Pulse-chase studies of the synthesis of apolipoprotein B in a human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2

Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase regulates systemic lipid homeostasis via glycosylation-dependent lipoprotein production

Interorgan lipid transport is crucial for organism development and the maintenance of physiological function. Here, we demonstrate that Drosophila long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (dAcsl), which catalyzes the conversion of fatty acids into acyl-coenzyme As (acyl-CoAs), plays a critical role in regulating systemic lipid homeostasis. dAcsl deficiency in the fat body led to the ectopic accumulation of neutral lipids in the gut, along with significantly reduced lipoprotein contents in both the fat body and hemolymph. The aberrant phenotypes were rescued by fat body-specific overexpression of apolipophorin. A multi-omics investigation comprising lipidomics, metabolomics, and proteomics in conjunction with genetic screening revealed that glycosylation processes were suppressed in dAcsl knockdown flies. Overexpression of CG9035, human ortholog of which is implicated in the congenital disorder of glycosylation, ameliorated gut lipid accumulation in Drosophila. Aberrant lipoprotein glycosylation led to accelerated proteasome-related degradation and induced ER stress in dAcsl knockdown flies, impairing lipoprotein release into the circulation which compromised interorgan lipid transport between the fat body and the gut. Inhibition of ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation alleviated the phenotype of gut ectopic fat accumulation in dAcsl knockdown flies. Finally, we verified that ACSL4, the human homolog of dAcsl, also regulated lipoprotein levels in HepG2 cells, indicating that the role of dAcsl in modulating lipoprotein secretion and systemic lipid homeostasis is possibly conserved in humans.

Two different pathways of phosphatidylcholine synthesis, the Kennedy Pathway and the Lands Cycle, differentially regulate cellular triacylglycerol storage

Background

Lipids are stored within cells in lipid droplets (LDs). They consist of a core of neutral lipids surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipids, predominantly phosphatidylcholine (PC). LDs are very dynamic and can rapidly change in size upon lipid uptake or release. These dynamics require a fast adaptation of LD surface. We have recently shown that two Lands cycle PC synthesizing enyzmes, LPCAT1 and LPCAT2 can localize to the LD surface.

Results

Here, we show that knock-down of both enzymes leads to an increase in LD size without changes in the total amount of neutral lipids, while interference with the de-novo Kennedy pathway PC biosynthesis is associated with changes in triacylglyceride synthesis. We show that function of LPCAT1 and 2 is conserved in Drosophila melanogaster by the ortholog CG32699. Furthermore we demonstrate that modulation of the LD pool by LPCAT1 influences the release of lipoprotein from liver cells.

Conclusion

Activity of the Kennedy pathway regulates the balance between phospholipids and neutral lipids, while the Lands cycle regulates lipid droplet size by regulating surface availability and influencing surface to volume ratio. Differences in lipid droplet size may account for differences in lipid dynamics and be relevant to understand lipid overload diseases.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12860-014-0043-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) I148M (rs738409) affects hepatic VLDL secretion in humans and in vitro

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The robust association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the genetic variant I148M (rs738409) in PNPLA3 has been widely replicated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the PNPLA3 I148M mutation on: (1) hepatic secretion of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in humans; and (2) secretion of apolipoprotein B (apoB) from McA-RH 7777 cells, which secrete VLDL-sized apoB-containing lipoproteins.

METHODS

VLDL kinetics was analyzed after a bolus infusion of stable isotopes in 55 overweight/obese men genotyped for the PNPLA3 I148M variant. Intracellular lipid content, apoB secretion and glycerolipid metabolism were studied in McA-RH 7777 cells overexpressing the human 148I wild type or 148M mutant PNPLA3 protein.

RESULTS

In humans, carriers of the PNPLA3 148M allele had increased liver fat compared to 148I homozygotes, and kinetic analysis showed a relatively lower secretion of the large, triglyceride-rich VLDL (VLDL(1)) in 148M carriers vs. 148I homozygotes for the same amount of liver fat. McA-RH 7777 cells overexpressing the 148M mutant protein showed a higher intracellular triglyceride content with a lower apoB secretion and fatty acid efflux, compared to cells overexpressing the 148I wild type protein. The responses with 148M matched those observed in cells expressing the empty vector, indicating that the mutation results in loss of function.

CONCLUSIONS

We have shown that PNPLA3 affects the secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins both in humans and in vitro and that the 148M protein is a loss-of-function mutation. We propose that PNPLA3 148M promotes intracellular lipid accumulation in the liver by reducing the lipidation of VLDL.

Plasma proteome dynamics: analysis of lipoproteins and acute phase response proteins with 2H2O metabolic labeling

Understanding the pathologies related to the regulation of protein metabolism requires methods for studying the kinetics of individual proteins. We developed a (2)H(2)O metabolic labeling technique and software for protein kinetic studies in free living organisms. This approach for proteome dynamic studies requires the measurement of total body water enrichments by GC-MS, isotopic distribution of the tryptic peptide by LC-MS/MS, and estimation of the asymptotical number of deuterium incorporated into a peptide by software. We applied this technique to measure the synthesis rates of several plasma lipoproteins and acute phase response proteins in rats. Samples were collected at different time points, and proteins were separated by a gradient gel electrophoresis. (2)H labeling of tryptic peptides was analyzed by ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LTQ MS/MS) for measurement of the fractional synthesis rates of plasma proteins. The high sensitivity of LTQ MS in zoom scan mode in combination with (2)H label amplification in proteolytic peptides allows detection of the changes in plasma protein synthesis related to animal nutritional status. Our results demonstrate that fasting has divergent effects on the rate of synthesis of plasma proteins, increasing synthesis of ApoB 100 but decreasing formation of albumin and fibrinogen. We conclude that this technique can effectively measure the synthesis of plasma proteins and can be used to study the regulation of protein homeostasis under physiological and pathological conditions.

