Lipid class and fatty acid composition of rat liver plasma membranes isolated by zonal centrifugation

Lipid Modulation of a Class B GPCR: Elucidating the Modulatory Role of PI(4,5)P2 Lipids

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂) lipids have been shown to stabilize an active conformation of class A G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) through a conserved binding site, not present in class B GPCRs. For class B GPCRs, previous molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies have shown PI(4,5)P₂ interacting with the Glucagon receptor (GCGR), which constitutes an important target for diabetes and obesity therapeutics. In this work, we applied MD simulations supported by native mass spectrometry (nMS) to study lipid interactions with GCGR. We demonstrate how tail composition plays a role in modulating the binding of PI(4,5)P₂ lipids to GCGR. Specifically, we find the PI(4,5)P₂ lipids to have a higher affinity toward the inactive conformation of GCGR. Interestingly, we find that in contrast to class A GPCRs, PI(4,5)P₂ appear to stabilize the inactive conformation of GCGR through a binding site conserved across class B GPCRs but absent in class A GPCRs. This suggests differences in the regulatory function of PI(4,5)P₂ between class A and class B GPCRs.

Components and Mechanisms of Nuclear Mechanotransduction

The cell nucleus is best known as the container of the genome. Its envelope provides a barrier for passive macromolecule diffusion, which enhances the control of gene expression. As its largest and stiffest organelle, the nucleus also defines the minimal space requirements of a cell. Internal or external pressures that deform a cell to its physical limits cause a corresponding nuclear deformation. Evidence is consolidating that the nucleus, in addition to its genetic functions, serves as a physical sensing device for critical cell body deformation. Nuclear mechanotransduction allows cells to adapt their acute behaviors, mechanical stability, paracrine signaling, and fate to their physical surroundings. This review summarizes the basic chemical and mechanical properties of nuclear components, and how these properties are thought to be utilized for mechanosensing. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Changes in membrane organization upon spontaneous insertion of 2-hydroxylated unsaturated fatty acids in the lipid bilayer

Recent research regarding 2-hydroxylated fatty acids (2OHFAs) showed clear evidence of their benefits in the treatment of cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Monolayer compressibility isotherms and isothermal titration calorimetry of 2OHFA (C18-C22) in phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine/sphingomyelin/cholesterol (1:1:1:1 mole ratio), a mixture that mimics the composition of mammalian plasma membrane, were performed to assess the membrane binding capacity of 2OHFAs and their natural, nonhydroxylated counterparts. The results show that 2OHFAs are surface-active substances that bind membranes through exothermic, spontaneous processes. The main effects of 2OHFAs are a decrease in lipid order, with a looser packing of the acyl chains, and a decreased dipole potential, regardless of the 2OHFAs' relative affinity for the lipid bilayer. The strongest effects are usually observed for 2-hydroxyarachidonic (C20:4) acid, and the weakest one, for 2-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (C22:6). In addition, 2OHFAs cause increased hydration, except in gel-phase membranes, which can be explained by the 2OHFA preference for membrane defects. Concerning the membrane dipole potential, the magnitude of the reduction induced by 2OHFAs was particularly marked in the liquid-ordered (lo) phase (cholesterol/sphingomyelin-rich) membranes, those where order reduction was the smallest, suggesting a disruption of cholesterol-sphingolipid interactions that are responsible for the large dipole potential in those membranes. Moreover, 2OHFA effects were larger than for both lo and ld phases separately in model membranes with liquid disordered (ld)/lo coexistence when both phases were present in significant amounts, possibly because of the facilitating effect of ld/lo domain interfaces. The specific and marked changes induced by 2OHFAs in several membrane properties suggest that the initial interaction with the membrane and subsequent reorganization might constitute an important step in their mechanisms of action.

The effect of hydroxylated fatty acid-containing phospholipids in the remodeling of lipid membranes

The synthetic fatty acid 2-hydroxyoleic acid (2OHOA) is an antitumor drug that regulates membrane lipid composition and structure. An important effect of this drug is the restoration of sphingomyelin (SM) levels in cancer cell membranes, where the SM concentration is lower than in non-tumor cells. It is well known that free fatty acid concentration in cell membranes is lower than 5%, and that fatty acid excess is rapidly incorporated into phospholipids. In a recent work, we have considered the effect of free 2OHOA in model membranes in liquid ordered (Lo) and liquid disordered (Ld) phases, by using all-atom molecular dynamics. This study concerns membranes that are modified upon incorporation of 2OHOA into different phospholipids. 2OHOA-containing phospholipids have a permanent effect on lipid membranes, making a Ld membrane surface more compact and less hydrated, whereas the opposite effect is observed in Lo domains. Moreover, the hydroxyl group of fatty acid chains increases the propensity of Ld model membranes to form hexagonal or other non-lamellar structures. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Structure and Function: Relevance in the Cell's Physiology, Pathology and Therapy.

