Sphingosine inhibits phosphatidate phosphohydrolase in human neutrophils by a protein kinase C-independent mechanism

Targeting the Sphingolipid Rheostat in Gliomas

Gliomas are highly aggressive cancer types that are in urgent need of novel drugs and targeted therapies. Treatment protocols have not improved in over a decade, and glioma patient survival remains among the worst of all cancer types. As a result, cancer metabolism research has served as an innovative approach to identifying novel glioma targets and improving our understanding of brain tumors. Recent research has uncovered a unique metabolic vulnerability in the sphingolipid pathways of gliomas that possess the IDH1 mutation. Sphingolipids are a family of lipid signaling molecules that play a variety of second messenger functions in cellular regulation. The two primary metabolites, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and ceramide, maintain a rheostat balance and play opposing roles in cell survival and proliferation. Altering the rheostat such that the pro-apoptotic signaling of the ceramides outweighs the pro-survival S1P signaling in glioma cells diminishes the hallmarks of cancer and enhances tumor cell death. Throughout this review, we discuss the sphingolipid pathway and identify the enzymes that can be most effectively targeted to alter the sphingolipid rheostat and enhance apoptosis in gliomas. We discuss each pathway’s steps based on their site of occurrence in the organelles and postulate novel targets that can effectively exploit this vulnerability.

Sphingolipid Pathway as a Source of Vulnerability in IDH1mut Glioma

In addition to providing integrity to cellular structure, the various classes of lipids participate in a multitude of functions including secondary messengers, receptor stimulation, lymphocyte trafficking, inflammation, angiogenesis, cell migration, proliferation, necrosis and apoptosis, thus highlighting the importance of understanding their role in the tumor phenotype. In the context of IDH1mut glioma, investigations focused on metabolic alterations involving lipidomics' present potential to uncover novel vulnerabilities. Herein, a detailed lipidomic analysis of the sphingolipid metabolism was conducted in patient-derived IDH1mut glioma cell lines, as well as model systems, with the of identifying points of metabolic vulnerability. We probed the effect of decreasing D-2HG levels on the sphingolipid pathway, by treating these cell lines with an IDH1mut inhibitor, AGI5198. The results revealed that N,N-dimethylsphingosine (NDMS), sphingosine C17 and sphinganine C18 were significantly downregulated, while sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) was significantly upregulated in glioma cultures following suppression of IDH1mut activity. We exploited the pathway using a small-scale, rational drug screen and identified a combination that was lethal to IDHmut cells. Our work revealed that further addition of N,N-dimethylsphingosine in combination with sphingosine C17 triggered a dose-dependent biostatic and apoptotic response in a panel of IDH1mut glioma cell lines specifically, while it had little effect on the IDHWT cells probed here. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows how altering the sphingolipid pathway in IDH1mut gliomas elucidates susceptibility that can arrest proliferation and initiate subsequent cellular death.

Changes in the Metabolism of Sphingoid Bases in the Brain and Spinal Cord of Transgenic FUS(1-359) Mice, a Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the content of sphingoid bases - sphingosine (SPH), sphinganine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPH-1-P) - and in expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in their metabolism in the brain structures (hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum) and spinal cord of transgenic FUS(1-359) mice. FUS(1-359) mice are characterized by motor impairments and can be used as a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Lipids from the mouse brain structures and spinal cord after 2, 3, and 4 months of disease development were analyzed by chromatography/mass spectrometry, while changes in the expression of the SPHK1, SPHK2, SGPP2, SGPL1, ASAH1, and ASAH2 genes were assayed using RNA sequencing. The levels of SPH and sphinganine (i.e., sphingoid bases with pronounced pro-apoptotic properties) were dramatically increased in the spinal cord at the terminal stage of the disease. The ratio of the anti-apoptotic SPH-1-P to SPH and sphinganine sharply reduced, indicating massive apoptosis of spinal cord cells. Significant changes in the content of SPH and SPH-1-P and in the expression of genes related to their metabolism were found at the terminal ALS stage in the spinal cord. Expression of the SGPL gene (SPH-1-P lyase) was strongly activated, while expression of the SGPP2 (SPH-1-P phosphatase) gene was reduced. Elucidation of mechanisms for the regulation of sphingolipid metabolism in ALS will help to identify molecular targets for the new-generation drugs.

The Many Facets of Sphingolipids in the Specific Phases of Acute Inflammatory Response

This review provides an overview on components of the sphingolipid superfamily, on their localization and metabolism. Information about the sphingolipid biological activity in cell physiopathology is given. Recent studies highlight the role of sphingolipids in inflammatory process. We summarize the emerging data that support the different roles of the sphingolipid members in specific phases of inflammation: (1) migration of immune cells, (2) recognition of exogenous agents, and (3) activation/differentiation of immune cells.

Synthesis of medicinally useful lipidicα-amino acids, 2-amino alcohols and diamines

The lipidicα-amino acids (LAAs) are non-naturalα-amino acids with saturated or unsaturated long aliphatic side chains. LAAs and their derivatives (lipid mimetics) together with the lipidic peptides represent a class of compounds which combine structural features of lipids with those of amino acids and peptides. Racemic LAAs may be prepared by classical methods and resolved by chemical or enzymatic methods. LAA amides and esters with saturated or unsaturated long chain amines and alcohols respectively, as well as lipidic dipeptide derivatives inhibit both pancreatic and human platelet phospholipase A2. Lipophilic peptide derivatives are inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase. LAAs and their oligomers have been used as drug delivery system. A Lipid-Core-Peptide system has been designed and used as a combined adjuvant-carrier-vaccine system. A variety of lipid mimetics such as lipidic 2-amino alcohols, lipidic 1,2- and 1,3-diamines have been prepared based upon LAAs. Some of them are potent inhibitors of phospholipase A2. A general approach to enantioselective synthesis of LAAs and lipid mimetics is based on the oxidative cleavage of 3-amino-1,2-diols obtained by the regioselective opening of enantiomerically enriched long chain 2,3-epoxy alcohols.

Altered sphingoid base profiles predict compromised membrane structure and permeability in atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Ceramide hydrolysis by ceramidase in the stratum corneum (SC) yields both sphingoid bases and free fatty acids (FFA). While FFA are key constituents of the lamellar bilayers that mediate the epidermal permeability barrier, whether sphingoid bases influence permeability barrier homeostasis remains unknown. Pertinently, alterations of lipid profile, including ceramide and ceramidase activities occur in atopic dermatitis (AD).

OBJECT

We investigated alterations in sphingoid base levels and/or profiles (sphingosine to sphinganine ratio) in the SC of normal vs. AD mice, a model that faithfully replicates human AD, and then whether altered sphingoid base levels and/or profiles influence(s) membrane stability and/or structures.

