Properties of microsomal and soluble diacylglycerol kinase in rat liver

Diacylglycerol kinases: at the hub of cell signalling

DGKs (diacylglycerol kinases) are members of a unique and conserved family of intracellular lipid kinases that phosphorylate DAG (diacylglycerol), catalysing its conversion into PA (phosphatidic acid). This reaction leads to attenuation of DAG levels in the cell membrane, regulating a host of intracellular signalling proteins that have evolved the ability to bind this lipid. The product of the DGK reaction, PA, is also linked to the regulation of diverse functions, including cell growth, membrane trafficking, differentiation and migration. In multicellular eukaryotes, DGKs provide a link between lipid metabolism and signalling. Genetic experiments in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and mice have started to unveil the role of members of this protein family as modulators of receptor-dependent responses in processes such as synaptic transmission and photoreceptor transduction, as well as acquired and innate immune responses. Recent discoveries provide new insights into the complex mechanisms controlling DGK activation and their participation in receptor-regulated processes. After more than 50 years of intense research, the DGK pathway emerges as a key player in the regulation of cell responses, offering new possibilities of therapeutic intervention in human pathologies, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, brain afflictions and immune dysfunctions.

Modulation of NDEA activated ras expression and protein kinase C activity by nicotinamide

Nicotinamide, an amide derivative of vitamin B3, was found to inhibit the increase in ras expression, protein kinase C (PKC) activity, and diacylglycerol (DAG) levels in rats treated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). It effectively modulated the carcinogen induced increase in the cytosol and the particulate PKC activities but not the nuclear PKC activity. The DAG levels were also modulated by the endobiotic. It may serve as an ideal modulator of carcinogenesis. Nicotinamide is currently under trial as a radio sensitizer, and inhibition of these parameters may be one of the ways in which it confers radiosensitivity.

Increased hepatic beta-oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid, elongation of eicosapentaenoic acid, and acylation of lysophosphatidate in rats fed a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched diet

Rats were fed a diet supplemented with corn oil (n-3 deficient), soy oil, or a mixture containing 8% 22:6n-3 ethyl ester for 6 wk. The hepatic capacities for the beta-oxidation and synthesis of 22:6n-3, in addition to the acylation of lysophosphatidate, were tested in vitro. In rats that were fed a 22:6n-3-enriched diet, both the beta-oxidation of 22:6n-3 and elongation of 20:5n-3 were enhanced compared to those in rats fed the other diets. Acylation of lysophosphatidate was also enhanced in rats fed a 22:6n-3-enriched diet, while the rate of dephosphorylation of phosphatidate was not changed. The amount of 22:6n-3 in the liver was much less than that consumed in a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched diet. These results suggest that a significant amount of dietary 22:6n-3 was degraded via beta-oxidation, and that a portion of the retroconverted 20:5n-3 was recycled for the synthesis of 22:6n-3. The recycling of 20:5n-3 might contribute to the low level of 22:6n-3 in rats fed an n-3-deficient diet.

Metal ion stimulation of phospholipase D-like activity of isolated rat intestinal mitochondria

Presence of phospholipase D-like (PLD) activity in the intestinal mitochondria was identified using endogenous phospholipids as substrate. The enzyme had a pH optimum of 6.5, did not show trans-phosphatidylation activity in the presence of ethanol or butanol, and the product formed was phosphatidic acid (PA). This was confirmed by separation of reaction products by high-performance liquid chromatography and analysis of composition of the PA formed which gave phosphate/fatty acid ratio of 1:2 PLD-like activity was further confirmed by the formation of ethanolamine and choline as products of enzyme action. This activity was stimulated by various metal ions; when stimulated by Mg2+ and Ba2+, it hydrolyzed both phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, and when stimulated by Ca2+, it preferentially hydrolyzed phosphatidylethanolamine. There was no requirement for sodium oleate for the PLD-like activity in mitochondria. These results suggest that intestinal mitochondria have an active PLD-like enzyme which differs in certain properties from phospholipase D from other tissues.

Epidermal growth factor receptor stimulation of diacylglycerol kinase

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activates formation of the phospholipid signal messenger phosphatidic acid (PA) on ligand binding. We explored the effects of chronic EGF stimulation on cellular PA in NIH3T3 cells expressing intact EGFR a mutant EGFR (EGFRvIII). The presence of EGFRvIII increased PA levels to twice those induced by chronic EGFR activation. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis revealed a marked increase in oleic acid containing PA. No apparent increase in phospholipase D (PLD) activity was detected, and diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase assays demonstrated a marked preference for dioleoyl DAG in the presence of activated EGFR or EGFRvIII. Levels of PA which were lower than would be predicted by DAG kinase activation are explained by increased phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity. Specific inhibitors of EGFR kinase and DAG kinase suppressed DAG kinase activation and PA production by EGFRvIII. EGFR kinase activation by chronic exposure to ligand or by deletional mutation stimulates formation of a specific form of signalling PA.