Biochemical studies on sphingolipid of Artemia franciscana (I) isolation and characterization of sphingomyelin

Sphingomyelin was isolated from cysts of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana using QAE-Sephadex A25, Florisil and Iatrobeads column chromatographies. The chemical structure was identified using thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, infrared spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The ceramide moiety of sphingomyelin consisted of stearic, arachidic, and behenic acids as fatty acids, and hexadeca-4- and heptadeca-4-sphingenines as sphingoids. By comparative analysis, the ceramide component of Artemia sphingomyelin appears unique in invertebrates and vertebrates. Biological functions of sphingomyelin have largely been investigated using mammalian-derived sphingomyelin. In mammals, a wide variety of molecular species of sphingomyelins have been reported, especially derived from nerve tissue, while the lower animal Artemia contains this unusual sphingomyelin perhaps because of having a much simpler nervous system. The purified unusual sphingomyelin derived from Artemia franciscana might be a very useful tool in elucidating the functions and mechanisms of action of this mediator.

Liver-specific increase of UTP and UDP-sugar concentrations in rats induced by dietary vitamin B6-deficiency and its relation to complex N-glycan structures of liver membrane-proteins

This is the first known report on the influence of vitamin B6-deficiency on the concentration of UDP-sugars and other uracil nucleotides in rats. Animals aged 3 weeks or 2 months were fed a vitamin B6-free diet for periods varying from 3 days to 7 weeks. Nucleotides were quantified by enzymatic-photometry and by SAX-high precision liquid chromatography. In 3 week-old rats, vitamin B6-deficiency resulted in an up to 6.3-fold increase in the concentrations of UTP, UDP, UMP and UDP-sugars and less of CTP in rat liver, while no changes were observed in older rats. In young rats, the concentration of uracil nucleotides started to increase after 1 week diet, with a maximum after 2 weeks. After 5 weeks, the concentrations returned to normal values. In heart, lungs, kidney and brain, concentrations were measured after 2 weeks diet in young rats. In contrast to liver, the heart muscle uracil nucleotide concentrations were decreased by 40%. In kidney, the sum of UTP, UDP and UMP showed a decrease of 40%, whereas UDP-sugars were increased 1.4-fold. In the lungs, nucleotide concentrations were mostly unaffected by vitamin B6-deficiency, despite a 70% increase of UDP-GA. In brain, UDP-Glc, UDP-Gal and the sum of CTP and CDP showed an increase of 30-50%. We became surprised that the increased UDP-sugar concentrations did not influence the structure of liver plasma membrane-N-glycans. Despite the 4 to 6-fold increase of UTP and UDP-sugars, no changes in the complexity or sialylation of these N-glycans could be detected. This study demonstrates that, especially in liver, pyridoxal phosphate is closely involved in the control of uracil nucleotides during a defined period of development. In contrast to in vitro experiments, in vivo N-glycan biosynthesis in liver is regulated by a more complex or higher mechanism than substrate concentrations.

Immunoelectron microscopic localization of cholesterol using biotinylated and non-cytolytic perfringolysin O

We used a proteolytically modified and biotinylated derivative of the cholesterol-binding Theta-toxin (perfringolysin O) to localize cholesterol-rich membranes in cryosections of cultured human lymphoblastoid cells (RN) by electron microscopy. We developed a fixation and immunolabeling procedure to improve the preservation of membranes and minimize the extraction and dislocalization of cholesterol on thin sections. We also labeled the surface of living cells and applied high-pressure freezing and subsequent fixation of cryosections during thawing. Cholesterol labeling was found at the plasma membrane, with strongest labeling on filopodium-like processes. Strong labeling was also associated with internal vesicles of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and similar vesicles at the cell surface after secretion (exosomes). Tubulovesicular elements in close vicinity of endosomes and the Golgi complex were often positive as well, but the surrounding membrane of MVBs and the Golgi cisternae appeared mostly negative. Treatment of cells with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin completely abolished the labeling for cholesterol. Our results show that the Theta-toxin derivative, when used in combination with improved fixation and high-pressure freezing, represents a useful tool for the localization of membrane cholesterol in ultrathin cryosections.

In vivo modulation of the acidic N-glycans from rat liver dipeptidyl peptidase IV by N-propanoyl-D-mannosamine

Derivatives of N-acyl-D-mannosamine differing in the N-acyl-side chain can be metabolically converted into neuraminic acids with corresponding N-acyl side chains. In the present study we show the in vivo modulation of sialic acids in membrane-bound dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD 26) from rat liver after administration of N-propanoyl-D-mannosamine. Treatment of rats with this unphysiological precursor resulted in an incorporation of N-propanoylneuraminic acid into N-linked glycans of dipeptidyl peptidase IV.

Transport, metabolism and distribution space of octanoate in the perfused rat liver

The scope of the present work was to investigate the metabolism and the passage of octanoate from albumin into the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane and from thence into the cell space. The experiments were done in the isolated perfused rat liver with infusions of albumin and octanoate at various concentrations. Once steady-state conditions were attained, trace amounts of [1-14C]-octanoate, [131 I]-albumin and [3H]-water were injected simultaneously and the effluent perfusate was fractionated. The normalized dilution curves were used for model analysis. The model which gives the best fit to the experimental results and which also produces the most consistent parameters is one that presupposes a rapid distribution of octanoate into the cell membrane and a slow transfer from the cell membrane into the cytosol. The concentration dependence of the distribution between the membrane and the extracellular space is parabolic, suggesting that octanoate changes the properties of the cell membrane when present at higher concentrations. The passage from the cell membrane into the cell space is relatively slow and limits metabolic transformation partly or totally, depending on the octanoate concentration in the plasma membrane. The rapid transfer of octanoate from the albumin space into the plasma membrane corroborates previous measurements of the dissociation of the albumin-octanoate complex.