METHODS

Unilamellar vesicles (LV), incorporating the three major SC lipids (ceramides/FFA/cholesterol) and different ratios of sphingosine/sphinganine, encapsulating carboxyfluorescein, were used as the model of SC lipids. Membrane stability was measured as release of carboxyfluorescein. Thermal analysis of LV was conducted by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

RESULTS

LV containing AD levels of sphingosine/sphinganine (AD-LV) displayed altered membrane permeability vs. normal-LV. DSC analyses revealed decreases in orthorhombic structures that form tightly packed lamellar structures in AD-LV.

CONCLUSION

Sphingoid base composition influences lamellar membrane architecture in SC, suggesting that altered sphingoid base profiles could contribute to the barrier abnormality in AD.

Characterization of the yeast actin patch protein App1p phosphatidate phosphatase

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

Characterization of the human LPIN1-encoded phosphatidate phosphatase isoforms

The human LPIN1 gene encodes the protein lipin 1, which possesses phosphatidate (PA) phosphatase (3-sn-phosphatidate phosphohydrolase; EC 3.1.3.4) activity (Han, G.-S., Wu, W.-I., and Carman, G. M. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 9210-9218). In this work, we characterized human lipin 1 alpha, beta, and gamma isoforms that were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to near homogeneity. PA phosphatase activities of the alpha, beta, and gamma isoforms were dependent on Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) ions at pH 7.5 at 37 degrees C. The activities were inhibited by concentrations of Mg(2+) and Mn(2+) above their optimums and by Ca(2+), Zn(2+), N-ethylmaleimide, propranolol, and the sphingoid bases sphingosine and sphinganine. The activities were thermally labile at temperatures above 40 degrees C. The alpha, beta, and gamma activities followed saturation kinetics with respect to the molar concentration of PA (K(m) values of 0.35, 0.24, and 0.11 mm, respectively) but followed positive cooperative (Hill number approximately 2) kinetics with respect to the surface concentration of PA (K(m) values of 4.2, 4.5, and 4.3 mol %, respectively) in Triton X-100/PA-mixed micelles. The turnover numbers (k(cat)) for the alpha, beta, and gamma isoforms were 68.8 + or - 3.5, 42.8 + or - 2.5, and 5.7 + or - 0.2 s(-1), respectively, whereas their energy of activation values were 14.2, 15.5, and 18.5 kcal/mol, respectively. The isoform activities were dependent on PA as a substrate and required at least one unsaturated fatty acyl moiety for maximum activity.

Expression and regulation of phospholipase D isoforms in sphingosine and phorbol ester-stimulated glioma C6 cells

Previously we have reported that in glioma C6 cells, sphingosine stimulatory effect on phospholipase D (PLD) activity is independent of protein kinase C [Cell. Signal. 12 (2000) 399]. In this paper we have shown that this effect was also GTPgammaS independent and was completely inhibited by the plasma membrane methyl-beta-cyclodextrin cholesterol depletion what destroys caveolae structure. On the contrary, phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, TPA)-mediated PLD activity was enhanced by GTPgammaS and was only partially decreased by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin. We have also shown that TPA significantly increased expression of PLD1a and PLD1b mRNAs and had lower effect on PLD2 mRNA. Sphingosine only slightly increased expression of PLD mRNA isoforms and did not cause synergistic effect when applied together with TPA. These results indicate that TPA, but not sphingosine, stimulates transcriptional activity of PLD isoforms. We also suggest that TPA stimulates primarily PLD1, while sphingosine affects PLD2 activity. This last process might occur at plasma membrane lipid microdomains.

Functional role of phospholipids in the nuclear events

This review presents the structural and functional role of phospholipids in chromatin and nuclear matrix as well as the difference in composition and turnover compared to those present in the nuclear membrane. Nuclei have a very active lipid metabolism which seems to play an important role in the transduction of the signals to the genome in response to agonists acting at the plasma membrane level. The evidence on the presence of phospholipid-calcium-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) in nuclei and enzymes of phospholipids turnover is given. Protein kinase C interacts with nuclear phosphoinositol and sphingomyelin cycles products. This fact evidences about possibility that signal transduction events could also occur at the nuclear level during induction of cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.

Phosphatidic acid is the prominent product of endogenous neuronal nuclear lipid phosphorylation, an activity enhanced by sphingosine, linked to phospholipase C and associated with the nuclear envelope

Using endogenous lipid substrates, assays of lipid phosphorylation indicated that neuronal nuclei had a considerable superiority in phosphatidic acid (PA) formation when compared with homogenates and other subfractions of cerebral cortex. This predominance of neuronal nuclear PA labelling was linked to a sizable pool of nuclear diacylglycerols that expanded significantly with incubation. PA was also the dominant product of neuronal nuclear lipid phosphorylation reactions. Nuclear envelope preparations and the parent neuronal nuclei showed specific rates of PA formation that were comparable, based upon membrane phospholipid contents. As well, using an exogenous diacylglycerol substrate, the distribution of diacylglycerol kinase activities closely followed phospholipid contents of subfractions derived from the neuronal nucleus during envelope preparation. This evidence suggested an association between diacylglycerol kinase and the neuronal nuclear envelope. Nuclear PA formation increased in the presence of sphingosine, while sphingosine decreased PA formation in other subfractions. Likely sphingosine exerted its effect on nuclear diacylglycerol kinase, as sphingosine did not elevate levels of nuclear diacylglycerols. Phosphoinositidase C was present in the nuclei and inhibitors of this enzyme did decrease PA formation, indicating diacylglycerols from inositides as substrates for nuclear diacylglycerol kinase. The nuclear envelope fraction had a considerably lower specific phosphoinositidase C activity than the parent nuclei, and showed an activation of PA formation by sphingosine, but a less efficient handling of the exogenous diacylglycerol substrate. It is possible that phosphoinositidase C and diacylglycerol kinase are closely situated within the neuronal nuclei, and a loss of the former activity may compromise the latter.