Alkylglycerophosphate acetyltransferase and lyso platelet activating factor acetyltransferase, two key enzymes in the synthesis of platelet activating factor, are found in neuronal nuclei isolated from cerebral cortex

Neuronal nuclear fractions (N1) isolated from cerebral cortices of 15-day-old rabbits were enriched in two acetyltransferases involved in biosynthetic pathways leading to platelet activating factor (PAF). Alkylglycerophosphate (AGP) acetyltransferase of the de novo biosynthetic path had specific activities in fraction N1 which were 3-times those of the microsomal fraction (P3D) from cerebral cortex. Lyso PAF acetyltransferase of the remodelling path had specific activities in N1 which were 16-times those of P3D and 51-times those of the homogenate. The maximum specific activity observed for the N1 AGP acetyltransferase was 1.4-times the corresponding N1 lyso PAF acetyltransferase value. The pH optimum for the N1 AGP acetyltransferase was within the alkaline range (pH 8-9), while the N1 lyso PAF acetyltransferase showed a much broader pH optimal range which extended over the neutral and physiological pH values. Both acetyltransferases were inhibited by MgATP (0.125-1 mM) or oleoyl CoA (2-10 microM). However, the N1 AGP acetyltransferase could be distinguished from the N1 lyso PAF acetyltransferase by a greater sensitivity to MgATP inhibition. When NaF was not present in the assays, less of the product of N1 AGP acetyltransferase was recovered, likely indicating a hydrolysis of the acetylated AGP. When the AGP and lyso PAF substrates were combined in acetyltransferase assays, the two N1 acetylations appeared to proceed independently. The enrichment of the acetyltransferases, and particularly the lyso PAF acetyltransferase, within the neuronal nuclear fraction is of particular interest with respect to the intracellular effects of PAF which are considered to be involved in nuclear signalling mechanisms.

Activities of enzymes in platelet activating factor biosynthetic pathways in the gerbil model of cerebral ischemia

The activities of enzymes in platelet activating factor (PAF) biosynthetic pathways were analyzed in hippocampal and cerebral cortical regions of normal and ischemic gerbil brain to assess changes in enzyme activities and potential modulators that could explain the accentuated production of PAF seen in ischemia. Global forebrain ischemia was produced by bilateral carotid artery ligation, and the effectiveness of the ligation was shown by free fatty acid release and ATP depletion. Specific activities of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (AAG) choline phosphotransferase, 1-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (AGP) acetyl transferase, and 1-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lyso PAF) acetyl transferase in tissue homogenates were in the ratio 4:1:0.1, respectively. Sham-operated and ischemic or ischemic-reperfused tissues showed similar activities for individual enzymes, indicating that enzyme levels or activation states did not change in ischemic or reperfused tissues. However, small metabolites (relevant to ischemia) added to the in vitro assays did modify enzyme activities. Physiological concentrations of MgATP severely inhibited AGP acetyl transferase activity, and this resulted in the ratio of AGP acyl transferase to AGP acetyl transferase activities changing from 48:1 in the presence of 2.5 mM MgATP to 6:1 in the absence of MgATP. This suggests that falling ATP levels in cerebral ischemia may promote the de novo pathway of PAF biosynthesis by releasing inhibition of AGP acetyl transferase. Lyso PAF acetyl transferase was much less active than AGP acetyl transferase and was also inhibited by MgATP. AAG choline phosphotransferase was not inhibited by MgATP but was inhibited by calcium. However the superior specific activity of the choline phosphotransferase in comparison with the AGP acetyl transferase suggested that the lowered choline phosphotransferase activity in the presence of rising intracellular calcium would not seriously compromise the synthesis of PAF by the de novo route. Both acetyl transferase enzymes were also inhibited by oleoyl CoA.

Arachidonoyl-diacylglycerol kinase. Specific in vitro inhibition by polyphosphoinositides suggests a mechanism for regulation of phosphatidylinositol biosynthesis

We previously described the purification of a membrane-bound diacylglycerol kinase highly selective for sn-1-acyl-2-arachidonoyl diacylglycerols (Walsh, J. P., Suen, R., Lemaitre, R. N., and Glomset, J. A. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 21155-21164). This enzyme appears to be responsible for the rapid clearance of the arachidonate-rich pool of diacylglycerols generated during stimulus-induced phosphoinositide turnover. We have now shown phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to be a potent and specific inhibitor of arachidonoyl-diacylglycerol kinase. Kinetic analyses indicated a Ki for phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate of 0.04 mol %. Phosphatidic acid also was an inhibitor with a Ki of 0.7 mol %. Other phospholipids had only small effects at these concentrations. A series of multiply phosphorylated lipid analogs also inhibited the enzyme, indicating that the head group phosphomonoesters are the primary determinants of the polyphosphoinositide effect. However, these compounds were not as potent as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, indicating some specificity for the polyphosphoinositide additional to its total charge. Five other diacylglycerol kinases were activated to varying degrees by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidic acid, suggesting that inhibition by acidic lipids may be specific for the arachidonoyl-DAG kinase isoform. Given the presumed role of arachidonoyl-diacylglycerol kinase in the phosphoinositide cycle, this inhibition may represent a mechanism for polyphosphoinositides to regulate their own synthesis.

Signal transduction mechanism in response to aflatoxin B1 exposure: phosphatidylinositol metabolism

A single dose of aflatoxin B1 (7 mg/kg body weight) to male Wistar rats significantly stimulated the hepatic activity of phosphatidylinositol kinase, a key enzyme in the cell signalling mechanism, 1-7 h following its administration. Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate kinase activity showed only marginal increase, whereas activities of diacylglycerol kinase and phosphatidylinositol synthetase remained unchanged. The level of diacylglycerol, however, recorded a sharp increase at 1 and 2 h after carcinogen treatment. The stimulation of phosphatidylinositol cycle with faster turnover of active second messengers might be an early step in the manifestation of toxicity and/or carcinogenicity.

