David J. Mancuso

Identification of Calcium-independent Phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) β, and Not iPLA2γ, as the Mediator of Arginine Vasopressin-induced Arachidonic Acid Release in A-10 Smooth Muscle Cells ENANTIOSELECTIVE MECHANISM-BASED DISCRIMINATION OF MAMMALIAN iPLA2s

The agonist-stimulated release of arachidonic acid (AA) from cellular phospholipids in many cell types (e.g. myocytes, β-cells, and neurons) has been demonstrated to be primarily mediated by calcium-independent phospholipases A2 (iPLA2s) that are inhibited by the mechanism-based inhibitor (E)-6-(bromomethylene)-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-tetrahydropyran-2-one (BEL). Recently, the family of mammalian iPLA2s has been extended to include iPLA2γ, which previously could not be pharmacologically distinguished from iPLA2β. To determine whether iPLA2β or iPLA2γ (or both) were the enzymes responsible for arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced AA release from A-10 cells, it became necessary to inhibit selectively iPLA2β and iPLA2γ in intact cells. We hypothesized that the R- and S-enantiomers of BEL would possess different inhibitory potencies for iPLA2β and iPLA2γ. Accordingly, racemic BEL was separated into its enantiomeric constituents by chiral high pressure liquid chromatography. Remarkably, (S)-BEL was approximately an order of magnitude more selective for iPLA2β in comparison to iPLA2γ. Conversely, (R)-BEL was approximately an order of magnitude more selective for iPLA2γ than iPLA2β. The AVP-induced liberation of AA from A-10 cells was selectively inhibited by (S)-BEL (IC50 ∼2 μm) but not (R)-BEL, demonstrating that the overwhelming majority of AA release is because of iPLA2β and not iPLA2γ activity. Furthermore, pretreatment of A-10 cells with (S)-BEL did not prevent AVP-induced MAPK phosphorylation or protein kinase C translocation. Finally, two different cell-permeable protein kinase C activators (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol) could not restore the ability of A-10 cells to release AA after exposure to (S)-BEL, thus supporting the downstream role of iPLA2β in AVP-induced AA release.

Disrupted Membrane Homeostasis and Accumulation of Ubiquitinated Proteins in a Mouse Model of Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy Caused by PLA2G6 Mutations

Mutations in the PLA2G6 gene, which encodes group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA(2)beta), were recently identified in patients with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD) and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. A pathological hallmark of these childhood neurodegenerative diseases is the presence of distinctive spheroids in distal axons that contain accumulated membranes. We used iPLA(2)beta-KO mice generated by homologous recombination to investigate neurodegenerative consequences of PLA2G6 mutations. iPLA(2)beta-KO mice developed age-dependent neurological impairment that was evident in rotarod, balance, and climbing tests by 13 months of age. The primary abnormality underlying this neurological impairment was the formation of spheroids containing tubulovesicular membranes remarkably similar to human INAD. Spheroids were strongly labeled with anti-ubiquitin antibodies. Accumulation of ubiquitinated protein in spheroids was evident in some brain regions as early as 4 months of age, and the onset of motor impairment correlated with a dramatic increase in ubiquitin-positive spheroids throughout the neuropil in nearly all brain regions. Furthermore accumulating ubiquitinated proteins were observed primarily in insoluble fractions of brain tissue, implicating protein aggregation in this pathogenic process. These results indicate that loss of iPLA(2)beta causes age-dependent impairment of axonal membrane homeostasis and protein degradation pathways, leading to age-dependent neurological impairment. iPLA(2)beta-KO mice will be useful for further studies of pathogenesis and experimental interventions in INAD and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation.

