acids, diacylglycerides, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylinositol in the fly brains. Our approach using TOF-SIMS imaging successfully visualizes the effects of methylphenidate on the chemical structure of the fly brain.

Aqueous humor phospholipids of DBA/2J and DBA/2J-Gpnmb(+)/SjJ mice

PURPOSE

To compare phospholipid profiles [phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI)] of normotensive and hypertensive aqueous humor (AH) from DBA/2J and compare them with phospholipid profiles of DBA/2J-Gpnmb(+)/SjJ mice.

METHODS

AH was obtained from young-normotensive DBA/2J, old -hypertensive DBA/2J mice, young and old DBA/2J-Gpnmb(+)/SjJ mice (aging control). Lipids were extracted using modified Bligh and Dyer method and subjected to mass spectrometric identification using appropriate class-specific lipid standards and ratiometric quantification. Corresponding aqueous phase (of extraction) protein concentrations were measured using Bradford method.

RESULTS

The total amount of phospholipids showed a decrease in the hypertensive state compared to normotensive state. The total PE and total PS contributed over 50% of the total amount. Total PS showed a remarkable decrease in hypertensive compared to normotensive state. In contrast, total PE in the hypertensive stage presented an increase in amount. Unique lipid species were found encompassing all four phospholipid classes in normotensive as well as in the hypertensive state. Several phospholipid species were found common to both states but with remarkable differences in amount in individual states. The ratio of lysophospholipids to total phospholipids is significantly reduced in the hypertensive state. Commensurate with reduced level of lysophospholipids, we found an increased level of lysophospholipase D (Autotaxin) in the hypertensive state. The difference of total phospholipids between young and old was 35.4% in DBA/2J group but 10% in DBA/2J-Gpnmb(+)/SjJ mice.

CONCLUSION

The significant change of phospholipids including lysophospholipids was found commensurate with the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP).

Lenz-Majewski hyperostotic dwarfism with hyperphosphoserinuria from a novel mutation in PTDSS1 encoding phosphatidylserine synthase 1

Lenz-Majewski hyperostotic dwarfism (LMHD) is an ultra-rare Mendelian craniotubular dysostosis that causes skeletal dysmorphism and widely distributed osteosclerosis. Biochemical and histopathological characterization of the bone disease is incomplete and nonexistent, respectively. In 2014, a publication concerning five unrelated patients with LMHD disclosed that all carried one of three heterozygous missense mutations in PTDSS1 encoding phosphatidylserine synthase 1 (PSS1). PSS1 promotes the biosynthesis of phosphatidylserine (PTDS), which is a functional constituent of lipid bilayers. In vitro, these PTDSS1 mutations were gain-of-function and increased PTDS production. Notably, PTDS binds calcium within matrix vesicles to engender hydroxyapatite crystal formation, and may enhance mesenchymal stem cell differentiation leading to osteogenesis. We report an infant girl with LMHD and a novel heterozygous missense mutation (c.829T>C, p.Trp277Arg) within PTDSS1. Bone turnover markers suggested that her osteosclerosis resulted from accelerated formation with an unremarkable rate of resorption. Urinary amino acid quantitation revealed a greater than sixfold elevation of phosphoserine. Our findings affirm that PTDSS1 defects cause LMHD and support enhanced biosynthesis of PTDS in the pathogenesis of LMHD.

Modulation of Alzheimer's Aβ protofilament-membrane interactions by lipid headgroups