Identification of PI-PLC beta 1, gamma 1, and delta 1 in rat liver: subcellular distribution and relationship to inositol lipid nuclear signalling

The subcellular distribution of PI-PLC beta 1, gamma 1, and delta 1 has been investigated in rat liver by western blot and immunohistochemical analysis with a panel of isoform-specific antibodies. The data obtained in situ on cryo-sectioned tissue indicate that PI-PLC beta 1 is predominantly nuclear, while gamma 1 is largely cytoplasmic and delta 1 is sharply restricted to the cytoplasm. In fractionation experiments, the Western blot analysis indicated that the recovery of the nuclear isoforms beta 1 and gamma 1 was not affected by the removal of the nuclear membrane, and that the two enzymes persisted in nuclear matrix and lamina, obtained after nuclease digestion and extraction with high salt and detergent. The assay of the phosphodiesterase activity in different cell fractions correlates with the observed relative abundance of the enzymes, and specific inhibition with neutralizing anti-beta 1 and -gamma 1 isoforms confirms that these are the enzymes active at the nuclear level. These results demonstrate that in rat liver cells, as in other cell types, different members of the PI-PLC family show a discrete intracellular distribution, and suggest that PI-PLC beta 1 and gamma 1 play a central role in modulating the nuclear phosphoinositide cycle.

Phosphoinositide turnover during hepatocarcinogenesis induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine

The metabolism of phosphatidylinositol (PI) has been examined in rat liver during administration of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). The activities of PI kinase and PIP kinase were observed to be decreased as early as 7 days from the onset of NDEA administration, and remained suppressed until 60 days. PI synthetase showed a transient increase in activity at 7 days and thereafter the activity declined. The level of diacylglycerol (DAG), a key second messenger, showed a steady rise during the period of NDEA administration. A parallel increase in DAG kinase activity was also apparent. The results suggest that alterations of enzymes central to second messenger system with resulting changes in phosphoinositide turnover are important events during hepatocarcinogenesis induced by NDEA.

MgATP inhibits the synthesis of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate by microsomal acetyltransferase of immature rabbit cerebral cortex

The activity of 1-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (AGP) acetyltransferase was studied using microsomal fractions isolated from cerebral cortices of 15-day-old rabbits. Fraction P3A was isolated using buffered 0.32 M sucrose containing mercaptoethanol, EDTA and NaF. This fraction had specific AGP acetyltransferase activities which were 4.9-times those of microsomal fraction P3B isolated in 0.32 M sucrose alone. This P3B activity was increased 2.4-times after a preincubation in the presence of ATP, MgCl2 and a high-speed supernatant fraction from cerebral cortex. Further, the activities of both P3A and P3B were almost completely eliminated by preincubation in the presence of alkaline phosphatase. Thus an activation of the AGP acetyltransferase by phosphorylation was indicated. While there was little inhibition of the P3A AGP acetyltransferase in the presence of added ATP, the magnesium salt form of ATP (1 mM) was severely inhibitory, bringing about 86% inhibition for P3A and 91% for P3B. The inhibitory effects of MgADP and MgAMP were smaller, and MgATP was a much more effective inhibitor than MgCTP, MgGTP and MgUTP which brought about 20-38% inhibitions of P3A activity at 1 mM concentrations. The effect of MgATP may be of particular relevance to the synthesis of platelet activating factor (PAF) following a period of ischemia in brain. Falling MgATP levels during energy failure could relieve the inhibition of AGP acetyltransferase seen in healthy cells and allow the formation of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate, which is the first committed intermediate in the de novo pathway of PAF synthesis.

Diacylglycerol kinase activity in rat liver nuclei

Membrane-depleted rat liver nuclei contain diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase showing a specific activity which doubles that of the whole homogenate. In contrast, cytoplasmic and plasma membrane marker enzymes attain a specific activity of 0.4% at the most, when nuclear DAG kinase approaches 4.5% of the total tissue activity. The enzyme shows a Km of 161 and 200 microM for ATP in both nuclei and microsomes whereas the Km for DAG is 75 microM in nuclei and 658 microM in microsomes. Octylglucoside, CHAPS and Triton X-100 behave mainly as inhibitors, while deoxycholate stimulates the enzyme activity in both cellular fractions, increasing specific activity (3.2-fold in nuclei and 29.1-fold in microsomes) and decreasing Km for DAG (39 microM in nuclei and 237 microM in microsomes). Phospholipids and ceramide stimulate the enzyme activity in isolated nuclei, while no effect occurs in the microsomal fraction. At variance, sphingosine behaves as an inhibitor in both cellular fractions. DAG kinase also utilizes endogenous substrates mobilized by Bacillus cereus phospholipase C, which hydrolyses nuclear phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine and by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, which hydrolyses nuclear PI and PIP. These data indicate that nuclear DAG can be controlled by converting it into phosphatidic acid by the action of a nuclear enzyme and support the contention that protein kinase C activity can be modulated at the nuclear level by a discrete system involving phospholipase C and DAG kinase that could operate independently from the cytoplasm.