Characterization of molecular aggregates of alpha 1 beta 1-integrin and other rat liver membrane proteins by combination of size-exclusion chromatography and chemical cross-linking

Many membrane proteins display their biological activity in molecular aggregates of interacting counterparts. The analysis of these aggregates remains difficult; especially intermolecular complexes of membrane proteins tend to dissociate or artificially aggregate during detergent extraction out of membranes. Thus, the existence of protein aggregates was investigated by two approaches. First, after modest detergent extraction, the presence of three well characterized rat liver membrane proteins, alpha 1 beta 1-integrin, dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DPP IV) and cell-CAM 105 (CAM = cell adhesion molecule), in aggregates could be demonstrated when investigated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) under non-denaturating conditions. However, the applied detergents partially influenced the resolution of the separation reducing the ability to discriminate between native and artificial protein aggregates. To circumvent these problems, a second approach based on covalent cross-linking of native protein complexes by dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) was combined with the performance of denaturating SEC. Under such optimized some high-molecular-mass complexes of all model proteins consisting of unknown components could also be detected. Taken together, non-denaturating SEC and chemical cross-linking in combination with denaturating SEC represent methodological approaches for the characterization of protein aggregates.

One-dimensional thin-layer chromatographic separation of phospholipids and lysophospholipids from tissue lipid extracts

A modified one-dimensional thin-layer chromatographic procedure is presented for the separation from tissues of five phospholipids (phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin) and three lysophospholipids (lysophosphatidylserine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylcholine). This is achieved by simple involvement of 0.4% ammonium sulphate in silica gel H and of acetone in a developing solvent as chloroform-methanol-acetic acid-acetone-water (40:25:7:4:2, v/v). The procedure is simple and the separation is reproducible. The weakness of this method is the partial degradation of phosphatidylethanolamine to lysophosphatidylethanolamine, but a method to prevent this degradation is also presented.

Hepatic membranolytic stability alteration by metalloporphins in rats

The mothers of experimental neonates were administered excess bilirubin for a month, and the neonates were suffering from hyperbilirubinemia. The studies were conducted on the effect of excess bilirubin and metalloporphyrins on plasma membrane and mitochondrial membrane. We have isolated, separated, and estimated phospholipids, and also assayed the activity of phospholipase A2 from whole liver and mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. Excess of bilirubin administration decreased the total phospholipid level and inhibited the phospholipase A2 activity. Cr-PP (chromium protoporphyrin) induces the phospholipase A2 activity which is inhibited by simultaneous bilirubin administration. However, Zn-PP (zinc protoporphyrin) and Mn-PP (manganese protoporphyrin) showed a reverse pattern.

Intracellular sterol trafficking

Sterols are acquired by cells either biosynthetically by the interaction of cytoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum elements, or by endocytosis. The subcellular distribution of sterols, however, argues that sterols are trafficked quickly from sites of acquisition to target membranes, particularly the plasma membrane. The mechanisms mediating this movement might include aqueous diffusion, vesicles of either a unique pathway or of the protein secretory pathway, or carrier proteins. These mechanisms are discussed and the limited data concerning each are presented. Finally, a theory is proposed which describes how sterols and other membrane reinforcing molecules might have driven the evolution of intracellular membranes, thus establishing the dynamic membrane system of modern eukaryotes.

Lipid composition of miniature pig platelets

1. Analyses of platelet lipid composition were carried out on material pooled from male and female miniature pigs. 2. The cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio was 0.6. 3. Phosphatidylcholine represents the major class of phospholipids (47%) and phosphatidylinositol the minor (2%). 4. The main fatty acids of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol and sphingomyelin were: palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and arachidonic acids. 5. The ratios of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids were: sphingomyelin, 1.7; phosphatidylcholine, 1.2; phosphatidylserine, 0.9; phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol, 0.6. 6. Our results suggests that human and miniature pig platelet lipids bear several characteristics in common. This fact would allow miniature pig to be used as a new experimental model.

Rapid purification of dipeptidyl peptidase IV from rat liver plasma membrane

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (EC 3.4.14.5) was solubilized from rat liver plasma membranes with sulphobetaine 14 and purified by successive affinity chromatography on Con A-Sepharose, wheat germ lectin-Sepharose and arginine-Sepharose columns. The specific activity of the final preparation was 49.4 mumol Gly-Pro p-nitroanilide/min per mg protein, representing a 1098-fold purification of the homogenate. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the arginine-Sepharose eluate showed a single protein band with a molecular weight of 105,000. The isoelectric point was determined to be 3.9 under non-denaturing conditions with sulphobetaine 14. The preparation was free of post-proline cleaving enzyme. The content of aminopeptidase M was 0.2% of the total protein.

Increased activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in serum of hepatoma-bearing rats coincides with the loss of the enzyme from the hepatoma plasma membrane

The specific activity of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV E.C. 3.4.14.-) in the plasma membrane of Morris hepatoma 9121 or hepatoma 7777 was 3.5% and 2.9%, respectively, of that in the plasma membrane of rat liver. The enzyme activity in the serum of hepatoma-bearing rats was 141% (hepatoma 91219) and 162% (hepatoma 7777) of the normal value. Cytochemical investigation showed that the DPP IV activity was almost completely absent from the hepatoma cell plasma membrane and was not sequestered within these cells. Indirect immunofluorescence staining with a polyclonal antibody directed against DPP IV indicated that the loss of activity was due to the absence of DPP IV molecules in the plasma membrane. The possibility that the enzyme is transferred from the membrane into the serum as a result of structural alterations is discussed.