Apolipoprotein B Secretory Regulation by Degradation

In this short review, we discuss apolipoprotein B100 and the assembly of very low-density lipoproteins. In particular, we address the nature and importance of co- and posttranslational degradation of apolipoprotein B100 during the assembly process. We also provide a short historical background to the development of the current model for the degradation of apolipoprotein B100.

Epigallocatechin gallate increases the formation of cytosolic lipid droplets and decreases the secretion of apoB-100 VLDL

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) increases the formation of cytosolic lipid droplets by a mechanism that is independent of the rate of triglyceride biosynthesis and involves an enhanced fusion between lipid droplets, a process that is crucial for their growth in size. EGCG treatment reduced the secretion of both triglycerides and apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) VLDLs but not of transferrin, albumin, or total proteins, indicating that EGCG diverts triglycerides from VLDL assembly to storage in the cytosol. This is further supported by the observed increase in both intracellular degradation of apoB-100 and ubiquitination of the protein (indicative of increased proteasomal degradation) in EGCG-treated cells. EGCG did not interfere with the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and the effect of EGCG on the secretion of VLDLs was found to be independent of the LDL receptor. Thus, our results indicate that EGCG promotes the accumulation of triglycerides in cytosolic lipid droplets, thereby diverting lipids from the assembly of VLDL to storage in the cytosol. Our results also indicate that the accumulation of lipids in the cytosol is not always associated with increased secretion of VLDL.

Relation of the size and intracellular sorting of apoB to the formation of VLDL 1 and VLDL 2

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that two separate pathways, the two-step process and an apolipoprotein B (apoB) size-dependent lipidation process, give rise to different lipoproteins. Expression of apoB-100 and C-terminally truncated forms of apoB-100 in McA-RH7777 cells demonstrated that VLDL particles can be assembled by apoB size-dependent linear lipidation, resulting in particles whose density is inversely related to the size of apoB. This lipidation results in a LDL-VLDL 2 particle containing apoB-100. VLDL 1 is assembled by the two-step process by apoB-48 and larger forms of apoB but not to any significant amount by apoB-41. The major amount of intracellular apoB-80 and apoB-100 banded with a mean density of 1.10 g/ml. Its formation was dependent on the sequence between apoB-72 and apoB-90. This dense particle, which is retained in the cell, possibly by chaperones or association with the microsomal membrane, is a precursor of secreted VLDL 1. The intracellular LDL-VLDL 2 particles formed during size-dependent lipidation appear to be the precursors of intracellular VLDL 1. We propose that the dense apoB-100 intracellular particle is converted to LDL-VLDL 2 by size-dependent lipidation. LDL-VLDL 2 is secreted or converted to VLDL 1 by the uptake of the major amount of triglycerides.

Influence of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonists on the intracellular turnover and secretion of apolipoprotein (Apo) B-100 and ApoB-48

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha agonist WY 14,643 increased the secretion of apolipoprotein (apo) B-100, but not that of apoB-48, and decreased triglyceride biosynthesis and secretion from primary rat hepatocytes. These effects resulted in decreased secretion of apoB-100-very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and an increased secretion of apoB-100 on low density lipoproteins/intermediate density lipoproteins. ApoB-48-VLDL was also replaced by more dense particles. The proteasomal inhibitor lactacystin did not influence the recovery of apoB-100 or apoB-48 in primary rat hepatocytes, indicating that co-translational (proteasomal) degradation is of less importance in these cells. Treatment with WY 14,643 made the recovery of apoB-100 sensitive to lactacystin, most likely reflecting the decreased biosynthesis of triglycerides. The PPAR alpha agonist induced a significant increase in the accumulation of pulse-labeled apoB-100 even after a short pulse (2-5 min). There was also an increase in apoB-100 nascent polypeptides, indicating that the co-translational degradation of apoB-100 was inhibited. However, a minor influence on an early posttranslation degradation cannot be excluded. This decreased co-translational degradation of apoB-100 explained the increased secretion of the protein. The levels of apoB-48 remained unchanged during these pulse-chase experiments, and albumin production was not affected, indicating a specific effect of PPAR alpha agonists on the co-translational degradation of apoB-100. These findings explain the difference in the rate of secretion of the two apoB proteins seen after PPAR alpha activation. PPAR alpha agonists increased the expression and biosynthesis of liver fatty acid-binding protein (LFABP). Increased expression of LFABP by transfection of McA-RH7777 cells increased the secretion of apoB-100, decreased triglyceride biosynthesis and secretion, and increased PPAR alpha mRNA levels. These findings suggest that PPAR alpha and LFABP could interact to amplify the effect of endogenous PPAR alpha agonists on the assembly of VLDL.