The potential for platelet-activating factor synthesis in brain: properties of cholinephosphotransferase and 1-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate acetyltransferase in microsomal fractions of immature rabbit cerebral cortex

The synthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF) was studied in microsomal fractions of cerebral cortices of 15-day-old rabbits. These included: a total microsomal fraction P3, rough and smooth microsomes, R and S, and microsomal fraction P derived from isolated nerve cell bodies. Cholinephosphotransferase (CPT) generating PAF from alkylacetylglycerol had the highest specific activities in fractions R and P (24 and 6 times the homogenate values, based on membrane phospholipid content). This CPT activity differed from that which synthesized phosphatidylcholine as the latter was sensitive to dithiothreitol inhibition and was more readily inhibited by Triton X-100. As the CPT activity for PAF synthesis relies on the production of alkylacetylglycerol we studied the acetyltransferase which forms 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (AAGP). This enzyme had the highest specific activity in fraction R, followed by fractions P3 and P. There was evidence that the acetyltransferase was more active in a phosphorylated form. NaF maximized the recovery of AAGP products in the assays. The pH optimum for acetylation was in a range of 8.0-9.0. Lyso PAF did not inhibit the formation of AAGP and the rates of formation of PAF by acetylation were less than 5% of values for AAGP synthesis. During AAGP formation there was no evidence for subsequent alkylacetylglycerol formation in the absence of NaF, but a small formation of radioactive PAF could be demonstrated from AAGP under the CPT assay conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of two cytosolic diacylglycerol kinase forms

Two forms of rat brain cytosolic diacylglycerol kinase (EC2.7.1.107) were separated by heparin-agarose column chromatography. These forms, designated DGK-I and DGK-II, were not interconvertible as determined by rechromatography. DGK-I and DGK-II had respective molecular masses of 88 and 180 kDa, as measured by Sepharose 6B chromatography. Both forms preferred diacylglycerol over monoacylglycerol and were insensitive to R59022. DGK-II, but not DGK-I, was activated by an activator substance prepared from chicken egg yolk. DGK-II was activated by a rat brain cytosolic activator and was exclusively sensitive to 5'-AMP-mediated inactivation. Further studies revealed that these two forms had the following distinct characteristics: (a) substrate specificity, (b) inhibition by heparin, (c) sensitivity to lysine-containing polyamino acids, and (d) responses to different phospholipids. In general, DGK-II was more responsive to various inhibitors and activators, making it a prime candidate for a regulatable enzyme.

Phosphatidic acid and polyphosphoinositide metabolism in rod outer segments. Differential role of soluble and peripheral proteins

The phosphorylation of endogenous diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphoinositides by [tau-32P]ATP was studied in bovine rod outer segments (ROS) selectively depleted of soluble or peripheral and soluble proteins by treatment with moderate (100 mM) or low (5 mM) ionic strength medium, respectively. DAG kinase activity was similar in bleached and non-bleached ROS extracted with 100 mM medium, and amounted to 70% of that observed in the corresponding non-extracted ROS. Phosphatidic acid (PtdH) labelling in ROS extracted in the dark with low ionic strength medium was markedly lower than in those extracted in light. Thus, even when a major proportion of DAG kinase was associated to the membrane, a soluble form also occurred. Most of the membrane-bound fraction behaved as a peripherally associated protein, its binding to the membrane being modified by light. Ir ROS extracted at moderate ionic strength the labelling of inositides was similar to that in non-extracted ROS. A marked enhancement in polyphosphoinositide labelling was observed in ROS extracted in the dark with low ionic strength. Alkaline treatment of ROS also produced inhibition of polyphosphoinositide phosphorylation. A peripheral form of a type C phospholipase, or a peripheral protein-mediated activation of a particulate form thereof, is suggested. Labelled polyphosphoinositides were more actively hydrolyzed in the light and in the dark plus GTP tau S than in the dark-incubated membranes. The results of phosphorylation experiments in membranes where differential extraction of the alpha subunit of transducin was carried out suggest that alpha and beta tau subunits may play opposite modulating roles in PtdH and polyphosphoinositide metabolism.

Regulation of the metabolism of 1,2-diacylglycerols and inositol phosphates that respond to receptor activation

This review assimilates information on the regulation of the metabolism of those inositol phosphates and diacylglycerols that respond to receptor activation. Particular emphasis is placed on the regulation of specific enzymes, the occurrence of isoenzymes, and metabolic compartmentalization; the overall aim is to demonstrate the significance of these activities in relation to the physiological impact of the various cell signalling processes.

Identification of two cytosolic diacylglycerol kinase isoforms in rat brain, and in NIH-3T3 and ras-transformed fibroblasts

Two major species of diacylglycerol kinase (type I and type II) were separated from brain cytosol and from NIH-3T3 or ras-transformed 3T3 cells by heparin-agarose chromatography. Multiple species of diacylglycerol kinase were also detected by non-denaturing isoelectric focusing. The two peaks of activity were of similar size, both co-eluted at approximately 95 kDa from a Superose f.p.l.c. column. Type II enzyme (pI 8.0) was more active when substrate was presented in a deoxycholate/phosphatidylserine undefined environment, as opposed to an octyl glucoside/phosphatidylserine micellar environment. Type II activity was also enhanced by the presence of phosphatidylcholine as cofactor. Type I enzyme (pI 4.0) was more active in the presence of either phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylinositol. Type I and II enzymes had different ATP affinities. Both enzymes showed a preference for diacylglycerol substrates with saturated acyl chains of 10-12 carbon atoms. The cytosolic enzyme activity was able to bind to diacylglycerol-enriched membranes in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts, and this translocation was unaffected in ras-transformed 3T3 cells. These results demonstrate the presence of multiple diacylglycerol kinases in brain cytosol and NIH-3T3 and ras-transformed 3T3 cells. The enzymes differ in cofactor, ATP and substrate requirements. These results can explain some of the contradictions between previous studies of cytosolic diacylglycerol kinase activity, and suggest the presence of a family of such kinases that are differentially regulated by phospholipid cofactors.

