Identification of an intrinsic lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase activity in the lipolytic inhibitor G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2)

HSF1 is required for cellular adaptation to daily temperature fluctuations

The heat shock response (HSR) is a universal mechanism of cellular adaptation to elevated temperatures and is regulated by heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) or HSF3 in vertebrate endotherms, such as humans, mice, and chickens. We here showed that HSF1 and HSF3 from egg-laying mammals (monotremes), with a low homeothermic capacity, equally possess a potential to maximally induce the HSR, whereas either HSF1 or HSF3 from birds have this potential. Therefore, we focused on cellular adaptation to daily temperature fluctuations and found that HSF1 was required for the proliferation and survival of human cells under daily temperature fluctuations. The ectopic expression of vertebrate HSF1 proteins, but not HSF3 proteins, restored the resistance in HSF1-null cells, regardless of the induction of heat shock proteins. This function was associated with the up-regulation of specific HSF1-target genes. These results indicate the distinct role of HSF1 in adaptation to thermally fluctuating environments and suggest association of homeothermic capacity with functional diversification of vertebrate HSF genes.

Identification of motifs and mechanisms for lipid droplet targeting of the lipolytic inhibitors G0S2 and HIG2

G0S2 and HIG2 are two selective inhibitors of ATGL (also known as PNPLA2), the key enzyme for intracellular lipolysis. Whereas G0S2 regulates triglyceride (TG) mobilization in adipocytes and hepatocytes, HIG2 functions to enhance intracellular TG accumulation under hypoxic conditions. A homologous hydrophobic domain (HD) is shared by G0S2 and HIG2 (also known as HILPDA) for binding to ATGL. However, the determinants of their lipid droplet (LD) localization are unknown. Here, we study how G0S2 and HIG2 are targeted to LDs, and identify both ATGL-independent and -dependent mechanisms. Structural prediction and studies in cells reveal that ATGL-independent localization of G0S2 to both the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and LDs is mediated by a hairpin structure consisting of two hydrophobic sequences. Positively charged residues in the hinge region play a crucial role in sorting G0S2, which initially localizes to ER, to LDs. Interestingly, the role of these positive charges becomes dispensable when ATGL is co-expressed. In comparison, HIG2, which lacks a similar hairpin structure, is dependent on ATGL for its full LD targeting. Thus, our studies identify specific structural features and mechanisms for mediating accumulation of these two ATGL inhibitors on LDs.

Loss of G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) promotes disease progression and drug resistance in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) by disrupting glycerophospholipid metabolism

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting BCR::ABL1 have turned chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) from a fatal disease into a manageable condition for most patients. Despite improved survival, targeting drug-resistant leukaemia stem cells (LSCs) remains a challenge for curative CML therapy. Aberrant lipid metabolism can have a large impact on membrane dynamics, cell survival and therapeutic responses in cancer. While ceramide and sphingolipid levels were previously correlated with TKI response in CML, the role of lipid metabolism in TKI resistance is not well understood. We have identified downregulation of a critical regulator of lipid metabolism, G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2), in multiple scenarios of TKI resistance, including (1) BCR::ABL1 kinase-independent TKI resistance, (2) progression of CML from the chronic to the blast phase of the disease, and (3) in CML versus normal myeloid progenitors. Accordingly, CML patients with low G0S2 expression levels had a worse overall survival. G0S2 downregulation in CML was not a result of promoter hypermethylation or BCR::ABL1 kinase activity, but was rather due to transcriptional repression by MYC. Using CML cell lines, patient samples and G0s2 knockout (G0s2-/- ) mice, we demonstrate a tumour suppressor role for G0S2 in CML and TKI resistance. Our data suggest that reduced G0S2 protein expression in CML disrupts glycerophospholipid metabolism, correlating with a block of differentiation that renders CML cells resistant to therapy. Altogether, our data unravel a new role for G0S2 in regulating myeloid differentiation and TKI response in CML, and suggest that restoring G0S2 may have clinical utility.

G0S2 Gene Polymorphism and Its Relationship with Carcass Traits in Chicken

Gene single nucleotide polymorphisms can be used as auxiliary markers in molecular breeding and are an effective method to improve production performance. G0S2 is a key gene involved in regulating fat metabolism, but little research has been conducted on this gene regarding its role in poultry. In this study, the specialized commercial partridge chicken strain G0S2 gene was cloned and sequenced, and the relationship between the SNP sites on G0S2 and the carcass traits of chickens was investigated. The results showed that a total of seven SNPs were detected on G0S2 (g.102G > A, g.255G > A, g.349C > T, g.384A > G, g.386G > A, g.444G > A, g.556G > A). Two sites are located in the coding region and five sites are located in the 3′-UTR. SNPs located in the coding region are synonymous mutations. g.444G > A has a significant correlation with abdominal fat weight. The chickens with AG and GG genotypes have the highest abdominal fat weight, while the AA genotype is lower. The g.102G > A genotype has a significant correlation with live and abdominal fat weight. The live weight and abdominal fat weight of the chickens with AA and AG genotypes are at a higher level and have a larger gap than the GG genotype. Chickens with the AA genotype in g.556G > A had the lowest fat weight. The results of present study can provide practical information for molecular marker-assisted breeding of chicken carcass traits.