The molecular pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is complex and sparsely understood. The relationship between AD's amyloid β (Aβ) peptides and neuronal membranes is central to Aβ's cytotoxicity and is directly modulated by the composition of the lipid headgroups. Molecular studies of the insertion of model Aβ40 protofilaments in lipid bilayers revealed strong interactions that affect the structural integrity of both the membranes and the ordered amyloid aggregates. In particular, electrostatics plays a crucial role in the interaction between Aβ protofilaments and palmytoil-oleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE) lipids, a common component of neuronal plasma membranes. Here, we use all-atom molecular dynamics and steered molecular dynamics simulations to systematically compare the effects that POPE and palmytoil-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) headgroups have on the Aβ-lipid interactions. We find that Aβ protofilaments exhibit weaker electrostatic interactions with POPC headgroups and establish significantly shorter-lived contacts with the POPC bilayer. This illustrates the crucial yet complex role of electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions in modulating the anchoring and insertion of Aβ peptides into lipid bilayers. Our study reveals the atomistic details behind the barrier created by the lipid headgroup region in impeding solution-aggregated fibrillar oligomers to spontaneously insert into POPC bilayers, in contrast to the POPE case. While the biological reality is notoriously more complex (e.g., including other factors such as cholesterol), our results evidence a simple experimentally and computationally testable case for probing the factors that control the insertion of Aβ oligomeric aggregates in neuronal cell membranes--a process central to their neurotoxicity.

Characterization of phospholipids in insulin secretory granules and mitochondria in pancreatic beta cells and their changes with glucose stimulation

The lipid composition of insulin secretory granules (ISG) has never previously been thoroughly characterized. We characterized the phospholipid composition of ISG and mitochondria in pancreatic beta cells without and with glucose stimulation. The phospholipid/protein ratios of most phospholipids containing unsaturated fatty acids were higher in ISG than in whole cells and in mitochondria. The concentrations of negatively charged phospholipids, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol in ISG were 5-fold higher than in the whole cell. In ISG phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and sphingomyelin, fatty acids 12:0 and 14:0 were high, as were phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol containing 18-carbon unsaturated FA. With glucose stimulation, the concentration of many ISG phosphatidylserines and phosphatidylinositols increased; unsaturated fatty acids in phosphatidylserine increased; and most phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins, and lysophosphatidylcholines were unchanged. Unsaturation and shorter fatty acid length in phospholipids facilitate curvature and fluidity of membranes, which favors fusion of membranes. Recent evidence suggests that negatively charged phospholipids, such as phosphatidylserine, act as coupling factors enhancing the interaction of positively charged regions in SNARE proteins in synaptic or secretory vesicle membrane lipid bilayers with positively charged regions in SNARE proteins in the plasma membrane lipid bilayer to facilitate docking of vesicles to the plasma membrane during exocytosis. The results indicate that ISG phospholipids are in a dynamic state and are consistent with the idea that changes in ISG phospholipids facilitate fusion of ISG with the plasma membrane-enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin exocytosis.

From Protease to Decarboxylase: THE MOLECULAR METAMORPHOSIS OF PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE DECARBOXYLASE

Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (PSDs) play a central role in the synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine in numerous species of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. PSDs are unusual decarboxylase containing a pyruvoyl prosthetic group within the active site. The covalently attached pyruvoyl moiety is formed in a concerted reaction when the PSD proenzyme undergoes an endoproteolytic cleavage into a large β-subunit, and a smaller α-subunit, which harbors the prosthetic group at its N terminus. The mechanism of PSD proenzyme cleavage has long been unclear. Using a coupled in vitro transcription/translation system with the soluble Plasmodium knowlesi enzyme (PkPSD), we demonstrate that the post-translational processing is inhibited by the serine protease inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. Comparison of PSD sequences across multiple phyla reveals a uniquely conserved aspartic acid within an FFXRX6RX12PXD motif, two uniquely conserved histidine residues within a PXXYHXXHXP motif, and a uniquely conserved serine residue within a GS(S/T) motif, suggesting that PSDs belong to the D-H-S serine protease family. The function of the conserved D-H-S residues was probed using site-directed mutagenesis of PkPSD. The results from these mutagenesis experiments reveal that Asp-139, His-198, and Ser-308 are all essential for endoproteolytic processing of PkPSD, which occurs in cis. In addition, within the GS(S/T) motif found in all PSDs, the Gly-307 residue is also essential, but the Ser/Thr-309 is non-essential. These results define the mechanism whereby PSDs begin their biochemical existence as proteases that execute one autoendoproteolytic cleavage reaction to give rise to a mature PSD harboring a pyruvoyl prosthetic group.