Phosphoinositide metabolism in cultured glioma and neuroblastoma cells: subcellular distribution of enzymes indicate incomplete turnover at the plasma membrane

The hypothesis that the small portion of cellular phosphoinositide participating in signal transduction might be preferentially recycled within the plasma membrane was tested in rat glioma (C6) and murine neuroblastoma (N1E-115) cells. Percoll density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate a purified plasma membrane fraction and the subcellular distribution of all enzymes mediating phosphoinositide turnover was assessed. A small but significant proportion of PtdInsP2-specific phosphodiesterase was located in the plasma membrane but only two of the five enzymes required to replace PtdInsP2 (diacylglycerol kinase and PtdInsP kinase) also were present. CTP:phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase and CMP-phosphatidate:inositol phosphatidyltransferase were located exclusively in a microsomal fraction containing enriched levels of endoplasmic reticulum markers. Thus, diacylglycerol from agonist-stimulated cleavage of PtdInsP2, or phosphatidic acid formed from it, must be transferred to the endoplasmic reticulum for conversion to PtdIns. Plasma membrane also lacked PtdIns kinase. If the soluble PtdIns kinase has access to membrane-bound substrate, PtdIns may be phosphorylated to PtdInsP before or during transport to the plasma membrane. Phosphorylation by the predominantly plasma membrane PtdInsP kinase to form PtdInsP2 completes the cycle. PtdInsP phosphatase was present in all membrane fractions suggesting that PtdInsP can be returned to the PtdIns pool in plasma membrane and elsewhere. PtdInsP2 phosphatase was almost exclusively in the cytosol suggesting that reversible interchange between PtdInsP and PtdInsP2 in the plasma membrane may be modulated by the ability of this phosphatase to act on PtdInsP2 in the membrane. Thus, PtdIns resynthesis in the plasma membrane of these cells does not occur and is not required for phosphoinositide-mediated signal transduction.

Phosphatidylinositol synthetase activities in neuronal nuclei and microsomal fractions isolated from immature rabbit cerebral cortex

The synthesis of phosphatidylinositol was studied using a nuclear fraction N1, a microsomal fraction P3, rough (R) and smooth (S) microsomal fractions and a microsomal fraction P derived from isolated nerve cell bodies. Each fraction was prepared using cerebral cortices of 15-day-old rabbits. In assays using CDP-diacylglycerol (prepared from egg phosphatidylcholine) and myo[3H]inositol at pH 7.4, fraction N1 had the highest maximal specific rates of phosphatidylinositol synthetase (EC 2.7.8.11) (expressed per mumol phospholipid in the fraction). However the three microsomal fractions achieved maximal specific activities at liponucleotide concentrations close to 50 microM, while fraction N1 required 200 microM concentrations. In certain cases (25-120 microM CDP-diacylglycerol, and at higher pH values) fraction R had specific activities which equalled or surpassed those of N1. However, with respect to inositol, fraction N1 had a distinctly lower Km than was shown for fractions R or P3. Each of the microsomal fractions and N1 required Mg2+ for the reaction, but for N1, maximal rates could be sustained at 0.1 mM, while for the microsomal fractions the optimal Mg2+ concentration was 1 mM. For each fraction Mn2+ could not replace Mg2+ in the reaction and Mn2+ was inhibitory. The optimal pH for the reaction was between 8.0 and 9.0. Phosphatidylinositol synthetase could also be shown using fraction N1 enriched in endogenous CDP-diacylglycerol. The relatively high specific activities of fraction N1, and the differences found between N1 and the microsomal fractions, for optimal CDP-diacylglycerol and Mg2+ concentrations and for Km values for inositol, support the existence of a neuronal nuclear phosphatidylinositol synthetase.

Effects of free fatty acids and acyl-coenzyme A on diacylglycerol kinase in rat brain

Our earlier studies have indicated the presence of diacylglycerol kinase activity in rat brain cytosol as well as subcellular membrane fractions (Strosznajder et al.: Neurochemistry International 8(2):213-221, 1986). There is much evidence indicating the release of diacylglycerols due to stimulation of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis by hormones and receptor agonists. In turn, diacylglycerols have been linked to a second messenger role for activation of protein kinase C. The present study tests the ability of free fatty acids and acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) to regulate diacylglycerol kinase activity. In a system containing brain cytosol and microsomes, addition of oleic acid (0.5 mM) resulted in large stimulation of diacylglycerol kinase activity as well as some translocation of the enzyme from cytosol to microsomes. On the other hand, oleoyl-CoA (0.1 mM), but neither palmitoyl-CoA nor arachidonoyl-CoA, was effective in translocation of the diacylglycerol kinase. Unlike oleic acid, which preferred to associate with membranes, most of the oleoyl-CoA remained in the cytosolic fraction. Since free fatty acids in brain are stringently controlled and are released during ischemic insult, a condition which also elicits the breakdown of polyphosphoinositide to diacylglycerols, results here suggest a plausible mechanism for regulation of diacylglycerol metabolism by free fatty acids and acyl-CoA.