The effect of copper deficiency on heart microsomal phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and concentration

The effect of dietary copper deficiency on phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic enzymes, phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, phosphatidyldimethyltransferase and choline phosphotransferase of heart microsomes was measured in rats. The data indicated that dietary copper deficiency can alter phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and concentration in microsomal membranes of the heart. There was a significant decrease in the specific activity of choline phosphotransferase. There was a significant decrease in the concentration of total phospholipid-P, phosphatidylcholine-P, phosphatidylethanolamine-P, phosphatidylinositol-P, sphingomyelin-P and cardiolipin-P in the microsomes of the copper deficient animals. There was a significant decrease in the concentration of copper in microsomes of heart and liver in the copper deficient animals.

Biochemical studies on cell fusion. I. Lipid composition of fusion-resistant cells

A series of stable cell mutants of mouse fibroblasts were previously isolated (Roos, D. S. and R. L. Davidson, 1980, Somatic Cell Genet., 6:381-390) that exhibit varying degrees of resistance to the fusion-inducing effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG), but are morphologically similar to the parental cells from which they were derived. Biochemical analysis of these mutant cell lines has revealed differences in whole cell lipid composition which are directly correlated with their susceptibility to fusion. Fusion-resistant cells contain elevated levels of neutral lipids, particularly triglycerides and an unusual ether-linked lipid, O-alkyl, diacylglycerol. This ether lipid is increased approximately 35-fold over parental cells in the most highly PEG-resistant cell line. Fusion-resistant cells also contain more highly saturated fatty acyl chains (ratio of saturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids [S/P ratio] approximately 4:1) than the parental line (S/P ratio approximately 1:1). Cells which are intermediate in their resistance to PEG have ether lipid and fatty acid composition which is intermediate between the parental cells and the most fusion-resistant mutants. In a related communication (Roos, D. S. and P. W. Choppin, 1985, J. Cell. Biol., 100:1591-1598) evidence is presented that alteration of lipid content can predictably control the fusion response of these cells.

Tumorigenicity of cell lines with altered lipid composition

A series of closely related mouse fibroblast cell lines that differ in their content of neutral ether-linked glycerolipid and fatty acids has been used to investigate the relationship between lipid composition and tumorigenicity. Although these cell lines, derived from the same parental culture, were selected without reference to transformation or tumorigenicity, their ability to form tumors in irradiated mice was found to be closely correlated with ether-lipid content. The cell line with the highest level of ether-lipid (designated F40) produces more tumors, the tumors appear more rapidly than when parental cells are injected, and the number of F40 cells required for tumor induction is less by a factor of approximately equal to 1000. F40 tumors are highly invasive, readily metastasize, and rarely regress, in contrast to the occasional benign tumors produced by the parental cell line. Cell lines that are intermediate in their lipid composition appear to be intermediate in tumorigenicity. This panel of graded cell lines provides a useful model system for both in vitro and in vivo studies on the acquisition of tumorigenicity and malignancy in cultured cells.

Effect of zinc deficiency on the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine in rat microsomes

Phosphatidylcholine is the major lipid of all cellular membranes. Phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in microsomes involves two enzyme pathways, choline phosphotransferase and phosphatidyl-ethanolamine methyltransferase. The present study was designed to examine the effect of zinc deficiency on these two enzymes. Male, weanling Long-Evans rats were fed a biotin-enriched 20% egg white diet deficient in zinc for 15-45 d. The specific activity (pmol phosphatidylcholine formed/min/mg microsomal protein) of choline phosphotransferase, phsophatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, and phos-phatidyldimethylethanolamine methyltransferase was determined. The latter assay measures the third methylation of phosphatidyl-ethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine. Zinc deficiency resulted in a significant increase over controls in the specific activity of phospha-tidylethanolamine methyltransferase and phosphatidyldimethyl-ethanolamine methyltransferase in liver and spleen microsomes. A significant increase in the picomoles of phosphatidylcholine formed by the choline phosphotransferase pathway occurred in liver microsomes of zinc-deficient animals. In the brain microsomes a significant decrease in specific activity of phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine methyltransferase, and choline phosphotransferase occurred among zinc-deficient ani-mals. These data suggest that zinc deficiency alters the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, the major lipid of cellular membranes.

The effect of hyper and hypothyroidism, hypophysectomy and adrenalectomy on phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, phosphatidyldimethyl-ethanolamine methyltransferase and choline phosphotransferase of rat liver microsomes

The effect of hyper- and hypothyroid, hypophysectomy and adrenalectomy on phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic enzymes, phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine methyltransferase and choline phosphotransferase of liver microsomes was measured in rats. There was a significant increase in the specific activity of phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase in the hyperthyroid rats. There was a significant reduction in the specific activity of phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase and phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine methyltransferase in the hypothyroid states. The choline phosphotransferase increased significantly in the hyperthyroid state and decreased in the hypothyroid animals. Hypophysectomy resulted in a significant increase in specific activity of choline phosphotransferase. A reduction in the specific activity of the phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase occurred after 28 days of hypophysectomy. Adrenalectomy resulted in a significant stimulation of the specific activity of phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase and choline phosphotransferase in liver microsomes.