Direct effects of growth hormone on production and secretion of apolipoprotein B from rat hepatocytes

The aim of this study was to investigate the direct effects of growth hormone (GH) on production and secretion of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins from hepatocytes. Bovine GH (5-500 ng/ml) was given for 1 or 3 days to rat hepatocytes cultured on laminin-rich matrigel in serum-free medium. The effects of GH were compared with those of 3 nM insulin and 500 microM oleic acid. GH increased the editing of apoB mRNA, and the proportion of newly synthesized apoB-48 (of total apoB) in the cells and secreted into the medium changed in parallel. GH increased total secretion of apoB-48 (+30%) and apoB-48 in very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) more than twofold. Total apoB-100 secretion decreased 63%, but apoB-100-VLDL secretion was unaffected by GH. Pulse-chase studies indicated that GH increased intracellular early degradation of apoB-100 but not apoB-48. GH had no effect on apoB mRNA or LDL receptor mRNA levels. The triglyceride synthesis, the mass of triglycerides in the cells, and the VLDL fraction of the medium increased after GH incubation. Three days of insulin incubation had effects similar to those of GH. Combined incubation with oleic acid and GH had additive effects on apoB mRNA editing and apoB-48-VLDL secretion. In summary, GH has direct effects on production and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins, which may add to the effects of hyperinsulinemia and increased flux of fatty acids to the liver during GH treatment in vivo.

ADP-ribosylation factor 1 and its activation of phospholipase D are important for the assembly of very low density lipoproteins

The role of ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF-1) in the assembly of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) was investigated by expressing dominant-negative mutants in McA-RH7777 cells. Transient expression of ARF-1(T31N), a GDP-restrictive mutant, significantly inhibited apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) VLDL production without influencing the biosynthesis of apoB-100 low density lipoproteins or total apoB production (indicating that it inhibited the second step of VLDL assembly) and without altering total protein production or biosynthesis of transferrin, phosphatidylcholine, or triglycerides. These effects were confirmed in stable inducible transfectants. In contrast, expression of an ARF-1 mutant lacking the N-terminal 17 amino acids, which has no myristoylation site and cannot interact with the microsomal membrane, did not affect VLDL assembly. Thus, active ARF-1 is needed for the second step of the process. To further explore these observations, we developed a cell-free system based on the postnuclear supernatant isolated from McA-RH7777 cells. In this system, 10-15% of the apoB-100 pool was converted to VLDL in a time- and temperature-dependent way. The assembly process was highly dependent on a heat-stable factor in the d > 1.21 g/ml infranatant of fetal calf serum; this factor was not present in low density lipoproteins or VLDL. Brefeldin A inhibited VLDL assembly in this system, as did a synthetic peptide (corresponding to N-terminal amino acids 2-17 of ARF-1) that displaces ARF-1 from the membrane. Thus, active ARF-1 is also needed for cell-free assembly of VLDL. Guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate also inhibited VLDL assembly in this system, indicating that the process requires ongoing hydrolysis of GTP. 1-Butanol, which inhibits the formation of phosphatidic acid (PA) and instead gives rise to phosphatidylbutanol, inhibited VLDL assembly, whereas 2-butanol, which does not inhibit PA formation, failed to do so. Thus, phospholipase D (PLD)-catalyzed formation of PA from phosphatidylcholine is essential for VLDL assembly. In support of this conclusion, exogenous PLD prevented brefeldin A from inhibiting the assembly process. Our results indicate that ARF-1 participates in the second step of VLDL assembly through a process that involves activation of PLD and production of PA.

The assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein B-48-containing very low density lipoproteins in McA-RH7777 cells

We have used an extraction procedure, which released membrane-bound apoB-100, to study the assembly of apoB-48 VLDL (very low density lipoproteins). This procedure released apoB-48, but not integral membrane proteins, from microsomes of McA-RH7777 cells. Upon gradient ultracentrifugation, the extracted apoB-48 migrated in the same position as the dense apoB-48-containing lipoprotein (apoB-48 HDL (high density lipoprotein)) secreted into the medium. Labeling studies with [(3)H]glycerol demonstrated that the HDL-like particle extracted from the microsomes contains both triglycerides and phosphatidylcholine. The estimated molar ratio between triglyceride and phosphatidylcholine was 0.70 +/- 0.09, supporting the possibility that the particle has a neutral lipid core. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that microsomal apoB-48 HDL can either be secreted as apoB-48 HDL or converted to apoB-48 VLDL. These results support the two-step model of VLDL assembly. To determine the size of apoB required to assemble HDL and VLDL, we produced apoB polypeptides of various lengths and followed their ability to assemble VLDL. Small amounts of apoB-40 were associated with VLDL, but most of the nascent chains associated with VLDL ranged from apoB-48 to apoB-100. Thus, efficient VLDL assembly requires apoB chains of at least apoB-48 size. Nascent polypeptides as small as apoB-20 were associated with particles in the HDL density range. Thus, the structural requirements of apoB to form HDL-like first-step particles differ from those to form second-step VLDL. Analysis of proteins in the d < 1.006 g/ml fraction after ultracentrifugation of the luminal content of the cells identified five chaperone proteins: binding protein, protein disulfide isomerase, calcium-binding protein 2, calreticulin, and glucose regulatory protein 94. Thus, intracellular VLDL is associated with a network of chaperones involved in protein folding. Pulse-chase and subcellular fractionation studies showed that apoB-48 VLDL did not accumulate in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. This finding indicates either that the two steps of apoB lipoprotein assembly occur in different compartment or that the assembled VLDL is transferred rapidly out of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Effect of the hypocholesterolemic agent YM-16638 on cholesterol biosynthesis activity and apolipoprotein B secretion in HepG2 and monkey liver