Defect in phorbol acetate-induced translocation of diacylglycerol kinase in erbB-transformed fibroblast cells

We here show that tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) and 1-oleoyl 2-acetyl glycerol (OAG) cause the translocation of diacylglycerol (DG) kinase from the cytosol to the membrane fractions in chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells. However, this translocation is not marked in erbB-transformed chick embryo fibroblast (GEV) cells. The activities of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) kinases in membrane fractions are not altered by TPA treatment in either CEF or GEV cells. Such reduced translocation of DG kinase by TPA is also observed in src-transformed cells, but not in myc-transformed cells. These results suggest that the defect in DG kinase translocation may result in failure to suppress the overactivation of protein kinase C in erbB-2 and src-transformed cells, which may lead to cell growth and transformation.

Immunoquantitation of 80 kDa diacylglycerol kinase in pig and human lymphocytes and several other cells

80 kDa diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) was immunoquantitated in cell homogenates and subcellular fractions. It was extremely abundant in the cytosol of various lymphocytes and comprised, in the highest case, more than 0.2% of the total soluble protein in T cell-enriched pig splenocytes. The lymphocyte membrane contained less than 10% of the total cellular DGK protein. The content of 80 kDa DGK in the human T cell leukemic cell line, Jurkat (360 ng/mg homogenate protein), was similar to those in pig and human peripheral blood lymphocytes. In contrast, the enzyme level was very low in the human promyeloblastic cell line, HL-60 (less than 10 ng/mg homogenate protein), and was undetectable in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These findings indicate that the content of 80 kDa DGK is markedly variable depending on the type of cells, even though all these cells are known to accumulate phosphatidate rapidly upon cell stimulation.

Generation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate proceeds through an intracellular route in rat hepatocytes

The subcellular distribution in rat hepatocytes of enzymes participating in the entire generation cycle of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, and phosphorylated intermediates of this pathway, has been examined by Nycodenz gradient centrifugation. Our results indicate that the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum, and that its phosphorylation to phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate occurs intracellularly in low-density membranes before translocation to the plasma membrane, where it is further phosphorylated to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. The intracellular formation of PIP implies a vesicular transport to the plasma membrane.

Activation of rat liver plasma-membrane diacylglycerol kinase by vasopressin and phenylephrine

Plasma-membrane fractions were prepared from the livers of rats injected with 0.15 M-NaCl (controls) or vasopressin (1 nmol/kg body wt.). When assayed in the presence of deoxycholate, vasopressin increased the Vmax. of plasma-membrane diacylglycerol kinase 2-4-fold, and the apparent Km of the enzyme for 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol was doubled. The effect of vasopressin on the Vmax. of plasma-membrane diacylglycerol kinase was twice as great between pH 7 and 8.5 than at pH 6 or 6.5. Vasopressin doubled the activity of diacylglycerol kinase in the plasma-membrane fraction when the enzyme was assayed with phosphatidylserine rather than deoxycholate as stimulator, and when either 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol or 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol was the substrate. In perfused livers vasopressin (10 nM) increased the Vmax. of plasma-membrane diacylglycerol kinase 2-fold, and phenylephrine (3 microM) gave a similar effect. Vasopressin doubled diacylglycerol kinase activity in hepatocytes that had been preincubated for 55 min, but not in cells that had only been preincubated for 15 min.

CTP-dependent lipid kinases of yeast

Membrane fractions from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae catalyzed a transfer of gamma-phosphate from [gamma-32P]CTP into membranous lipids. Phosphorylated compounds were identified as phosphatidic acid and dolichyl phosphate (DolP). The membrane fraction also catalyzed phosphorylation of the exogenous dolichol. The activity of the phosphorylating enzymes could be modified by the yeast growing conditions; i.e., the enzyme from yeast grown aerobically favored the synthesis of phosphatidate over dolichyl phosphate in the ratio of 3:1, whereas the membrane fraction from anaerobically grown yeast synthesized PA and DolP in the ratio of 0.5:1. The activity of the phosphorylating enzymes could also be modified by divalent cations and the concentration of detergents. Phosphorylation of lipids does not occur in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP and is not influenced by the presence of UTP or GTP. This result points to the specific role of CTP as a gamma-phosphate donor for the synthesis of phosphatidate and dolichyl phosphates in the yeast system.

Disappearance of diacylglycerol kinase translocation in ras-transformed cells

Oncogenic transformation has been considered to be in part a consequence of the elevated levels of 1,2-diacylglycerol(DG), resulting in the permanent activation of protein kinase C. DG content in transformed cells with v-H-ras, c-K-ras and N-ras oncogene increased 1.5-fold compared to that in non-transformed NIH/3T3 cells. DG kinase activity of membrane fractions, which plays an important role in DG attenuation, was significantly lower in all ras-transformed cells. On the contrary, DG kinase activity in cytosol fractions in ras-transformed cells was found to be increased. DG kinase translocated very markedly from cytosol to membranes in non-transformed NIH/3T3 cells by the treatment of phospholipase C. On the other hand, translocation of DG kinase in ras-transformed cells was slight, though the formation of DG by the treatment of phospholipase C was almost same between ras-transformed and NIH/3T3 cells. These results strongly support the idea that the increased DG content in ras-transformed cells is, at least partly due to the defect of DG kinase translocation, which may lead to the sustained activation of protein kinase C.