5-Aminosalicylate stimulates phospholipase D activity in macrophages

5-Aminosalicylate, which is considered to be the active moiety of sulfasalazine, is one of the most widely used agents for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. However, its mechanism of action is unclear. In this report, we provide evidence that the phospholipase D pathway is a target for this drug in macrophages. Activation of phospholipase D leads to the generation of important second messengers such as phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid and diacylglycerol, all of which can regulate cellular responses involved in inflammation. Murine peritoneal macrophages were labeled with [(3)H]myristate, incubated with various drugs, agonists, or inhibitors, and phospholipase D activity was assayed. 5-Aminosalicylate or sulfasalazine stimulated phospholipase D in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Chelation of extracellular Ca(2+) inhibited phospholipase D activation by either of these drugs whereas pretreatment of macrophages with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein had no effect. Downregulation of protein kinase C by prolonged incubation with phorbol ester completely blocked the activation of phospholipase D. Pertussis toxin decreased the activation of phospholipase D. The levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate increased by 260% after treatment of macrophages with 5-aminosalicylate. A phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 blocked phospholipase D activation completely. Interestingly, long-term preincubation of the macrophages with a relatively low concentration of 5-aminosalicylate that did not stimulate phospholipase D activity by itself, potentiated the effect of phorbol ester-induced activation of phospholipase D. Taken together, these results show that 5-aminosalicylate activates phospholipase D via a pathway involving inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate generation, calcium fluxes, and Gi/Go. Although the mechanisms by which phospholipase D activation by 5-aminosalicylate or sulfasalazine might attenuate inflammatory responses in the intestine remain to be defined, these results highlight a novel potential mechanism of action for these drugs.

Structural requirements of sphingosine molecules for inhibition of DNA primase: biochemical and computational analyses

Using 28 chemically well-defined compounds containing D-erythro-sphingosine and its analogues, we analyzed structure-activity relationships for DNA primase inhibition. Biochemical studies demonstrated a positively charged amino group at C2 and a long aliphatic chain to be absolutely required for inhibition. Whereas C2-amino group is intact, sphingosine 1-phosphate was totally inactive. This result could be due to cancellation of positive charge of the amino group by the interaction with negatively charged C1-phosphate, since simulations with the software INSIGHT II showed these two groups to be close enough to interact. The hydroxyl group at C3 and trans-double bond at C4-C5 were also found to be important for the inhibition. Dehydroxylation of C3, as well as saturation or cis-conversion of the trans-double bond led to decrease of inhibitory activity. Despite saturation of the double bond, introduction of a hydroxyl group into C4 of dihydrosphingosine resulted in restoration of inhibition. Conversion of the double bond into a triple bond did not abolish but rather enhanced the inhibitory activity. Among sphingosine stereoisomers, the naturally occurring D-erythro-sphingosine proved to be the strongest inhibitor. To ascertain the contribution of the total conformation to the inhibition, especially of the long aliphatic chain, we constructed a 3D-quantitative structure-activity relationship model using the computer program Catalyst/HipHop on the basis of information described above. Analysis of the hypothesis model for active compounds revealed that the orientation of aliphatic chain, represented by the dihedral angle of C2-3-4-5, correlated well with the inhibition. Modifications such as deletion of the hydroxyl group at C3 or saturation of the C4-C5 double bond caused shifts in the dihedral angle of C2-3-4-5, with concomitant decrease in inhibitory activity.

Different regulation of phospholipase D activity in glioma C6 cells by sphingosine, propranolol, imipramine and phorbol ester

In has been found that sphingosine, propranolol, imipramine and phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, TPA) have a stimulatory effect on phospholipase D activity in glioma C6 cells. The cells were prelabelled with [1-(14)C]palmitic acid and phospholipase D-mediated synthesis of [(14)C]phosphatidylethanol was measured. The enhancing effect of TPA was almost completely blocked by a specific protein kinase C inhibitor, GF 109203X. In contrast, GF 109203X failed to inhibit the sphingosine, imipramine and propranolol stimulatory effects, indicating that their stimulation was independent of protein kinase C. The effect of TPA on phospholipase D was also blocked by imipramine and propranolol, whereas sphingosine additively potentiated TPA-mediated phospholipase D activity, both at shorter and longer (2-60 min) times of incubation. These results suggest that in glioma C6 cells, sphingosine is not only involved in a different phospholipase D activation than the TPA regulatory system, but also that it operates in a different compartment of the cell.

Phospholipid biosynthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and interrelationship with other metabolic processes

In this review, we have discussed recent progress in the study of the regulation that controls phospholipid metabolism in S. cerevisiae. This regulation occurs on multiple levels and is tightly integrated with a large number of other cellular processes and related metabolic and signal transduction pathways. Progress in deciphering this complex regulation has been very rapid in the last few years, aided by the availability of the sequence of the entire Saccharomyces genome. The assignment of functions to the remaining unassigned open reading frames, as well as ascertainment of remaining gene-enzyme relationships in phospholipid biosynthesis in yeast, promises to provide detailed understanding of the genetic regulation of a crucial area of metabolism in a key eukaryotic model system. Since the processes of lipid metabolism, secretion, and signal transduction show fundamental similarities in all eukaryotes, the dissection of this regulation in yeast promises to have wide application to our understanding of metabolic control in all eukaryotes.

Synthesis of optically active lipidic alpha-amino acids and lipidic 2-amino alcohols

Lipidic alpha-amino acids (LAAs) are a class of compounds combining structural features of amino acids with those of fatty acids. They are non-natural alpha-amino acids with saturated or unsaturated long aliphatic side chains. Synthetic approaches to optically active LAAs and lipidic 2-amino alcohols (LAALs) are summarized in this review. A general approach to enantioselective synthesis of saturated LAAs is based on the oxidative cleavage of 3-amino-1,2-diols obtained by the regioselective opening of enantiomerically enriched long chain 2,3-epoxy alcohols. Unsaturated LAAs are prepared in their enantiomeric forms by Wittig reaction via methyl (S)-2-di-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-5-oxo-pentanoate. This key intermediate aldehyde is obtained by selective reduction of dimethyl N,N-di-Boc glutamate with DIBAL. (R) or (S) LAALs may be prepared starting from D-mannitol or L-serine. LAAs are converted into LAALs by chemoselective reduction of their fluorides using sodium borohydride with retention of optical purity. Replacement of the hydroxyl group of LAALs by the azido group, followed by selective reduction leads to unsaturated optically active lipidic 1,2-diamines.

Sphingosine inhibits nitric oxide synthase from cerebellar granule cells differentiated in vitro

The effects of different bioactive sphingoid molecules on NOS activity of differentiated cerebellar granule cells were investigated by measuring the conversion of [3H]arginine to [3H]citrulline. Cytosolic Ca2+-dependent NOS activity was strongly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by sphingosine in concentrations of 1-40 microM. This inhibition seems to be peculiar to sphingosine in that ceramide, N-acetylsphingosine, sphingosine-1P, sphinganine and tetradecylamine have no effect on the cytosolic enzyme at the considered concentrations, suggesting that it is the bulk of the sphingosine hydrophilic portion that is critical for cytosolic NOS inhibition. This inhibition of cytosolic NOS is not reversed by increasing the arginine concentration, so a competitive mechanism can be excluded. Instead, increasing the concentrations of calmodulin led to loss of sphingosine inhibition, suggesting that sphingosine interferes with the calmodulin-dependent activation of the enzyme by a competitive mechanism. Sphingosine and related compounds had no effect on the particulate Ca2+-independent NOS activity. The data obtained suggest that sphingosine could be involved in the regulation of NO production in neurons.