The effect of embryological development on phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine methyltransferase and choline phosphotransferase of rabbit liver microsomes

The effect of embryological development on the two biosynthetic enzymes involved in phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in liver microsomes of -12, -9, 0, +4, +14, +36 day old rabbits has been determined. The specific activity (pmol phosphatidylcholine formed/min/mg microsomal protein) of the phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase in the liver microsomes is very low before birth and a 33% increase at birth occurs when compared to the -12 day old fetal livers. The pmol of phosphatidylcholine formed/min/mg protein by the choline phosphotransferase pathway in fetal liver microsomes is 5, 10, 73, 199, 107 and 307 times greater than by the phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase pathway for -12, -9, 0, +4, +14, +36 day old rabbits, respectively. The specific activities of the choline phosphotransferase in the liver microsomes increased from the -12 day old fetal livers to 1.6, 19, 73, 39, 27 times for the -9, 0, +4, +14 and +36 day old animals, respectively. The choline phosphotransferase pathway in comparison to the phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase pathway is providing the major phosphatidylcholines in the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum before birth and early fetal development of the rabbit.

Intramolecular heterogeneity of degradation in plasma membrane glycoproteins: evidence for a general characteristic

Five integral plasma membrane glycoproteins (60, 80, 120, 140, and 160 kilodaltons) were isolated to homogeneity from rat liver by a four-step procedure: (i) extraction of plasma membranes with lithium diiodosalicylate, (ii) solubilization of glycoproteins with Nonidet P-40, (iii) affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose, and (iv) semipreparative NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The glycoproteins contained 48.5--51.5% hydrophobic amino acids. Carbohydrate moieties contained N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-mannose, D-galactose, L-fucose, and N-acetylneuraminic acid. N-Acetyl-D-galactosamine was not detectable. Half-lives of degradation of the carbohydrate and protein moieties of the five glycoproteins were measured by pulse-chase experiments in vivo. Protein moieties had half-lives ranging from 52 to 88 hr in the five glycoproteins, with a mean of 73 +/- 15 hr. Terminal sugars, L-fucose, and N-acetylneuraminic acid had significantly shorter half-lives, averaging 18 +/- 2 hr and 29 +/- 3 hr, respectively. The half-life of D-mannose varied between that of the terminal sugars and that of the protein moiety, depending on the type of the glycoprotein. The data show that the carbohydrate moieties are degraded faster than the protein portion of the glycoproteins. As this finding was obtained in each of the five glycoproteins, intramolecular heterogeneity of breakdown may be a general characteristic of plasma membrane glycoproteins in liver.

In vivo modification of retroviral gag gene-encoded polyproteins by myristic acid

It has recently been shown by mass spectral analysis (Henderson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80:339-343, 1983) that the p15gag protein of murine leukemia viruses contains a novel post-translational modification, an amino-terminal myristyl (tetradecanoyl) amide. In this report we show that p15gag is the only structural protein to contain this fatty acid. In addition, the gag precursor polyproteins of type B, C, and D retroviruses have been examined for the presence of myristic acid by metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation studies. In a panel of mammalian type C retroviruses we found that the precursor polyprotein Pr65gag homologs, but not the glycosylated forms (gPr80gag homologs), were specifically labeled after a 5-min incubation of infected cells with [3H]myristic acid. The gag precursor polyprotein was also labeled in mouse mammary tumor virus and in Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, but Pr76gag of Rous sarcoma virus failed to incorporate [3H]myristate. Under similar conditions, [3H]palmitate was not found to be incorporated into any viral gag proteins. Thus, myristylation appears to be a common feature of mammalian type B, C, and D retroviruses but not of avian retroviruses.

Lipid composition of guinea pig platelets and megakaryocytes. The megakaryocyte as a probable source of platelet lipids

Platelets are formed by fragmentation of the cytoplasm and plasma membrane of the megakaryocyte in the bone marrow. This study has compared the lipid composition of guinea pig platelets and megakaryocytes. Phospholipids were quantitated by TLC and measurement of lipid phosphorus. Cholesterol and fatty acids were quantitated by GLC. The cholesterol/phospholipid molar distribution in megakaryocytes was: 9.8% phosphatidylserine, 6.7% phosphatidylinositol, 14.2% sphingomyelin, 40.0% phosphatidylcholine and 29.3% phosphatidylethanolamine. Platelets continued 11.2% phosphatidylserine, 5.1% phosphatidylinositol, 16.1% sphingomyelin, 38.6% phosphatidylcholine and 29.0% phosphatidylethanolamine. The major megakaryocyte fatty acids were 20.0% palmitic, 16.4% stearic, 20.6% oleic, 13.2% linoleic and 8.2% arachidonic. The major platelet fatty acids were 17.4% palmitic, 17.5% stearic, 11.6% oleic, 12.4% linoleic and 14.6% arachidonic. The major and minor fatty acid compositions of the individual platelet phospholipids reflected those of the megakaryocyte counterparts. The increased arachidonic acid and decreased oleic acid in platelets relative to megakaryocytes were found in all four glycerophospholipids. The similarity of the phospholipid and fatty acid composition of megakaryocytes and platelets suggests that the lipid composition of the platelet is determined by the megakaryocyte.