Lipidomic profiling of sinus mucosa from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

Sinusitis is a cause of significant morbidity, substantial healthcare costs, and negative effects on quality of life. The primary objective of this study is to characterize the previously unknown lipid profile of sinonasal mucosa from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and from controls. Sinus mucosa samples were analyzed from 9 CRS patients with concomitant nasal polyps, 11 CRS patients without polyps, and 12 controls. Ten lone polyp samples were also analyzed. Samples were subjected to a modified Bligh/Dyer lipid extraction, then high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), combined gas chromatography/electron impact-mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS), and flow-injection/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (FI/ESI-MS/MS). Data was analyzed for identification and profiling of major components. HPTLC revealed an array of species reflecting the lipid complexity of the samples. GC/EI-MS revealed cholesterol and several fatty acids. FI/ESI-MSMS revealed numerous lipid species, namely a host of phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, ceramides and cholesteryl esters, but no detectable amounts of phosphatidyinositols or sulfated lipids. These results are a first step to uncover unique molecular biomarkers in CRS.

Mitochondrial quality control: Easy come, easy go

"Friends come and go but enemies accumulate." - Arthur Bloch Mitochondrial networks in eukaryotic cells are maintained via regular cycles of degradation and biogenesis. These complex processes function in concert with one another to eliminate dysfunctional mitochondria in a specific and targeted manner and coordinate the biogenesis of new organelles. This review covers the two aspects of mitochondrial turnover, focusing on the main pathways and mechanisms involved. The review also summarizes the current methods and techniques for analyzing mitochondrial turnover in vivo and in vitro, from the whole animal proteome level to the level of single organelle.

Assembly and relaxation behaviours of phosphatidylethanolamine monolayers investigated by polarization and frequency resolved SFG-VS

Polarization and frequency resolved SFG-VS to distinguish the head/tail groups of lipids, to resolve the assembly and relaxation kinetics of monolayers.

An overview of inborn errors of complex lipid biosynthesis and remodelling

In a review published in 2012, we delineated 14 inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) related to defects in biosynthesis of complex lipids, particularly phospholipids and sphingolipids (Lamari et al 2013). Given the numerous roles played by these molecules in membrane integrity, cell structure and function, this group of diseases is rapidly expanding as predicted. Almost 40 new diseases related to genetic defects in enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and remodelling of phospholipids, sphingolipids and complex fatty acids are now reported. While the clinical phenotype associated with these defects is currently difficult to outline, with only a few patients identified to date, it appears that all organs and systems may be affected - central and peripheral nervous system, eye, muscle, skin, bone, liver, immune system, etc. This chapter presents an introductive overview of this new group of IEM. More broadly, this special issue provides an update on other IEM involving complex lipids, namely dolichol and isoprenoids, glycolipids and congenital disorders of glycosylation, very long chain fatty acids and plasmalogens. Likewise, more than 100 IEM may actually lead to primary or secondary defects of complex lipids synthesis and remodelling. Because of the implication of several cellular compartments, this new group of disorders affecting the synthesis and remodelling of complex molecules challenges our current classification of IEM still largely based on cellular organelles--i.e. mitochondrial, lysosomal, peroxisomal disorders. While most of these new disorders have been identified by next generation sequencing, we wish to emphasize the promising role of lipidomics in deciphering their pathophysiology and identifying therapeutic targets.

