Rocio Sanchez

Expression of Sar1b Enhances Chylomicron Assembly and Key Components of the Coat Protein Complex II System Driving Vesicle Budding

Objective—SAR1b plays a significant role in the assembly, organization, and function of the coat protein complex II, a critical complex for the transport of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. Recently, mutations in SARA2 have been associated with lipid absorption disorders. However, functional studies on Sar1b-mediated lipid synthesis pathways and lipoprotein packaging have not been performed. Methods and Results—Sar1b was overexpressed in Caco-2/15 cells and resulted in significantly augmented triacylglycerol, cholesteryl ester, and phospholipid esterification and secretion and markedly enhanced chylomicron production. It also stimulated monoacylglycerol acyltransferase/diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity and enhanced apolipoprotein B-48 protein synthesis, as well as elevated microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity. Along with the enhanced chylomicrons, microsomes were characterized by abundant Sec12, the guanine exchange factor that promotes the localization of Sar1b in the endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed high levels of the complex components Sec23/Sec24 and p125, the Sec23-interacting protein. Finally, a pronounced interaction of Sec23/Sec24 with sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein and SREBP-1c was noted, thereby permitting the transfer of the transcription factor SREBP-1c to the nucleus for the activation of genes involved in lipid metabolism. Conclusion—Our data suggest that Sar1b expression may promote intestinal lipid transport with the involvement of the coat protein complex II network and the processing of SREBP-1c.

Characterization of a cGMP-Response Element in the Guanylyl Cyclase/Natriuretic Peptide Receptor A Gene Promoter

Previous studies have shown that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) can inhibit transcription of its receptor, guanylyl cyclase A, by a mechanism dependent on cGMP and have suggested the presence of a putative cGMP-response element (cGMP-RE) in the Npr1 gene promoter. To localize and characterize the putative cis-acting element, we have subcloned a 1520-bp fragment of the rat Npr1 promoter in an expression vector containing the luciferase reporter gene. Several fragments, generated by exonuclease III-directed deletions, were transiently transfected into cells to measure their promoter activity. Deletion from −1520 to −1396 of a 1520-bp-long Npr1 promoter led to a 5-fold increase in luciferase activity. Subsequent deletion to the position −1307 resulted in a decrease of luciferase activity by 90%. Preincubation of cells with 100 nM of ANP or 100 μM 8-bromo-cGMP inhibited luciferase activity of the 1520-bp and 1396-bp-long fragments, but not the activity of the 1307-bp fragment, suggesting that the cGMP-RE is localized between positions −1396 and −1307. The cGMP regulatory region was narrowed by gel shift assays and footprinting to position −1372 to −1354 from the transcription start site of Npr1 and indicated its interaction with transcriptional factor(s). Cross-competition experiments with mutated oligonucleotides led to the definition of a consensus sequence (−1372 A a A tRKaN TTC a A c A K T Y −1354) for the novel cGMP-RE, which is conserved in the human (75% identity) and mouse (95% identity) Npr1 promoters.

TA Repeat Variation, Npr1 Expression, and Blood Pressure. Impact of the Ace Locus

Abstract—The activity of the atrial natriuretic peptide receptor (Npr1) is altered in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in relation to its mRNA levels, suggesting abnormal transcriptional control in hypertension. A single-stranded conformational polymorphism caused by a repetitive dinucleotide segment of 10 TA in BN-Lx and of 40 TA in SHR was localized at position −943 relative to the transcription start site of the Npr1 gene, downstream of a putative cGMP-regulatory region, and was the only sequence difference noted between the two strains. Transient transfections of −1520 to −920 Npr1 promoter-SV40-luciferase fusion vector showed that the construct from BN-Lx stimulated the SV40 promoter, whereas that from SHR slightly inhibited it. In contrast to the BN-Lx construct, the activity of the SHR fragment was refractory to downregulation by atrial natriuretic peptide. Genotype-phenotype correlation studies in recombinant inbred strains (RIS) derived from BN-Lx and SHR crosses revealed significant correlations of the TA repeat with basal guanylyl cyclase activity and Npr1 mRNA levels. The correlations were heightened by a locus on chromosome 10 containing the Ace gene. The highest basal guanylyl cyclase activity and Npr1 mRNA values were found in RIS with both genes (Npr1/ Ace) of BN genotypes, whereas the lowest were recorded in RIS, with the SHR genotypes at both loci. This was inversely correlated with diastolic blood pressure in these strains. In conclusion, the longer TA repeat unit in the promoter of Npr1 of SHR, in tandem with a putative cGMP responsive element, regulates the transcription of the Npr1 gene with consequences on diastolic blood pressure.

Sar1b transgenic male mice are more susceptible to high-fat diet-induced obesity, insulin insensitivity and intestinal chylomicron overproduction ☆

In the intracellular secretory network, nascent proteins are shuttled from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi by transport vesicles requiring Sar1b, a small GTPase. Mutations in this key enzyme impair intestinal lipid transport and cause chylomicron retention disease. The main aim of this study was to assess whether Sar1b overexpression under a hypercaloric diet accelerated lipid production and chylomicron (CM) secretion, thereby inducing cardiometabolic abnormalities. To this end, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing human Sar1b (Sar1b(+/+)) using pBROAD3-mcs that features the ubiquitous mouse ROSA26 promoter. In response to a high-fat diet (HFD), Sar1b(+/+) mice displayed significantly increased body weight and adiposity compared with Sar1b(+/+) mice under the same regimen or with wild-type (WT) mice exposed to chow diet or HFD. Furthermore, Sar1b(+/+) mice were prone to liver steatosis as revealed by significantly elevated hepatic triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol in comparison with WT animals. They also exhibited augmented levels of plasma TG along with alterations in fatty acid composition. Concomitantly, they showed susceptibility to develop insulin insensitivity and they responded abnormally to oral glucose tolerance test. Finally, Sar1b(+/+) mice that have been treated with Triton WR-1330 (to inhibit TG catabolism) and orotic acid (to block secretion of very low-density lipoprotein by the liver) responded more efficiently to fat meal tests as reflected by the rise in plasma TG and CM concentrations, indicating exaggerated intestinal fat absorption. These results suggest that Sar1b(+/+) under HFD can elicit cardiometabolic traits as revealed by incremental weight gain, fat deposition, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, insulin insensitivity and intestinal fat absorption.

