Activator protein for the degradation of globotriaosylceramide by human alpha-galactosidase

Metabolic and cellular bases of sphingolipidoses

Lysosomes are cellular stomachs. They degrade macromolecules and release their components as nutrients into the cytosol. Digestion of sphingolipids and other membrane lipids occurs at luminal intraendosomal vesicles and IMs (intraendosomal membranes). Sphingolipid and membrane digestion needs catabolic hydrolases with the help of lipid-binding proteins [SAPs (sphingolipid activator proteins)] and anionic lipids such as BMP [bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate]. Inherited defects of hydrolases or SAPs or uptake of cationic amphiphilic drugs cause lipid accumulation, eventually leading to death, especially in inherited sphingolipid storage diseases. IMs are formed during endocytosis and their lipid composition is adjusted for degradation. Their cholesterol content, which stabilizes membranes, decreases and the level of negatively charged BMP, which stimulates sphingolipid degradation, increases. At the level of late endosomes, cholesterol is transported out of the luminal vesicles preferentially by cholesterol-binding proteins, NPC (Niemann-Pick type C)-2 and NPC-1. Their defects lead to an endolysosomal accumulation of cholesterol and sphingolipids in Niemann-Pick type C disease. BMP and ceramide stimulate NPC-2-mediated cholesterol transfer, whereas sphingomyelin inhibits it. Anionic membrane lipids also activate sphingomyelin degradation by ASM (acid sphingomyelinase), facilitating cholesterol export by NPC-2. ASM is a non-specific phospholipase C and degrades more than 23 phospholipids. SAPs are membrane-perturbing proteins which solubilize lipids, facilitating glycolipid digestion by presenting them to soluble catabolic enzymes at acidic pH. High BMP and low cholesterol levels favour lipid extraction and membrane disintegration by saposin A and B. The simultaneous inherited defect of saposins A-D causes a severe membrane and sphingolipid storage disease, also disrupting the water permeability barrier of the skin.

The protective role of prosaposin and its receptors in the nervous system

Prosaposin (also known as SGP-1) is an intriguing multifunctional protein that plays roles both intracellularly, as a regulator of lysosomal enzyme function, and extracellularly, as a secreted factor with neuroprotective and glioprotective effects. Following secretion, prosaposin can undergo endocytosis via an interaction with the low-density lipoprotein-related receptor 1 (LRP1). The ability of secreted prosaposin to promote protective effects in the nervous system is known to involve activation of G proteins, and the orphan G protein-coupled receptors GPR37 and GPR37L1 have recently been shown to mediate signaling induced by both prosaposin and a fragment of prosaposin known as prosaptide. In this review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of prosaposin, its receptors and their importance in the nervous system.

Sphingolipids and lysosomal pathologies

Endocytosed (glyco)sphingolipids are degraded, together with other membrane lipids in a stepwise fashion by endolysosomal enzymes with the help of small lipid binding proteins, the sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs), at the surface of intraluminal lysosomal vesicles. Inherited defects in a sphingolipid-degrading enzyme or SAP cause the accumulation of the corresponding lipid substrates, including cytotoxic lysosphingolipids, such as galactosylsphingosine and glucosylsphingosine, and lead to a sphingolipidosis. Analysis of patients with prosaposin deficiency revealed the accumulation of intra-endolysosmal vesicles and membrane structures (IM). Feeding of prosaposin reverses the storage, suggesting inner membrane structures as platforms of sphingolipid degradation. Water soluble enzymes can hardly attack sphingolipids embedded in the membrane of inner endolysosomal vesicles. The degradation of sphingolipids with few sugar residues therefore requires the help of the SAPs, and is strongly stimulated by anionic membrane lipids. IMs are rich in anionic bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate (BMP). This article is part of a Special Issue entitled New Frontiers in Sphingolipid Biology.