Genetic Ablation of Calcium-independent Phospholipase A2γ Leads to Alterations in Mitochondrial Lipid Metabolism and Function Resulting in a Deficient Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Phenotype

Previously, we identified a novel calcium-independent phospholipase, designated calcium-independent phospholipase A2 γ (iPLA2γ), which possesses dual mitochondrial and peroxisomal subcellular localization signals. To identify the roles of iPLA2γ in cellular bioenergetics, we generated mice null for the iPLA2γ gene by eliminating the active site of the enzyme through homologous recombination. Mice null for iPLA2γ display multiple bioenergetic dysfunctional phenotypes, including 1) growth retardation, 2) cold intolerance, 3) reduced exercise endurance, 4) greatly increased mortality from cardiac stress after transverse aortic constriction, 5) abnormal mitochondrial function with a 65% decrease in ascorbate-induced Complex IV-mediated oxygen consumption, and 6) a reduction in myocardial cardiolipin content accompanied by an altered cardiolipin molecular species composition. We conclude that iPLA2γ is essential for maintaining efficient bioenergetic mitochondrial function through tailoring mitochondrial membrane lipid metabolism and composition.

Identification of the Calmodulin-binding Domain of Recombinant Calcium-independent Phospholipase A2β IMPLICATIONS FOR STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) is the major phospholipase A2 activity in many cell types, and at least one isoform of this enzyme class is physically and functionally coupled to calmodulin (CaM) in a reversible calcium-dependent fashion. To identify the domain in recombinant iPLA2β (riPLA2β) underlying this interaction, multiple techniques were employed. First, we identified calcium-activated CaM induced alterations in the kinetics of proteolytic fragment generation during limited trypsinolysis (i.e. CaM footprinting). Tryptic digests of riPLA2β (83 kDa) in the presence of EGTA alone, Ca+2 alone, or EGTA and CaM together resulted in the production of a major 68-kDa protein whose kinetic rate of formation was specifically attenuated in incubations containing CaM and Ca+2 together. Western blotting utilizing antibodies directed against either the N- or C-terminal regions of riPLA2β indicated the specific protection of riPLA2β by calcium-activated CaM at a cleavage site ≈15 kDa from the C terminus. Moreover, calcium-activated calmodulin increased the kinetic rate of tryptic cleavage near the active site of riPLA2β. Second, functional characterization of products from these partial tryptic digests demonstrated that ≈90% of the 68-kDa riPLA2β tryptic product (i.e. lacking the 15-kDa C-terminus) did not bind to a CaM affinity matrix in the presence of Ca2+, although >95% of the noncleaved riPLA2β as well as a 40-kDa C-terminal peptide bound tightly under these conditions. Third, when purified riPLA2β was subjected to exhaustive trypsinolysis followed by ternary complex CaM affinity chromatography, a unique tryptic peptide (694AWSEMVGIQYFR705) within the 15-kDa C-terminal fragment was identified by RP-HPLC, which bound to CaM-agarose in the presence but not the absence of calcium ion. Fourth, fluorescence energy transfer experiments demonstrated that this peptide (694) bound to dansyl-calmodulin in a calcium-dependent fashion. Collectively, these results identify multiple contact points in the 15-kDa C terminus as being the major but not necessarily the only binding site responsible for the calcium-dependent regulation of iPLA2β by CaM.

Shotgun lipidomics reveals the temporally dependent, highly diversified cardiolipin profile in the mammalian brain: temporally coordinated postnatal diversification of cardiolipin molecular species with neuronal remodeling.

Large-scale neuronal remodeling through apoptosis occurs shortly after birth in all known mammalian species. Apoptosis, in large part, depends upon critical interactions between mitochondrial membranes and cytochrome c. Herein, we examined the hypothesis that the large-scale reorganization of neuronal circuitry after birth is accompanied by profound alterations in cardiolipin (CL) content and molecular species distribution. During embryonic development, over 100 CL molecular species were identified and quantitated in murine neuronal tissues. The embryonic CL profile was notable for the presence of abundant amounts of relatively short aliphatic chains (e.g., palmitoleic and oleic acids). In sharp contrast, after birth, the CL profile contained a remarkably complex repertoire of CL molecular species, in which the signaling fatty acids (i.e., arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids) were markedly increased. These results identify the rapid remodeling of CL in the perinatal period with resultant alterations in the physical properties of the mitochondrial membrane. The complex distribution of aliphatic chains in the neuronal CL pool is separate and distinct from that in other organs (e.g., heart, liver, etc.), where CL molecular species contain predominantly only one major type of aliphatic chain (e.g., linoleic acid). Analyses of mRNA levels by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions suggested that the alterations in CL content were due to the combined effects of both attenuation of de novo CL biosynthesis and decreased remodeling of CL. Collectively, these results provide a new perspective on the complexity of CL in neuronal signaling, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and apoptosis.

