Properties of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase from Brassica napus cultures

Plant and algal lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases increase docosahexaenoic acid accumulation at the sn-2 position of triacylglycerol in transgenic Arabidopsis seed oil

Although docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an important dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), is at present primarily sourced from marine fish, bioengineered crops producing DHA may offer a more sustainable and cost-effective source. DHA has been produced in transgenic oilseed crops, however, DHA in seed oil primarily occupies the sn-1/3 positions of triacylglycerol (TAG) with relatively low amounts of DHA in the sn-2 position. To increase the amount of DHA in the sn-2 position of TAG and in seed oil, putative lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases (LPAATs) were identified and characterized from the DHA-producing alga Schizochytrium sp. and from soybean (Glycine max). The affinity-purified proteins were confirmed to have LPAAT activity. Expression of the Schizochytrium or soybean LPAATs in DHA-producing Arabidopsis expressing the Schizochytrium PUFA synthase system significantly increased the total amount of DHA in seed oil. A novel sensitive band-selective heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) NMR method was developed to quantify DHA at the sn-2 position of glycerolipids. More than two-fold increases in sn-2 DHA were observed for Arabidopsis lines expressing Schizochytrium or soybean LPAATs, with one Schizochytrium LPAAT driving DHA accumulation in the sn-2 position to 61% of the total DHA. Furthermore, expression of a soybean LPAAT led to a redistribution of DHA-containing TAG species, with two new TAG species identified. Our results demonstrate that transgenic expression of Schizochytrium or soybean LPAATs can increase the proportion of DHA at the sn-2 position of TAG and the total amount of DHA in the seed oil of a DHA-accumulating oilseed plant. Additionally, the band-selective HSQC NMR method that we developed provides a sensitive and robust method for determining the regiochemistry of DHA in glycerolipids. These findings will benefit the advancement of sustainable sources of DHA via transgenic crops such as canola and soybean.

Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analyses revealing the effects of thermal stress on lipid metabolism in juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus

To gain insights into the influence of heat stress on lipid metabolism in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), we analyzed the correlations between data obtained by transcriptome sequencing and metabolome sequencing of the kidney under different high temperature stimuli (20 °C, 25 °C and 28 °C) and control conditions (14 °C). We identified the differentially expressed genes and metabolites, which were found to be enriched in seven pathways (steroid hormone biosynthesis, primary bile acid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids) associated with lipid metabolism, according to KEGG pathway analysis. After correlation analysis of these differentially expressed genes, the most representative genes (lpcat2, Etnk1, TAZ, SCP2, ch25hl and gpd1l) and metabolites (citicoline, UPD-6-sulfoquinovose, dihydroxyacetone, taurine and o-phosphocholine) were selected according to their correlation coefficients. These genes and metabolites were found to be the key points to regulate lipid deposition and maintain lipid homeostasis through varying degrees of up-regulation or down-regulation under heat stress, so as to relieve the disorder of lipid metabolism caused by heat stress, which is of great significance for breeding new heat-resistant varieties of turbot and provides a reliable theoretical basis for optimizing actual production. These results provide new clues for understanding the roles of lipid metabolism in fish under heat stress.

Diatoms and Plants Acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine Acyltransferases (LPCATs) Exhibit Diverse Substrate Specificity and Biochemical Properties