Lipid metabolism in mitochondrial membranes

Mitochondrial membranes have a unique lipid composition necessary for proper shape and function of the organelle. Mitochondrial lipid metabolism involves biosynthesis of the phospholipids phosphatidylethanolamine, cardiolipin and phosphatidylglycerol, the latter is a precursor of the late endosomal lipid bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate. It also includes mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis necessary for the formation of the lipid cofactor lipoic acid. Furthermore the synthesis of coenzyme Q takes place in mitochondria as well as essential parts of the steroid and vitamin D metabolism. Lipid transport and remodelling, which are necessary for tailoring and maintaining specific membrane properties, are just partially unravelled. Mitochondrial lipids are involved in organelle maintenance, fission and fusion, mitophagy and cytochrome c-mediated apoptosis. Mutations in TAZ, SERAC1 and AGK affect mitochondrial phospholipid metabolism and cause Barth syndrome, MEGDEL and Sengers syndrome, respectively. In these disorders an abnormal mitochondrial energy metabolism was found, which seems to be due to disturbed protein-lipid interactions, affecting especially enzymes of the oxidative phosphorylation. Since a growing number of enzymes and transport processes are recognised as parts of the mitochondrial lipid metabolism, a further increase of lipid-related disorders can be expected.

Separation of the Stern and diffuse layer in coarse-grained models: the cases of phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidic acid, and PIP2 monolayers

We present here a method to separate the Stern and diffuse layer in general systems into two regions that can be analyzed separately. The Stern layer can be described in terms of Bjerrum pairing and the diffuse layer in terms of Poisson-Boltzmann theory (monovalent) or strong coupling theory plus a slowly decaying tail (divalent). We consider three anionic phospholipids: phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidic acid, and phosphatidylinositol(4,5)bisphosphate (PIP2), which we describe within a minimal coarse-grained model as a function of ionic concentration. The case of mixed lipid systems is also considered, which shows a high level of binding cooperativity as a function of PIP2 localization. Implications for existing experimental systems of lipid heterogeneities are also discussed.

Molecular structures of fluid phosphatidylethanolamine bilayers obtained from simulation-to-experiment comparisons and experimental scattering density profiles

Following our previous efforts in determining the structures of commonly used PC, PG, and PS bilayers, we continue our studies of fully hydrated, fluid phase PE bilayers. The newly designed parsing scheme for PE bilayers was based on extensive MD simulations, and is utilized in the SDP analysis of both X-ray and neutron (contrast varied) scattering measurements. Obtained experimental scattering form factors are directly compared to our simulation results, and can serve as a benchmark for future developed force fields. Among the evaluated structural parameters, namely, area per lipid A, overall bilayer thickness DB, and hydrocarbon region thickness 2DC, the PE bilayer response to changing temperature is similar to previously studied bilayers with different headgroups. On the other hand, the reduced hydration of PE headgroups, as well as the strong hydrogen bonding between PE headgroups, dramatically affects lateral packing within the bilayer. Despite sharing the same glycerol backbone, a markedly smaller area per lipid distinguishes PE from other bilayers (i.e., PC, PG, and PS) studied to date. Overall, our data are consistent with the notion that lipid headgroups govern bilayer packing, while hydrocarbon chains dominate the bilayer's response to temperature changes.

Detection and biological activities of carboxyethylpyrrole ethanolamine phospholipids (CEP-EPs)

Oxidation of docosahexaenoate phospholipids produces 4-hydroxy-7-oxo-hept-5-eonyl phospholipids (HOHA-PLs) that react with protein lysyl ε-amino residues to generate 2-ω-carboxyethylpyrrole (CEP) derivatives, endogenous factors that induce angiogenesis in the retina and tumors. It seemed likely, but remained unproven, that HOHA-PLs react with ethanolamine phospholipids (EPs) in vivo to generate CEP-EPs. We now show that CEP-EPs are present in human blood at 4.6-fold higher levels in age-related macular degeneration plasma than in normal plasma. We also show that CEP-EPs are pro-angiogenic, inducing tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells by activating Toll-like receptor 2. CEP-EP levels may be a useful biomarker for clinical assessment of AMD risk and CEP-associated tumor progression and a tool for monitoring the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.

