Erika Binczek

Δ6-Desaturase (FADS2) deficiency unveils the role of ω3- and ω6-polyunsaturated fatty acids

Mammalian cell viability is dependent on the supply of the essential fatty acids (EFAs) linoleic and α‐linolenic acid. EFAs are converted into ω3‐ and ω6‐polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are essential constituents of membrane phospholipids and precursors of eicosanoids, anandamide and docosanoids. Whether EFAs, PUFAs and eicosanoids are essential for cell viability has remained elusive. Here, we show that deletion of Δ6‐fatty acid desaturase (FADS2) gene expression in the mouse abolishes the initial step in the enzymatic cascade of PUFA synthesis. The lack of PUFAs and eicosanoids does not impair the normal viability and lifespan of male and female fads2−/− mice, but causes sterility. We further provide the molecular evidence for a pivotal role of PUFA‐substituted membrane phospholipids in Sertoli cell polarity and blood–testis barrier, and the gap junction network between granulosa cells of ovarian follicles. The fads2−/− mouse is an auxotrophic mutant. It is anticipated that FADS2 will become a major focus in membrane, haemostasis, inflammation and atherosclerosis research.

Obesity resistance of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase-deficient (scd1 -/-) mouse results from disruption of the epidermal lipid barrier and adaptive thermoregulation

Abstract Targeted deletion of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 gene (scd1) in mouse causes obesity resistance and a severe skin phenotype. Here, we demonstrate that SCD1 deficiency disrupts the epidermal lipid barrier and leads to uncontrolled transepidermal water loss, breakdown of adaptive thermoregulation and cold resistance, as well as a metabolic wasting syndrome. The loss of ω-hydroxylated very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) and ceramides substituted with ω-hydroxylated VLCFA covalently linked to corneocyte surface proteins leads to the disruption of the epidermal lipid barrier in scd1 -/- mutants. Artificial occlusion of the skin by topical lipid application largely reconstituted the epidermal barrier and also reversed dysregulation of thermogenesis and cold resistance, as well as the metabolic disturbances. Interestingly, SCD1 deficiency abolished expression of the key transcription factor Lef1, which is essential for interfollicular epidermis, sebaceous glands, and hair follicle development. Finally, the occurrence of SCD1 and a newly described hSCD5 (ACOD4) gene in humans suggests that the scd1 -/- mouse mutant might be a valuable animal model for the study of human skin diseases associated with epidermal barrier defects.

Composition and Biophysical Properties of Myelin Lipid Define the Neurological Defects in Galactocerebroside‐ and Sulfatide‐Deficient Mice

Abstract: Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cell‐specific proteins are assembled with a highly ordered membrane lipid bilayer to the myelin sheath of axons, which functions as an insulator and allows rapid saltatory conduction. We approached the question of the function of the CNS and PNS myelin‐specific galactospingolipids cerebrosides and sulfatides by generating a ceramide galactosyltransferase null allelic mouse line (cgt−/−). Galactocerebroside‐ and sulfatide‐deficient myelin loses its insulating properties and causes a severe dysmyelinosis that is incompatible with life. Here, we describe the biochemical and biophysical analysis of the myelin lipid bilayer of cgt−/− mice. The lipid composition of CNS and PNS myelin of cgt−/− mice is seriously perturbed and the sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway altered. Nonhydroxy and hydroxy fatty acid‐substituted glycosylceramides (GlcC) are synthesized by oligodendrocytes and sulfated GlcC in addition in Schwann cells. The monogalactosyldiglyceride fraction is missing in the cgt−/− mouse. This new lipid composition can be correlated with the biophysical properties of the myelin sheath. The deficiency of galactocerebrosides and sulfatides leads to an increased fluidity, permeability, and impaired packing of the myelin lipid bilayer of the internodal membrane system. The loss of the two glycosphingolipid classes causes the breakdown of saltatory conductance of myelinated axons in the cgt−/− mouse.

Obesity resistance and deregulation of lipogenesis in Δ6-fatty acid desaturase (FADS2) deficiency.

Δ‐6‐fatty acid desaturase (FADS2) is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), the essential structural determinants of mammalian membrane lipid‐bilayers. We developed the auxotrophic fads2−/− mouse mutant to assess the enigmatic role of ω3‐ and ω6‐PUFAs in lipid homeostasis, membrane structure and function. Obesity resistance is another major phenotype of the fads2−/− mutant, the molecular basis of which is unknown. Phospholipidomic profiling of membrane systems of fads2−/−mice revealed diacylglycerol‐structures, deprived of PUFAs but substituted with surrogate eicosa‐5,11,14‐trienoic acid. ω6‐Arachidonic (AA) and ω3‐docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplemented diets transformed fads2−/− into AA‐fads2−/− and DHA‐fads2−/− mutants. Severely altered phospholipid‐bilayer structures of subcellular membranes of fads2−/− liver specifically interfered with maturation of transcription factor sterol‐regulatory‐element‐binding protein, the key regulator of lipogenesis and lipid homeostasis. This study strengthens the concept that specific PUFA‐substituted membrane phospholipid species are critical constituents of the structural platform operative in lipid homeostasis in normal and disease conditions.