The formation of phosphatidic acid de novo: a comparison of activities in neuronal nuclei and microsomes isolated from immature rabbit cerebral cortex

The formation of phosphatidic acid from sn-glycerol 3-phosphate was studied in neuronal nuclear fraction N1 and a microsomal fraction P3, isolated from cerebral cortices of 15-day-old rabbits. Two assays were used, employing dithiothreitol, MgCl2, NaF and (A) sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, [14C]oleate, ATP and CoA or (B) sn-[3H]glycerol 3-phosphate and oleoyl-CoA. In both assays fraction N1 had specific rates of phosphatidic acid labelling (expressed per mumol phospholipid in the fraction) which were 5- to 6-times the corresponding values for P3. In contrast to N1, the formation of phosphatidic acid by fraction P3 was more sensitive to inhibition at high concentrations of oleoyl-CoA and was greatly dependent upon the presence of NaF. In the absence of this salt, P3 showed decreased phosphatidate formation and increased levels of radioactive monoacylglycerols. Using cerebral cortex, rough (R) and smooth (S) microsomal fractions were prepared, as was a microsomal fraction P from isolated nerve cell bodies. P had specific rates of phosphatidic acid labelling which were 2-3 times the values for P3, but were about 50% of the N1 values. This indicates a concentration of phosphatidate synthesis in the nucleus within the nerve cell. Specific rates for fraction R were higher and were similar to those of N1. In S, P3 and R the specific rates of phosphatidic acid synthesis paralleled specific RNA contents and indicated a location for phosphatidic acid synthesis within the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Effects of inhibitors of diacylglycerol metabolism on protein kinase C-mediated responses in hepatocytes

In hepatocytes pre-labelled with [3H]glycerol, compound R59022 (6-[2-(4-[(4-fluorophenyl)phenylmethylene]-1-piperidinyl)ethyl]-7- methyl-5H-thiazolo[3,2-alpha]pyrimidin-5-one) and 2-bromooctanoate each increased the amount of radioactivity in diacylglycerols. R59022 mimicked the actions of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in completely abolishing the activation by adrenaline (but not that by vasopressin or glucagon) of glycogen phosphorylase a, and in decreasing the activity of glycogen synthetase. Exogenous dioctanoylglycerol caused a small inhibition of adrenaline-stimulated phosphorylase activity. The concentration of R59022 which gave half-maximal inhibition of adrenaline-stimulated phosphorylase activity was 15 microM. Maximal inhibition was observed within 2 min of addition of R59022. 2-Bromooctanoate activated phosphorylase by a process independent of changes in cyclic AMP and Ca2+, and decreased glycogen synthetase. It is concluded that in hepatocytes (i) diacylglycerols which accumulate as a result of the inhibition of diacylglycerol kinase by R59022 activate protein kinase C and (ii) 2-bromooctanoate increases diacylglycerols but also has other effects on hepatocyte metabolism.

An endogenous regulator of diacylglycerol kinase

During the initial steps of the subcellular fractionation of rat brain homogenate, we recovered more than 100% of diacylglycerol kinase activity. The unusually high yields prompted us to examine the possibility that we had removed an endogenous inhibitor from diacylglycerol kinase during those steps. Our study revealed the existence of a potent inhibitor of diacylglycerol kinase in the crude synaptosomal-mitochondrial fraction (P2 pellet). The inhibitory substance was water soluble upon organic solvent extraction. The inhibitory activity of the substance was retained after extensive dialysis, suggesting the macromolecular nature of this compound. This substance may represent an important physiological regulator of diacylglycerol kinase.

Dissimilar effects of 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate on fatty acid synthesis in isolated rat-liver cells

Exogenous 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) is known to mimic the action of tumour-promoting phorbol esters in various cell types. However, in isolated rat hepatocytes OAG depressed the rate of de novo fatty acid synthesis and the activity of the key enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.2), in contrast to the pronounced stimulation of both parameters by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The inhibition by OAG appeared to be dose- and time-dependent. On the other hand, medium-chain 1,2-diacylglycerols like 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol did mimic the stimulatory action of PMA. The anomalous effect of OAG may well be explained by its metabolic breakdown leading to liberation of oleate and subsequent inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity by endogenously formed oleoyl-CoA. The stimulatory effects of both PMA and medium-chain diacylglycerols are likely to be mediated by protein kinase C.