Homeostasis of phospholipids - The level of phosphatidylethanolamine tightly adapts to changes in ethanolamine plasmalogens

Ethanolamine plasmalogens constitute a group of ether glycerophospholipids that, due to their unique biophysical and biochemical properties, are essential components of mammalian cellular membranes. Their importance is emphasized by the consequences of defects in plasmalogen biosynthesis, which in humans cause the fatal disease rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP). In the present lipidomic study, we used fibroblasts derived from RCDP patients, as well as brain tissue from plasmalogen-deficient mice, to examine the compensatory mechanisms of lipid homeostasis in response to plasmalogen deficiency. Our results show that phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), a diacyl glycerophospholipid, which like ethanolamine plasmalogens carries the head group ethanolamine, is the main player in the adaptation to plasmalogen insufficiency. PE levels were tightly adjusted to the amount of ethanolamine plasmalogens so that their combined levels were kept constant. Similarly, the total amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in ethanolamine phospholipids was maintained upon plasmalogen deficiency. However, we found an increased incorporation of arachidonic acid at the expense of docosahexaenoic acid in the PE fraction of plasmalogen-deficient tissues. These data show that under conditions of reduced plasmalogen levels, the amount of total ethanolamine phospholipids is precisely maintained by a rise in PE. At the same time, a shift in the ratio between ω-6 and ω-3 PUFAs occurs, which might have unfavorable, long-term biological consequences. Therefore, our findings are not only of interest for RCDP but may have more widespread implications also for other disease conditions, as for example Alzheimer's disease, that have been associated with a decline in plasmalogens.

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PE accurately compensates for the lack of plasmalogens in vitro and in vivo.

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PE levels decrease to adapt to excess of ethanolamine plasmalogens (PlsEtn).

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Plasmalogen deficiency favors incorporation of arachidonic acid into PE.

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Docosahexaenoic acid in ethanolamine phospholipids decreases upon PlsEtn depletion.

The E2F2 transcription factor sustains hepatic glycerophospholipid homeostasis in mice

Increasing evidence links metabolic signals to cell proliferation, but the molecular wiring that connects the two core machineries remains largely unknown. E2Fs are master regulators of cellular proliferation. We have recently shown that E2F2 activity facilitates the completion of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) by regulating the expression of genes required for S-phase entry. Our study also revealed that E2F2 determines the duration of hepatectomy-induced hepatic steatosis. A transcriptomic analysis of normal adult liver identified “lipid metabolism regulation” as a major E2F2 functional target, suggesting that E2F2 has a role in lipid homeostasis. Here we use wild-type (E2F2^+/+) and E2F2 deficient (E2F2^−/−) mice to investigate the in vivo role of E2F2 in the composition of liver lipids and fatty acids in two metabolically different contexts: quiescence and 48-h post-PH, when cellular proliferation and anabolic demands are maximal. We show that liver regeneration is accompanied by large triglyceride and protein increases without changes in total phospholipids both in E2F2^+/+ and E2F2^−/− mice. Remarkably, we found that the phenotype of quiescent liver tissue from E2F2^−/− mice resembles the phenotype of proliferating E2F2^+/+ liver tissue, characterized by a decreased phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine ratio and a reprogramming of genes involved in generation of choline and ethanolamine derivatives. The diversity of fatty acids in total lipid, triglycerides and phospholipids was essentially preserved on E2F2 loss both in proliferating and non-proliferating liver tissue, although notable exceptions in inflammation-related fatty acids of defined phospholipid classes were detected. Overall, our results indicate that E2F2 activity sustains the hepatic homeostasis of major membrane glycerolipid components while it is dispensable for storage glycerolipid balance.

Phosphatidylserine and the human brain

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the roles and importance of phosphatidylserine (PS), an endogenous phospholipid and dietary nutrient, in human brain biochemistry, physiology, and function.

METHODS

A scientific literature search was conducted on MEDLINE for relevant articles regarding PS and the human brain published before June 2014. Additional publications were identified from references provided in original papers; 127 articles were selected for inclusion in this review.

RESULTS

A large body of scientific evidence describes the interactions among PS, cognitive activity, cognitive aging, and retention of cognitive functioning ability.