YM-16638 ([[5-[[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenoxy)propyl]thio]-1,3,4-++ +thiadiazol-2-yl] thio] acetic acid) showed a strong hypocholesterolemic effect in humans and monkeys. To clarify the mechanism of this hypocholesterolemic effect, the action of YM-16638 on cholesterol biosynthesis in the cultured human hepatoma cell line HepG2 and cynomolgus monkey liver was examined. Cholesterol biosynthesis activity derived from [14C]acetic acid, [3H/14C]mevalonic acid or [14C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate substrates was significantly decreased, but not that from [3H]farnesyl pyrophosphate or [3H]squalene substrates in HepG2 cells treated with YM-16638. Simultaneously, treatment of these cells with YM-16638 changed neither the rate of apolipoprotein B synthesis from [35S]methionine nor its secretion. In addition, the activities of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis enzymes HMG-CoA reductase, mevalonate kinase (MK), isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase (IPPI), farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), squalene synthase and squalene epoxidase were measured in monkeys fed a diet supplemented with YM-16638. Among these enzymes, MK, IPPI and FPPS activities in the YM-16638-treated group significantly decreased by 38%, 56% and 30%, respectively, when compared to those from control animals receiving no drug treatment. These results indicate that YM-16638 has the characteristics of a cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL3)-associated alpha-tocopherol is taken up by HepG2 cells via the selective uptake pathway and resecreted with endogenously synthesized apo-lipoprotein B-rich lipoprotein particles

alpha-Tocopherol (alphaTocH) is transported in association with lipoproteins in the aqueous milieu of the plasma. Although up to 50% of circulating alphaTocH is transported by high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), little is known about the mechanisms of uptake of HDL-associated alphaTocH. During the current study, human apolipoprotein (apo)E-free HDL subclass 3 (HDL3) labelled with [14C]alphaTocH was used to investigate uptake mechanisms of HDL3-associated alphaTocH by a permanent hepatoblastoma cell line (HepG2). HDL3-associated alphaTocH was taken up independently of HDL3 holoparticles in excess of apoA-I comparable with the non-endocytotic delivery of cholesteryl esters to cells termed the 'selective' cholesteryl ester uptake pathway. Experiments with unlabelled HDL3 demonstrated net mass transfer of alphaTocH to HepG2 cells. Time-dependent studies with [14C]alphaTocH-labelled HDL3 revealed tracer uptake in 80-fold excess of apoA-I and in 4-fold excess of cholesteryl linoleate. In addition to HLDs, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-associated alphaTocH was also taken up in excess of holoparticles, although to a lesser extent. These findings were confirmed with unlabelled lipoprotein preparations, in which HDL3 displayed a 2- to 3-fold higher alphaTocH donor efficiency than LDLs (lipoproteins adjusted for equal amounts of alphaTocH). An important factor affecting particle-independent uptake of alphaTocH was the cellular cholesterol content (a 2-fold increase in cellular cholesterol levels resulted in a 2.3-fold decrease in uptake). Pulse-chase studies demonstrated that some of the HDL3-associated alphaTocH taken up independently of holoparticle uptake was resecreted along with a newly synthesized apoB-containing lipoprotein fraction.

Effects of atorvastatin on the intracellular stability and secretion of apolipoprotein B in HepG2 cells

We investigated the effects of atorvastatin, a new 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, on the biogenesis of apolipoprotein B (apoB) in intact and permeabilized HepG2 cells. Intact cells were pretreated either with single or multiple doses of atorvastatin (0.1 to 20 micromol/L) for periods of 6 to 20 hours and pulsed with [35S]methionine. In some cases the cells were permeabilized with digitonin. Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of atorvastatin on (1) the rates of lipid synthesis and secretion, (2) the synthesis and accumulation of apoB, (3) the intracellular stability of apoB, (4) the amount of apoB-containing lipoprotein particles assembled in HepG2 microsomes, and (5) the secretion and accumulation of apoB into the culture medium. ApoB synthesis, degradation, and secretion were measured by pulse-chase experiments with [35S]methionine in both intact and permeabilized HepG2 cells. Lipid synthesis was assessed by pulse-labeling experiments with [3H]acetate or [3H]oleate bound to bovine serum albumin. Comparisons were made under basal conditions and in the presence of oleate (0.36 micromol/L). Atorvastatin acutely inhibited the synthesis of cholesterol and cholesterol ester but did not have a significant effect on triglyceride or phospholipid synthesis. Atorvastatin did not affect the uptake of [35S]methionine by the cells nor did it influence the synthesis of apoB or a control protein, albumin. However, atorvastatin reduced the secretion of apoB into the culture medium, apparently by enhancing the degradation of apoB in the cell under basal and induced conditions with oleate. The stability of apoB associated with the lipoprotein particles was also significantly lowered by atorvastatin. The stimulated degradation of apoB in atorvastatin-treated cells was sensitive to MG132, a proteasome inhibitor. The net effect of atorvastatin was a reduction in the number of apoB-containing lipoprotein particles of different sizes isolated from microsomes and a reduction in apoB secretion into the culture medium. The data suggest that atorvastatin may impair the translocation of apoB into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, thus increasing the amount of apoB degraded intracellularly. It is hypothesized that atorvastatin alters these parameters primarily as a result of inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and limiting the availability of cholesterol and/or cholesterol ester for the normal assembly of apoB-containing lipoprotein particles.