Residues of the minimal sequence of G0S2 collectively contribute to ATGL inhibition while C-and N-terminal extensions promote binding to ATGL

The protein encoded by the G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) is a potent inhibitor of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and thus an important regulator of intracellular lipolysis. Since dysfunction of lipolysis is associated with metabolic diseases including diabetes and obesity, inhibition of ATGL is considered a therapeutic strategy. G0S2 interacts with ATGL's patatin-domain to mediate non-competitive inhibition, however atomic details of the inhibition mechanism are incompletely understood. Sequences of G0S2 from higher organisms show a highly conserved N-terminal part, including a hydrophobic region covering amino acids 27 to 42. We show that predicted G0S2 orthologs from platypus, chicken and Japanese rice-fish are able to inhibit human and mouse ATGL, emphasizing the contribution of conserved amino acid to ATGL inhibition. Our site directed mutagenesis and truncation studies give insights in the protein-protein interaction on a per-residue level. We determine that the minimal sequence required for ATGL inhibition ranges from amino acids 20 to 44. Residues Y27, V28, G30, A34 G37, V39 or L42 within this sequence play a substantial role in ATGL inhibition. Furthermore, we show that unspecific interactions of the N-terminal part (amino acids 20-27) of the minimal sequence facilitate the interaction to ATGL. Our studies also demonstrate that full-length G0S2 shows higher tolerance to specific single amino acid exchanges in the hydrophobic region due to the stronger contributions of unspecific interactions. However, exchanges of more than one amino-acid in the hydrophobic region also result in the loss of function as ATGL inhibitor even in the full-length protein.

The Molecular Brakes of Adipose Tissue Lipolysis

Adaptation to changes in energy availability is pivotal for the survival of animals. Adipose tissue, the body’s largest reservoir of energy and a major source of metabolic fuel, exerts a buffering function for fluctuations in nutrient availability. This functional plasticity ranges from energy storage in the form of triglycerides during periods of excess energy intake to energy mobilization via lipolysis in the form of free fatty acids for other organs during states of energy demands. The subtle balance between energy storage and mobilization is important for whole-body energy homeostasis; its disruption has been implicated as contributing to the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cancer cachexia. As a result, adipocyte lipolysis is tightly regulated by complex regulatory mechanisms involving lipases and hormonal and biochemical signals that have opposing effects. In thermogenic brown and brite adipocytes, lipolysis stimulation is the canonical way for the activation of non-shivering thermogenesis. Lipolysis proceeds in an orderly and delicately regulated manner, with stimulation through cell-surface receptors via neurotransmitters, hormones, and autocrine/paracrine factors that activate various intracellular signal transduction pathways and increase kinase activity. The subsequent phosphorylation of perilipins, lipases, and cofactors initiates the translocation of key lipases from the cytoplasm to lipid droplets and enables protein-protein interactions to assemble the lipolytic machinery on the scaffolding perilipins at the surface of lipid droplets. Although activation of lipolysis has been well studied, the feedback fine-tuning is less well appreciated. This review focuses on the molecular brakes of lipolysis and discusses some of the divergent fine-tuning strategies in the negative feedback regulation of lipolysis, including delicate negative feedback loops, intermediary lipid metabolites-mediated allosteric regulation and dynamic protein–protein interactions. As aberrant adipocyte lipolysis is involved in various metabolic diseases and releasing the brakes on lipolysis in thermogenic adipocytes may activate thermogenesis, targeting adipocyte lipolysis is thus of therapeutic interest.

Lipolysis: cellular mechanisms for lipid mobilization from fat stores

The perception that intracellular lipolysis is a straightforward process that releases fatty acids from fat stores in adipose tissue to generate energy has experienced major revisions over the last two decades. The discovery of new lipolytic enzymes and coregulators, the demonstration that lipophagy and lysosomal lipolysis contribute to the degradation of cellular lipid stores and the characterization of numerous factors and signalling pathways that regulate lipid hydrolysis on transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels have revolutionized our understanding of lipolysis. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms that facilitate intracellular fatty-acid mobilization, drawing on canonical and noncanonical enzymatic pathways. We summarize how intracellular lipolysis affects lipid-mediated signalling, metabolic regulation and energy homeostasis in multiple organs. Finally, we examine how these processes affect pathogenesis and how lipolysis may be targeted to potentially prevent or treat various diseases.