Synthesis, in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of long chain 3-amino-1,2-diols

The synthesis of long chain 3-amino-1,2-diols was carried out based on Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation of long chain allylic alcohols and regioselective nucleophilic ring opening by azido group. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the compounds prepared was evaluated against six solid tumor cell lines (A2780, H322, LL, WiDr, C26-10, UMSCC-22B). Free 3-amino-1,2-diols exhibited IC50 values between 1.45 microM and 32 microM. These compounds also presented interesting inhibition of carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats (85.3% - 79.6% at a concentration of 0.15 mmol/kg).

Sphingosine Blocks Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Phagocytosis Through Inhibition of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation

In the present study, we investigated the mechanism by which sphingosine and its analogues, dihydrosphingosine and phytosphingosine, inhibit polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized erythrocytes (EIgG) and inhibit ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation. We used antibodies that recognized the phosphorylated forms of ERK1 (p44) and ERK2 (p42) (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2). Sphingoid bases inhibited ERK1 and ERK2 activation and phagocytosis of EIgG in a concentration-dependent manner. Incubation with glycine, N,N′-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-2,1-phenylene)]bis[N-[2-[(acetyloxy)methoxy]-2-oxoethyl]]-bis[(acetyloxy)methyl]ester (BAPTA,AM), an intracellular chelator of calcium, failed to block either phagocytosis or ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation, consistent with the absence of a role for a calcium-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) in ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylations. Western blotting demonstrated that sphingosine inhibited the translocation of Raf-1 and PKCδ from PMN cytosol to the plasma membrane during phagocytosis. These data are consistent with the interpretation that sphingosine regulates ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation through inhibition of PKCδ, and this in turn leads to inhibition of Raf-1 translocation to the plasma membrane. Consistent with this interpretation, the sphingosine-mediated inhibition of phagocytosis, ERK2 activation, and PKCδ translocation to the plasma membrane could be abrogated with a cell-permeable diacylglycerol analog. The increase in the diacylglycerol mass correlated with the translocation of PKCδ and Raf-1 to the plasma membrane by 3 minutes after the initiation of phagocytosis. Additionally, the diacylglycerol analog enhanced phagocytosis by initiating activation of PKCδ and its translocation to the plasma membrane. Because PMN generate sufficient levels of sphingosine by 30 minutes during phagocytosis of EIgG to inhibit phagocytosis, it appears that sphingosine can serve as an endogenous regulator of EIgG-mediated phagocytosis by downregulating ERK activation.

Sphingosine Blocks Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Phagocytosis Through Inhibition of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation

In the present study, we investigated the mechanism by which sphingosine and its analogues, dihydrosphingosine and phytosphingosine, inhibit polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized erythrocytes (EIgG) and inhibit ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation. We used antibodies that recognized the phosphorylated forms of ERK1 (p44) and ERK2 (p42) (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2). Sphingoid bases inhibited ERK1 and ERK2 activation and phagocytosis of EIgG in a concentration-dependent manner. Incubation with glycine, N,N′-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-2,1-phenylene)]bis[N-[2-[(acetyloxy)methoxy]-2-oxoethyl]]-bis[(acetyloxy)methyl]ester (BAPTA,AM), an intracellular chelator of calcium, failed to block either phagocytosis or ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation, consistent with the absence of a role for a calcium-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) in ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylations. Western blotting demonstrated that sphingosine inhibited the translocation of Raf-1 and PKCδ from PMN cytosol to the plasma membrane during phagocytosis. These data are consistent with the interpretation that sphingosine regulates ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation through inhibition of PKCδ, and this in turn leads to inhibition of Raf-1 translocation to the plasma membrane. Consistent with this interpretation, the sphingosine-mediated inhibition of phagocytosis, ERK2 activation, and PKCδ translocation to the plasma membrane could be abrogated with a cell-permeable diacylglycerol analog. The increase in the diacylglycerol mass correlated with the translocation of PKCδ and Raf-1 to the plasma membrane by 3 minutes after the initiation of phagocytosis. Additionally, the diacylglycerol analog enhanced phagocytosis by initiating activation of PKCδ and its translocation to the plasma membrane. Because PMN generate sufficient levels of sphingosine by 30 minutes during phagocytosis of EIgG to inhibit phagocytosis, it appears that sphingosine can serve as an endogenous regulator of EIgG-mediated phagocytosis by downregulating ERK activation.

Products of Sphingolipid Catabolism Block Activation of the p21-Activated Protein Kinases in Neutrophils

Neutrophils stimulated with the chemoatttractant FMLP are known to exhibit a rapid and transient activation of two p21-activated protein kinases (Paks) with molecular masses of approximately 63 and 69 kDa. Paks can be detected by their ability to undergo renaturation and catalyze the phosphorylation of a peptide substrate that corresponds to amino acid residues 297 to 331 of the 47-kDa subunit of the nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase complex (p47-phox) fixed within a gel. In this study, we demonstrate that N-acetylsphingosine (C2-ceramide) and a variety of sphingoid bases (e.g., d-erythrosphingosine) block activation of the 63- and 69-kDa Paks in neutrophils. The concentrations of these lipids that were effective in blocking Pak activation were similar to those that inhibit a variety of neutrophil responses. Activation of the 63- and 69-kDa Paks was also markedly reduced in neutrophils treated with sphingomyelinase before stimulation. Moreover, we report that addition of C2-ceramide or d-erythrosphingosine to neutrophils after stimulation with FMLP markedly enhances the rate of Pak inactivation. These effects were not mimicked by arachidonate, which is a potent disorganizing agent of neutrophil membranes. These data support and extend the proposal that sphingoid bases may establish a set point in neutrophils for positive stimuli.