Genetic Ablation of Calcium-independent Phospholipase A2γ Leads to Alterations in Hippocampal Cardiolipin Content and Molecular Species Distribution, Mitochondrial Degeneration, Autophagy, and Cognitive Dysfunction

Genetic ablation of calcium-independent phospholipase A2γ (iPLA2γ) results in profound alterations in hippocampal phospholipid metabolism and mitochondrial phospholipid homeostasis resulting in enlarged and degenerating mitochondria leading to autophagy and cognitive dysfunction. Shotgun lipidomics demonstrated multiple alterations in hippocampal lipid metabolism in iPLA2γ−/− mice including: 1) a markedly elevated hippocampal cardiolipin content with an altered molecular species composition characterized by a shift to shorter chain length molecular species; 2) alterations in both choline and ethanolamine glycerophospholipids, including a decreased plasmenylethanolamine content; 3) increased oxidized phosphatidylethanolamine molecular species; and 4) an increased content of ceramides. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated the presence of enlarged heteromorphic lamellar structures undergoing degeneration accompanied by the presence of ubiquitin positive spheroid inclusion bodies. Purification of these enlarged heteromorphic lamellar structures by buoyant density centrifugation and subsequent SDS-PAGE and proteomics identified them as degenerating mitochondria. Collectively, these results identify the obligatory role of iPLA2γ in neuronal mitochondrial lipid metabolism and membrane structure demonstrating that iPLA2γ loss of function results in a mitochondrial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by degenerating mitochondria, autophagy, and cognitive dysfunction.

The human Kv1.1 channel is palmitoylated, modulating voltage sensing: Identification of a palmitoylation consensus sequence

Voltage-dependent K+ channels rely on precise dynamic protein interactions with surrounding plasma membrane lipids to facilitate complex processes such as voltage sensing and channel gating. Many transmembrane-spanning proteins use palmitoylation to facilitate dynamic membrane interactions. Herein, we demonstrate that the human Kv1.1 ion channel is palmitoylated in the cytosolic portion of the S2-S3 linker domain at residue C243. Through heterologous expression of the human Kv1.1 protein in Sf9 cells, covalent radiolabeling with [3H]palmitate, chemical stability studies of the [3H]-palmitoylated protein, and site-directed mutagenesis, C243 was identified as the predominant site of palmitoylation. The functional sequelae of palmitoylation were examined by analysis of whole cell currents from WT and mutant channels, which identified a 20-mV leftward shift in the current-voltage relationship when palmitoylation at C243 (but not with other cysteine deletions) is prevented by site-directed mutagenesis, implicating a role for palmitoylated C243 in modulating voltage sensing through protein-membrane interactions. Database searches identified an amino acid palmitoylation consensus motif (ACP/RSKT) that is present in multiple other members of the Shaker subfamily of K+ channels and in several other unrelated regulatory proteins (e.g., CD36, nitric oxide synthase type 2, and the mannose-6 phosphate receptor) that are known to be palmitoylated by thioester linkages at the predicted consensus site cysteine residue. Collectively, these results (i) identify palmitoylation as a mechanism for K+ channel interactions with plasma membrane lipids contributing to electric field-induced conformational alterations, and ii) define an amino acid consensus sequence for protein palmitoylation.

Genetic Ablation of Calcium-independent Phospholipase A2γ Prevents Obesity and Insulin Resistance during High Fat Feeding by Mitochondrial Uncoupling and Increased Adipocyte Fatty Acid Oxidation