Diurnal regulation of oxidative phosphorylation restricts hepatocyte proliferation and inflammation

The principles guiding the diurnal organization of biological pathways remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we perturb the hepatic transcriptome through nutrient regulators (high-fat diet and mTOR signaling components) to identify enduring properties of pathway organization. Temporal separation and counter-regulation between pathways of energy metabolism and inflammation/proliferation emerge as persistent transcriptome features across animal models, and network analysis identifies the G0s2 and Rgs16 genes as potential mediators at the metabolism-inflammation interface. Mechanistically, G0s2 and Rgs16 are sequentially induced during the light phase, promoting amino acid oxidation and suppressing overall mitochondrial respiration. In their absence, sphingolipids and diacylglycerides accumulate, accompanied by hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte proliferation. Notably, the expression of G0s2 and Rgs16 is further induced in obese mouse livers, and silencing of their expression accentuates hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, diurnal regulation of energy metabolism alleviates inflammatory and proliferative stresses under physiological and pathological conditions.

Biophysical characterization and a roadmap towards the NMR solution structure of G0S2, a key enzyme in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

In the United States non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease, affecting an estimated 80 to 100 million people. It occurs in every age group, but predominantly in people with risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. NAFLD is marked by fat accumulation in the liver leading to liver inflammation, which may lead to scarring and irreversible damage progressing to cirrhosis and liver failure. In animal models, genetic ablation of the protein G0S2 leads to alleviation of liver damage and insulin resistance in high fat diets. The research presented in this paper aims to aid in rational based drug design for the treatment of NAFLD by providing a pathway for a solution state NMR structure of G0S2. Here we describe the expression of G0S2 in an E. coli system from two different constructs, both of which are confirmed to be functionally active based on the ability to inhibit the activity of Adipose Triglyceride Lipase. In one of the constructs, preliminary NMR spectroscopy measurements show dominant alpha-helical characteristics as well as resonance assignments on the N-terminus of G0S2, allowing for further NMR work with this protein. Additionally, the characterization of G0S2 oligomers are outlined for both constructs, suggesting that G0S2 may defensively exist in a multimeric state to protect and potentially stabilize the small 104 amino acid protein within the cell. This information presented on the structure of G0S2 will further guide future development in the therapy for NAFLD.

Hypoxia-inducible lipid droplet-associated induces DGAT1 and promotes lipid storage in hepatocytes

Objective

Storage of triglycerides in lipid droplets is governed by a set of lipid droplet-associated proteins. One of these lipid droplet-associated proteins, hypoxia-inducible lipid droplet-associated (HILPDA), was found to impair lipid droplet breakdown in macrophages and cancer cells by inhibiting adipose triglyceride lipase. Here, we aimed to better characterize the role and mechanism of action of HILPDA in hepatocytes.

Methods

We performed studies in HILPDA-deficient and HILPDA-overexpressing liver cells, liver slices, and mice. The functional role and physical interactions of HILPDA were investigated using a variety of biochemical and microscopic techniques, including real-time fluorescence live-cell imaging and Förster resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FRET-FLIM).

Results

Levels of HILPDA were markedly induced by fatty acids in several hepatoma cell lines. Hepatocyte-specific deficiency of HILPDA in mice modestly but significantly reduced hepatic triglycerides in mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Similarly, deficiency of HILPDA in mouse liver slices and primary hepatocytes reduced lipid storage and accumulation of fluorescently-labeled fatty acids in lipid droplets, respectively, which was independent of adipose triglyceride lipase. Fluorescence microscopy showed that HILPDA partly colocalizes with lipid droplets and with the endoplasmic reticulum, is especially abundant in perinuclear areas, and mainly associates with newly added fatty acids. Real-time fluorescence live-cell imaging further revealed that HILPDA preferentially localizes to lipid droplets that are being remodeled. Overexpression of HILPDA in liver cells increased the activity of diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT) and DGAT1 protein levels, concurrent with increased lipid storage. Confocal microscopy coupled to FRET-FLIM analysis demonstrated that HILPDA physically interacts with DGAT1 in living liver cells. The stimulatory effect of HILPDA on lipid storage via DGAT1 was corroborated in adipocytes.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that HILPDA physically interacts with DGAT1 and increases DGAT activity. Our findings suggest a novel regulatory mechanism by which fatty acids promote triglyceride synthesis and storage.