Cloning and characterization of two human isozymes of Mg2+-independent phosphatidic acid phosphatase

We obtained two human cDNA clones encoding phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP) isozymes named PAP-2a (Mr = 32,158) and -2b (Mr = 35, 119), both of which contained six putative transmembrane domains. Both enzymes were glycosylated and cleaved by N-glycanase and endo-beta-galactosidase, thus suggesting their post-Golgi localization. PAP-2a and -2b shared 47% identical sequence and were judged to be the human counterparts of the previously sequenced mouse 35-kDa PAP(83% identity) and rat Dri42 protein (94% identity), respectively. Furthermore, the sequences of both PAPs were 34-39% identical to that of Drosophila Wunen protein. In view of the functions ascribed to Wunen and Dri42 in germ cell migration and epithelial differentiation, respectively, these findings unexpectedly suggest critical roles of PAP isoforms in cell growth and differentiation. Although the two PAPs hydrolyzed lysophosphatidate and ceramide-1-phosphate in addition to phosphatidate, the hydrolysis of sphingosine-1-phosphate was detected only for PAP-2b. PAP-2b was expressed almost ubiquitously in all human tissues examined, whereas the expression of PAP-2a was relatively variable, being extremely low in the placenta and thymus. In HeLa cells, the transcription of PAP-2a was not affected by different stimuli, whereas PAP-2b was induced (up to 3-fold) by epidermal growth factor. These findings indicate that despite structural similarities, the two PAP isozymes may play distinct functions through their different patterns of substrate utilization and transcriptional regulation.

Phosphatidic acid phosphatase from mammalian tissues: discovery of channel-like proteins with unexpected functions

Phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP) has long been known as a key enzyme involved in both glycerolipid biosynthesis and cellular signal transduction. The cDNA cloning of a plasma membrane-bound type 2 PAP has revealed the existence of a novel glycoprotein with six transmembrane domains. The type 2 PAP now represents an enzyme family consisting of Drosophila Wunen and rat Dri 42, which participate in germ cell migration and epithelial differentiation, respectively. Such novel functions of the type 2 PAP suggest the unexpected importance of lipids and/or their metabolic enzymes.

Ceramide Inhibits IgG-Dependent Phagocytosis in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Ceramide is a product of agonist-induced sphingolipid metabolism in several cell types, including polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). In adherent PMNs, the kinetics of ceramide production correspond with the termination of fMLP-stimulated H2O2 release. Furthermore, short chain ceramides inhibit fMLP-mediated H2O2 release in adherent PMNs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of short chain ceramides and sphingoid bases on phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized erythrocytes (EIgG) by suspended PMNs activated with fMLP. N-Acetylsphingosine, N-acetylphytosphingosine, phytosphingosine, sphingosine, and dihydrosphingosine, but not N-acetyldihydrosphingosine, inhibited phagocytosis of EIgG. In contrast, these same lipids did not inhibit fMLP-mediated chemotaxis. Endogenous ceramide levels increased within the first few minutes of phagocytosis, with a significant (P < .05) accumulation by 30 minutes, the time by which phagocytosis was terminated. Neutral sphingomyelinase activity paralleled the increase in ceramide, consistent with the generation of ceramide by the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin. The N-acetyl-conjugated sphingols (C2 ceramides) blocked phosphatidylethanol formation indicating that phospholipase D (PLD) is an intracellular target of ceramide action. These data suggest that ceramides, generated through activation of the sphingomyelin cycle, act as negative regulators of FcγR-mediated phagocytosis.

Changing J774A.1 cells to new medium perturbs multiple signaling pathways, including the modulation of protein kinase C by endogenous sphingoid bases

Sphingosine, sphinganine, and other long-chain (sphingoid) bases are highly bioactive intermediates of sphingolipid metabolism that have diverse effects when added to cells, including the inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) as evaluated by both enzymatic activity and [3H]phorbol dibutyrate ([3H]PDBu) binding. Nonetheless, changes in endogenous sphingoid bases have not been proven to affect PKC or other signal transduction pathways. We have discovered recently that changing J774A.1 cells to new medium results in up to 10-fold increases in sphingoid bases (Smith, E. R., and Merrill, A. H., Jr. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 18749-18758); therefore, this system was used to elevate sphingosine and sphinganine and determine if PKC was affected. Incubation of J774A.1 cells in new medium for 30 min increased the levels of these endogenous sphingoid bases to approximately 0.5 nmol/mg of protein and decreased [3H]PDBu binding by 40-60%. Addition of NH4Cl, which suppresses the change in sphingosine, restored [3H]PDBu binding. Elevation of endogenous sphinganine by a second method (addition of fumonisin B1, an inhibitor of ceramide synthase) also reduced [3H]PDBu binding; therefore, elevations in sphingosine and sphinganine can both affect PKC. The elevation in sphingoid bases was also associated with an increase in the amount of PKC-delta (the major PKC isozyme in J774A. 1 cells) in the cytosol, as determined by activity assays and immunoblot analyses. Changing the culture medium affected other PKC isozymes, increased cellular levels of diacylglycerol, dihydroceramide, and ceramide, and altered the expression of two genes (the expression of JE was increased, and the induction of MnSOD by TNF-alpha was potentiated). Thus, changing the culture medium has numerous effects on J774A.1 cells, including the modulation of PKC by endogenous sphingoid bases.

Inhibition by HAJ11 of respiratory burst in neutrophils and the involvement of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and phospholipase D activation

1. The possible mechanisms of the inhibitory effect of ethyl 2-(3-hydroxyanilino)-4-oxo-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carboxylate (HAJ11) on the respiratory burst of rat neutrophils in vitro was investigated. 2. HAJ11 caused a reversible and a concentration-dependent inhibition of formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP)-induced superoxide anion (O2.-) generation (IC50 4.9 +/- 0.7 microM) and O2 consumption (IC50 4.9 +/- 1.5 microM). Concanavalin A (Con A)- and NaF-induced O2.- generation were also suppressed by HAJ11. However, HAL11 was a weak inhibitor of the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced responses. 3. HAJ11 did not scavenge the /2.- generation in the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system and dihydroxyfumaric acid (DHF) autoxidation. 4. HAJ11 showed no activity on fMLP-induced inositol phosphates formation and [Ca2+]i elevation in intact neutrophils. In addition, HAJ11 had no effect on neutrophil cytosolic phospholipase C (PLC) activity. 5. HAJ11 reduced fMLP-induced phosphatidic acid (PA) (IC50 29.1 +/- 6.5 microM) and phosphatidylethanol (PE+) (IC50 22.6 +/- 1.9 microM) formation in a concentration-dependent manner. HAJ11 also reduced protein tyrosine phosphorylation in neutrophils stimulated by fMLP. 6. HAJ11 was a weak inhibitor of neutrophil cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) activity, and had a negligible effect on brain PKC. Cellular cyclic nucleotides levels were not altered by HAJ11. In addition, HAJ11 did not affect protein kinase A (PKA) activity. 7. HAJ11 had not effect on the O2.- generation of PMA-activated and arachidonic acid (AA)-activated NADPH oxidase preparations. 8. Taken together these results indicate that the inhibition of respiratory burst by HAJ11 probably mainly occurs through inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and phospholipase D (PLD) activity.

Picomole scale stereochemical analysis of sphingosines and dihydrosphingosines

We have developed a simple picomole (low nanogram) scale HPLC scheme which can separate all eight isomers of sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine thus leading to the identification of their relative and absolute configurations. The amino group of the sample is derivatized to its fluorescent N-naphthimide which is analyzed by normal and chiral phase HPLC, coupled with fluorescence peak detection. If necessary, the results of this HPLC method can be further corroborated by measurements of circular dichroic (CD) spectra of the N-naphthimido-derivatives and/or N,O-chromophoric derivatives.

Sphingoid bases and phospholipase D activation

There is increased interest in physiological functions and mechanisms of action of sphingolipids metabolites, ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP), members of a new class of lipid second messengers. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the role of these sphingolipids metabolites in the actions of growth factors and focuses on the second messenger roles of sphingosine and its metabolite, SPP, in the regulation of cell growth. We also discuss possible interactions with intermediates of the well known glycerophospholipid cycle. Sphingosine and SPP generally provide positive mitogenic signals whereas ceramide has been reported to induce apoptosis and cell arrest in several mammalian cell lines. Stimulation of phospholipase D leading to an increase in phosphatidic acid, a positive regulator of cell growth, by sphingosine and SPP, and its inhibition by ceramide, might be related to their opposite effects on cell growth. This also indicates that sphingolipid turnover could regulate the diacylglycerol cycle. Cross-talk between sphingolipid turnover pathways and the diacylglycerol cycle increases complexity of signaling pathways leading to cellular proliferation and adds additional sites of regulation.

Phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and signal transduction

A Mg(2+)-independent and N-ethylmaleimide-insensitive phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP-2) has been identified in the plasma membrane of cells and it has been purified. The enzyme is a multi-functional phosphohydrolase that can dephosphorylate phosphatidate, lysophosphatidate, sphingosine 1-phosphate and ceramide 1-phosphate and these substrates are competitive inhibitors of the reaction. The action of PAP-2 could terminate signalling by these bioactive lipids and at the same time generates compounds such as diacylglycerol, sphingosine and ceramide which are also potent signalling molecules. In relation to phosphatidate metabolism, sphingosine (or sphingosine 1-phosphate) stimulates phospholipase D and thus the formation of phosphatidate. At the same time sphingosine inhibits PAP-2 activity thus further increasing phosphatidate concentrations. By contrast, ceramides inhibit the activation of phospholipase D by a wide variety of agonists and increase the dephosphorylation of phosphatidate, lysophosphatidate, sphingosine 1-phosphate and ceramide 1-phosphate. These actions demonstrate "cross-talk' between the glycerolipid and sphingolipid signalling pathways and the involvement of PAP-2 in modifying the balance of the bioactive lipids generated by these pathways during cell activation.

Ca2+ mobilizing action of sphingosine in Jurkat human leukemia T cells. Evidence that sphingosine releases Ca2+ from inositol trisphosphate- and phosphatidic acid-sensitive intracellular stores through a mechanism independent of inositol trisphosphate

Effects of sphingosine on Ca2+ mobilization in the human Jurkat T cell line were examined. Sphingosine increased the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a dose-dependent manner with an ED50 of around 8 microM. Sphingosine and OKT3, a CD3 monoclonal antibody, transiently increased [Ca2+]i, which declined to the resting level in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Under the same conditions, pretreatment with sphingosine inhibited but did not abolish an increase in [Ca2+]i induced by the subsequent addition of OKT3 and vice versa. However, pretreatment with sphingosine did not affect an increase in [Ca2+]i induced by OKT3 in the presence of Ca2+. OKT3 increased IP3 formation, but sphingosine did not affect the level of IP3 by itself nor did it cause IP3 formation induced by OKT3. In permeabilized Jurkat cells, the addition of IP3 released Ca2+ from nonmitochondrial intracellular stores, but the addition of sphingosine did not. Sphingosine, stearylamine, and psychosine increased [Ca2+]i and diacylglycerol (DG) kinase activation; however, ceramide did not, whereas sphingosine 1-phosphate slightly activated DG kinase without elevation of [Ca2+]i. Pretreatment with R59022, a DG kinase inhibitor, abolished the peak but did not affect the sustained response to [Ca2+]i to sphingosine. Phosphatidic acid (PA) elevated [Ca2+]i, after which it declined to a resting level even in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. In accordance with this, PA did not stimulate 45Ca2+ uptake into cells, but sphingosine and OKT3 did. Pretreatment with PA partially inhibited a rise in [Ca2+]i induced by the subsequent addition of sphingosine and vice versa in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Under similar conditions, pretreatment with PA affected an elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by OKT3 less, after which the subsequent addition of sphingosine did not increase [Ca2+]i. In permeabilized Jurkat cells, the addition of IP3 did not release Ca2+, but PA did in the presence of heparin. Pretreatment with thapsigargin, a microsomal Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, abolished the rises of [Ca2+]i induced by the subsequent addition of sphingosine, OKT3, and PA in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The present results suggest that at least two kinds of intracellular Ca2+ stores exist in Jurkat cells, both of which are IP3- and PA-sensitive, and that sphingosine mobilizes Ca2+ from both stores in an IP3-independent manner. Furthermore, the IP3- but not the PA-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store seems to regulate Ca2+ entry induced by sphingosine.

2H-NMR study of two probe-labelled glycosphingolipid-derived signalling modulators in bilayer membranes

We describe here the first report of sphingoid bases bearing non-perturbing 2H probe nuclei. These were produced, by two different routes of partial synthesis, to permit direct assessment of their arrangement and behaviour as minor components in membrane systems. Wideline 2H-NMR spectra of N,N-dimethylsphingosine with deuterated amino-methyl groups ([2H6]dimethylsphingosine), and of lyso-dihydrogalactosylceramide (lyso-GalCer) with deuterium nuclei at C4,C5 of the sphingosine backbone and at C3,C4 of the galactose ring ([2H4]lyso-GalCer), were recorded in unsonicated, cholesterol-containing fluid bilayer membranes. The sphingolipid metabolites behaved as single populations of lipid amphiphiles dispersed uniformly in the membrane and undergoing rapid symmetric motion about their long molecular axes. This was the case throughout the pH ranges examined, which included values generally considered for the cell cytoplasm. Spectra of [2H6]dimethyl sphingosine indicated that the methyl groups are equivalent on the NMR timescale, and that the molecule's orientation and behaviour are largely unaffected by pH over the range, 6 to 10.5. There was no spectral evidence of deprotonation of the tertiary amine function in this range. Similarly, variation of pH between 6.4 and 8.9 had virtually no effect on the average conformation and orientational order of lyso-GalCer at the level of C4,C5 in the sphingosine backbone. pH did, however, exert significant control over the orientation of the galactose residue--the effect being most marked in the region of the sphingoid base pKa. The lyso-glycolipid showed some evidence of being less motionally ordered than the corresponding parent species, presumably as a result of removal of constraints imposed by the fatty acid.

Interaction of ceramides, sphingosine, and sphingosine 1-phosphate in regulating DNA synthesis and phospholipase D activity

C2- and C6-ceramides (N-acetylsphingosine and N-hexanoylsphingosine, respectively) abolished the stimulation of DNA synthesis by sphingosine 1-phosphate in rat fibroblasts. This inhibition by ceramide was partially prevented by insulin. C2-ceramide did not alter the stimulation of DNA synthesis by insulin and decreased the sphingosine-induced stimulation by only 16%. The ceramides did not significantly modify the actions of sphingosine or sphingosine 1-phosphate in decreasing cAMP concentrations. C2- and C6-ceramides blocked the activation of phospholipase D by sphingosine 1-phosphate, and this inhibition was not affected by insulin. Okadaic acid decreased the activation of phospholipase D by sphingosine 1-phosphate and did not reverse the inhibitory effect of C2-ceramide on this activation. Therefore, this effect of C2-ceramide is unlikely to involve the stimulation of phosphoprotein phosphatase activity. Sphingosine did not activate phospholipase D activity significantly after 10 min. C2-ceramide stimulated the conversion of exogenous [3H]sphingosine 1-phosphate to sphingosine and ceramide in fibroblasts. Ceramides can inhibit some effects of sphingosine 1-phosphate by stimulating its degradation via a phosphohydrolase that also hydrolyzes phosphatidate. Furthermore, C2- and C6-ceramides stimulated ceramide production from endogenous lipids, and this could propagate the intracellular signal. This work demonstrates that controlling the production of ceramide versus sphingosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate after sphingomyelinase activation could have profound effects on signal transduction.

Both activators and inhibitors of protein kinase C promote the inhibition of phenylephrine-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in single intact rat hepatocytes

In single isolated rat hepatocytes Ca(2+)-mobilising hormones induce oscillations in cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in which the frequency of spiking depends on agonist dose, but the time course of individual spikes depends on the hormone species, rather than agonist concentration. We have previously presented data using sphingosine and staurosporine as evidence of a negative feedback role for protein kinase C (PKC) in the elongation of the falling phase of [Ca2+]i spikes. We show here that the principal effect of three specific PKC inhibitors, namely the bis-indolylmaleimide GF 109203X, the tetracyclic aromatic alkaloid chelerythrine, and a myristoylated PKC pseudosubstrate peptide, that act at different sites on the PKC molecule, is a reduction in, or a complete suppression of, the phenylephrine-induced [Ca2+]i oscillation frequency. These results resemble the effects of activators of PKC and modulators of diacylglycerol (DAG) metabolism. Furthermore, following phorbol ester-induced inhibition of the hepatocyte [Ca2+]i oscillator, the addition of all three of these PKC inhibitors further reduces the [Ca2+]i oscillation frequency, with high concentrations of chelerythrine being the only agent that overcomes this inhibition by phorbol ester. These paradoxical results point to the need for caution in interpreting the effects of protocols involving PKC activators and inhibitors in assessing the feedback control from PKC on cellular [Ca2+]i oscillations.

Differential roles of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis and turnover in the "burst" of free sphingosine and sphinganine, and their 1-phosphates and N-acyl-derivatives, that occurs upon changing the medium of cells in culture

Long-chain (sphingoid) bases are highly bioactive intermediates for sphingolipid metabolism, yet relatively little is known about how the amounts of these compounds are regulated. This study used J774A.1 cells to characterize the "burst" of sphinganine and sphingosine, or the transient increase of up to 10-fold in long-chain base mass, that occurs when cells in culture are changed to fresh medium. The increase in sphinganine was attributable to de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis because: 1) there is increased incorporation of [3H]serine and [3H]palmitate into sphinganine; 2) the incorporation of [3H]serine was equivalent to the increase in sphinganine mass; 3) beta-F-alanine, an inhibitor of serine palmitoyltransferase, blocked the sphinganine burst; 4) the magnitude of the burst depended on the concentration of serine in the medium, which is known to affect long-chain base biosynthesis; and 5) the appearance of sphinganine was relatively unaffected by lyso-osmotrophic agents (NH4Cl and chloroquine) that blocked sphingolipid hydrolysis in these cells. In contrast, the sphingosine burst arose mainly from turnover of complex sphingolipids because no incorporation of [3H]serine or [3H]palmitate into sphingosine was detected; sphingosine mass was not affected by beta-F-alanine or the serine concentration; and, the burst could be followed by the release of sphingosine and ceramide from complex sphingolipids (especially sphingomyelin) in a process that was inhibited by NH4Cl and chloroquine. Additionally, the fate of these long-chain bases differed: sphinganine was mostly (80-85%) acylated and incorporated into dihydroceramide and complex sphingolipids, whereas most of the sphingosine (70%) was phosphorylated and degraded, with incorporation of the resulting ethanolamine phosphate into phosphatidylethanolamine. Sphinganine, however, could be diverted toward degradation by adding an inhibitor of N-acylation (fumonisin B1). In accounting for the elevation in sphingosine and sphinganine after cells are changed to new medium, these studies have provided fundamental information about long-chain base metabolism. The existence of differential changes in sphinganine and sphingosine, as well as their 1-phosphates and N-acyl-derivatives, should be considered when evaluating the roles of sphingolipid metabolites in cell regulation.

Effect of sphingosine and stearylamine on the interaction of phosphatidylserine with calcium. A study using DSC, FT-IR and 45Ca(2+)-binding

The lamellar gel to lamellar liquid-crystalline phase transition of dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine (DPPS) multilamellar membranes is abolished by the presence of Ca2+ at DPPS/Ca2+ molar ratios of 2:1 or lower. However, when equimolar sphingosine (SPH) or stearylamine (SA), which are positively charged at the pH studied in this work, were included in DPPS vesicles, the phase transition of DPPS was still observed by differential scanning calorimetry, even in the presence of very high Ca2+ concentrations such as a DPPS/Ca2+ molar ratio of 1:10. According to that, delta H was similar for samples formed by equimolar DPPS and SPH and SA, either in the presence or in the absence of Ca2+, whereas no phase transition was observed for the pure phospholipid in the presence of Ca2+ at molar ratios lower than DPPS/Ca2+ 2:1. 45Ca(2+)-binding experiments showed that for DPPS/SPH or DPPS/SA molar ratios of 2:1, only half of the Ca2+ was bound to DPPS with respect to pure DPPS, i.e., in the absence of SPH or SA. At concentrations of SPH or SA equimolar with DPPS, the Ca2+ binding was nearly abolished. The effect of SPH and SA on the the apparent pKapp of the carboxyl group of DPPS was also studied in the presence and in the absence of Ca2+ by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The dehydration of the phosphate group of DPPS induced by the binding of Ca2+ was followed through the observation of the PO2- antisymmetric stretching, and the percentage of dehydrated PO2- groups quantitatively assayed. It was again confirmed that, in the presence of equimolar concentrations of SPH or SA, Ca2+, at concentrations which are saturating for pure DPPS, was not bound at all to DPPS. It was also found that the pKapp was considerably shifted to lower values in the presence of the amino bases, decreasing from 4.6 in pure DPPS to 2.1 and 2.2 for the equimolar mixtures of DPPS with SPH and SA, respectively. These results show that SPH and SA, being positively charged molecules anchored in the membrane, are able of preventing the binding of positively charged ions such as Ca2+ through an electrostatic charge neutralization.

Regulation of lipid biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by fumonisin B1

The regulation of lipid biosynthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by fumonisin B1 was examined. Fumonisin B1 inhibited the growth of yeast cells. Cells supplemented with fumonisin B1 accumulated free sphinganine and phytosphingosine in a dose-dependent manner. The cellular concentration of ceramide was reduced in fumonisin B1-supplemented cells. Ceramide synthase activity was found in yeast cell membranes and was inhibited by fumonisin B1. Fumonisin B1 inhibited the synthesis of the inositol-containing sphingolipids inositol phosphorylceramide, mannosylinositol phosphorylceramide, and mannosyldiinositol phosphorylceramide. Fumonisin B1 also caused a decrease in the synthesis of the major phospholipids synthesized via the CDP-diacylglycerol-dependent pathway and the synthesis of neutral lipids. The effects of fumonisin B1 and sphingoid bases on the activities of enzymes in the pathways leading to the synthesis of sphingolipids, phospholipids, and neutral lipids were also examined. Other than ceramide synthase, fumonisin B1 did not affect the activities of any of the enzymes examined. However, sphinganine and phytosphingosine inhibited the activities of inositol phosphorylceramide synthase, phosphatidylserine synthase, and phosphatidate phosphatase. These are key enzymes responsible for the synthesis of lipids in yeast. The data reported here indicated that the biosynthesis of sphingolipids, phospholipids and neutral lipids was coordinately regulated by fumonisin B1 through the regulation of lipid biosynthetic enzymes by sphingoid bases.

Angiotensin II induces phosphatidic acid formation in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts: evaluation of the roles of phospholipases C and D

Phosphatidic acid has been proposed to contribute to the mitogenic actions of various growth factors. In 32P-labeled neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts, 100 nM [Sar1]angiotensin II was shown to rapidly induce formation of 32P-phosphatidic acid. Levels peaked at 5 min (1.5-fold above control), but were partially sustained over 2 h. Phospholipase D contributed in part to phosphatidic acid formation, as 32P- or 3H-phosphatidylethanol was produced when cells labeled with [32P]H3PO4 or 1-O-[1,2- 3H]hexadecyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine were stimulated in the presence of 1% ethanol. [Sar1]angiotensin II-induced phospholipase D activity was transient and mainly mediated through protein kinase C (PKC), since PKC downregulation reduced phosphatidylethanol formation by 68%. Residual activity may have been due to increased intracellular Ca2+, as ionomycin also activated phospholipase D in PKC-depleted cells. Phospholipase D did not fully account for [Sar1]angiotensin II-induced phosphatidic acid: 1) compared to PMA, a potent activator of phospholipase D, [Sar1]angiotensin II produced more phosphatidic acid relative to phosphatidylethanol, and 2) PKC downregulation did not affect [Sar1]angiotensin II-induced phosphatidic acid formation. The diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59949 depressed [Sar1]angiotensin II-induced phosphatidic acid formation by only 21%, indicating that activation of a phospholipase C and diacylglycerol kinase also can not account for the bulk of phosphatidic acid. Thus, additional pathways not involving phospholipases C and D, such as de novo synthesis, may contribute to [Sar1]angiotensin II-induced phosphatidic acid in these cells. Finally, as previously shown for [Sar1]angiotensin II, phosphatidic acid stimulated mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A phase behavior study of mixtures of sphingosine with zwitterionic phospholipids

The interactions of sphingosine (SPH) with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dielaidoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DEPE) have been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR). Experiments were carried out with the fully protonated form of SPH, at pH 6.0. DSC studies showed that the main Tc transition temperature of DPPC was perturbed by the presence of SPH so that Tc of the mixture was higher than those of pure components at concentrations of SPH up to 50 mol%, with an azeotropic point at 30 mol% of SPH. At higher concentrations solid phase separations were observed from 70 to 95 mol% of SPH with an eutectic point at 90 mol% of SPH. 31P-NMR showed lamellar phases in DPPC/SPH mixtures, at all the range of concentrations. The behavior of DEPE/SPH mixtures was somewhat different since no azeotropic point was detected, the gel to liquid-crystalline transition being depressed by the presence of SPH, and an eutectic point was detected at 60 mol%. Solid phase immiscibilities were present between 50 mol% and 85 mol% of SPH. It is also remarkable that the liquid-crystalline to hexagonal HII phase transition of DEPE was only slightly shifted to lower temperatures at concentrations of SPH lower than 33 mol% of SPH but, this transition disappeared at concentrations of SPH higher than 33 mol% of SPH, so that isotropic phases were formed instead, as seen through 31P-NMR. The present results show the importance of taking into account the effects appearing in mixtures of SPH with zwitterionic phospholipids when considering their influence on the organization of biomembranes.

Agents that increase phosphatidic acid inhibit the LH-induced testosterone production

The results of the present study point to phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) as a possible intracellular messenger, which might be involved in local modulation of testicular testosterone production in vivo. Propranolol (27-266 microM) induced an increased level of [3H]PtdOH in isolated rat Leydig cells, prelabeled with [3H]myristate, and at the same time a strong dose-dependent inhibition of the acute testosterone production stimulated by luteinizing hormone (LH). The inhibition was not bypassed by the addition of dibutyryl-cAMP but was overcome, when 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol was added as a direct substrate for cytochrome P-450 side chain cleavage enzyme. Thus, the inhibition appears to be exerted at a point distal to cAMP-generation but before the first enzyme in the testosterone synthetic pathway. Treatment with other agents (4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), A23187, and sphingosine) giving rise to increases in the PtdOH-level resulted in the inhibition of the LH-induced testosterone formation as well, thus indicating a connection between the two effects. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate a highly significant correlation between the PtdOH-increase and the inhibition of the LH-stimulated testosterone production. This may suggest a causal relationship between these two parameters.