CONCLUSION

Phosphatidylserine is required for healthy nerve cell membranes and myelin. Aging of the human brain is associated with biochemical alterations and structural deterioration that impair neurotransmission. Exogenous PS (300-800 mg/d) is absorbed efficiently in humans, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and safely slows, halts, or reverses biochemical alterations and structural deterioration in nerve cells. It supports human cognitive functions, including the formation of short-term memory, the consolidation of long-term memory, the ability to create new memories, the ability to retrieve memories, the ability to learn and recall information, the ability to focus attention and concentrate, the ability to reason and solve problems, language skills, and the ability to communicate. It also supports locomotor functions, especially rapid reactions and reflexes.

The Ebola virus matrix protein VP40 selectively induces vesiculation from phosphatidylserine-enriched membranes

Ebola virus is from the Filoviridae family of viruses and is one of the most virulent pathogens known with ∼ 60% clinical fatality. The Ebola virus negative sense RNA genome encodes seven proteins including viral matrix protein 40 (VP40), which is the most abundant protein found in the virions. Within infected cells VP40 localizes at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM), binds lipids, and regulates formation of new virus particles. Expression of VP40 in mammalian cells is sufficient to form virus-like particles that are nearly indistinguishable from the authentic virions. However, how VP40 interacts with the PM and forms virus-like particles is for the most part unknown. To investigate VP40 lipid specificity in a model of viral egress we employed giant unilamellar vesicles with different lipid compositions. The results demonstrate VP40 selectively induces vesiculation from membranes containing phosphatidylserine (PS) at concentrations of PS that are representative of the PM inner leaflet content. The formation of intraluminal vesicles was not significantly detected in the presence of other important PM lipids including cholesterol and polyvalent phosphoinositides, further demonstrating PS selectivity. Taken together, these studies suggest that PM phosphatidylserine may be an important component of Ebola virus budding and that VP40 may be able to mediate PM scission.

IDH1 regulates phospholipid metabolism in developing astrocytes

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) is an evolutionarily conserved enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of isocitrate to α-ketoglutarate with the concomitant reduction of NADP(+) to NADPH. IDH1 has previously been shown to participate in lipid biosynthesis in various tissues such as the liver and adipose tissue. We examined the potential role of IDH1 in phospholipid metabolism in the brain. Here we show that IDH1 is highly expressed in the brain and astrocytes during embryonic development and the postnatal period and subsequently declines in adulthood. Silencing of IDH1 expression using siRNA in astrocytes isolated from E18.5 mouse cortices led to increased incorporation of [(3)H]-palmitate into the phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and decreased the incorporation of [(3)H]-palmitate into sphingomyelin and the phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs). In pulse-chase experiments, knock-down of IDH1 expression impaired the turnover of PCs and decreased the synthesis of PEs. The decrease in [(3)H]-palmitate incorporation into PEs when IDH1 was knocked-down in astrocytes was not due to impairments within the CDP-ethanolamine pathway or in the rate of decarboxylation of phosphatidylserine (PS). In conclusion, our results reveal a role for IDH1 in the synthesis/turnover of phospholipids in developing astrocytes and highlight the lipid alterations resulting from the loss of wild-type IDH1 activity.

Membrane lipid profile monitored by mass spectrometry detected differences between fresh and vitrified in vitro-produced bovine embryos