Association between genetic variants in the HNF4A gene and childhood-onset Crohn’s disease

Hepatocyte nuclear 4 alpha (HNF4α), involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, has been linked to intestinal inflammation and abnormal mucosal permeability. Moreover, in a genome-wide association study, the HNF4A locus has been associated with ulcerative colitis. The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between HNF4α genetic variants and Crohn’s disease (CD) in two distinct Canadian pediatric cohorts. The sequencing of the HNF4A gene in 40 French Canadian patients led to the identification of 27 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)s with a minor allele frequency >5%. To assess the impact of these SNPs on disease susceptibility, we first conducted a case–control discovery study on 358 subjects with CD and 542 controls. We then carried out a replication study in a separate cohort of 416 cases and 1208 controls. In the discovery cohort, the genotyping of the identified SNPs revealed that six were significantly associated with CD. Among them, rs1884613 was replicated in the second CD cohort (odds ratio (OR): 1.33; P<0.012) and this association remained significant when both cohorts were combined and after correction for multiple testing (OR: 1.39; P<0.004). An 8-marker P2 promoter haplotype containing rs1884613 was also found associated with CD (P<2.09 × 10−4 for combined cohorts). This is the first report showing that the HNF4A locus may be a common genetic determinant of childhood-onset CD. These findings highlight the importance of the intestinal epithelium and oxidative protection in the pathogenesis of CD.

Paraoxonase 1, 2 and 3 DNA variants and susceptibility to childhood inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterised by an imbalance between pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant mechanisms. Cellular detoxification systems in IBD seem unable to adequately control the amplified generation of reactive oxygen species, put a stop to free radical injury and repair damaged cellular elements, suggesting that an increase in oxidative stress might be involved in the pathogenesis of IBD,1,2 although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely undefined. Human paraoxonase family members (PON1, PON2, PON3) possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.3–5 Despite the large impact of genetic variation on PON activity, its important role in controlling oxidative stress and inflammation,5–8 as well as its association with several pathophysiological conditions,4 no information is available on the relationship between PON genetic …

Impact of promoter polymorphisms in key regulators of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway on the outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The introduction of multiagent treatment protocols has led to a remarkable increase in survival rates for children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, yet for a subpopulation of patients, resistance to chemotherapeutics remains an obstacle to successful treatment. Here we investigate the role of the mitochondrial (or intrinsic) apoptosis pathway in modulating the onset and outcomes of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cell death is a highly regulated process that plays an essential role in regulating cell homeostasis, particularly in tissues with high intrinsic proliferating capacity such as the hematopoietic system. Following the underlying paradigm that cis-acting genetic variation can influence disease risk and outcomes by modulating gene expression, we performed a systematic analysis of the proximal promoter regions of 21 genes involved in apoptosis. Using gene reporter assays, we show that promoter variations in 11 intrinsic apoptosis genes, including ADPRT, APAF1, BCL2, BAD, BID, MCL1, BIRC4, BCL2L1, ENDOG, YWHAB, and YWHAQ, influence promoter activity in an allele-specific manner. We also show that correlated promoter variation and increased expression of MCL1 is associated with reduced overall survival among high-risk patients receiving higher doses of corticosteroid, suggesting that increased expression of this anti-apoptosis gene could lead to reduced cell death and influence treatment response in a disease- and dose-responsive manner.

Tissue distribution and regulation of the small Sar1b GTPase in mice.

Background/Aims: Sar1b GTPase (Sar1b) represents an obligatory component of COPII vesicles that bud from the endoplasmic reticulum to transport proteins to the Golgi apparatus. Its genetic mutations lead to a severe disorder known as chylomicron retention disease. Despite growing knowledge on Sar1b, little is known about it tissue distribution and regulation, which constitute the aims of the present study. We aimed to determine the Sar1b tissue distribution and modulation by a high-fat diet and gene forcing using transgenic mice in comparison to wild-type mice. Methods: The expression pattern of Sar1b was studied in different organs of wild-type and Sar1b transgenic mice by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The effect of transgenesis and insulin resistance induced by a 12-week high-fat diet on Sar1b gene expression was also assessed by qRT-PCR. Results: Evaluation of Sar1b mRNA revealed the skeletal muscle as the tissue with the highest Sar1b expression, followed by the heart and liver, the organs composing the digestive tract, the brain and finally the lung and the adipose tissue. Sar1b protein expression levels follow a similar pattern among the organs, except for its lower expression in the heart. While the high-fat diet did not exert any significant alterations, Sar1b transgenic mice displayed higher gene expression in the liver, ileum, jejunum, proximal and distal colon compared to wild-type mice. Conclusion: Our study supports the importance of Sar1b in organs involved in lipid transport and/or calcium trafficking such as the liver, intestine, skeletal muscle and heart.