Phosphatidylinositol kinase, phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate kinase and diacylglycerol kinase activities in rat brain subcellular fractions

Subcellular fractions isolated and purified from rat brain cerebral cortices were assayed for phosphatidylinositol (PI-), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP-), and diacylglycerol (DG-) kinase activities in the presence of endogenous or exogenously added lipid substrates and [gamma-32P]ATP. Measurable amounts of all three kinase activities were observed in each subcellular fraction, including the cytosol. However, their subcellular profiles were uniquely distinct. In the absence of exogenous lipid substrates, PI-kinase specific activity was greatest in the microsomal and non-synaptic plasma membrane fractions (150-200 pmol/min per mg protein), whereas PIP-kinase was predominantly active in the synaptosomal fraction (136 pmol/min per mg protein). Based on percentage of total protein, total recovered PI-kinase activity was most abundant in the cytosolic, synaptosomal, microsomal and mitochondrial fractions (4-11 nmol/min). With the exception of the microsomal fraction, a similar profile was observed for PIP-kinase activity when assayed in the presence of exogenous PIP (4 nmol/20 mg protein in a final assay volume of 0.1 ml). Exogenous PIP (4 nmol/20 mg protein) inhibited PI-kinase activity in most fractions by 40-70%, while enhancing PIP-kinase activity. PI- and PIP-kinase activities were observed in the cytosolic fraction when assayed in the presence of exogenously added PI or PIP, respectively, but not in heat-inactivated membranes containing these substrates. When subcellular fractions were assayed for DG-kinase activity using heat-inactivated DG-enriched membranes as substrate, DG-kinase specific activity was predominantly present in in the cytosol. However, incubation of subcellular fractions in the presence of deoxycholate resulted in a striking enhancement of DG-kinase activities in all membrane fractions. These findings demonstrate a bimodal distribution between particulate and soluble fractions of all three lipid kinases, with each exhibiting its own unique subcellular topography. The preferential expression of PIP-kinase specific activity in the synaptic membranes is suggestive of the involvement of PIP2 in synaptic function, while the expression of PI-kinase specific activity in the microsomal fraction suggests additional, yet unknown, functions for PIP in these membranes.

Regulation of diacylglycerol kinase in the transition from quiescence to proliferation in Dictyostelium discoideum

Diacylglycerol kinase and phosphatidylinositol kinase were examined in stationary phase D. discoideum amoeba induced to synchronously proliferate by dilution into fresh medium. Membrane bound diacylglycerol kinase activity showed a rapid and transitory 3-5 fold increase in the preproliferative interphase while phosphatidylinositol kinase activity was kept quite constant during the same period. The changes in diacylglycerol kinase activity seem to be due to a translocation of the enzyme from the soluble to the particulate cell compartments.

Translocation of diacylglycerol kinase in response to chemotactic peptide and phorbol ester in neutrophils

When neutrophils were stimulated by the chemotactic peptide, fMLP, a rapid, transient increase in the activity of diacylglycerol(DG) kinase in the membrane fraction was detected. DG kinase in cytosol, on the contrary, showed a transient decrease. The total activity in homogenates was not affected. Tetradecanoylphorbol acetate(TPA) and 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol(OAG) also caused an increase in DG kinase activity in the membrane fraction. Km value of DG kinase in membranes was not changed by the treatment of fMLP or TPA, though Vmax was increased. Considering these results, DG kinase may translocate from cytosol to membranes on stimulation by fMLP, TPA or OAG in neutrophils. The translocation may play important roles in regulation of protein kinase C activity, since DG kinase competes with protein kinase C for DG, which is formed by receptor-activation.

Diacylglycerol-induced translocation of diacylglycerol kinase: use of affinity-purified enzyme in a reconstitution system

Diacylglycerol-induced translocation of diacylglycerol kinase (ATP:1,2-diacylglycerol 3-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.107) from the soluble to the membrane-bound compartments was demonstrated both in crude tissue homogenates and in a reconstituted enzyme-membrane model system. In homogenates of either rat brain or liver, incubation with diacylglycerol or phospholipase C, but not phospholipase A2 or phospholipase D, resulted in the translocation of diacylglycerol kinase activity from the soluble to the particulate fraction. This observation formed the basis for the first step in a two-step purification of diacylglycerol kinase. Enzyme extracted in 1 M salt from membranes of rat brain homogenates made in the presence of phospholipase C was purified further by affinity chromatography on a column containing phosphatidylserine, diacylglycerol, and cholesterol immobilized in polyacrylamide. This step yielded an enzyme preparation (step 2 enzyme) that was 500- to 750-fold purified (relative to the tissue homogenate) and required phosphatidylserine for stability. All other lipids tested failed to stabilize the enzyme. The properties of the enzyme preparation were similar to those of mammalian diacylglycerol kinases described by others. Reconstitution experiments showed that the soluble step 2 enzyme bound to inside-out vesicles of human erythrocytes only in the presence of diacylglycerol or phospholipase C but not phospholipase A2 or D. Redistribution of the kinase from soluble to vesicle-bound forms occurred rapidly and was dependent on the concentration of phospholipase C used to treat the vesicles. Physiological concentrations of calcium (50-1000 nM) did not enhance the phospholipase C-mediated translocation of the kinase. Thus, diacylglycerol kinase can translocate from cytosol to membranes in a manner dependent on the content of membrane-bound diacylglycerol but independent of the ambient concentration of calcium.

Stereospecificity of diacylglycerol for stimulus-response coupling in platelets

In intact platelets, a permeable diacylglycerol having a 1,2-sn- but not 2,3-sn- configuration activated protein kinase C directly. In the presence of Ca2+-ionophore this diacylglycerol caused full activation of platelet release reaction. 1,3-Isomer was inactive. Among these isomers only 1,2-sn-diacylglycerol was converted rapidly to the corresponding phosphatidic acid in both intact and broken cell preparations. Thus, the diacylglycerol which functions in stimulus-response coupling possesses a 1,2-sn-glycerol backbone, and other isomers are not involved in the signal transduction through the protein kinase C pathway.