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Manco M, Ammirata G, Petrillo S, De Giorgio F, Fontana S, Riganti C, Provero P, Fagoonee S, Altruda F, Tolosano E. FLVCR1a Controls Cellular Cholesterol Levels through the Regulation of Heme Biosynthesis and Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Flux in Endothelial Cells. Biomolecules 2024; 14:149. [PMID: 38397386 PMCID: PMC10887198 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Feline leukemia virus C receptor 1a (FLVCR1a), initially identified as a retroviral receptor and localized on the plasma membrane, has emerged as a crucial regulator of heme homeostasis. Functioning as a positive regulator of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase 1 (ALAS1), the rate-limiting enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway, FLVCR1a influences TCA cycle cataplerosis, thus impacting TCA flux and interconnected metabolic pathways. This study reveals an unexplored link between FLVCR1a, heme synthesis, and cholesterol production in endothelial cells. Using cellular models with manipulated FLVCR1a expression and inducible endothelial-specific Flvcr1a-null mice, we demonstrate that FLVCR1a-mediated control of heme synthesis regulates citrate availability for cholesterol synthesis, thereby influencing cellular cholesterol levels. Moreover, alterations in FLVCR1a expression affect membrane cholesterol content and fluidity, supporting a role for FLVCR1a in the intricate regulation of processes crucial for vascular development and endothelial function. Our results underscore FLVCR1a as a positive regulator of heme synthesis, emphasizing its integration with metabolic pathways involved in cellular energy metabolism. Furthermore, this study suggests that the dysregulation of heme metabolism may have implications for modulating lipid metabolism. We discuss these findings in the context of FLVCR1a's potential heme-independent function as a choline importer, introducing additional complexity to the interplay between heme and lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Manco
- Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (F.D.G.); (S.F.); (C.R.); (S.F.); (F.A.)
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giorgia Ammirata
- Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (F.D.G.); (S.F.); (C.R.); (S.F.); (F.A.)
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (F.D.G.); (S.F.); (C.R.); (S.F.); (F.A.)
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Francesco De Giorgio
- Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (F.D.G.); (S.F.); (C.R.); (S.F.); (F.A.)
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Simona Fontana
- Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (F.D.G.); (S.F.); (C.R.); (S.F.); (F.A.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Via Santena 5/bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Chiara Riganti
- Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (F.D.G.); (S.F.); (C.R.); (S.F.); (F.A.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Via Santena 5/bis, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Paolo Provero
- Department of Neurosciences “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Torino, Corso Massimo D’Azeglio 52, 10126 Torino, Italy;
- Center for Omics Sciences, Ospedale San Raffaele IRCCS, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Sharmila Fagoonee
- Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (F.D.G.); (S.F.); (C.R.); (S.F.); (F.A.)
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR c/o Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Fiorella Altruda
- Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (F.D.G.); (S.F.); (C.R.); (S.F.); (F.A.)
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Emanuela Tolosano
- Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; (M.M.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (F.D.G.); (S.F.); (C.R.); (S.F.); (F.A.)
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
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