Endothelial lipase: a new member of the family

Physical inactivity interacts with an endothelial lipase polymorphism to modulate high density lipoprotein cholesterol in the GOLDN study

BACKGROUND

Plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration is highly heritable but is also modifiable by environmental factors including physical activity. HDL-C response to exercise varies among individuals, and this variability may be associated with genetic polymorphisms in the key regulators of HDL metabolism including endothelial lipase (LIPG).

METHODS

We examined associations between variants LIPG T111I (rs2000813) and LIPG i24582 (rs6507931), HDL and television viewing/computer use ("screen time") as a marker for physical inactivity in a population with high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Subjects consisted of 539 White men and 584 women (mean+/-S.D., 49+/-16 years) participating in the GOLDN study.

RESULTS

We did not observe an association with either LIPG SNP or HDL independently of screen time. In multi-adjusted linear regression models, HDL interacted significantly with screen time as a continuous variable in LIPG i24582 subjects with TT genotype (P<0.05). By dichotomizing screen time into high and low levels, we found significant genotype-associated differences in HDL in women but not men. When screen time was >or=2.6h/day, the concentrations of total HDL-C, large HDL, large low density lipoprotein (LDL) were lower, the concentration of small LDL was higher and HDL and LDL particle sizes were smaller in subjects with LIPG i24582 TT compared to CT and CC subjects (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a significant gene-physical inactivity interaction for HDL and some LDL measures for the LIPG i24582 polymorphism. Higher levels of physical activity may be protective for HDL-C concentrations and low activity detrimental in LIPG i24582 TT individuals, especially in women.

A high-throughput screen for endothelial lipase using HDL as substrate

Endothelial lipase (EL) is a 482-amino-acid protein from the triglyceride lipase gene family that uses a Ser-His-Asp triad for catalysis. Its expression in endothelial cells and preference for phospholipids rather than triglycerides are unique. Animal models in which it is overexpressed or knocked out indicate EL levels are inversely correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). HDL-C is commonly referred to as the good form of cholesterol because it is involved in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, in which excess cholesterol is effluxed from peripheral tissues for excretion or reabsorption. Thus, EL inhibition in humans is expected to lead to increases in HDL levels and possibly a decrease in cardiovascular disease. To discover inhibitors of EL, a coupled assay for EL has been developed, using its native substrate, HDL. Hydrolysis of HDL by EL yields free fatty acids, which are coupled through acyl-CoA synthetase, acyl-CoA oxidase, and horseradish peroxidase to produce the fluorescent species resorufin. This assay was developed into a 5-microL, 1536-well assay format, and a high-throughput screen was executed against the GSK collection. In addition to describing the screening results, novel post-HTS mechanism-of-action studies were developed for EL and applied to 1 of the screening hits as an example.

Endothelial lipase and cholesterol metabolism

Endothelial lipase (EL), a new member of the lipase gene family, was recently cloned and has a significant role in plasma high-density lipoprotein levels (HDL). EL has a highly similar molecular homology to lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase. It is synthesized by endothelial cells and functions at the cell surface. EL primarily has phospholipase A1 activity. Animals that overexpress EL showed decreased HDL cholesterol levels and those that lack EL show elevated levels of HDL cholesterol. The expression is highly regulated by cytokines and physical forces. These data suggest that EL may play a significant role in atherosclerosis.

High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, its subfractions, and responses to exercise training are dependent on endothelial lipase genotype

Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are an important independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) that can be modified through exercise training. However, levels of HDL-C and its subfractions and their response to standardized exercise training are highly variable among individuals. Such variability suggests that levels of HDL-C, its subfractions, and their response to exercise training may be influenced by genetic variation and the interaction of that genetic variation with physical activity. The endothelial lipase gene (LIPG) may influence HDL-C metabolism and has several recently identified genetic variants. We hypothesized that the LIPG Thr111Ile polymorphism would be associated with variation in HDL-C levels and its subfractions and their response to exercise training. Eighty-three sedentary, healthy 50- to 75-year-old subjects were weight-maintained on an American Heart Association Step 1 Diet and then studied before and after aerobic exercise training. Sample size varied according to outcome measure as complete data was not available for all subjects. Initial age, body composition, and maximum oxygen consumption (V02max) did not differ between LIPG genotype groups (CC, n=41 to 44; CT/TT, n=37 to 39). Initial total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels were not significantly different between groups. The CT/TT group had lower initial HDL(2NMR)-C (12 +/- 1.0 v 17 +/- 1.1 mg/dL; P =.002) and integrated HDL(1,2NMR)-C (13 +/- 1.0 v 18 +/- 1.1 mg/dL; P=.002) levels and somewhat higher initial levels of integrated HDL(3,4,5)-C (31 +/- 2.2 v 25 +/- 2.3 mg/dL; P=.06). With exercise training, Vo2max increased, and body weight, total body fat, and visceral adipose tissue decreased similarly in both groups. With training, HDL-C levels increased twice as much (4.4 +/- 0.8 v 1.9 +/- 0.9 mg/dL; P=.04), HDL3-C levels increased almost 2-fold greater (3.8 +/- 0.7 v 2.2 +/- 0.6 mg/dL; P=.07), and HDL(5NMR)-C levels increased more than 4 times as much (2.2 +/- 0.8 v 0.5 +/- 0.6 mg/dL; P=.08) in the CC compared to the CT/TT group. We conclude that the LIPG genotype is associated with interindividual variability in HDL-C and its subfractions and their response to exercise training.

Sequencing and chromosomal assignment of the rat endothelial-derived lipase gene (Lipg)

Part of the nucleotide sequence of the Lipg gene in the rat was established using primers based on the mRNA sequence described in the mouse. The rat intron sequence served as a template for designing primers for the specific amplification of rat Lipg. A rat-hamster radiation hybrid (RH) panel was used for chromosomal assignment of the rat Lipg gene. The Lipg gene was found to be located on rat chromosome 18 in the vicinity of the marker D18Mit11; a region reported to be homologous with both human and mouse chromosome 18.