Apo B100-containing lipoproteins are secreted by the heart

The apo B gene is expressed in the human heart and in the hearts of human apo B transgenic mice generated with large genomic clones spanning the human apo B gene. [35S]Methionine metabolic labeling experiments demonstrated that apo B100-containing lipoproteins are secreted by human heart tissue and by human apo B transgenic and nontransgenic mouse heart tissue. Density gradient analysis revealed that most of the secreted heart lipoproteins were LDLs, even when the labeling experiments were performed in the presence of tetrahydrolipstatin, an inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase. Western blots with a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein) (MTP)-specific antiserum demonstrated that the microsomes of the heart contain the 97-kD subunit of MTP (the subunit involved in the transfer of lipids and assembly of lipoproteins). Metabolic labeling of mouse heart tissue in the presence of BMS-192951, an MTP inhibitor, abolished lipoprotein secretion by the heart but resulted in the secretion of two apo B proteolytic fragments (80 and 120 kD), which were found in the bottom fraction of the density gradient. These studies reveal that the heart, and not just the liver and intestine, secretes apo B-containing lipoproteins. We speculate that lipoprotein secretion by the heart represents a mechanism for removing excess lipids from the heart.

The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein catalyzes the post-translational assembly of apolipoprotein B-100 very low density lipoprotein in McA-RH7777 cells

In cells in which the lipoprotein assembly process had been inactivated by brefeldin A (BFA), membrane-associated apoB-100 disappeared without forming lipoproteins or being secreted, indicating that it was degraded. Reactivation of the assembly process by chasing the cells in the absence of BFA, gave rise to a quantitative recovery of the membrane-associated apoB-100 in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction in the medium. These results indicate that the membrane-associated apoB-100 can be converted to VLDL. A new method was developed by which the major amount (88%) of microsomal apoB-100 but not integral membrane proteins could be extracted. The major effect of this method was to increase the recovery of apoB-100 that banded in the LDL and HDL density regions, suggesting that the membrane-associated form of apoB-100 is partially lipidated. We also investigated the role of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) in the assembly of apoB-100 VLDL using a photoactivatable MTP inhibitor (BMS-192951). This compound strongly inhibited the assembly and secretion of apoB-100 VLDL when present during the translation of the protein. To investigate the importance of MTP during the later stages in the assembly process, the cells were preincubated with BFA (to reversibly inhibit the assembly of apoB-100 VLDL) and pulse-labeled (+BFA) and chased (+BFA) for 30 min to obtain full-length apoB-100 associated with the microsomal membrane. Inhibition of MTP after the 30-min chase blocked assembly of VLDL. This indicates that MTP is important for the conversion of full-length apoB-100 into VLDL. Results from experiments in which a second chase (-BFA) was introduced before the inactivation of MTP indicated that only early events in this conversion of full-length apoB-100 into VLDL were blocked by the MTP inhibitor. Together these results indicate that there is a MTP-dependent "window" in the VLDL assembly process that occurs after the completion of apoB-100 but before the major amount of lipids is added to the VLDL particle. Thus the assembly of apoB-100 VLDL from membrane-associated apoB-100 involves an early MTP-dependent phase and a late MTP-independent phase, during which the major amount of lipid is added.

Intracellular assembly and degradation of apolipoprotein B-100-containing lipoproteins in digitonin-permeabilized HEP G2 cells

Permeabilized Hep G2 cells have been used to investigate the turnover of apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100). When such cells were chased in the presence of buffer, there was no biosynthesis of apoB-100, nor was the protein secreted from the cells. Thus the turnover of apoB-100 in these cells reflected the posttranslational degradation of the protein. Pulse-chase studies indicated that apoB-100 was degraded both when associated with the membrane and when present as lipoproteins in the secretory pathway. Neither albumin nor alpha1-antitrypsin showed any significant posttranslational intracellular degradation under the same condition. The kinetics for the turnover of apoB-100 in the luminal content differed from that of apoB-100 that was associated with the microsomal membrane. Moreover, while the degradation of the luminal apoB-100 was inhibited by N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal (ALLN), this was not the case for the membrane-associated protein. Together these results suggest the existence of different pathways for the degradation of luminal apoB-100 and membrane-associated apoB-100. This was further supported by results from pulse-chase studies in intact cells, showing that ALLN increased the amount of radioactive apoB-100 that associated with the microsomal membrane during the pulse-labeling of the cells. However, ALLN did not influence the rate of turnover of the membrane-associated apoB-100. The presence of an ATP-generating system during the chase of the permeabilized cells prevented the disappearance of pulse-labeled apoB-100 from the luminal lipoprotein-associated pool. The ATP-generating system combined with cytosol protected the total apoB-100 in the system from being degraded. The cells cultured in the presence of oleic acid and chased after permeabilization in the presence of cytosol and the ATP-generating system showed an increase in the amount of apoB-100 present on dense ("high density lipoprotein-like") particles. This increase was linear during the time investigated (i. e. from 0 to 2 h chase) and independent of protein biosynthesis. Our results indicate that the dense particle was generated by a redistribution of apoB-100 within the secretory pathway and that it most likely was assembled from the membrane- associated form of apoB-100. These results indicate that the release of apoB-100 from this membrane-associated form to the microsomal lumen is dependent on cytosolic factors and a source of metabolic energy.