Different half-lives of the carbohydrate and protein moieties of a 110,000-dalton glycoprotein isolated from plasma membranes of rat liver

By using a four-step procedure (i, solubilization with Triton X-100; ii, affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose; iii, affinity chromatography on wheat germ lectin-Sepharose; iv, preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis) a glycoprotein was isolated from rat liver plasma membrane. The molecular weight is 110,000 and the isoelectric point is 5.8. It contains L-fucose, N-acetylneuraminic acid, D-galactose, D-mannose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, and considerable quantities of aspartate, threonine, serine, and leucine. In pulse-chase experiments the half-lives of methionine and arginine, representing the half-life of the protein, were determined as 70 hr and 78 hr, respectively. The half-lives of the terminal carbohydrates L-fucose and N-acetylneuraminic acid were 12.5 and 33 hr, respectively. The galactose half-life was 20 hr. From this it is concluded that terminal sugars turn over several times in the life-span of this protein molecule. This process may be operative during membrane recycling mechanisms.

Manipulation of alkylglycerolipid levels in cultured cells. Fatty alcohol versus alkylglycerol supplements

Ehrlich ascites cells and monolayers of L-M cell fibroblasts were grown in medium containing either long-chain fatty alcohols or alkylglycerols. The cells were then analyzed to determine the contribution of these lipid precursors to the synthesis of complex lipids for the purpose of defining the most efficient system to elevate the levels of ether phospholipids. Label from high specific activity [1-14C]hexadecanol, [1-14C]octadecanol, and [1-14C]octadecenol was incorporated into alkyl linkages (C-18 : 1 greater than C-16 : 0 greater than C-18 : 0); however, similar labeling of acyl groups occurred. Increasing the amount of hexadecanol in the growth medium resulted in a higher percentage of 14C-labeled acyl groups than alkyl linkages at all concentrations of the alcohol supplement. Supplements of rac-[1-14C]hexadecylglycerol to the growth media were assimilated into phospholipids, which significantly increased as a function of the amounts added. Mass determinations of the alkyl ether phospholipid content in L-M cells incubated for 24 h with an alkylglycerol mixture (10.8 microgram/ml) showed an approximate 70% increase over control levels; supplementation had only a slight effect on the alk-1-enyl content. The systems described will be useful for investigating biophysical and biochemical effects of alkyl ether enrichment in membranes.

Levels and distributions of phospholipids and cholesterol in the plasma membrane of neuroblastoma cells

Murine neuroblastoma cells (clone N-2A) grown in suspension (spinner cells) or attached on a plastic surface (monolayer cells) were used in studies of the phospholipid and cholesterol composition of whole cells, primary plasma membranes, plasma membranes internalized during phagocytosis of polystyrene latex beads, mitochondria and microsomes. Monolayer cells contained higher concentrations of total phospholipid, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine, and lower concentration of phosphatidylethanolamine than spinner cells. The cholesterol levels and the relative proportions of the various phospholipids were similar in both cell types except phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin whose proportions were lower in monolayer cells. The primary plasma membranes of the two cell types differed significantly in the relative proportions of all phospholipids, except sphingomyelin, and the phospholipid to protein and the cholesterol to protein ratios were all higher in the membranes of spinner cells. In contrast to these results, all the phospholipid to protein and the cholesterol to protein ratios of the internalized plasma membranes were higher in monolayer than in spinner cells, and the proportions of all phospholipids, except phosphatidylethanolamine, were similar in both cell types. The membrane distributions of individual phospholipids and cholesterol were inferred from comparison of the phospholipid and cholesterol compositions of primary plasma membranes and plasma membranes internalized during phagocytosis of polystyrene beads. The results are consistent with a non-random distribution of most phospholipids in both spinner and monolayer cells, but the patterns of these distributions were different in the two cell types. With regard to cholesterol the results are compatible with a random or a heterogeneous distribution. All the phospholipid to protein ratios of the mitochondrial fraction of both cell types were lower than those of the plasma membranes. However, these ratios of the microsomal fraction were higher than those of the plasma membranes of monolayer cells, whereas they were comparable, with a few exceptions, to those of spinner cell membranes. The cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratios of plasma membranes were 6.4 and 4.3 fold greater than those of the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions, respectively.

Further evidence for the existence of an intrinsic bicarbonate-stimulated Mg2+-ATPase in brush border membranes isolated from rat kidney cortex

The aim of this study was to provide further evidence for the existence of a nonmitochondrial becarbonate-stimulated Mg2+-ATPase in brush border membranes derived from rat kidney cortex. A plasma membrane fraction rich in brush border microvilli and a mitochondrial fraction were isolated by differential centrifugation. Both fractions contain a Mg2+-ATPase activity which can be stimulated by bicarbonate. The two Mg2+-ATPases are stimulated likewise by chloride, bicarbonate, and sulfite or inhibited by oligomycin and aurovertin, though to different degrees. In contrast to these similarities, only the Mg2+-ATPase activity of the mitochondrial fraction is inhibited by atractyloside, a substance which blocks an adenine nucleotide translocator in the inner mitochondrial membrane. On the other hand, filipin, an antibiotic that complexes with cholesterol in the membranes inhibits exclusively the Mg2+-ATPase of the cholesterol-rich brush border membranes. Furthermore it could be demonstrated by the use of bromotetramisole, an inhibitor of alkaline phosphatase activity, that the Mg2+-ATPase activity in the membrane fraction is not due to the presence of the highly active alkaline phosphatase in these membranes. These results support the assumption that an intrinsic bicarbonate-stimulated Mg2+-ATPase is present in rat kidney brush border membranes.