The search of the Phaeodactylum tricornutum genome database revealed the existence of six genes potentially encoding lysophospholipid acyltransferases. One of these genes, Phatr3_J20460, after introduction to yeast ale1 mutant disrupted in the LPCAT gene, produced a very active acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine (LPCAT) enzyme. Using in vitro assays applying different radioactive and non-radioactive substrates and microsomal fractions from such yeast, we have characterized the biochemical properties and substrate specificities of this PtLPCAT1. We have found that the substrate specificity of this enzyme indicates that it can completely supply phosphatidylcholine (PC) with all fatty acids connected with a biosynthetic pathway of very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs) used further for the desaturation process. Additionally, we have shown that biochemical properties of the PtLPCAT1 in comparison to plant LPCATs are in some cases similar (such as the dependency of its activity on pH value), differ moderately (such as in response to temperature changes), or express completely different properties (such as in reaction to calcium and magnesium ions or toward some acyl-CoA with 20C polyunsaturated fatty acids). Moreover, the obtained results suggest that cloned “Phatr3_J20460” gene can be useful in oilseeds plant engineering toward efficient production of VLC-PUFA as LPCAT it encodes can (contrary to plant LPCATs) introduce 20:4-CoA (n-3) to PC for further desaturation to 20:5 (EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid).

Acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferases (LPCATs) of Camelina sativa seeds: biochemical properties and function

The transfer of polyunsaturated fatty acids from phosphatidylcholine to other lipids involves several enzymes. In Camelina sativa seeds, acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferases could be one of the most important players in this process. The transfer of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the location of their synthesis (phosphatidylcholine) to other lipids, e.g., triacylglycerol, remains insufficiently understood. Several enzymes could be involved in this process. One of these enzymes is acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferases (LPCATs). In Camelina sativa seeds, LPCATs could be one of the most important players in this process. Our data clearly indicate that the CsLPCATs present in developing seeds have the potential to transfer almost all polyunsaturated fatty acids synthesised on phosphatidylcholine to the acyl-CoA pool. CsLPCAT activity is the highest at 30 °C, and the enzymes operate well at a pH of 7.0-11.0, with the best activity at a pH of 9.0. The activity of CsLPCATs was inhibited by calcium and magnesium ions at a concentration of 0.05-2 mM. In the forward reaction, CsLPCATs preferentially utilise 18:2-CoA; however, other C18 unsaturated fatty acids are also well accepted. In the backward reactions, there is no clear discrimination between the C18 unsaturated fatty acids utilised by the enzymes for phosphatidylcholine remodelling. The activity of CsLPCATs does not differ much between the stages of seed development.

Oil biosynthesis and transcriptome profiles in developing endosperm and oil characteristic analyses in Paeonia ostii var. lishizhenii

Paeonia ostii var. lishizhenii, a well-known medicinal and horticultural plant, is indigenous to China. Recent studies have shown that its seed has a high oil content, and it was approved as a novel resource of edible oil with a high level of α-linolenic acid by the Chinese Government. This study measured the seed oil contents and fatty acid components of P. ostii var. lishizhenii and six other peonies, P. suffruticosa, P. ludlowii, P. decomposita, P. rockii, and P. lactiflora Pall. 'Heze' and 'Gansu'. The results show that P. ostii var. lishizhenii exhibits the average oil characteristics of tested peonies, with an oil content of 21.3%, α-linolenic acid 43.8%, and unsaturated fatty acids around 92.1%. Hygiene indicators for the seven peony seed oils met the Chinese national food standards. P. ostii var. lishizhenii seeds were used to analyze transcriptome gene regulation networks on endosperm development and oil biosynthesis. In total, 124,117 transcripts were obtained from six endosperm developing stages (S0-S5). The significant changes in differential expression genes (DEGs) clarify three peony endosperm developmental phases: the endosperm cell mitotic phase (S0-S1), the TAG biosynthesis phase (S1-S4), and the mature phase (S5). The DEGs in plant hormone signal transduction, DNA replication, cell division, differentiation, transcription factors, and seed dormancy pathways regulate the endosperm development process. Another 199 functional DEGs participate in glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, citrate cycle, FA biosynthesis, TAG assembly, and other pathways. A key transcription factor (WRI1) and some important target genes (ACCase, FATA, LPCAT, FADs, and DGAT etc.) were found in the comprehensive genetic networks of oil biosynthesis.

Molecular characterization of a lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase gene belonging to the MBOAT family in Ricinus communis L

Acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT, EC 2.3.1.23) catalyzes acylation of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPtdCho) to produce phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), the main phospholipid in cellular membranes. This reaction is a key component of the acyl-editing process, involving recycling of the fatty acids (FA) mainly at the sn-2 position of PtdCho. Growing evidences indicate that the LPCAT reaction controls the direct entry of newly synthesized FA into PtdCho and, at least in some plant species, it has an important impact on the synthesis and composition of triacylglycerols. Here we describe the molecular characterization of the single LPCAT gene found in the genome of Ricinus communis (RcLPCAT) that is homologous to LPCAT genes of the MBOAT family previously described in Arabidopsis and Brassica. RcLPCAT is ubiquitously expressed in all organs of the castor plant. Biochemical properties have been studied by heterologous expression of RcLPCAT in the ale1 yeast mutant, defective in lysophospholipid acyltransferase activity. RcLPCAT preferentially acylates lysoPtdCho against other lysophospholipids (lysoPL) and does not discriminates the acyl chain in the acceptor, displaying a strong activity with alkyl lysoPL. Regarding the acyl-CoA donor, RcLPCAT uses monounsaturated fatty acid thioesters, such as oleoyl-CoA (18:1-CoA), as preferred donors, while it has a low activity with saturated fatty acids and shows a poor utilization of ricinoleoyl-CoA (18:1-OH-CoA). These characteristics are discussed in terms of a possible role of RcLPCAT in regulating the entry of FA into PtdCho and the exclusion from the membranes of the hydroxylated FA.

Identification of Brassica napus lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase genes through yeast functional screening

Acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT), which acylates lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) to produce phosphatidylcholine (PC), is a key enzyme in the Lands cycle. There is evidence that acyl exchange involving LPCAT is a prevailing metabolic process during triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis in seeds. In this study, by complementing the yeast lca1Δ mutant deficient in LPCAT activity with an Arabidopsis seedling cDNA library, it was found that the previously reported lysophospholipid acyltransferases (LPLATs), At1g12640 and At1g63050, were the only two acyltransferase genes that restored hyposensitivity of the lca1Δ mutant to lyso-platelet-activating factor (lyso-PAF). A developing seed cDNA library from Brassica napus L. cv Hero was constructed to further explore the heterologous yeast complementation approach. Three B. napusLPCAT homologs were identified, of which BnLPCAT1-1 and BnLPCAT1-2 are orthologous to ArabidopsisAtLPLAT1 (At1g12640) while BnLPCAT2 is an ortholog of AtLPLAT2 (At1g63050). The proteins encoded by BnLPCAT1-1 and BnLPCAT2 were chosen for further study. Enzymatic assays demonstrated that both proteins exhibited a substrate preference for LPCs and unsaturated fatty acyl-CoAs. In addition to the enzymatic properties of plant lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferases uncovered in this study, this report describes a useful technique that facilitates subsequent analyses into the role of LPCATs in PC turnover and seed oil biosynthesis.

A 10-kDa acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP) from Brassica napus enhances acyl exchange between acyl-CoA and phosphatidylcholine

The gene encoding a 10-kDa acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP) from Brassica napus was over-expressed in developing seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana. Biochemical analysis of T(2) and T(3) A. thaliana seeds revealed a significant increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) (18:2(cisDelta9,12) and 18:3(cisDelta9,12,15)) at the expense of very long monounsaturated FA (20:1(cisDelta11)) and saturated FAs. In vitro assays demonstrated that recombinant B. napus ACBP (rBnACBP) strongly increases the formation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the absence of added lysophosphatidylcholine in microsomes from DeltaYOR175c yeast expressing A. thaliana lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (AthLPCAT) cDNA or in microsomes from microspore-derived cell suspension cultures of B. napus L. cv. Jet Neuf. rBnACBP or bovine serum albumin (BSA) were also shown to be crucial for AthLPCAT to catalyse the transfer of acyl group from PC into acyl-CoA in vitro. These data suggest that the cytosolic 10-kDa ACBP has an effect on the equilibrium between metabolically active acyl pools (acyl-CoA and phospholipid pools) involved in FA modifications and triacylglycerol bioassembly in plants. Over-expression of ACBP during seed development may represent a useful biotechnological approach for altering the FA composition of seed oil.

The signal molecule lysophosphatidylcholine in Eschscholzia californica is rapidly metabolized by reacylation

In cultured cells of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) triggers a signal path that finally induces alkaloid biosynthesis. LPC is transiently generated by elicitor-activated phospholipase A(2) of the plasma membrane. Externally added LPC is rapidly acylated by a membrane-bound enzyme that shows the highest specific activity in the purified plasma membrane. The fatty acid incorporated into the sn-2 position of LPC is preferentially linoleic (18:2), which is the most abundant acyl component in the PC species of Eschscholzia cells, but a minor component of the pool of free fatty acids. The fatty acid at the sn-1 position of LPC is less important for substrate specificity. The capacity of LPC acylation by intact cells or isolated plasma membranes by far exceeds the rate of LPC generation by activated phospholipase A(2) and is not limited by the availability of acyl donors. Metabolites other than phosphatidylcholine (PC) were not significantly produced from labeled LPC within 20 min, indicating that lysophospholipases are not significantly contributing to the short-time metabolism of LPC. It is concluded that reacylation to PC is the dominating process in the detoxication of LPC and ensures the transient character of its steady state concentrations, even at maximum phospholipase A(2) activities.

Substrate preferences of a lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase highlight its role in phospholipid remodeling

An important enzyme involved in phospholipid turnover is the acyl-CoA: lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT). Here, we report characterization of a newly discovered human LPCAT (LPCAT3), which has distinct substrate preferences strikingly consistent with a role in phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) remodeling and modulating fatty acid composition of PtdCho. LPCAT3 prefers lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPtdCho) with saturated fatty acid at the sn-1 position and exhibits acyl donor preference towards linoleoyl-CoA and arachidonoyl-CoA. Furthermore, LPCAT3 is active in mediating 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acylation with long chain fatty acyl-CoAs to generate 1-O-alkyl-phosphatidylcholine, another very important constitute of mammalian membrane systems. These properties are precisely the known attributes of LPCAT previously ascribed to the isoform involved in Lands' cycle, and thus strongly suggest that LPCAT3 is involved in phospholipids remodeling to achieve appropriate membrane lipid fatty acid composition.

LysoPC acyltransferase/PC transacylase activities in plant plasma membrane and plasma membrane-associated endoplasmic reticulum

BACKGROUND

The phospholipids of the plant plasma membrane are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The majority of these lipids reach the plasma membrane independently of the secretory vesicular pathway. Phospholipid delivery to the mitochondria and chloroplasts of plant cells also bypasses the secretory pathway and here it has been proposed that lysophospholipids are transported at contact sites between specific regions of the ER and the respective organelle, followed by lysophospholipid acylation in the target organelle. To test the hypothesis that a corresponding mechanism operates to transport phospholipids to the plasma membrane outside the secretory pathway, we investigated whether lysolipid acylation occurs also in the plant plasma membrane and whether this membrane, like the chloroplasts and mitochondria, is in close contact with the ER.

RESULTS

The plant plasma membrane readily incorporated the acyl chain of acyl-CoA into phospholipids. Oleic acid was preferred over palmitic acid as substrate and acyl incorporation occurred predominantly into phosphatidylcholine (PC). Phospholipase A2 stimulated the reaction, as did exogenous lysoPC when administered in above critical micellar concentrations. AgNO3 was inhibitory. The lysophospholipid acylation reaction was higher in a membrane fraction that could be washed off the isolated plasma membranes after repeated freezing and thawing cycles in a medium with lowered pH. This fraction exhibited several ER-like characteristics. When plasma membranes isolated from transgenic Arabidopsis expressing green fluorescent protein in the ER lumen were observed by confocal microscopy, membranes of ER origin were associated with the isolated plasma membranes.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that a lysoPC acylation activity is associated with plant plasma membranes and cannot exclude a PC transacylase activity. It is highly plausible that the enzyme(s) resides in a fraction of the ER, closely associated with the plasma membrane, or in both. We suggest that this fraction might be the equivalent of the mitochondria associated membrane of ER origin that delivers phospholipids to the mitochondria, and to the recently isolated ER-derived membrane fraction that is in close contact with chloroplasts. The in situ function of the lysoPC acylation/PC transacylase activity is unknown, but involvement in lipid delivery from the ER to the plasma membrane is suggested.

Comparison of the structures of triacylglycerols from native and transgenic medium-chain fatty acid-enriched rape seed oil by liquid chromatography--atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-ITMS)

The sn position of fatty acids in seed oil lipids affects physiological function in pharmaceutical and dietary applications. In this study the composition of acyl-chain substituents in the sn positions of glycerol backbones in triacylglycerols (TAG) have been compared. TAG from native and transgenic medium-chain fatty acid-enriched rape seed oil were analyzed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with online atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry. The transformation of summer rape with thioesterase and 3-ketoacyl-[ACP]-synthase genes of Cuphea lanceolata led to increased expression of 1.5% (w/w) caprylic acid (8:0), 6.7% (w/w) capric acid (10:0), 0.9% (w/w) lauric acid (12:0), and 0.2% (w/w) myristic acid (14:0). In contrast, linoleic (18:2n6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n3) levels decreased compared with the original seed oil. The TAG sn position distribution of fatty acids was also modified. The original oil included eleven unique TAG species whereas the transgenic oil contained sixty. Twenty species were common to both oils. The transgenic oil included trioctadecenoyl-glycerol (18:1/18:1/18:1) and trioctadecatrienoyl-glycerol (18:3/18:3/18:3) whereas the native oil included only the latter. The transgenic TAG were dominated by combinations of caprylic, capric, lauric, myrisitic, palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1n9), linoleic, arachidic (20:0), behenic (22:0), and lignoceric acids (24:0), which accounted for 52% of the total fat. In the original TAG palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids accounted for 50% of the total fat. Medium-chain triacylglycerols with capric and lauric acids combined with stearic, oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic, arachidic, and gondoic acids (20:1n9) accounted for 25% of the transgenic oil. The medium-chain fatty acids were mainly integrated into the sn-1/3 position combined with the essential linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids at the sn-2 position. Eight species contained caprylic, capric, and lauric acids in the sn-2 position. The appearance of new TAG in the transgenic oil illustrates the extensive effect of genetic modification on fat metabolism by transformed plants and offers interesting possibilities for improved enteral applications.

Evidence for a different metabolism of PC and PE in shoots and roots

We investigated phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) labelling in shoots and roots from leek plantlets, maize seedlings and Arabidopsis thaliana through the incorporation of radiolabelled acetate. Regardless of the pathway followed in shoots, PC labelling was always higher than PE labelling. However, we obtained an opposite situation in leek and A. thaliana roots since PC labelling was much lower than PE labelling. Several hypotheses to explain the origin(s) of these discrepancies between roots and shoots were tested. Among them, neither the level of the respective AAPT activities, nor specific regulations of PC biosynthesis through the mRNA levels of several enzymes (choline citidylyltransferase (CCT), ethanolamine citidylyltransferase (ECT), phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (PEAMT)), nor the fatty acyl chain composition of PC, PE, and diacylglycerol, were responsible for the differences observed between PC and PE metabolism in roots and shoots. Finally, we investigated the acylation of PC and PE in vitro in both shoots and roots of A. thaliana seedlings, and demonstrated that some specific remodelling of PC and PE by acylation was responsible for the differences in labelling observed in vivo.