Brefeldin A reversibly inhibits the assembly of apoB containing lipoproteins in McA-RH7777 cells

BFA inhibited in a dose dependent way the assembly of apoB-48 very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) but allowed a normal rate of biosynthesis of the apolipoprotein and of the assembly of the dense ("high density lipoprotein (HDL)-like") apoB-48 particle (apoB-48 HDL). The inhibition of the assembly of apoB-48 VLDL occurred at BFA levels that allowed a major secretion of both transferrin and apoB-48 HDL. The assembly of apoB-100 containing lipoproteins was also inhibited by BFA but could be reactivated by a 30-60 min chase in the absence of BFA, which agreed with the time that was estimated to be needed to restore the secretory pathway (approximately 60 min). Also the assembly of apoB-48 VLDL was reversible. Both apoB-48 and apoB-100 that was labeled in the presence of BFA assembled VLDL after removal of the BFA. Both apoB-100 and apoB-48 were associated with the membrane pellet of the microsomes. Virtually all (122 +/- 30%) of the membrane associated pulse-labeled apoB-48 remained in the membrane after a 180-min chase in the presence of BFA, compared to only 21 +/- 2% in normal cells (mean +/- S.D., n = 4). The corresponding figures for apoB-100 was 40 +/- 7% in BFA-treated cells and 9 +/- 7% in normal cells (mean +/- S.D., n = 4). Pulse-chase experiments with BFA offered conditions to selectively follow the turnover of membrane-associated apoB-100. Such experiments indicated that this apoB-100 pool is a precursor to VLDL.

Intracellular processing of apo(a) in primary baboon hepatocytes

We have developed a serum-free medium for the long-term culture of highly differentiated primary baboon hepatocytes. Hepatocytes isolated from animals with defined plasma Lp(a) levels and apo(a) glycoprotein phenotypes were used to study the assembly of Lp(a). A combination of steady-state and pulse-chase labeling studies and endoglycosidase digests demonstrated that apo(a) was synthesized as a lower molecular weight precursor. After a prolonged period of time in the endoplasmic reticulum, apo(a) was converted to a mature form and secreted. A proportion of mature apo(a) also had a prolonged residence time in the trans Golgi apparatus. In all experiments, apoB co-immunoprecipitated with apo(a) from the culture medium but not from the cell lysates, supporting an extracellular association of the proteins for the formation of Lp(a). Analysis of hepatic RNA from 29 'null' Lp(a) phenotype baboons revealed that one-third of the animals had detectable apo(a) transcripts, whereas the remainder had no detectable apo(a) mRNA. The baboon hepatocyte system therefore represents a valuable model to examine the effect of allelic variation at the apo(a) locus on Lp(a) assembly.

Influence of triacylglycerol biosynthesis rate on the assembly of apoB-100-containing lipoproteins in Hep G2 cells

Apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) appears in three forms in the endoplasmic reticulum of Hep G2 cells: (1) tightly bound to the membrane, ie, not extractable by sodium carbonate. This form is glycosylated but protease sensitive when present in intact microsomes, suggesting that it is only partially translocated to the microsomal lumen; (2) extractable by sodium carbonate and present on low-density lipoprotein-very-low-density lipoprotein (LDL-VLDL)-like particles. This form is glycosylated and secreted into the medium; and (3) extractable by sodium carbonate but having a higher density than the LDL-VLDL-like particles. This form, referred to as Fraction I, is glycosylated and protected against proteases when present in intact microsomal vesicles, indicating that it is completely translocated to the luminal side of the microsomal membrane. Fraction I is not secreted into the medium, but it disappears with time from the cell, suggesting that it is degraded. Oleic acid induced a 2.7-fold increase in the rate of the biosynthesis of triacylglycerol but not of phosphatidylcholine in Hep G2 cells. Incubation of the cells with oleic acid had no significant effect on the rate of initiation of the apoB-100-containing lipoproteins, nor did it influence the amount of apoB-100 that was associated with the membrane or the turnover of apoB-100 in the membrane. Instead, it increased the proportion of the nascent apoB polypeptides on initiated lipoproteins that was converted into full-length apoB-100 on LDL-VLDL-like particles, giving rise to an increased amount of these particles in the lumen of the secretory pathway. Pulse-chase experiments showed that incubation with oleic acid gave rise to an increased formation of LDL-VLDL-like particles on behalf of the formation of Fraction I. This effect of oleic acid could partially explain the protective effect of the fatty acid on apoB-100, preventing it from undergoing posttranslational degradation.