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of vitrification on membrane lipid profile obtained by mass spectrometry (MS) of in vitro-produced bovine embryos. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–mass spectrometry (MALDI–MS) has been used to obtain individual embryo membrane lipid profiles. Due to conditions of analysis, mainly membrane lipids, most favorably phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and sphingomyelins (SMs) have been detected. The following ions described by their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) and respective attribution presented increased relative abundance (1.2–20×) in the vitrified group: 703.5 [SM (16:0) + H]+; 722.5 [PC (40:3) + Na]+; 758.5 [PC (34:2) + H]+; 762.5 [PC (34:0) + H]+; 790.5 [PC (36:0) + H]+ and 810.5 [PC (38:4) + H]+ and/or [PC (36:1) + Na]+. The ion with a m/z 744.5 [PCp (34:1) and/or PCe (34:2)] was 3.4-fold more abundant in the fresh group. Interestingly, ions with m/z 722.5 or 744.5 indicate the presence of lipid species, which are more resistant to enzymatic degradation as they contain fatty acyl residues linked through ether type bonds (alkyl ether or plasmalogens, indicated by the lowercase ‘e’ and ‘p‘, respectively) to the glycerol structure. The results indicate that cryopreservation impacts the membrane lipid profile, and that these alterations can be properly monitored by MALDI-MS. Membrane lipids can therefore be evaluated by MALDI-MS to monitor the effect of cryopreservation on membrane lipids, and to investigate changes in lipid profile that may reflect the metabolic response to the cryopreservation stress or changes in the environmental conditions.

Metabolomics in cell culture--a strategy to study crucial metabolic pathways in cancer development and the response to treatment

Metabolomics is a comprehensive tool for monitoring processes within biological systems. Thus, metabolomics may be widely applied to the determination of diagnostic biomarkers for certain diseases or treatment outcomes. There is significant potential for metabolomics to be implemented in cancer research because cancer may modify metabolic pathways in the whole organism. However, not all biological questions can be answered solely by the examination of small molecule composition in biofluids; in particular, the study of cellular processes or preclinical drug testing requires ex vivo models. The major objective of this review was to summarise the current achievement in the field of metabolomics in cancer cell culture-focusing on the metabolic pathways regulated in different cancer cell lines-and progress that has been made in the area of drug screening and development by the implementation of metabolomics in cell lines.

Phosphatidylethanolamine deficiency disrupts α-synuclein homeostasis in yeast and worm models of Parkinson disease

Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase, which is embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane, synthesizes phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and, in some cells, synthesizes the majority of this important phospholipid. Normal levels of PE can decline with age in the brain. Here we used yeast and worms to test the hypothesis that low levels of PE alter the homeostasis of the Parkinson disease-associated protein α-synuclein (α-syn). In yeast, low levels of PE in the phosphatidylserine decarboxylase deletion mutant (psd1Δ) cause decreased respiration, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a defect in the trafficking of the uracil permease, α-syn accumulation and foci, and a slow growth phenotype. Supplemental ethanolamine (ETA), which can be converted to PE via the Kennedy pathway enzymes in the ER, had no effect on respiration, whereas, in contrast, this metabolite partially eliminated ER stress, decreased α-syn foci formation, and restored growth close to that of wild-type cells. In Caenorhabditis elegans, RNAi depletion of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase in dopaminergic neurons expressing α-syn accelerates neurodegeneration, which supplemental ETA rescues. ETA fails to rescue this degeneration in worms that undergo double RNAi depletion of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (psd-1) and choline/ETA phosphotransferase (cept-1), which encodes the last enzyme in the CDP-ETA Kennedy pathway. This finding suggests that ETA exerts its protective effect by boosting PE through the Kennedy pathway. Overall, a low level of PE causes ER stress, disrupts vesicle trafficking, and causes α-syn to accumulate; such cells likely die from a combination of ER stress and excessive accumulation of α-syn.

Exploring developmental and physiological functions of fatty acid and lipid variants through worm and fly genetics

Lipids are more than biomolecules for energy storage and membrane structure. With ample structural variation, lipids critically participate in nearly all aspects of cellular function. Lipid homeostasis and metabolism are closely related to major human diseases and health problems. However, lipid functional studies have been significantly underdeveloped, partly because of the difficulty in applying genetics and common molecular approaches to tackle the complexity associated with lipid biosynthesis, metabolism, and function. In the past decade, a number of laboratories began to analyze the roles of lipid metabolism in development and other physiological functions using animal models and combining genetics, genomics, and biochemical approaches. These pioneering efforts have not only provided valuable insights regarding lipid functions in vivo but have also established feasible methodology for future studies. Here, we review a subset of these studies using Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster.