Phospholipases are critical enzyme mediators participating in many aspects of cellular function through modulating the generation of lipid 2nd messengers, membrane physical properties, and cellular bioenergetics. Here, we demonstrate that mice null for calcium-independent phospholipase A2γ (iPLA2γ−/−) are completely resistant to high fat diet-induced weight gain, adipocyte hypertrophy, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance, which occur in iPLA2γ+/+ mice after high fat feeding. Notably, iPLA2γ−/− mice were lean, demonstrated abdominal lipodystrophy, and remained insulin-sensitive despite having a marked impairment in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion after high fat feeding. Respirometry of adipocyte explants from iPLA2γ−/− mice identified increased rates of oxidation of multiple different substrates in comparison with adipocyte explants from wild-type littermates. Shotgun lipidomics of adipose tissue from wild-type mice demonstrated the anticipated 2-fold increase in triglyceride content after high fat feeding. In sharp contrast, the adipocyte triglyceride content was identical in iPLA2γ−/− mice fed either a standard diet or a high fat diet. Respirometry of skeletal muscle mitochondria from iPLA2γ−/− mice demonstrated marked decreases in state 3 respiration using multiple substrates whose metabolism was uncoupled from ATP production. Shotgun lipidomics of skeletal muscle revealed a decreased content of cardiolipin with an altered molecular species composition thereby identifying the mechanism underlying mitochondrial uncoupling in the iPLA2γ−/− mouse. Collectively, these results identify iPLA2γ as an obligatory upstream enzyme that is necessary for efficient electron transport chain coupling and energy production through its participation in the alterations of cellular bioenergetics that promote the development of the metabolic syndrome.

Dysfunctional cardiac mitochondrial bioenergetic, lipidomic, and signaling in a murine model of Barth syndrome

Barth syndrome is a complex metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the mitochondrial transacylase tafazzin. Recently, an inducible tafazzin shRNA knockdown mouse model was generated to deconvolute the complex bioenergetic phenotype of this disease. To investigate the underlying cause of hemodynamic dysfunction in Barth syndrome, we interrogated the cardiac structural and signaling lipidome of this mouse model as well as its myocardial bioenergetic phenotype. A decrease in the distribution of cardiolipin molecular species and robust increases in monolysocardiolipin and dilysocardiolipin were demonstrated. Additionally, the contents of choline and ethanolamine glycerophospholipid molecular species containing precursors for lipid signaling at the sn-2 position were altered. Lipidomic analyses revealed specific dysregulation of HETEs and prostanoids, as well as oxidized linoleic and docosahexaenoic metabolites. Bioenergetic interrogation uncovered differential substrate utilization as well as decreases in Complex III and V activities. Transgenic expression of cardiolipin synthase or iPLA2γ ablation in tafazzin-deficient mice did not rescue the observed phenotype. These results underscore the complex nature of alterations in cardiolipin metabolism mediated by tafazzin loss of function. Collectively, we identified specific lipidomic, bioenergetic, and signaling alterations in a murine model that parallel those of Barth syndrome thereby providing novel insights into the pathophysiology of this debilitating disease.

Small Interfering RNA Knockdown of Calcium-independent Phospholipases A2 β or γ Inhibits the Hormone-induced Differentiation of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

Alterations in lipid secondary messenger generation and lipid metabolic flux are essential in promoting the differentiation of adipocytes. To determine whether specific subtypes of intracellular phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) facilitate hormone-induced differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes, we examined alterations in the mRNA level, protein mass, and activity of three previously characterized mammalian intracellular PLA2s. Hormone-induced differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells resulted in 7.3 ± 0.5- and 7.4 ± 1.4-fold increases of mRNA encoding the calcium-independent phospholipases, iPLA2β and iPLA2γ, respectively. In contrast, the temporally coordinated loss of at least 90% of cPLA2α mRNA was manifest. Western analysis demonstrated the near absence of both iPLA2β and iPLA2γ protein mass in resting 3T3-L1 cells that increased dramatically during differentiation. In vitro measurement of PLA2 activities demonstrated an increase in both iPLA2β and iPLA2γ activities that were discriminated using the chiral mechanism based inhibitors (S)- and (R)-BEL, respectively. Remarkably, treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with small interfering RNA directed against either iPLA2β or iPLA2γ prevented hormone-induced differentiation. Moreover, analysis of the temporally programmed expression of transcription factors demonstrated that the small interfering RNA knockdown of iPLA2β or iPLA2γ resulted in down-regulation of the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and the CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα). No alterations in the expression of the early stage transcription factors C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ were observed. Collectively, these results demonstrate prominent alterations in intracellular PLA2s during 3T3-L1 cell differentiation into adipocytes and identify the requirement of iPLA2β and iPLA2γ for the adipogenic program that drives resting 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes after hormone stimulation.