Extracellular fatty acids are not utilized directly for the synthesis of very-low-density lipoprotein in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

In hepatocytes cultured in the presence of oleate (initial concn. 0.75 mM), the secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) triacylglycerol and, to a lesser extent, apoprotein B (apoB) increased with time, whereas there was a large decline in the extracellular concentration of fatty acid. There was thus no synchronous relationship between the extracellular fatty acid concentration and the secretion of VLDL. Rather, the appearance of VLDL in the medium was dependent on the intracellular triacylglycerol concentration. At a given concentration of extracellular fatty acid, cells depleted of triacylglycerol secreted less VLDL triacylglycerol and apoB than did control cells. A similar pattern was observed for triacylglycerol newly synthesized from extracellular [3H]oleate. By contrast, the synthesis and output of ketone bodies were directly dependent on the fatty acid concentration of the medium. These results suggest that, at least for oleic acid, extracellular fatty acids are not utilized directly for VLDL assembly, but first enter a temporary intracellular storage pool of triacylglycerol, which is the immediate precursor of secreted triacylglycerol. The size of this pool then determines the rate of secretion of VLDL triacylglycerol apoB. Ketogenesis, on the other hand, relies mainly on the direct utilization of extracellular fatty acids.

Fate of exogenous and newly synthesized cholesterol in intestinal cell lines

1. The current study was undertaken to test the existence of functionally distinct intracellular pools of cholesterol depending on the origin: neosynthesis or exogenous. 2. This was performed on two subpopulations, either differentiated or undifferentiated, of the HT29 cell line. 3. A parallel study was also carried out on Caco-2 cells. 4. First we checked the ability of differentiated HT29 cells to secrete lipids into the medium and found that lipid production was efficient but less so than in Caco-2 cells. 5. In contrast, undifferentiated HT29 cells were unable to secrete lipids into the medium. 6. Then we studied the fate of [14C]cholesterol incorporated into micellar preparations and of [14C]mevalonate in the different models. 7. The data obtained with labelled exogenous cholesterol show that it enters the membrane cholesterol pool as well as, for the differentiated models, the cholesteryl ester pool. 8. Similarly, labelled newly synthesized cholesterol could be used for membrane formation as well as for incorporation into cholesteryl esters. 9. Thus, in HT29 subpopulations as well as in Caco-2 cells, the results suggest the existence of a common pool of cholesterol whatever its origin.

Modulation of lipoprotein production in Hep G2 cells by fenofibrate and clofibrate

Fenofibrate and other fibrate derivatives are commonly used to treat hyperlipidemia. It is not yet clear how they exert their modulatory effects on plasma lipoproteins. To investigate whether these drugs act on the liver to primarily inhibit very low density lipoprotein production, we utilized the highly differentiated human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2. At concentrations greater than 15 micrograms/mL, fenofibrate caused a 30% decrease in secreted apolipoprotein B (apo B) after 4 days of treatment. Pulse-chase studies demonstrated that this was not due to inhibition of apo B synthesis. Triglyceride synthesis by fenofibrate-treated Hep G2 cells was decreased by 30%, and the amount secreted into the medium was reduced by 50%. At a low concentration of drug (5 micrograms/mL), triglyceride secretion was reduced markedly while apo B secretion remained unchanged. Thus, apo B secretion is less sensitive to fenofibrate than the synthesis and secretion of triglyceride, and may be secondary to changes in the latter. Fenofibrate has also been shown to raise plasma high density lipoprotein concentrations. We found that low concentrations of fenofibrate caused a 20-101% increase in secreted apolipoprotein AI (apo AI), and pulse-chase immunoprecipitation studies showed that this was due to an increase in apo AI synthesis. Fenofibrate was compared to clofibrate to investigate whether their relative effects on lipoprotein production in Hep G2 cells were comparable to their relative effects on plasma lipoproteins. Both fibrates decreased the secretion of apo B to the same extent, but only fenofibrate increased apo AI secretion. Fenofibrate was more effective than clofibrate in inhibiting the secretion of lipids by these cells. Thus, the known effects of fenofibrate on plasma lipoproteins can be attributed to its direct modulation of lipoprotein synthesis in the liver cell. Hep G2 cells may thus be useful in testing the relative efficacy of fibric acid derivatives in vitro.

The glycosphingolipid composition of the human hepatoma cell line,Hep-G2

The origin of plasma glycosphingolipids in normal individuals and the mechanisms by which tumor-associated glycosphingolipid antigens enter the plasma in patients with cancer are largely unknown. The Hep-G2 human hepatoma cell line retains many of the characteristics of differentiated hepatocytes including the ability to synthesize and secrete lipoproteins. Preliminary results indicated that newly synthesized Hep-G2 cell glycosphingolipids are coupled to the secreted lipoproteins. This suggests that this cell line may offer an interesting model for studying glycosphingolipid secretion, transfer, and shedding. We now report on the chemical and immunological characterization of Hep-G2 cell glycosphingolipids. Five major glycosphingolipids were purified and biochemically characterized: glycosylceramide, lactosyl ceramide, ceramide trihexoside, ganglioside GM3, and lactosyl sulfatide. Four additional minor components (3-fucosyl-lactosamine containing glycolipids, asialo GM2, galactosylgloboside, and ganglioside GM1) were identified using a combination of exoglycosidase digestion and immunostaining of thin-layer chromatography plates with specific carbohydrate binding proteins. This demonstrates that although this cell line synthesizes a limited number of major glycosphingolipids, it retains the ability to produce at least small amounts of structures in the lactoneo, globo, and ganglio series of glycosphingolipids. These studies show that it will be possible to investigate the mechanisms of secretion by Hep-G2 cells of different classes of these molecules such as neutral glycosphingolipids, gangliosides, and sulfatides.