Saposin B mobilizes lipids from cholesterol-poor and bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate-rich membranes at acidic pH

Sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs), GM2 activator protein (GM2AP) and saposins (Saps) A-D are small, enzymatically inactive glycoproteins of the lysosome. Despite of their sequence homology, these lipid-binding and -transfer proteins show different specificities and varying modes of action. Water-soluble SAPs facilitate the degradation of membrane-bound glycosphingolipids with short oligosaccharide chains by exohydrolases at the membrane-water interface. There is strong evidence that degradation of endocytosed components of the cell membrane takes place at intraendosomal and intralysosomal membranes. The inner membranes of the lysosome differ from the limiting membrane of the organelle in some typical ways: the inner vesicular membranes lack a protecting glycocalix, and they are almost free of cholesterol, but rich in bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate (BMP), the anionic marker lipid of lysosomes. In this study, we prepared glycosylated Sap-B free of other Saps by taking advantage of the Pichia pastoris expression system. We used immobilized liposomes as a model for intralysosomal vesicular membranes to probe their interaction with recombinantly expressed Sap-B. We monitored this interaction using SPR spectroscopy and an independent method based on the release of radioactively labelled lipids from liposomal membranes. We show that, after initial binding, Sap-B disturbs the membrane structure and mobilizes the lipids from it. Lipid mobilization is dependent on an acidic pH and the presence of anionic lipids, whereas cholesterol is able to stabilize the liposomes. We also show for the first time that glycosylation of Sap-B is essential to achieve its full lipid-extraction activity. Removal of the carbohydrate moiety of Sap-B reduces its membrane-destabilizing quality. An unglycosylated Sap-B variant, Asn215His, which causes a fatal sphingolipid storage disease, lost the ability to extract membrane lipids at acidic pH in the presence of BMP.

Biosynthesis and degradation of mammalian glycosphingolipids

Glycolipids are a large and heterogeneous family of sphingolipids that form complex patterns on eukaryotic cell surfaces. This molecular diversity is generated by only a few enzymes and is a paradigm of naturally occurring combinatorial synthesis. We report on the biosynthetic principles leading to this large molecular diversity and focus on sialic acid-containing glycolipids of the ganglio-series. These glycolipids are particularly concentrated in the plasma membrane of neuronal cells. Their de novo synthesis starts with the formation of the membrane anchor, ceramide, at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is continued by glycosyltransferases of the Golgi complex. Recent findings from genetically engineered mice are discussed. The constitutive degradation of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) occurs in the acidic compartments, the endosomes and the lysosomes. Here, water-soluble glycosidases sequentially cleave off the terminal carbohydrate residues from glycolipids. For glycolipid substrates with short oligosaccharide chains, the additional presence of membrane-active sphingolipid activator proteins (SAPs) is required. A considerable part of our current knowledge about glycolipid degradation is derived from a class of human diseases, the sphingolipidoses, which are caused by inherited defects within this pathway. A new post-translational modification is the attachment of glycolipids to proteins of the human skin.

Defects in degradation of blood group A and B glycosphingolipids in Schindler and Fabry diseases

Skin fibroblast cultures from patients with inherited lysosomal enzymopathies, alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (alpha-NAGA) and alpha-galactosidase A deficiencies (Schindler and Fabry disease, respectively), and from normal controls were used to study in situ degradation of blood group A and B glycosphingolipids. Glycosphingolipids A-6-2 (GalNAc (alpha 1-->3)[Fuc alpha 1-->2]Gal(beta1-->4)GlcNAc(beta 1-->3)Gal(beta 1--> 4)Glc (beta 1-->1')Cer, IV(2)-alpha-fucosyl-IV(3)-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminylneolactotetraosylceramide), B-6-2 (Gal(alpha 1-->3)[Fuc alpha 1--> 2] Gal (beta 1-->4)GlcNAc(beta 1-->3)Gal(beta 1-->4)Glc(beta 1-->1')Cer, IV(2)- alpha-fucosyl-IV(3)-alpha-galactosylneolactotetraosylceramide), and globoside (GalNAc(beta 1-->3)Gal(alpha 1-->4)Gal(beta 1-->4)Glc(beta 1-->1') Cer, globotetraosylceramide) were tritium labeled in their ceramide moiety and used as natural substrates. The degradation rate of glycolipid A-6-2 was very low in fibroblasts of all the alpha-NAGA-deficient patients (less than 7% of controls), despite very heterogeneous clinical pictures, ruling out different residual enzyme activities as an explanation for the clinical heterogeneity. Strongly elevated urinary excretion of blood group A glycolipids was detected in one patient with blood group A, secretor status (five times higher than upper limit of controls), in support of the notion that blood group A-active glycolipids may contribute as storage compounds in blood group A patients. When glycolipid B-6-2 was fed to alpha-galactosidase A-deficient cells, the degradation rate was surprisingly high (50% of controls), while that of globotriaosylceramide was reduced to less than 15% of control average, presumably reflecting differences in the lysosomal enzymology of polar glycolipids versus less-polar ones. Relatively high-degree degradation of substrates with alpha-D-Galactosyl moieties hints at a possible contribution of other enzymes.

The lysosomal transport of prosaposin requires the conditional interaction of its highly conserved d domain with sphingomyelin

Lysosomal prosaposin (65 kDa) is a nonenzymic protein that is transported to the lysosomes in a mannose 6-phosphate-independent manner. Selective deletion of the functional domains of prosaposin indicates that the D domain and the carboxyl-terminal region are necessary for its transport to the lysosomes. Inhibitors of sphingolipid biosynthesis, such as fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) and tricyclodecan-9-yl xanthate potassium salt (D609), also interfere with the trafficking of prosaposin to lysosomes. In this study, we examine sphingomyelin as a direct candidate for the trafficking of prosaposin. Chinese hamster ovary and COS-7 cells overexpressing prosaposin or an albumin/prosaposin construct were incubated with these inhibitors, treated with sphingolipids, and then immunostained. Sphingomyelin restored the immunostaining in lysosomes in both FB(1)- and D609-treated cells and ceramide reestablished the immunostaining in FB(1)-treated cells only. D-Threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP), which inhibits glycosphingolipids, had no effect on the immunostaining pattern. To determine whether sphingomyelin has the same effect on the transport of endogenous prosaposin, testicular explants were treated with FB(1) and D609. Sphingomyelin restored prosaposin immunogold labeling in the lysosomes of FB(1)- and D609-treated Sertoli cells, whereas ceramide restored the label in FB(1) treatment only. Albumin linked to the D and COOH-terminal domains of prosaposin was used as a dominant negative competitor. The construct blocked the targeting of prosaposin and induced accumulation of membrane in the lysosomes, demonstrating that the construct uses the same transport pathway as endogenous prosaposin. In conclusion, our results showed that sphingomyelin, the D domain, and its adjacent COOH-terminal region play a crucial role in the transport of prosaposin to lysosomes. Although the precise nature of this lipid-protein interaction is not well established, it is proposed that sphingomyelin microdomains (lipid rafts) are part of a mechanism ensuring correct intercellular trafficking of prosaposin.

Bone marrow transplantation in metachromatic leukodystrophy caused by saposin-B deficiency: a case report with a 3-year follow-up period

A 2-year-old child had a metachromatic leukodystrophy-variant phenotype mainly involving the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that was caused by saposin-B deficiency. Bone marrow transplantation resulted in transient deterioration then continuous improvement of PNS functions. These findings were supported by nerve conduction velocity measurements, but the symptoms ultimately worsened. Magnetic resonance imaging showed persistent white matter lesions and progressive pontocerebellar atrophy.

Formation of a ternary complex between GM2 activator protein, GM2 ganglioside and hexosaminidase A

The GM2 activator is a 17 kDa protein required for the hydrolysis of GM2 ganglioside by the lysosomal enzyme hexosaminidase A (HexA). The activator behaves as a substrate binding protein, solubilizing GM2 ganglioside monomers from micelles (in vitro) or membranes (in vivo). However, the activator also shows a high order of specificity for activation of lysosomal hydrolases and has been predicted to form a ternary complex with the heterodimeric enzyme (alphabeta) Hex A and GM2 ganglioside. We demonstrated a transient interaction between HexA and the GM2 activator. A chimeric protein containing the FLAG epitope sequence upstream of the GM2 activator was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using the M1 immunoaffinity (anti-FLAG) column. Binding of the FLAG-GM2 activator (FLAG-AP) fusion protein to the M1 column led to the specific retardation of Hex A applied to the column. Other proteins were not retarded by the column nor did they compete with Hex A for binding to FLAG-AP. Hex A and GM2 ganglioside could be simultaneously bound to the column, but the binding of each ligand was independent of the other. The homodimeric (beta beta) isozyme Hex B did not bind to the immobilized activator. The alpha alpha homodimer, HexS, bound weakly, confirming that a hexosaminidase alpha subunit is required for interaction of enzyme and activator.

Only sphingolipid activator protein B (SAP-B or saposin B) stimulates the degradation of globotriaosylceramide by recombinant human lysosomal alpha-galactosidase in a detergent-free liposomal system

The degradation of globotriaosylceramide (GbO-se3Cer) by insect-cell derived recombinant human alpha-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22) was carried out in a detergent-free liposomal system in order to mimic intralysosomal conditions. GbOse3Cer incorporated into unilamellar liposomes was used as the substrate, and naturally occurring sphingolipid activator proteins, rather than detergents, were used to stimulate the enzyme reaction. The degradation of GbOse3Cer was dependent on the presence of both alpha-galactosidase and sphingolipid activator protein B (SAP-B or saposin B). It proceeded optimally at pH 4.6, and was enhanced by increasing amounts of both alpha-galactosidase (0.24-24 mU/50 microliters assay) and SAP-B (0-5 micrograms/50 microliters assay). The enzyme reaction was not affected by SAP-A, SAP-C, or SAP-D. Therefore, our results indicate that only SAP-B is essential for the degradation of GbOse3Cer by alpha-galactosidase.

Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study of skin fibroblasts from normal and sialidosis patients

The objectives of this study were to analyze morphologically, morphometrically and immunocytochemically the lysosomal compartment of normal fibroblasts and of fibroblasts with neuraminidase deficiency. The immunocytochemical analyses consisted of quantifying the distribution of saposins and beta-galactosidase in the lysosomes of these cells to test the hypothesis that neuraminidase deficiency is associated with an impairment in the transport of these proteins to the lysosomal compartment. To test this idea, cultured skin fibroblasts of patients with or without sialidosis were prepared for electron microscopy and probed with antibodies against lysosomal beta-galactosidase and lysosomal saposins. The lysosomes of the affected cells had an abnormal accumulation of incompletely digested membranes which was associated with a significant lowering in the density of antigenic sites per lysosome. However, due to a significant increase in the number of lysosomes per affected cell, the total number of antigenic sites in control and neuraminidase deficient cells was similar. This presumably compensatory effect indicates that although the rate of production of beta-galactosidase and saposins remains unchanged, the transport of these molecules to the lysosomes is somehow affected. Our data also indicate that in the fibroblasts, lysosomes require a normal concentration of the three enzymes to maintain neuraminidase activity and sphingolipid degradation.

Binding of GM1 ganglioside to a synthetic peptide derived from the lysosomal sphingolipid activator protein saposin B

Saposin B is a lysosomal sphingolipid activator protein which activates GM1 ganglioside hydrolysis by lysosomal beta-galactosidase. To identify the structural elements of saposin B implicated in sphingolipid binding, we studied a synthetic peptide corresponding to a predicted alpha-helix, sapB-18, spanning residues 52-69 of saposin B. The circular dichroism spectrum of sapB-18 at pH 4.4 was consistent with a 44% alpha-helix content. As shown by intrinsic Tyr fluorescence studies of sapB-18, this peptide binds the GM1 ganglioside with a Kd of about 7 microM. Thus, we suggest that a putative amphipathic alpha-helix between residues 52 and 69 of saposin B plays a major role in the recognition and binding of GM1 ganglioside by saposin B.

Binding of GM1-ganglioside to a synthetic peptide derived from the lysosomal sphingolipid-activator-protein saposin B

Saposin B is a lysosomal sphingolipid-activator-protein which activates GM1-ganglioside hydrolysis by lysosomal beta-galactosidase. To identify the structural elements of saposin B implicated in sphingolipid binding, we studied a synthetic peptide corresponding to a predicted alpha-helix, sapB-18, spanning residues 52 to 69 of saposin B. The circular dichroism spectrum of sapB-18 at pH 4.4 was consistent with a 44% alpha-helix content. As shown by intrinsic Tyr fluorescence studies of sapB-18, this peptide binds the GM1-ganglioside with a Kd of about 7 microM. Thus, we suggest that a putative amphipathic alpha-helix between residues 52 and 69 of saposin B plays a major role in the recognition and binding of GM1-ganglioside by saposin B.

Activator proteins and topology of lysosomal sphingolipid catabolism

The lysosomal degradation of several sphingolipids by acid hydrolases is dependent on small non-enzymic cofactors, called sphingolipid activator proteins some of which have been identified as sphingolipid binding proteins. This review summarizes the information available on the structure, function, biosynthesis, gene organization and pathobiochemistry of the known sphingolipid activator proteins. It also offers models for their mode of action and for the topology of lysosomal digestion of glycolipids.

Glycosphingolipid specificity of the human sulfatide activator protein

The interaction of the sulfatide activator protein with different glycosphingolipids have been studied in detail. The following findings were made. 1. The sulfatide activator protein forms water-soluble complexes with sulfatides [Fischer, G. and Jatzkewitz, H. (1977) Hoppe-Seyler's Z. Physiol. Chem. 356, 6588-6591] and various other glycospingolipids. 2. In the absence of degrading enzymes the activator protein acts in vitro as a glycosphingolipid transfer protein, transporting glycosphingolipids from donor to acceptor liposomes. Lipids having less than three hexoses, e.g. galactosylceramide, sulfatide and ganglioside GM3 were transferred at very slow rates, whereas complex lipids such as gangliosides GM2, GM1 and GD1a were transferred much faster than the former. The transfer rate increased with increasing length of the carbohydrate chain of the lipid molecules. 3. Both the acyl residue in the ceramide moiety and the nature of the carbohydrate chain are significant for recognition of the glycosphingolipids by the sulfatide activator protein. Apparently, both residues serve as an anchor and the longer they are the better they are recognized by the protein. 4. In the absence of activator protein, degradation rates of sulfatide derivatives by arylsulfatase A, and of ganglioside GM1 derivatives by beta-galactosidase, increase with decreasing length of acyl residues in their hydrophobic ceramide moiety. Addition of activator protein stimulates the degradation of only those GM1 and sulfatide derivatives that have long-chain fatty acids in their hydrophobic ceramide anchor.

Sphingolipid hydrolase activator proteins and their precursors

Activator proteins for sphingolipid hydrolases (saposins) are small acidic, heat-stable glycoproteins that stimulate the hydrolysis of sphingolipids by lysosomal enzymes. The molecular mass of each stimulator is about 10 kDa, but glycosylated forms of higher mass exist too. The distribution and developmental changes in two saposins and their precursor proteins were studied with the aid of monospecific antibodies against saposin-B and saposin-C. They show a wide distribution in rat organs and forms intermediate between saposin and prosaposin (the precursor protein containing four different saposin units) could be seen. The amount of saposin and the degree of processing from prosaposin are quite different in different tissues. The saposins are the dominant forms in spleen, lung, liver, and kidney, while skeletal muscle, heart, and brain contain mainly precursor forms. In human blood, leukocytes contain mainly saposin, while plasma contains mainly precursor forms and platelets show many forms. Their subcellular distribution was studied using rat liver. The saposins of approximately 20 kDa are dominant in the light mitochondrial, mitochondrial, and microsomal fractions, following the distribution of the activity of a lysosomal marker enzyme. The nuclear fraction exhibits bands corresponding to non-glycosylated saposin. The soluble fraction contained much precursor forms. A developmental study of rat brain showed that the concentration of saposin precursors increased with age.

The urine from patients with peritonitis as a rich source for purifying human acid sphingomyelinase and other lysosomal enzymes

Milligram amounts of human acid sphingomyelinase (EC 3.1.4.12) were purified to 95% homogeneity using urine from patients with acute peritonitis. The activity of this enzyme is elevated more than 200-times in the urine of these patients. To a lesser extent, levels of some other lysosomal hydrolases are also elevated.

Clinical, pathological, and biochemical studies on an infantile case of sulfatide/GM1 activator protein deficiency

A 28-month-old black male died with severe complications of mental and motor deterioration, seizures, and aspiration. Autopsy demonstrated moderate liver enlargement, normal spleen and kidneys, small testes, and a grossly normal brain. Further examination showed irregular macrogyrae with evidence of a storage or sclerotic process. Thin layer chromatography of the lipids in formalin-fixed tissue demonstrated elevated levels of ceramide trihexoside and possibly sulfatides in liver and a decrease in the ratio of galactosylceramide to sulfatide in brain. Examination of the gangliosides in formalin-fixed brain indicated a slight increase in the percentage of GM1 ganglioside and a clear elevation in GM2 and GM3 gangliosides. Cultured skin fibroblasts had a normal activity for a large number of lysosomal enzymes including arylsulfatase A and galactocerebrosidase. When the cells were loaded with [14C]sulfatide only about 12% of the sulfatide was metabolized after 3 days. Extracts of the cells were subjected to SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting with antisphingolipid activator protein-1 (SAP-1) rabbit antiserum, and no cross-reacting material was detected confirming the diagnosis of metachromatic leukodystrophy caused by SAP-1 deficiency. This patient was clinically more severe than the other patients described previously with this deficiency. Further studies are underway to define the nature of the mutation in this patient.

Structure of the lysosomal sphingolipid activator protein 1 by homology with influenza virus neuraminidase

The sphingolipid activator protein 1 (SAP-1) increases the rate of hydrolysis of sphingolipids in the lysosome by apparently bringing together the substrate and the corresponding hydrolytic enzyme. This implies specific recognition of both the substrate and enzyme by SAP-1. However, binding domains in SAP-1 and recognition mechanisms involved are unknown. Amino acid sequence comparison of SAP-1 with influenza virus neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18, FLU NA) indicates that functional amino acid residues in or near the sialic acid binding site of FLU NA are also found at equivalent positions in the first 48 N-terminal amino acids of SAP-1. This region of homology allows to propose folding of the SAP-1 polypeptide chain by comparison with known crystallographic structure of FLU NA and identify a potential domain for lysosomal enzyme recognition through sialic acid binding. There is also a region of 10 amino acid residues near the C-terminal end of SAP-1 which has a strong propensity to form an alpha-helix with amphiphilic properties of lipid-binding helices. This domain in SAP-1 is probably responsible for the lipid(substrate)-binding function of SAP-1.

The precursor of sulfatide activator protein is processed to three different proteins

The enzymic degradation of a number of sphingolipids in the lysosomes is stimulated by small acid glycoproteins named activator proteins. We purified and sequenced a new protein, called component C, which seems to be related to sulfatide activator and to a recently described activator of glucosylceramidase (A1 activator) (Kleinschmidt, T., Christomanou, H. & Braunitzer, G. (1987) Biol. Chem. Hoppe-Seyler 368, 1571-1578). It consists of 78 amino acids and carries one carbohydrate chain at aparagine 20. Component C shows 21.5% sequence homology to sulfatide activator and 34.2% homology to A1 activator. Structural similarities between these three proteins have also been detected. Recently the cDNA sequence of the sulfatide activator precursor has been published (Dewji, N.N., Wenger, D.A. & O'Brien, J.S. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 8652-8656). We could align the protein sequences of sulfatide activator, A1 activator and component C with that of this large precursor protein. After minor corrections of the DNA sequence we obtained total fit. Thus it seems that three different proteins are derived from the sulfatide activator precursor by proteolytic processing. Possible processing sites were found on the precursor at sites adjacent to the N-termini and C-termini of the mature proteins. The processing of sulfatide activator was studied by Fujibayashi and Wenger (Fujibayashi, S. & Wenger, D.A. (1986) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 875, 554-562). Their data support our assumption that processing occurs by simultaneous cleavage at all possible sites.

A survey on cytosolic non-enzymic proteins involved in the metabolism of lipophilic compounds: from organic anion binders to new protein families

This review deals with recent advances in the research of cytosolic non-enzymic proteins involved in the metabolism of lipophilic compounds. Emphasis is given to the important contribution of structural data in the understanding of the functional properties of these proteins and in the emergence of new protein families. The possibility that many of the 'cytosolic' proteins might be structure-bound and structure-forming in the living cell is discussed, with references to so far available structural data and to recent investigations on the architecture and biochemical composition of the cytoplasm. The aim of this review is to present in a condensed form (227 references) the evolution in the study of cytosolic proteins binding and transferring lipophilic compounds and to enable interested investigators to become aware of current concepts and perspectives in this active and steadily growing area of research.

Mendelian etiologies of stroke

There are many genetic disorders associated with an increased risk for stroke that may easily be overlooked in the evaluation of both adult and pediatric acute stroke victims. The recognition of a genetic disorder as the cause of a stroke has important implications not only for the immediate care of the stroke victim, but often also for others in the patient's family who may be at risk for the same disease and for whom preventive measures sometimes can be taken. We present here a comprehensive review of genetic disorders associated with stroke in the nongeriatric age groups for which a causative role in the evolution of stroke has been recognized or is likely. For each disorder, the major clinical and biochemical characteristics as well as the probable pathogenetic mechanisms of stroke are discussed, together with the appropriate testing required to screen for and confirm the diagnosis. The great variety of genetic disorders and mechanisms causing stroke underscores the increasing importance of understanding genetic disease for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of a common clinical problem affecting both children and adults.

Biosynthesis of the sulfatide/GM1 activator protein (SAP-1) in control and mutant cultured skin fibroblasts

Sphingolipid activator proteins (SAP) are relatively low-molecular-mass proteins that stimulate the hydrolysis of specific sphingolipids by the required lysosomal enzymes. SAP-1 or sulfatide/GM1 ganglioside activator protein has previously been demonstrated to stimulate the enzymatic hydrolysis of sulfatide, GM1 ganglioside and globotriaosylceramide. Using monospecific rabbit antibodies against human liver sulfatide/GM1 activator, the biosynthesis and processing of this activator were studied in cultured skin fibroblasts from controls and patients with GM1 gangliosidosis and a variant form of metachromatic leukodystrophy. When [35S]methionine was presented in the medium to control human fibroblasts for 4 h, the majority of the immunoprecipitable radiolabeling was confined to bands within three regions of apparent molecular mass 65-70, 35-52 and 8-13 kDa. The only immunoprecipitable radiolabeled species excreted into the medium when NH4Cl was present had an apparent molecular mass of 70 kDa. When the excretion products were given to fresh cells followed by incubation for up to 24 h there was production of the mature species. Treatment of the 70 kDa form with endoglycosidase F resulted in production of a 53 kDa molecular mass form. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that the initial immunoprecipitable translation product was 65 kDa which increased to 70 kDa over the next hour. The 65 kDa species must result from co-translational glycosylation of the polypeptide chain. Apparently, intralysosomal processing converts the 13 kDa form to the 8-11 kDa species. The cells from the patient with GM1 gangliosidosis could not process to the smallest species found in controls due to the deficiency of acid beta-galactosidase. Patients who have a variant form of metachromatic leukodystrophy do not make any immunoprecipitable radiolabeled products in the cells or in the media. This indicates a severe mutation in the gene coding for this activator protein. The production of such small mature species from a relatively large precursor form may regulate the production of this interesting protein.

An endogenous activator protein in human placenta for enzymatic degradation of glucosylceramide

An endogenous, heat-stable and pronase-sensitive activator for enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosylceramide was detected in the crude lysosome-mitochondria fraction of human placenta. Its properties differ distinctly in several important respects from those of the previously described glucosylceramidase activator. The activator reported here had no effect on crude glucosylceramidase with either glucosylceramide or 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside as the substrate in the presence of either sodium taurocholate or phosphatidylserine. On the contrary, glucosylceramide hydrolysis by the enzyme partially purified through Octyl-Sepharose 4B chromatography was stimulated by this activator 6-9-fold in the presence of either sodium taurocholate or phosphatidylserine. The Km for glucosylceramide in the presence of the activator was 1/3 of that without the activator. In the crude enzyme fraction, the activator was present in a 16-fold excess over the minimum amount necessary for full activation of the enzyme. Hydrolysis of the fluorogenic substrate by the post-Octyl-Sepharose enzyme, however, was not stimulated by the activator. Similarly, hydrolysis of galactosylceramide by galactosylceramidase obtained from the same Octyl-Sepharose chromatography was not stimulated. Our observations are consistent with the idea that glucosylceramidase is saturated by, or perhaps tightly associated with, this activator in the placenta and that they are dissociated by the Octyl-Sepharose chromatography. In fact, the properties of the combined post-Octyl-Sepharose enzyme and activator closely mimic those of the crude enzyme without added activator.

Glycolipid-binding proteins

Proteins which bind glycolipids with high specificity are tentatively divided into two groups. One group consists of activator proteins involved in the catabolism of glycolipids by acid lysosomal hydrolases. Two activator proteins, GM2-activator and sphingolipid activator protein-1, are critically appraised on their glycolipid-binding properties and on their activity to facilitate the transfer of glycolipids. These proteins are glycoproteins localized in the lysosomes. Their molecular weights are in a range of 21 000-27 000, and isoelectric points are 4-5. Glycolipid transfer protein (GLTP) is included in the other group. GLTP purified from pig brain has a molecular weight of about 20 000 and an isoelectric point of 8.3. GLTP facilitates the transfer of various glycosphingolipids and glyceroglycolipids between membranes. The protein does not facilitate the transfer of phospholipids or cholesterol. GLTP binds galactosylceramide. The galactosylceramide-GLTP complex participates in the transfer reaction as the intermediate. Each protein in both groups binds glycolipids with a characteristic specificity to the sugar moiety. A stoichiometry of 1 mol of lipid per mol of protein has been found in all three proteins. Proteins in both groups seem to have a hydrophobic region on their surface, since all three proteins have been efficiently purified by hydrophobic chromatography.

Isolation of two forms of an activator protein for the enzymic sphingomyelin degradation from human Gaucher spleen

Two activator proteins for sphingomyelin degradation were isolated from heat-treated extracts of human Gaucher spleen. The separation was based on the degree of affinity of the activators for ConA-Sepharose. Activator A1, which had affinity for ConA-Sepharose, was purified 1 430-fold, and activator A2, which had no affinity for ConA-Sepharose, 2 140-fold as compared with the original heat-treated extracts. The molecular masses of activator A1 and activator A2 were 6 000 and 3 500 Da, respectively, as determined by dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis, and approximately 5 000 Da as measured in the presence of 8M urea. The two activators had similar properties and a similar but not identical amino-acid composition. Both were shown to form a complex with sphingomyelin and stimulate the degradation of sphingomyelin by normal fibroblast homogenates and by an approximately 1 430-fold purified sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase ("acid sphingomyelinase") from normal human urine. This stimulation was greatly reduced after incubation with pronase E. The enzymic degradation of glucosylceramide and galactosylceramide was not affected by these activators.

Biochemical aspects of globoid and metachromatic leukodystrophies

Galactosylceramides and sulfogalactosylceramides are characteristic lipids of the myelin sheath. Two genetically determined leukodystrophies are caused by an inability to enzymically hydrolyze these glycolipids. Thus, a deficiency of galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase results in globoid cell leukodystrophy, whereas a reduced activity of arylsulfatase A is responsible for metachromatic leukodystrophy. Besides these disorders, deficiencies of arylsulfatases A, B, C, and other sulfatases have been shown in a distinct condition called "multiple sulfatase deficiency." All of these disorders are fatal and are characterized by marked demyelination and severe mental retardation. The cause of this demyelination is not known. However, cytotoxic galactosylsphingosine and sulfogalactosylsphingosine have been suggested as the agents responsible for this demyelination. Recent immunological studies have also shown that patients with globoid and metachromatic leukodystrophies contain a mutant galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase and arylsulfatase A, respectively. The mutant enzymes have different kinetic properties compared to the enzymes from normal subjects. However, they can cross-react with antibodies to these enzymes. Since partially purified preparations of galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase and homogeneous arylsulfatase A are now available, the possibility of enzyme replacement therapy in globoid and metachromatic leukodystrophies is discussed.