Plasma membrane lipids of human diploid fibroblasts from normal individuals and patients with cystic fibrosis

The lipid composition of isolated plasma membranes of human skin fibroblasts is described for the first time. Plasma membranes from a number of strains of fibroblasts from patients with cystic fibrosis and matched normals were isolated by a recently described procedure and analysed for major phospholipid classes, cholesterol and fatty acids. No differences in the quantities of these compounds were detected between cells of the two different origins. The fetal calf serum used to supplement the growth medium contained relatively more palmitoleate and oleate but less stearate than the membranes. There were also no consistent differences between cystic fibrosis and normal membranes in terms of the fatty acid compositions of their individual phospholipid classes. Consistent with this lack of chemical change in the lipids of membranes of cystic fibrosis cells, the degree of fluorescence polarization of diphenylhexatriene, an index of fluidity, was also unchanged.

Effects of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha on lecithin biosynthesis by cultured lung cells

Transformed cells from human lung carcinoma (Line A549), resembling type II pneumocytes, were cultured in monolayer at 37 degrees C and incubated for five hours with 3H-choline and 14C-palmitate in the presence of various concentrations of prostaglandins (PGS) E2 and F2alpha. In the control (no PG) the level of % palmitate incorporation was 13.5 x as high as that of choline, after taking isotope dilution into account. Between the concentrations studied, 0.1 and 10 muM, both prostaglandins stimulated markedly the incorporation of both precursors, though choline up to 3 x better than palmitate. This was indicated by a change in the palmitate/choline incorporation ratio from 13.5 to as low as 4.2. At the lowest PG concentration, 0.1 muM, PGE2 was much more effective than PGF2alpha in stimulating the incorporation of both precursors.

Redox constituents in milk fat globule membranes and rough endoplasmic reticulum from lactating mammary gland

Milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) membranes were isolated from milk and lactating mammary gland from the cow and were characterized by biochemical and electron microscope methods in terms of gross composition (proteins, phospholipids, neutral lipids, cholesterol, RNA, and DNA) and purity. Both fractions contained significant amounts of a b-type cytochrome with several properties similar to those of cytochrome b5 from liver, as well as a rotenone-insensitive NADH- and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. The b-type cytochrome content in the apical plasma membrane-derived MFGM was of the same order of magnitude as it was in RER membranes. It was characterized by a high resistance to extraction by low- and high-salt concentrations and nonionic detergents. MFGM contained much more flavin and much higher activities of xanthine oxidase than the RER membranes. The same redox components were found in MFGM and mammary RER from women, rats, mice, and goats, but in absolute contents great differences between the species were noted. The cytochromes described here differed from liver cytochrome b5 in some spectral properties. The alpha-band of the reduced hepatic cytochrome b5 is asymmetric with a maximum at 555 nm that is split into two distinct peaks at low temperatures. The alpha-band of the b-type cytochromes from MFGM and mammary RER appears as one symmetrical peak at about 560 nm that is not split at low temperatures. When treated with cyanide, MFGM and mammary microsomes showed difference spectra of a reduced b-type cytochrome. Under the same conditions, liver microsomes gave a completely different spectrum. These findings demonstrate the presence of a b-type cytochrome and associated redox enzymes in MFGM, i.e., a derivative of the apical cell surface membrane that is regularly used for envelopment of the milk fat globule during secretion.

The lipid composition of plasma membrane subfractions originating from the three major functional domains of the rat hepatocyte cell surface

1. The neutral and phospholipid compositions of three rat liver plasma membrane subfractions originating predominantly from the three major functional domains of the hepatocyte viz the blood sinusoidal, contiguous and bile canalicular fractions, were determined. 2. The sinusoidal and canalicular plasma membrane subfractions, both of which were vesicular, contained a higher lipid to protein weight ratio than the contiguous plasma membrane subfraction that consisted of membrane strips, junctional complexes and some larger vesicles. The three plasma membrane subfractions contained a similar neutral lipid to phospholipid ratio. The highest unesterified cholesterol content was associated with the canalicular plasma membrane subfraction. 3. The phospholipid profiles of the three subfractions were generally similar. However, the canalicular plasma membrane subfraction contained a higher proportion of sphingomyelin than the other subfractions. 4. Correlations between the neutral and phospholipid composition of the subfractions and membrane integrity and function are discussed, especially with respect to a possible role of lipids in governing the resilience of the canalicular plasma membrane to the action of bile salts.

[Chicken erythrocyte nuclei: composition and analysis of phospholipids]

While many works analyse lipid composition of cellular nuclei, essentially of liver, few describe bird erythrocyte nuclei. For them very discordant results are reported due to very different methods of preparation. In the method we adopted a good reproducibility is controlled by electron microscopy, evaluation of specific enzymatic activities and by protein, RNA and DNA determinations. Total lipid content and phospholipid composition were determined showing, in agreement with other works, the predominance of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. On the contrary, the nuclear fraction is poor in sphingomyelin, which is essentially a plasma membrane phospholipid.