Apolipoprotein B: structure, biosynthesis and role in the lipoprotein assembly process

The complete amino acid sequence of the liver-synthesized apolipoprotein B (apoB) species, apoB 100, has been derived from cloned cDNA. The protein consists of 4536 amino acids (+ a 27 amino acid signal sequence). Cysteine is clustered in the N-terminal 1/10 of the protein, suggesting the presence of a stabilized tertiary structure in this part of the molecule. Three types of structure are suggested to be of importance for the binding of the protein to lipids; (i) hydrophobic sequences with a high probability for beta-sheet structure, (ii) strict amphipathic beta-sheets, and (iii) amphipathic alfa-helices. An apoB 100 molecule is completed within 10-14 min and secreted after approximately 30 min, 1/3 of which is due to the transfer through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), while 2/3 is spent in the Golgi apparatus. ApoB 100 is co-translationally N-glycosylated and 25% of the oligosaccharide chains is processed in the Golgi compartment. Other posttranslational modifications that have been discussed include covalent acylation and phosphorylation. It has also been suggested that the lipid moiety of the apoB 100 lipoproteins are modified during the passage through the Golgi apparatus. The site of lipoprotein assembly is suggested to be separated from the site of apoB 100 synthesis, and apoB 100 appears to be co-translationally bound to the ER membrane and from this transferred to the ER lumen. Based on these observations a model for the assembly of apoB 100 lipoproteins is discussed in this paper. The intestinal derived apoB species, apoB 48, has a molecular mass of 210 kDa and appears to correspond to the N-terminal 48% of apoB 100. The mechanism by which apoB 48 is formed is still not known. Available data indicate that the protein is formed within the intestinal cells, these data also argue against the possibility that apoB 48 is formed by posttranslational proteolysis of apoB 100. The formation of a separate apoB 48 mRNA by alternative splicing has been suggested, based on the observation of a 7 kb mRNA which corresponds to the 5' portion of the apoB 100 mRNA. However, the most abundant apoB mRNA species found in the intestine have a size that corresponds to that of the apoB 100 mRNA, furthermore the observation that apoB 48 appears to terminate in a 7.5 kb exon that appears to lack alternative splice sites, does not favour the possibility of alternative splicing.

Structure and biosynthesis of apolipoprotein B

Apolipoprotein (apo) B100 copy deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) has been cloned and sequenced. The total sequence of apo B100 messenger ribonucleic acid has been revealed by the work from our group, as well as other groups. The sequence spans 13,689 nucleotides from the initiation to the stop codon. Thus the messenger has the capacity to code for 4563 amino acids corresponding to a molecular weight of approximately 510,000. Computer analyses revealed the presence of regions with amphipathic alpha-helix and of hydrophobic regions with a high probability of beta-structure. Regions of the molecule are characterized by continuous variations between hydrophillic and hydrophobic sequences, the latter coinciding with a high probability of beta-structure. It is suggested that this beta-structure is involved, together with the amphipathic alpha-helix, in the binding of apo B100 to the lipid. Pulse-chase studies in Hep G2 cells showed that apo B100 is synthesized as one protein, with a translation time of 14 minutes. The protein is transferred through the cell and secreted within 30 minutes without undergoing any major change in molecular mass. The residence kinetics in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is characterized by an increase during the first 10 to 15 minutes of chase followed by an almost linear decrease with a decay rate of 6%/min. The transfer through the ER to the Golgi apparatus accounts for one third of the time needed for the intracellular transfer of apo B100, whereas two thirds of the time is required for the transfer through the later part of the secretory pathway.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of the human apolipoprotein B gene; complete structure of the B-74 region

In this paper we describe the nucleotide sequence of the B-74 region of human apolipoprotein B-100 mRNA. This region comprises the 3'-proximal three-quarters of the mRNA and contains 10,089 nucleotides (nt), 9786 of which are coding. Combining our data with the published sequence of the 5'-proximal one-quarter (i.e., the B-26 region [Protter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83 (1986) 5678-5682] assigns 14,059 nt to the apoB-100 mRNA. The coding sequence spans 13,548 nt or 4516 amino acids (leader peptide excluded). The B-74 part of the apoB gene is built up of five exons separated by small introns, and is dominated by an unusually large exon of 7.5 kb. The derivation of two (EcoRI and XbaI) restriction fragment length polymorphisms occurring in the coding region is discussed.

Molecular cloning of human apolipoprotein B cDNA

In this paper we describe the isolation of cDNA clones which code for parts of apolipoprotein B (apoB). The clones were obtained by immunoscreening of an expression library (lambda gt 11) derived from a human hepatoma cell line (Hep G2). The relationship between positive clones and apoB was established with immunochemical techniques using polyclonal as well as monoclonal antibodies. Recombinants, expressing nonoverlapping regions of apoB are described, all hybridizing with a very large mRNA (approximately 20,000 bases long). The nucleotide sequence obtained predicts a primary protein structure with a composition suitable for the formation of stretches of an amphipatic alpha-helix.