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HILPDA expression is induced by fatty acids in hepatoma cells.

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HILPDA deficiency modestly decreases liver triglyceride storage in mice with NASH.

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HILPDA preferentially associates with newly synthesized lipid droplets and active lipid droplets.

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HILPDA promotes lipid storage at least in part independently of ATGL.

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HILPDA physically interacts and induces DGAT1.

Hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible gene 2 (HIG2)/HILPDA, and intracellular lipolysis in cancer

Tumor tissues are chronically exposed to hypoxia owing to aberrant vascularity. Hypoxia induces metabolic alterations in cancer, thereby promoting aggressive malignancy and metastasis. While previous efforts largely focused on adaptive responses in glucose and glutamine metabolism, recent studies have begun to yield important insight into the hypoxic regulation of lipid metabolic reprogramming in cancer. Emerging evidence points to lipid droplet (LD) accumulation as a hallmark of hypoxic cancer cells. One critical underlying mechanism involves the inhibition of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL)-mediated intracellular lipolysis by a small protein encoded by hypoxia-inducible gene 2 (HIG2), also known as hypoxia inducible lipid droplet associated (HILPDA). In this review we summarize and discuss recent key findings on hypoxia-dependent regulation of metabolic adaptations especially lipolysis in cancer. We also pose several questions and hypotheses pertaining to the metabolic impact of lipolytic regulation in cancer under hypoxia and during hypoxia-reoxygenation transition.

Adipocyte lipolysis: from molecular mechanisms of regulation to disease and therapeutics

Fatty acids (FAs) are stored safely in the form of triacylglycerol (TAG) in lipid droplet (LD) organelles by professional storage cells called adipocytes. These lipids are mobilized during adipocyte lipolysis, the fundamental process of hydrolyzing TAG to FAs for internal or systemic energy use. Our understanding of adipocyte lipolysis has greatly increased over the past 50 years from a basic enzymatic process to a dynamic regulatory one, involving the assembly and disassembly of protein complexes on the surface of LDs. These dynamic interactions are regulated by hormonal signals such as catecholamines and insulin which have opposing effects on lipolysis. Upon stimulation, patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 2 (PNPLA2)/adipocyte triglyceride lipase (ATGL), the rate limiting enzyme for TAG hydrolysis, is activated by the interaction with its co-activator, alpha/beta hydrolase domain-containing protein 5 (ABHD5), which is normally bound to perilipin 1 (PLIN1). Recently identified negative regulators of lipolysis include G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) and PNPLA3 which interact with PNPLA2 and ABHD5, respectively. This review focuses on the dynamic protein-protein interactions involved in lipolysis and discusses some of the emerging concepts in the control of lipolysis that include allosteric regulation and protein turnover. Furthermore, recent research demonstrates that many of the proteins involved in adipocyte lipolysis are multifunctional enzymes and that lipolysis can mediate homeostatic metabolic signals at both the cellular and whole-body level to promote inter-organ communication. Finally, adipocyte lipolysis is involved in various diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, and targeting adipocyte lipolysis is of therapeutic interest.

Bioinformatic Analysis and Biophysical Characterization Reveal Structural Disorder in G0S2 Protein

G0S2 is a small protein of 103 residues in length that is involved in multiple cellular processes. To date, several reports have shown that G0S2 functions by making direct protein-protein interactions with key proteins. In lipolysis, G0S2 specifically interacts with adipose triglyceride lipase, inhibiting its activity and resulting in lipolysis being downregulated. In a similar way, G0S2 also participates in the regulation of apoptosis, cell proliferation, and oxidative phosphorylation; however, information regarding G0S2 structural and biophysical properties is limited. In this work, we conducted a comparative structural analysis of human and mouse G0S2 proteins. Bioinformatics suggests the presence of a disordered C-terminal region in human G0S2. Experimental characterization by size-exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering showed that human and mouse G0S2 have different hydrodynamic properties. In comparison to the mouse G0S2, which behaves similar to a globular protein, the human G0S2 shows an elongated conformation, most likely by displaying a disordered C-terminal region. Further analysis of hydrodynamic properties under denaturing conditions suggests the presence of a structural element in the mouse protein that undergoes an order to disorder transition at low urea concentration. Structural analysis by circular dichroism revealed that in native conditions, both proteins are mainly unstructured, showing the presence of beta sheet structures. Further analysis of CD data suggests that both proteins belong to the premolten globule family of intrinsically disordered proteins. We suggest that the intrinsic disorder observed in the G0S2 protein may facilitate its interaction with multiple partners in the regulation of cellular metabolism.