Neutral sphingomyelinase (SMPD3) deficiency disrupts the Golgi secretory pathway and causes growth inhibition.

Systemic loss of neutral sphingomyelinase (SMPD3) in mice leads to a novel form of systemic, juvenile hypoplasia (dwarfism). SMPD3 deficiency in mainly two growth regulating cell types contributes to the phenotype, in chondrocytes of skeletal growth zones to skeletal malformation and chondrodysplasia, and in hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons to systemic hypothalamus–pituitary–somatotropic hypoplasia. The unbiased smpd3−/− mouse mutant and derived smpd3−/− primary chondrocytes were instrumental in defining the enigmatic role underlying the systemic and cell autonomous role of SMPD3 in the Golgi compartment. Here we describe the unprecedented role of SMPD3. SMPD3 deficiency disrupts homeostasis of sphingomyelin (SM), ceramide (Cer) and diacylglycerol (DAG) in the Golgi SMPD3-SMS1 (SM-synthase1) cycle. Cer and DAG, two fusogenic intermediates, modify the membrane lipid bilayer for the initiation of vesicle formation and transport. Dysproteostasis, unfolded protein response, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis perturb the Golgi secretory pathway in the smpd3−/− mouse. Secretion of extracellular matrix proteins is arrested in chondrocytes and causes skeletal malformation and chondrodysplasia. Similarly, retarded secretion of proteo-hormones in hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons leads to hypothalamus induced combined pituitary hormone deficiency. SMPD3 in the regulation of the protein vesicular secretory pathway may become a diagnostic target in the etiology of unknown forms of juvenile growth and developmental inhibition.

Hair Growth Cycle Is Arrested in SCD1 Deficiency by Impaired Wnt3a-Palmitoleoylation and Retrieved by the Artificial Lipid Barrier

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is the dominant member of the SCD-isozyme family, regarded as a major regulator of lipid and energy metabolism in liver and adipose tissue. SCD1 deficiency impairs the desaturation of de novo-synthesized palmitoyl- and stearoyl-CoA to palmitoleoyl- and oleoyl-CoA. Scd1-/- mice develop metabolic waste syndrome and skin lesions: epidermal barrier disruption, alopecia, and degeneration of sebaceous glands. The unifying molecular link between the two divergent traits remains incompletely understood. Here we show the absence of palmitoleic acid (9Z-16:1) in the lipidome of the scd1-null mouse, which prohibits posttranslational O-palmitoleoylation of Wnt3a protein, essential for Wnt3a/ß-catenin signaling in stem cell lineage decision in development of the epidermal barrier, hair growth cycle, and sebaceous glands. Substitution of the disrupted epidermal lipid barrier by an inert hydrocarbon coat prevents excessive transepidermal water loss, normalizes thermogenesis and metabolic parameters, and surprisingly leads to the activation of hair bulge progenitor cells and reprograming of a regular hair growth cycle and development of a regular fur in scd1-/- mice. Progenitor sebocytes are not activated. Independent of age, application or removal of the artificial lipid barrier allows the reversible telogen-anagen reentry and exit of the hair growth cycle.

SMPD3 deficiency perturbs neuronal proteostasis and causes progressive cognitive impairment

Neutral sphingomyelinase smpd3 is most abundantly expressed in neurons of brain. The function of SMPD3 has remained elusive. Here, we report a pathogenetic nexus between absence of SMPD3 in the Golgi compartment (GC) of neurons of the smpd3-/- mouse brain, inhibition of Golgi vesicular protein transport and progressive cognitive impairment. Absence of SMPD3 activity in the Golgi sphingomyelin cycle impedes remodeling of the lipid bilayer, essential for budding and multivesicular body formation. Importantly, we show that inhibition of the Golgi vesicular protein transport causes accumulation of neurotoxic proteins APP, Aβ and phosphorylated Tau, dysproteostasis, unfolded protein response, and apoptosis, which ultimately manifests in progressive cognitive decline, similar to the pathognomonic signatures of familial and sporadic forms of Alzheimer´s disease. This discovery might contribute to the search for other primary pathogenic mechanisms, which link perturbed lipid bilayer structures and protein processing and transport in the neuronal Golgi compartment and neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits.