Cholesterol synthesis in rat liver peroxisomes. Conversion of mevalonic acid to cholesterol

Proteomic analysis of glycosomes from Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes

In Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, the first seven steps of glycolysis are compartmentalized in glycosomes, which are authentic but specialized peroxisomes. Besides glycolysis, activity of enzymes of other metabolic processes have been reported to be present in glycosomes, such as β-oxidation of fatty acids, purine salvage, pentose-phosphate pathway, gluconeogenesis and biosynthesis of ether-lipids, isoprenoids, sterols and pyrimidines. In this study, we have purified glycosomes from T. cruzi epimastigotes, collected the soluble and membrane fractions of these organelles, and separated peripheral and integral membrane proteins by Na₂CO₃ treatment and osmotic shock. Proteomic analysis was performed on each of these fractions, allowing us to confirm the presence of enzymes involved in various metabolic pathways as well as identify new components of this parasite's glycosomes.

The farnesyl-diphosphate/geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase of Toxoplasma gondii is a bifunctional enzyme and a molecular target of bisphosphonates

Farnesyl-diphosphate synthase (FPPS) catalyzes the synthesis of farnesyl diphosphate, an important precursor of sterols, dolichols, ubiquinones, and prenylated proteins. We report the cloning and characterization of two Toxoplasma gondii farnesyl-diphosphate synthase (TgFPPS) homologs. A single genetic locus produces two transcripts, TgFPPS and TgFPPSi, by alternative splicing. Both isoforms were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, but only TgFPPS was active. The protein products predicted from the nucleotide sequences have 646 and 605 amino acids and apparent molecular masses of 69.5 and 64.5 kDa, respectively. Several conserved sequence motifs found in other prenyl-diphosphate synthases are present in both TgFPPSs. TgFPPS was also expressed in the baculovirus system and was biochemically characterized. In contrast to the FPPS of other eukaryotic organisms, TgFPPS is bifunctional, catalyzing the formation of both farnesyl diphosphate and geranylgeranyl diphosphate. TgFPPS localizes to the mitochondria, as determined by the co-localisation of the affinity-purified antibodies against the protein with MitoTracker, and in accord with the presence of an N-terminal mitochondria-targeting signal in the protein. This enzyme is an attractive target for drug development, because the order of inhibition of the enzyme by a number of bisphosphonates is the same as that for inhibition of parasite growth. In summary, we report the first bifunctional farnesyl-diphosphate/geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase identified in eukaryotes, which, together with previous results, establishes this enzyme as a valid target for the chemotherapy of toxoplasmosis.

Isolation and functional expression of human COQ2, a gene encoding a polyprenyl transferase involved in the synthesis of CoQ

The COQ2 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a Coq2 (p-hydroxybenzoate:polyprenyl transferase), which is required in the biosynthetic pathway of CoQ (ubiquinone). This enzyme catalyses the prenylation of p-hydroxybenzoate with an all-trans polyprenyl group. We have isolated cDNA which we believe encodes the human homologue of COQ2 from a human muscle and liver cDNA library. The clone contained an open reading frame of length 1263 bp, which encodes a polypeptide that has sequence homology with the Coq2 homologues in yeast, bacteria and mammals. The human COQ2 gene, when expressed in yeast Coq2 null mutant cells, rescued the growth of this yeast strain in the absence of a non-fermentable carbon source and restored CoQ biosynthesis. However, the rate of CoQ biosynthesis in the rescued cells was lower when compared with that in cells rescued with the yeast COQ2 gene. CoQ formed when cells were incubated with labelled decaprenyl pyrophosphate and nonaprenyl pyrophosphate, showing that the human enzyme is active and that it participates in the biosynthesis of CoQ.

Metabolism and function of coenzyme Q

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is present in all cells and membranes and in addition to be a member of the mitochondrial respiratory chain it has also several other functions of great importance for the cellular metabolism. This review summarizes the findings available to day concerning CoQ distribution, biosynthesis, regulatory modifications and its participation in cellular metabolism. There are a number of indications that this lipid is not always functioning by its direct presence at the site of action but also using e.g. receptor expression modifications, signal transduction mechanisms and action through its metabolites. The biosynthesis of CoQ is studied in great detail in bacteria and yeast but only to a limited extent in animal tissues and therefore the informations available is restricted. However, it is known that the CoQ is compartmentalized in the cell with multiple sites of biosynthesis, breakdown and regulation which is the basis of functional specialization. Some regulatory mechanisms concerning amount and biosynthesis are established and nuclear transcription factors are partly identified in this process. Using appropriate ligands of nuclear receptors the biosynthetic rate can be increased in experimental system which raises the possibility of drug-induced upregulation of the lipid in deficiency. During aging and pathophysiological conditions the tissue concentration of CoQ is modified which influences cellular functions. In this case the extent of disturbances is dependent on the localization and the modified distribution of the lipid at cellular and membrane levels.

Accumulation of medium chain acyl-CoAs during beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acid by isolated peroxisomes from rat liver

We have reported fatty alcohol synthesis accompanied by chain elongation in liver peroxisomes (Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1346, 38 (1997)). In the present experiment, we studied what kind of acyl-CoA(s) destined to be utilized as primer for fatty alcohol synthesis accumulate(s) during peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Peroxisomes were prepared from rat liver treated with clofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator, and incubated with [U-14C]palmitate, in order to investigate acyl-CoAs after beta-oxidation. At 1 mM concentration, MgATP activated beta-oxidation, but inhibited beta-oxidation at concentrations higher than 1 mM. After incubation of peroxisomes with palmitate, various acyl-CoAs were formed. Among medium-chain labelled acyl-CoAs, octanoyl-CoA was mainly detected. These results suggest that octanoyl-CoA accumulates during beta-oxidation of palmitate. When peroxisomes were incubated with [9,10-(3)H]palmitate and [9,10-(3)H]stearate, among medium-chain acyl-CoAs, octanoyl-CoA and decanoyl-CoA were primarily detected, respectively, suggesting the occurrence of at least 4 cycles of beta-oxidation of both fatty acids by peroxisomes.

Entry of [(1,2-13C2)acetyl]-L-carnitine in liver tricarboxylic acid cycle and lipogenesis: a study by 13C NMR spectroscopy in conscious, freely moving rats

The biochemical pathways involved in acetyl-L-carnitine utilization were investigated in conscious, freely moving rats by 13C NMR spectroscopy. Following 4-h [(1,2-13C2)acetyl]-L-carnitine infusion in fasted animals, the free carnitine levels in serum were increased, and an efflux of unlabelled acetyl-L-carnitine from tissues was observed. [(1,2-13C2)Acetyl]-L-carnitine was found to enter biosynthetic pathways in liver, and the acetyl moiety was incorporated into both cholesterol and 3-hydroxybutyrate carbon skeleton. In accord with the entry of [(1,2-13C2)acetyl]-L-carnitine in the mitochondrial acetylCoA pool associated with tricarboxylic acid cycle, the 13C label was also found in liver glutamate, glutamine, and glutathione. The analysis of the 13C-labelling pattern in 3-hydroxybutyrate and cholesterol carbon skeleton provided evidence that the acetyl-L-carnitine-derived acetylCoA pool used for ketone bodies synthesis in mitochondria was homogeneous, whereas cholesterol was synthesized from two different acetylCoA pools located in the extra- and intramitochondrial compartment, respectively. Furthermore, cholesterol molecules were shown to be preferentially synthesized by the metabolic route involving the direct channelling of CoA-activated mitochondria-derived ketone bodies into 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylCoA pathway, prior to equilibration of their acyl groups with extramitochondrial acetylCoA pool via acetoacetylCoA thiolase.

Differential deficiency of mevalonate kinase and phosphomevalonate kinase in patients with distinct defects in peroxisome biogenesis: evidence for a major role of peroxisomes in cholesterol biosynthesis

Peroxisomes catalyze a number of essential metabolic functions especially related to lipid metabolism. There is increasing evidence suggesting that peroxisomes are also involved in the synthesis of isoprenoids via the mevalonate pathway at least in rat liver. In order to obtain independent evidence for a role of peroxisomes in isoprenoid synthesis in man, we have measured the activity of two key enzymes of the mevalonate pathway in patients suffering from certain defined defects in peroxisome biogenesis. We now report that mevalonate kinase is not only deficient in livers from Zellweger patients in which peroxisome biogenesis is defective, but also in livers from rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) Type 1 patients. In the latter group of patients there is a selective defect in peroxisome biogenesis due to a genetic defect in the PTS2-receptor, a mobile receptor-protein guiding peroxisomal proteins with a certain peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS2) to the peroxisome. Phosphomevalonate kinase was found to be strongly deficient in Zellweger patients thus suggesting that this enzyme is also peroxisomal. Taken together, our data indicate that in human liver mevalonate kinase and phosphomevalonate kinase are truly peroxisomal enzymes which strongly suggests that peroxisomes play a major role in cholesterol biosynthesis.

Lipid metabolism in peroxisomes in relation to human disease

Peroxisomes were long believed to play only a minor role in cellular metabolism but it is now clear that they catalyze a number of important functions. The importance of peroxisomes in humans is stressed by the existence of a group of genetic diseases in man in which one or more peroxisomal functions are impaired. Most of the functions known to take place in peroxisomes have to do with lipids. Indeed, peroxisomes are capable of 1. fatty acid beta-oxidation 2. fatty acid alpha-oxidation 3. synthesis of cholesterol and other isoprenoids 4. ether-phospholipid synthesis and 5. biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In Chapters 2-6 we will discuss the functional organization and enzymology of these pathways in detail. Furthermore, attention is paid to the permeability properties of peroxisomes with special emphasis on recent studies which suggest that peroxisomes are closed structures containing specific membrane proteins for transport of metabolites. Finally, the disorders of peroxisomal lipid metabolism will be discussed.

Peroxisomes in adrenal steroidogenesis

Peroxisomes, cytoplasmic organelles limited by a single membrane and with a matrix of moderate electron density, are present in a great number of cells, namely in adrenal cortex and other steroid-secreting organs. Presently peroxisomes are considered to be involved in important metabolic processes. They intervene in: (1) the production and degradation of H2O2; (2) biosynthesis of ether-phospholipids, cholesterol, dolichol, and bile acids; (3) oxidation of very long chain fatty acids, purines, polyamines, and prostaglandins; (4) catabolism of pipecolic, phythanic and glyoxylic acids; and (5) gluconeogenesis. Recent studies demonstrated that the experimental alterations in the normal steroidogenesis, produce significant morphological and biochemical changes in peroxisomes. Besides this, the presence of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (the key enzyme in the de novo cholesterol synthesis from acetate) and of sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP2), which is involved in the cholesterol metabolism and steroid metabolic pathways, are located in peroxisomes of steroid-secreting cells. In addition, patients with peroxisome diseases present deficiency in steroidogenesis, as well as reduced levels of SCP2. These data pointed out the important role of peroxisomes in steroid biosynthesis.

Lipoproteins and cellular cholesterol homeostasis

Cholesterol homeostasis in peripheral cells involves a balance between the influx and efflux processes. The acquisition of cholesterol by such cells is mediated by a variety of receptor and non-receptor processes involving both normal and modified lipoproteins. The offsetting efflux process is mediated by HDL and especially particles containing only apo A-I. An efficient reverse cholesterol transport by HDL of cholesterol from peripheral cells to the liver protects against the development of atherosclerosis. In cells that do not contain excess cholesterol, the cholesterol is distributed as unesterified cholesterol molecules between the plasma membrane and the membranes of the intracellular organelles. In cholesterol-loaded cells such as macrophage foam cells, the membranes became enriched in unesterified cholesterol and, in addition, cytoplasmic CE droplets and lysosomal cholesterol crystals can form. The ways in which cholesterol molecules move between intracellular sites and the plasma membrane to become available for efflux to extracellular acceptor particles are becoming known. Cholesterol molecules in the plasma membrane can desorb and diffuse through the aqueous phase and be sequestered by HDL particles. The cell cholesterol available for efflux can exist in different kinetic pools, and these pools, such as those in various domains in the plasma membrane, require further definition. The cholesterol molecules present in intracellular pools also efflux with different kinetics and by different pathways. Thus, newly synthesized cholesterol is actively transported by a vesicle system from the ER to the plasma membrane, whereas lysosomal cholesterol seems to be transported to the plasma membrane by a protein-mediated, diffusional process. Clearance of cytoplasmic CE is dependent upon the rate of turnover of the CE cycle and the magnitude of the cholesterol gradient between the plasma membrane and the extracellular acceptor particle. It can be expected that the interdependence of the pathways and the molecular mechanisms underlying the intracellular trafficking of cholesterol will be elucidated in the near future.

Cytochrome P-450 2E1 in rat liver peroxisomes: downregulation by ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress

Cytochrome P-450 containing enzymes, known to be present in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, catalyze the oxidation of various compounds. In this study we have used highly purified peroxisomes (> 95%) to provide evidence by analytical cell fractionation, enzyme activity, Western blot, and immunocytochemical analysis that cytochrome P-450 2E1 (Cyp 2E1) is present in peroxisomes. Similar specific activities of aniline hydroxylase, a Cyp 2E1-dependent enzyme, in purified peroxisomes (0.72 +/- 0.03 nmol/min/mg protein) and microsomes (0.58 +/- 0.03 nmol/min/mg protein) supports the conclusion that peroxisomes contain significant amount of Cyp 2E1. This peroxisomal Cyp 2E1 was also induced in acetone-treated rat liver. The status of microsomal and peroxisomal Cyp 2E1 was also examined following ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress. Ischemia alone had no effect; however, reperfusion following ischemia resulted in decrease in Cyp 2E1 both in microsomes and peroxisomes. This demonstration of cytochrome P-450 2E1 in peroxisomes and its downregulation during ischemia/reperfusion describes a new role for this organelle in cytochrome P-450 related cellular metabolism and in oxidative stress induced disease conditions.

Cell compartmentalization of cholesterol biosynthesis

Thus, the results showing the presence of cholesterol synthetic enzymes in peroxisomes (see references 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, and 26), the reduced levels of cholesterol synthesis enzymes and cholesterol synthetic capacity of cells and tissues lacking peroxisomes, 26, 37, 39 and the low serum cholesterol levels in patients suffering from peroxisomal deficiency diseases40-43 demonstrate that peroxisomes are essential for normal cholesterol synthesis. A number of metabolic pathways require co-participation of enzymes located in both peroxisomes as well as enzymes found in other intracellular compartments. For example, the first steps of plasmalogen synthesis occur in the peroxisomes, while the terminal reactions are completed in the endoplasmic reticulum. Similarly, the oxidation of cholesterol to bile acids requires the participation of enzymes localized in the endoplasmic reticulum as well as peroxisomes. Little is known about the regulation of such pathways or about the shuttling of intermediates between compartments. The physiological importance of peroxisomal enzymes in the regulation of sterol metabolism remains to be clarified.

Cholesterol metabolism in cells with different peroxisomal defects

We showed previously that cholesterol biosynthesis in dermal fibroblasts from patients with metabolic disorders of peroxisomal origin is increased in steps prior to mevalonate, whereas low-density-lipoprotein(LDL)-receptor activities were not different from control fibroblasts. Here, the suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity by lovastatin was studied both in dermal fibroblasts from patients with different peroxisomal defects and in a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line lacking morphologically intact peroxisomes. In addition, the formation of intracellular cholesteryl esters (a measure of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase(ACAT)-activity) stimulated by exogenous LDL was investigated. A dose-dependent suppression of cholesterol biosynthesis by lovastatin at concentrations of 1-50 mumol/l was observed which was comparable in normal and peroxisomal-disease fibroblasts. ACAT activity was measured in the absence and presence of exogenous LDL using [3H]oleate as a substrate for cholesterol ester synthesis. The basal esterification rate was equal or lower in peroxisomal-defective fibroblasts compared with controls. In the presence of exogenous LDL, cholesterol esterification was significantly impaired in all defective cells in comparison with normal fibroblasts. We conclude that changes in cholesterol homeostasis in peroxisomal diseased fibroblasts be related to cholesterol ester formation.

Sterol esterification in yeast: a two-gene process

Unesterified sterol modulates the function of eukaryotic membranes. In human cells, sterol is esterified to a storage form by acyl-coenzyme A (CoA): cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT). Here, two genes are identified, ARE1 and ARE2, that encode ACAT-related enzymes in yeast. The yeast enzymes are 49 percent identical to each other and exhibit 23 percent identity to human ACAT. Deletion of ARE2 reduced sterol ester levels to approximately 25 percent of normal levels, whereas disruption of ARE1 did not affect sterol ester biosynthesis. Deletion of both genes resulted in a viable cell with undetectable esterified sterol. Measurements of [14C]acetate incorporation into saponified lipids indicated down-regulation of sterol biosynthesis in the are1 are2 mutant cells. With the use of a consensus sequence to the yeast and human genes, an additional number of the ACAT gene family was identified in humans.

Extinction of peroxisomal functions in hepatoma cell-fibroblast hybrids

Although peroxisomes are ubiquitous, differences in the number of organelles and in the expression of associated metabolic activities are observed, depending on the cell type. To investigate the control of peroxisomal activity in connection with cell differentiation, we constructed hybrids between two types of cells whose histogenetic origins dictate significant differences in peroxisomal activities: hepatoma cells and fibroblasts, with high and low expression, respectively, of peroxisomal functions. In these hybrids, extinction of the elevated activities that characterize liver cells is observed, in parallel with the well-documented extinction of differentiated functions. This suggests the existence in fibroblasts of a negative trans-acting regulation.

Chronic administration of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid as ethyl esters reduced plasma cholesterol and changed the fatty acid composition in rat blood and organs

Fish oils rich in n-3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease plasma lipid levels, but the underlying mechanism has not yet been elucidated. This investigation was performed in order to further clarify the effects of purified ethyl esters of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA-EE) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA-EE) on lipid metabolism in rats. The animals were fed EPA-EE, DHA-EE, palmitic acid, or corn oil (1 g/kg/d) by orogastric intubation along with a chow background diet for three months. At the end the animals were sacrificed. Plasma and liver lipids were measured, as well as lipid-related enzyme activities and mRNA levels. The fatty acid composition of plasma and different tissues was also determined. This study shows that, compared to the corn oil control, EPA-EE and DHA-EE lowered plasma cholesterol level, whereas only EPA-EE lowered the amount of plasma triacylglycerol. In liver peroxisomes, both EE preparations increased fatty acyl-CoA oxidase FAO activities, and neither altered 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase activities. In liver microsomes, EPA-EE raised HMG-CoA reductase and acyl-CoAicholesterol acyltransferase activities, whereas DHA-EE lowered the former and did not affect the latter. Neither product altered mRNA levels for HMG-CoA reductase, low density lipoprotein-receptor, or low density lipoprotein-receptor related protein. EPA-EE lowered plasma triacylglycerol, reflecting lowered very low density lipoprotein secretion, thus the cholesterol lowering effect in EPA-EE-treated rats may be secondary to the hypotriacylglycerolemic effect. An inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity in DHA-EE treated rats may contribute to the hypocholesterolemic effect. The present study reports that 20:5n-3, and not 22:6n-3, is the fatty acid primarily responsible for the triacylglycerol lowering effect of fish oil. Finally, 20:5n-3 was not converted to 22:6n-3, whereas retroconversion of 22:6n-3 to 20:5n-3 was observed.

Ketoconazole and other imidazole derivatives are potent inhibitors of peroxisomal phytanic acid alpha-oxidation

The imidazole antimycotics like ketoconazole, clotrimazole, bifonazole, miconazole and CO, known as powerful inhibitors of cytochrome P-450, are potent inhibitors of peroxisomal phytanic acid alpha-oxidation to pristanic acid suggesting the possible involvement of the cytochrome P-450 mono-oxygenase system in this oxidation. In contrast to the inhibition of the oxidation of [1-14C]phytanic acid, [1-14C]phytanoyl-CoA and [(2,3)-3H]phytanic acid, these drugs and CO have no effect on the oxidation of [1-14C]alpha-hydroxy phytanic acid indicating that these drugs and CO inhibit only the alpha-hydroxylation of phytanic acid. These studies using purified peroxisomes from liver and cultured human skin fibroblasts and Hep G2 cells clearly demonstrate that alpha-hydroxylation, an intermediate step in the alpha-oxidation of phytanic acid found to be impaired in Refsum Disease, is mediated by cytochrome P-450 containing enzyme.

Relationship between the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi membrane system and ubiquinone biosynthesis

The involvement of the various segments of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi system in ubiquinone biosynthesis in rat liver was investigated using subcellular fractionation. In addition to preparing rough (R) and smooth microsomes and three different Golgi fractions, a procedure was developed to isolate a smooth vesicle fraction, designated as smooth II (SII) microsomes. The electron micrographs, chemical composition, distribution of marker enzymes, pattern of glycosidases and glycosyltransferases and participation in cholesterol transport suggest that the vesicle components of this latter fraction are intermediary between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi system. Both R and smooth I (SI), but not SII microsomes nor Golgi vesicles demonstrate trans-prenyltransferase activity, which synthesizes the side-chain of ubiquinone from geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP). The subsequent enzyme, which transfers solanesyl pyrophosphate (sol-PP) to 4-hydroxybenzoate, is absent from R and SI microsomes, but present in SII microsomes and exhibits high levels of activity in all of the Golgi fractions. Thus, ubiquinone is synthesized sequentially in the ER-Golgi system and thereafter translocated from this compartment to other cellular membranes.

Estimation of dolichol and cholesterol synthesis in microsomes and peroxisomes isolated from rat liver

The participation of peroxisomal and microsomal fractions from rat liver in dolichol and cholesterol synthesis was investigated using marker enzymes. Recovery was 8% for peroxisomes and 33% for microsomes, with virtually no cross-contamination between these fractions. Using these data, it was calculated that the peroxisomal branch-point enzyme activities for dolichol and cholesterol biosynthesis, i.e. cis-prenyltransferase and squalene synthase, were 25% and 12%, respectively, of the total homogenate activity. Treatment with mevinolin increased the peroxisomal contribution in the case of both enzymes, to levels almost equal to that of their microsomal counterparts. These results indicate that peroxisomes play a role in the biosynthesis of isoprenoid lipids and that the extent of this participation is increased extensively when peroxisomes are induced by various treatments.

The Yarrowia lipolytica gene PAY2 encodes a 42-kDa peroxisomal integral membrane protein essential for matrix protein import and peroxisome enlargement but not for peroxisome membrane proliferation

PAY genes are required for peroxisome assembly in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Here we show that a mutant strain, pay2, is disrupted for the import of proteins targeted by either peroxisomal targeting signal-1 or -2. Electron microscopy of pay2 cells revealed the presence of small peroxisomal "ghosts," similar to the vesicular structures found in fibroblasts of patients with the human peroxisome assembly disorder, Zellweger syndrome. Functional complementation of pay2 with a plasmid library of Y. lipolytica genomic DNA identified a gene, PAY2, that restores growth of pay2 on oleic acid, import of catalase and multifunctional enzyme into peroxisomes, and formation of wild type peroxisomes. The PAY2 gene encodes Pay2p, a hydrophobic polypeptide of 404 amino acids. An antibody raised against Pay2p recognizes a polypeptide of approximately 42-kDa whose synthesis is induced by growth of Y. lipolytica on oleic acid. Pay2p is a peroxisomal integral membrane protein, as it localizes to carbonate-stripped peroxisomal membranes. Pay2p shows no identity to any known protein. Our results suggest that Pay2p is essential for the activity of the peroxisomal import machinery but does not affect the initial steps of peroxisomal membrane proliferation.

Cholesterol biosynthesis in dermal fibroblasts from patients with metabolic disorders of peroxisomal origin

As peroxisomes possess some of the integral enzymes for cholesterol biosynthesis, the role of these organelles in cholesterol formation was studied in dermal fibroblasts with three types of peroxisomal defect: group I, characterized by the absence of intact peroxisomes (neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, cerebrohepatorenal syndrome of Zellweger); group II, showing impaired activity of a single peroxisomal enzyme (X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, adrenomyeloneuropathy); and group III, defective in more than one peroxisomal enzyme (rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata). Cells were incubated with three different radioactive precursors, namely [14C]-octanoate, [14C]-acetate, and [3H]-mevalonate, and incorporation of these radiolabels into cholesterol was determined. All fibroblasts with peroxisomal defects were able to form cholesterol at concentrations comparable or higher than those in controls dependent on the radioactive substrate. Binding properties (KD) and bmax values) of LDL to fibroblasts with peroxisomal defects and downregulation of intracellular cholesterol biosynthesis were similar to those found in fibroblasts from normolipidaemic controls, but different to those observed in LDL-receptor negative fibroblasts. As our studies revealed that cholesterol biosynthesis is not impaired in fibroblasts from patients with metabolic disorders of peroxisomal origin, we conclude that peroxisomes play little or no role in the pathway of cholesterol synthesis beyond mevalonate. In earlier steps of the cholesterol synthesis pathway, peroxisomal and mitochondrial defects in parallel may alter cholesterol synthesis indirectly.

Very long chain fatty acids in higher animals--a review

Fatty acids with greater than 22 carbon atoms (very long chain fatty acids, VLCFA) are present in small amounts in most animal tissues. Saturated and monoenoic VLCFA are major components of brain, while the polyenoic VLCFA occur in significant amounts in certain specialized animal tissues such as retina and spermatozoa. Biosynthesis of VLCFA occurs by carbon chain elongation of shorter chain fatty acid precursors while beta-oxidation takes place almost exclusively in peroxisomes. Mitochondria are unable to oxidize VLCFA because they lack a specific VLCFA coenzyme A synthetase, the first enzyme in the beta-oxidation pathway. VLCFA accumulate in the tissues of patients with inherited abnormalities in peroxisomal assembly, and also in individuals with defects in enzymes catalyzing individual reactions along the beta-oxidation pathway. It is believed that the accumulation of VLCFA in patient tissues contributes to the severe pathological changes which are a feature of these conditions. However, little is known of the role of VLCFA in normal cellular processes, and of the molecular basis for their contribution to the disease process. The present review provides an outline of the current knowledge of VLCFA including their biosynthesis, degradation, possible function and involvement in human disease.

Near-stoichiometric interaction between the non-specific lipid-transfer protein of the yeast Candida tropicalis and peroxisomal acyl-coenzyme A oxidase prevents the thermal denaturation of the enzyme in vitro

A 14-kDa peroxisomal-matrix protein, named PXP-18, of the yeast Candida tropicalis is a structural and functional homologue of the mammalian nonspecific lipid-transfer protein (identical to sterol carrier protein-2). PXP-18 protected acyl-coenzyme A oxidase (ACO), the rate limiting enzyme of the peroxisomal beta-oxidation of fatty acids, from thermal inactivation at 48 degrees C or 70 degrees C. This effect was dose-dependent and not replaceable either by chicken egg white lysozyme, which is similar to PXP-18 (insofar as it is basic, small, and monomeric), or by bovine serum albumin, a carrier of lipids in the blood. ACO was irreversibly denatured by heat treatment at 70 degrees C for 15 min. However, when ACO and PXP-18 were similarly heat-treated, they formed a large complex at a molar ratio of PXP-18 to ACO subunit that was about one, independent of their initial ratio. This near-stoichiometric complex had ACO activity after a 500-fold dilution and was accompanied by ACO that was free of PXP-18 and indistinguishable from native ACO in size and activity. PXP-18 also protected urate oxidase, another peroxisomal enzyme, from inactivation at 66 degrees C for 15 min and facilitated the renaturation of ACO denatured by 2 M urea. These results indicated that PXP-18 is active in modulating the structure of peroxisomal enzymes in vitro. It is possible that PXP-18 functions as a stress protein or as a part of the system that keeps peroxisomal proteins intact.

Modulations in hepatic branch-point enzymes involved in isoprenoid biosynthesis upon dietary and drug treatments of rats

Three branch-point enzymes of the mevalonate pathway, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, cis-prenyltransferase and squalene synthase were characterized in rat hepatic cytosol, microsomes and peroxisomes isolated from rats after treatment with peroxisome proliferators, inducers of the endoplasmic reticulum or modulators of lipid metabolism. Cholestyramine and phenobarbital induced primarily the cytosolic farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, whereas clofibrate and phthalates elevated the corresponding peroxisomal activity. cis-Prenyltransferase activities in microsomes were induced 4-5-fold after clofibrate, phthalate and phenobarbital administration, but these same treatments affected the peroxisomal activity to only a limited extent. Squalene synthase activity in microsomes was completely abolished, but the peroxisomal activity was unaffected after administration of cholesterol. On the other hand, clofibrate and phthalate induced only the microsomal activities. Mevinolin treatment greatly increased peroxisomal and cytosolic farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase activities, but not the mitochondrial activity, and the cis-prenyltransferase activities were elevated in peroxisomes, but not in microsomes. These results demonstrate that the branch-point enzymes in cholesterol and dolichol biosynthesis at various cellular locations are regulated differentially and that the capacities of peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum to participate in the synthesis of polyisoprenoid lipids is affected profoundly by treatment with different xenobiotics.

Peroxisomal cholesterol synthesis in vivo: accumulation of 4-methyl intermediate sterols after aminotriazole inhibition of cholesterol synthesis

To clarify the importance and pathway of peroxisomal cholesterol synthesis in vivo, we have examined whether or not 4,4-dimethyl-5 alpha-cholest-8-en-3 beta-ol and 4 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-3 beta-ol are accumulated in hepatic peroxisomes of aminotriazole-treated rats (we have shown that these intermediate steroids accumulate in rat liver when cholesterol synthesis is inhibited by aminotriazole: Hashimoto, F. and Hayashi, H. (1991) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1086, 115). Differential centrifugation and Nycodenz gradient centrifugation showed that these intermediate steroids were localized in peroxisomes and microsomes. Cholestyramine (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activator) pretreatment of aminotriazole-treated rats increased the contents of the intermediate steroids in both peroxisomes and microsomes. In peroxisomes, both 4 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-3 beta-ol and 4,4-dimethyl-5 alpha-cholest-8-en-3 beta-ol were increased to about 3 times the control (aminotriazole-treated rat), and they were predominantly (about 70%) recovered in the membrane fraction after treatment with 0.05% deoxycholate or 100 mM Na2CO3. Gemfibrozil (peroxisomal proliferator) pretreatment enhanced the contents of 4 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-3 beta-ol and 4,4-dimethyl-5 alpha-cholest-8-en-3 beta-ol of peroxisomes to 4.5 times and 37 times the control, respectively. The effects of aminotriazole, cholestyramine and gemfibrozil on the intermediate contents were different between peroxisomes and microsomes. We suggest that peroxisomes in addition to microsomes participate in cholesterol synthesis in vivo, and the biosynthetic pathway includes 4 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-3 beta-ol and 4,4-dimethyl-5 alpha-cholest-8-en-3 beta-ol.

Predominant localization of non-specific lipid-transfer protein of the yeast Candida tropicalis in the matrix of peroxisomes

PXP-18 is a 14-kDa major peroxisomal protein of the yeast Candida tropicalis and a homologue of the non-specific lipid-transfer protein (nsLTP) of mammals. Mammalian nsLTP is thought to facilitate the contact of membranes, to stimulate lipid-transfer between them. If PXP-18 functions like nsLTP, it must be present on organelle membranes. Immunoelectron microscopy of C. tropicalis cells indicated that gold particles, which visualized PXP-18, localized exclusively in the matrix of peroxisomes. Subcellular fractionation followed by Western blotting revealed the association of PXP-18 with peroxisomes in C. tropicalis cells. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that almost all the PXP-18 associated with peroxisomes was detectable after the solubilization of the organelle but not before, implying the predominance of PXP-18 inside peroxisomes. This differential assay was applied to the intracellular import of the intact and truncated PXP-18s expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. Most of the intact PXP-18 was shown to be imported into the matrix of host-cell peroxisomes, whereas the truncated PXP-18, which lacked the C-terminal tripeptide Pro-Lys-Leu, no longer targeted peroxisomes. These results are consistent with the view that PXP-18 is the matrix protein of peroxisomes and must function in a system other than that of lipid transfer.

The peroxisomal targeting signal of 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

All peroxisomal 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolases identified so far do not contain the previously identified tripeptide peroxisomal targeting signal at their carboxy-termini. For the two rat thiolases it was shown that their peroxisomal targeting signals are localized within the amino-terminal region of the proteins and are cleaved upon import. This report demonstrates that the N-terminal region of the peroxisomal 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is essential for its peroxisomal targeting, and that the N-terminal 16 amino acids of yeast thiolase are sufficient to target the otherwise cytosolic small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase to peroxisomes for import.

Resistance to erucic acid as a selectable marker for peroxisomal activity: isolation of revertants of an infantile Refsum disease cell line

A system based on the ability of cells to oxidize very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) was developed to select in vitro normal human fibroblasts from fibroblasts of patients suffering from peroxisomal disorders with multienzymatic deficiencies: Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, infantile Refsum disease (IRD). Cells treated with various concentrations of erucic acid (C22:1 n-9) revealed an enhanced toxicity of this fatty acid for the fibroblasts of patients compared with normal cells. This differential toxicity is correlated with variable accumulations of C22:1 n-9 and the absence of beta-oxidation products in the mutants. Revertants from clonal IRD cell lines were isolated in the selective medium at frequencies ranging from 3 x 10(-7) to 4 x 10(-6) depending on the line. After six weeks of growth in the absence of selective pressure, the variants exhibited a resistance level to C22:1 n-9 identical to that of normal cells. Furthermore, beta-oxidation of VLCFA is re-established in these selected cells as well as dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activity. Immunoblot experiments also demonstrated a restored pattern of acyl-CoA oxidase molecular forms. Last, immunofluorescence studies revealed the presence of cytoplasmic structures that were absent in the original IRD cells. Thus, both the deficiencies in metabolic pathways and paucity of the organelle are at least partially corrected in the selected clones.

Peroxisomes and peroxisomal enzymes along the crypt-villus axis of the rat intestine

The development of peroxisomes and expression of their enzymes were investigated in differentiating intestinal epithelial cells during their migration along the crypt-villus axis. Sequential cell populations harvested by a low-temperature method were identified by microscopy, determination of alkaline phosphatase and sucrase activities and incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA. Ultrastructural cytochemistry after staining for catalase activity, revealed the presence of peroxisomes in undifferentiated stem cells located in the crypt region. Morphometry indicated that the number of these organelles increased as intestinal epithelial cells differentiate. Catalase activity was higher in the crypt cells than in the mature enterocytes harvested from villus tips. On the other hand, an increasing gradient of activity was observed from crypts to villus tips for peroxisomal oxidases, i.e. fatty acyl coA oxidase, D-amino acid oxidase and polyamine oxidase. These findings indicate that biogenesis of peroxisomes occurs during migration of intestinal epithelial cells along the crypt-villus axis and that peroxisomal oxidases contribute substantially to the biochemical maturation of enterocytes.

Structural and functional aspects of peroxisomal membranes in yeasts

The peroxisomal membrane compartmentalizes specific metabolic functions in the intermediary metabolism of various aerobic eukarya. In yeast, peroxisomal membranes are typified by their small width (+/- 7-8 nm) and absence of large integral membrane proteins in freeze-etch replicas. They show a unique polypeptide profile which, in contrast to their phospholipid composition, differs from that of other membranes in the cell. Part of these proteins are substrate-inducible and are probably related to specific peroxisomal function(s). In vivo, the observed proton motive force across the peroxisomal membrane may play a role in the function of the organelle in that it contributes to the driving force required for selective transport of various enzyme substrates and/or metabolic intermediates. To date only few peroxisomal membrane proteins (PMPs) have been functionally characterized. A major constitutive 31-kDa PMP present in the peroxisomal membrane of Hansenula polymorpha has been purified and was shown to display pore-forming properties. In addition, a peroxisomal H(+)-ATPase has been identified which most probably is involved in the generation/maintenance of the in vivo pH gradient across the peroxisomal membrane. Other functions of peroxisomal membrane proteins remain obscure although the first genes encoding yeast PMPs are now being cloned and sequenced. Studies on peroxisome-deficient yeast mutants revealed that specific peroxisome functions are strictly dependent on the intactness of the peroxisomal membrane. In this contribution several examples are presented of metabolic disorders due to peroxisomal malfunction in yeast.

Update on genetic and molecular investigations of diseases with general impairment of peroxisomal functions

A group of genetically determined peroxisomal diseases is characterized by both multiple enzymatic deficiencies and abnormal structural features of the organelle. The primary cause of the phenotypes is likely to involve peroxisome assembly impairment. Complementation analyses performed on fibroblasts of patients revealed the existence of at least eight groups that do not reflect the clinical classifications. Recently, the use of experimental models led to the identification of a gene encoding for a peroxisomal membrane protein (PAF-1) in which a mutation was associated with the altered phenotype in a complementation group of the Zellweger syndrome (paradigm of these diseases). Also revealed in Zellweger probands are mutations of a gene encoding another peroxisomal protein (PMP70).

Development of the yeast Pichia pastoris as a model organism for a genetic and molecular analysis of peroxisome assembly

We describe the isolation of mutants of the yeast Pichia pastoris that are deficient in peroxisome assembly (pas). These mutants of P. pastoris can be identified solely by their inability to grow on methanol and oleic acid, the utilization of which requires peroxisomal enzymes, and are defined by the absence of normal peroxisomes as judged by electron microscopy and biochemical fractionation experiments. These mutants are the result of genetic defects at single loci and represent at least eight different complementation groups. The isolation of pas mutants of P. pastoris by a simple screen for mutants unable to use methanol and oleic acid represents a significantly more efficient method for identification of pas mutants than is possible in other organisms. To exploit this advantage fully we also developed new reagents for the genetic and molecular manipulation of P. pastoris. These include a set of auxotrophic strains with an essentially wild-type genetic background, plasmids that act as Escherichia coli-P. pastoris shuttle vectors, and genomic DNA libraries for isolation of P. pastoris genes by functional complementation of mutants or by nucleic acid hybridization. The availability of numerous pas mutants and the reagents necessary for their molecular analysis should lead to the isolation and characterization of genes involved in peroxisome assembly.

Subcellular localization of squalene synthase in human hepatoma cell line Hep G2

Using the Hep G2 cell line as a model for the human hepatocyte the question was studied whether Hep G2-peroxisomes could be able to synthesize cholesterol. Hep G2 cell homogenates were applied to density gradient centrifugation on Nycodenz, resulting in good separation between the organelles. The different organelle fractions were characterized by assaying the following marker enzymes: catalase for peroxisomes, glutamate dehydrogenase for mitochondria and esterase for endoplasmic reticulum. Squalene synthase activity was not detectable in the peroxisomal fraction. Incubation of Hep G2 cells with U18666A, an inhibitor of the cholesterol synthesis at the site of oxidosqualene cyclase, together with heavy high density lipoprotein, which stimulates the efflux of cholesterol, led to a marked increase in the activity of squalene synthase as well as HMG-CoA reductase, whereas no significant effect on the marker enzymes was observed. Neither enzyme activity was detectable in the peroxisomal density gradient fraction, suggesting that in Hep G2-peroxisomes cholesterol synthesis from the water-soluble early intermediates of the pathway cannot take place. Both stimulated and non-stimulated cells gave rise to preparations where squalene synthase activity was comigrating with the reductase activity at the lower density side of the microsomal fraction; however, it was also present at the high density side of the microsomal peak, where reductase activity was not detected.

Increased cholesterol synthesis in Chinese hamster ovary cells deficient in peroxisomes

In a previous study we have shown that Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells deficient in intact peroxisomes, lack the nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsL-TP; sterol carrier protein 2) (van Heusden, G.P.H., Bos, K., Raetz, C.R.H. and Wirtz, K.W.A. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 4105-4110). The consequences of the absence of peroxisomes and of nsL-TP on intracellular cholesterol metabolism have been investigated in two peroxisome-deficient CHO cell lines (CHO-82 and CHO-78). Compared with wild-type cells (CHO-K1), the incorporation of [3H]acetate into cholesterol was 3-fold higher in the CHO-82 cells and 2-fold higher in the CHO-78 cells. In agreement with an increased synthesis of cholesterol, a 2-3-fold higher 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase activity was measured in both mutant cell lines. On the other hand, addition of low density lipoprotein (LDL), mevalonate (30 mM) or 25-hydroxycholesterol (2 micrograms/ml) to cells grown in lipoprotein-deficient serum, demonstrated that in both mutant cell lines the down-regulation of HMG-CoA reductase and of cholesterol synthesis were comparable to that in wild-type cells. These results strongly suggest that, in addition to down-regulation by LDL-derived cholesterol, mevalonate and 25-hydroxycholesterol, HMG-CoA reductase activity is under control of peroxisomes and/or nsL-TP.

Inhibition of carnitine acyltransferase activities by bile acids in rat liver peroxisomes

We recently reported that purified carnitine acetyltransferase is competitively inhibited by bile acids (Sekas, G. and Paul, H.S. (1989) Anal. Biochem. 179, 262-267). In the present study, we initially investigated the effect of bile acids on carnitine acyltransferases in rat hepatic peroxisomes. Activities of carnitine acetyltransferase, carnitine octanoyltransferase, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase were progressively inhibited by increasing concentrations of chenodeoxycholic acid. Kinetic studies revealed that the inhibition by chenodeoxycholic acid was competitive with respect to carnitine with an apparent Ki of 890 microM for carnitine acetyltransferase, 650 microM for carnitine octanoyltransferase and 600 microM for carnitine palmitoyltransferase. We then investigated whether bile acids inhibit the activities of these enzymes ex vivo. The hepatic concentration of bile acids was increased by inducing cholestasis by bile duct ligation. Cholestasis reduced the activity of carnitine acetyltransferase, carnitine octanoyltransferase, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase to 66 +/- 2%, 64 +/- 3%, and 40 +/- 2%, of the control, respectively. The inhibition for each of these enzymes was proportional to the degree of cholestasis. The effect of cholestasis appeared specific for carnitine acyltransferases since the activity of catalase, another peroxisomal enzyme, was not affected by cholestasis. We conclude that bile acids inhibit the activities of carnitine acyltransferases in hepatic peroxisomes. This inhibition by bile acids may be of significance in cholestatic liver disease.

Investigation of the presence of branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase in mammalian hepatic peroxisomes

1. Rat liver was fractionated into peroxisomes and mitochondria and branched-chain keto acid (BCKA) dehydrogenase activity was measured. 2. All BCKA dehydrogenase activity was associated with the mitochondrial fraction and none with the peroxisomal fraction. 3. BCKA dehydrogenase was also not detected in hepatic peroxisomes of rats treated with clofibrate which induces several peroxisomal enzymes. 4. Hepatic peroxisomes from rabbit, hamster and dog also did not show any BCKA dehydrogenase activity. 5. We conclude that mammalian hepatic peroxisomes do not contain BCKA dehydrogenase.