Cargo recognition and trafficking in selective autophagy

Selective autophagy is a quality control pathway through which cellular components are sequestered into double-membrane vesicles and delivered to specific intracellular compartments. This process requires autophagy receptors that link cargo to growing autophagosomal membranes. Selective autophagy is also implicated in various membrane trafficking events. Here we discuss the current view on how cargo selection and transport are achieved during selective autophagy, and point out molecular mechanisms that are congruent between autophagy and vesicle trafficking pathways.

Phosphatidylserine in the brain: metabolism and function

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is the major anionic phospholipid class particularly enriched in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in neural tissues. PS is synthesized from phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine by exchanging the base head group with serine, and this reaction is catalyzed by phosphatidylserine synthase 1 and phosphatidylserine synthase 2 located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Activation of Akt, Raf-1 and protein kinase C signaling, which supports neuronal survival and differentiation, requires interaction of these proteins with PS localized in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane. Furthermore, neurotransmitter release by exocytosis and a number of synaptic receptors and proteins are modulated by PS present in the neuronal membranes. Brain is highly enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and brain PS has a high DHA content. By promoting PS synthesis, DHA can uniquely expand the PS pool in neuronal membranes and thereby influence PS-dependent signaling and protein function. Ethanol decreases DHA-promoted PS synthesis and accumulation in neurons, which may contribute to the deleterious effects of ethanol intake. Improvement of some memory functions has been observed in cognitively impaired subjects as a result of PS supplementation, but the mechanism is unclear.

Membrane binding and bending in Ebola VP40 assembly and egress

Lipid-enveloped viruses contain a lipid bilayer coat that protects their genome and helps to facilitate entry into the host cell. Filoviruses are lipid-enveloped viruses that have up to 90% clinical fatality and include Marbug (MARV) and Ebola (EBOV). These pleomorphic filamentous viruses enter the host cell through their membrane-embedded glycoprotein and then replicate using just seven genes encoded in their negative-sense RNA genome. EBOV budding occurs from the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM) and is driven by the matrix protein VP40, which is the most abundantly expressed protein of the virus. VP40 expressed in mammalian cells alone can trigger budding of filamentous virus-like particles (VLPs) that are nearly indistinguishable from authentic EBOV. VP40, such as matrix proteins from other viruses, has been shown to bind anionic lipid membranes. However, how VP40 selectively interacts with the inner leaflet of the PM and assembles into a filamentous lipid enveloped particle is mostly unknown. This article describes what is known regarding VP40 membrane interactions and what answers will fill the gaps.

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1-infected cells secrete exosomes that contain Tax protein

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. The HTLV-1 transactivator protein Tax controls many critical cellular pathways, including host cell DNA damage response mechanisms, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. Extracellular vesicles called exosomes play critical roles during pathogenic viral infections as delivery vehicles for host and viral components, including proteins, mRNA, and microRNA. We hypothesized that exosomes derived from HTLV-1-infected cells contain unique host and viral proteins that may contribute to HTLV-1-induced pathogenesis. We found exosomes derived from infected cells to contain Tax protein and proinflammatory mediators as well as viral mRNA transcripts, including Tax, HBZ, and Env. Furthermore, we observed that exosomes released from HTLV-1-infected Tax-expressing cells contributed to enhanced survival of exosome-recipient cells when treated with Fas antibody. This survival was cFLIP-dependent, with Tax showing induction of NF-κB in exosome-recipient cells. Finally, IL-2-dependent CTLL-2 cells that received Tax-containing exosomes were protected from apoptosis through activation of AKT. Similar experiments with primary cultures showed protection and survival of peripheral blood mononuclear cells even in the absence of phytohemagglutinin/IL-2. Surviving cells contained more phosphorylated Rb, consistent with the role of Tax in regulation of the cell cycle. Collectively, these results suggest that exosomes may play an important role in extracellular delivery of functional HTLV-1 proteins and mRNA to recipient cells.