Effect of ethanol ingestion on choline phosphotransferase and phosphatidyl ethanolamine methyltransferase activities in liver microsomes

The effect of ethanol ingestion on choline phosphotransferase and phosphatidyl ethanolamine methyltransferase activities, the two enzymes involved in phosphatidyl choline biosynthesis in liver microsomes, has been investigated. Female rats were fed a 5% ethanol-liquid diet containing amino acids, minerals, vitamins, with and without choline, for 2, 6 and 10 weeks. Control animals were pair-fed the same isocaloric diet with 5% sucrose with and without choline. Ethanol administration with or without dietary choline stimulated significantly (P less than 0.001) the specific activities of phosphatidyl ethanolamine methyltransferase in liver microsomes in the animals fed 5% ethanol for 2, 6, and 10 weeks, when compared to those control animals pair-fed the isocaloric diet with or without choline. Ethanol administration with or without dietary choline for 2 weeks stimulated significantly (P less than 0.02) the specific activities of choline phosphotransferase. The specific activities of phosphatidyl ethanolamine methyltransferase continued to increase in the liver microsomes from the animals in which dietary choline was omitted for 2, 6, and 10 weeks in the sucrose controls and alcohol-fed animals. Ethanol administration stimulates significantly (P less than 0.001) the phosphatidyl ethanolamine methyltransferase specific activities in liver microsomes of animals fed the liquid diet with dietary omission of choline and methionine for 2 weeks.

Major lipid classes in plasma membrane isolated from liver of rats fed a hepatocarcinogen

More phosphatidylethanolamine and less phosphatidylinositol were present in the lipid of plasma membrane isolated from the liver of rats fed a diet containing the hepatocarcinogen, N-2-fluorenylacetamide than were present in the lipid of plasma membrane isolated from the liver of rats fed the basal diet. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and sphingomyelin from the former membranes had relative amounts of 18 : 1 in their fatty acyl profiles that were 1.5--1.7 times the relative amount of 18 : 1 in the same phospholipid from the latter membranes. Furthermore, the former membranes contained 1.3 times more cholesterol and 1.35 times more sphingomyelin than the latter membrames.

Viral stimulation of choline phosphotransferase in spleen microsomes

Choline phosphotransferase and phosphatidyl ethanolamine methyltransferase enzymatic activities (nmoles phosphatidyl choline/min/mg protein) have been determined in spleen microsomes of Rauscher virus infected balb/c male mice at 5, 10, 14, and 21 days following inoculation of the virus. There is a significant stimulation of the choline phosphotransferase activity in the virus infected spleens with the peak of activity at about 10 days of viral infection. The specific activity of choline phosphotransferase is 10 times that of the phosphatidyl ethanolamine methyltransferase at 10 days of viral infection. There is a 51-fold increase over controls for the total microsomal choline phosphotransferase at 14 days of viral infection and only an 18-fold increase over controls for the phosphatidyl ethanolamine methyltransferase activity. There is a significant (P less than 0.001) increase over controls in the concentration of total phospholipid-P, phosphatidyl choline-P, and phosphatidyl choline-P fractions as separated by argentation chromatography of microsomes from spleens of mice infected with Friend virus of Rauscher virus for 14 days. The choline phosphotransferase and phosphatidyl ethanolamine methyltransferase specific activities in liver microsomes of 14 day Friend and/or Rauscher virus are unaltered during viral infection.

Phospholipid metabolism of stimulated lymphocytes. Composition of phospholipid fatty acids

Lymph node lymphocytes and thymocytes from different species were isolated. Rabbit and calf thymocytes were stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A. Phospholipid fatty acids of these cells were analyzed and their positional distribution was determined. When compared with liver, phosphatidylcholine of unstimulated lymphocytes was found to contain relatively high amounts of palmitic acid in position 2 and oleic acid in position 1. After stimulation of rabbit thymus cells, the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and arachidonic acid) increased. Thus the ratio of polyenoic acids (18:2 + 20:4) to saturated fatty acids was doubled when compared to control cells. Similar results were obtained after in vivo stimualtion with Mycobacterium Calmette Guerin. The correlation of these findings with the activation of acyl-CoA:lysolecithin acyltransferase, and their relevance for changes of membrane fluidity during lymphocyte stimulation is discussed.

Lipid composition of the Golgi apparatus of rat kidney and liver in comparison with other subcellular organelles

Golgi apparatus isolated from both rat liver and rat kidney have been characterized with respect to their neutral and phospholipid content and their phosphopipid composition and compared with mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membranes. In addition, the distribution of sulfatide in the subcellular fractions of rat kidney was determinich are rich in cholesterol esters and ubiquinone. Removal of about 75% of the cisternal contents of rat liver Golgi reduced its content of cholesterol esters but not of ubiquinone. The Golgi complex of liver most closely resembles endoplasmic reticulum in its phospholipid composition except for a higher content of sphingomyelin. Removal of most of the contents of the Golgi cisternae did not appreciably alter the phospholipid composition of the Golgi apparatus of liver. Goligi apparatus from kidney has a phospholipid composition which resembles liver Golgi much more closely than it does any other cell fraction from kidney. The sulfatide content of kidney Golgi, the cell fraction richest in this glycolipid, is about 14% of the total lipid present in this fraction. Sulfatide was present in plasma membranes, mitochondria and rough microsomes, but at about one-third the level found in Golgi. Sulfatide is the main glycosphingolipid present in all the cell fractions from kidney which were studied.