Shin-ya Morita

Bile salt-dependent efflux of cellular phospholipids mediated by ATP binding cassette protein B4.

Human ABCB4 (multidrug resistance [MDR]3 P‐glycoprotein) is expressed in the canalicular membrane of the hepatocyte. ABCB4 has been shown to be required for phosphatidylcholine (PC) secretion into the bile and to translocate PC across the plasma membrane. To further investigate the function of ABCB4, we established a cell line stably expressing ABCB4 (human embryonic kidney [HEK]/ABCB4). The efflux of phospholipids from HEK/ABCB4 cells was remarkably increased by the addition of taurocholate. In addition, the cholesterol efflux from HEK/ABCB4 cells was also enhanced in the presence of taurocholate. Light scattering measurements suggested that the taurocholate monomer plays an important role in ABCB4‐mediated lipid secretion. On the other hand, the efflux of phospholipids and cholesterol was not mediated by ABCB1 (MDR1) even in the presence of taurocholate. Taurocholate promoted the efflux of phospholipids and cholesterol from HEK/ABCB4 cells more efficiently than glycocholate and cholate. ABCB4‐K435M and ABCB4‐K1075M, Walker A lysine mutants, did not mediate the phospholipid and cholesterol efflux in the presence of taurocholate, suggesting that ATP hydrolysis is essential for the efflux. Verapamil completely inhibited the taurocholate‐dependent efflux of phospholipids and cholesterol from HEK/ABCB4 cells. Mass spectrometry revealed that, in the presence of taurocholate, HEK/ABCB4 cells preferentially secreted PC compared to sphingomyelin. PC vesicles induced cholesterol diffusion from cell membrane, but did not accept cholesterol from ABCB4. Conclusion: ABCB4 mediates the efflux of phospholipids into the canalicular lumen in the presence of bile salts, and plays a crucial role in bile formation and lipid homeostasis. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)

Essential Role of Neuron-Enriched Diacylglycerol Kinase (DGK), DGKβ in Neurite Spine Formation, Contributing to Cognitive Function

Background Diacylglycerol (DG) kinase (DGK) phosphorylates DG to produce phosphatidic acid (PA). Of the 10 subtypes of mammalian DGKs, DGKβ is a membrane-localized subtype and abundantly expressed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and caudate-putamen. However, its physiological roles in neurons and higher brain function have not been elucidated. Methodology/Principal Findings We, therefore, developed DGKβ KO mice using the Sleeping Beauty transposon system, and found that its long-term potentiation in the hippocampal CA1 region was reduced, causing impairment of cognitive functions including spatial and long-term memories in Y-maze and Morris water-maze tests. The primary cultured hippocampal neurons from KO mice had less branches and spines compared to the wild type. This morphological impairment was rescued by overexpression of DGKβ. In addition, overexpression of DGKβ in SH-SY5Y cells or primary cultured mouse hippocampal neurons resulted in branch- and spine-formation, while a splice variant form of DGKβ, which has kinase activity but loses membrane localization, did not induce branches and spines. In the cells overexpressing DGKβ but not the splice variant form, DGK product, PA, was increased and the substrate, DG, was decreased on the plasma membrane. Importantly, lower spine density and abnormality of PA and DG contents in the CA1 region of the KO mice were confirmed. Conclusions/Significance These results demonstrate that membrane-localized DGKβ regulates spine formation by regulation of lipids, contributing to the maintenance of neural networks in synaptic transmission of cognitive processes including memory.

Enzymatic measurement of phosphatidic acid in cultured cells

In this work, we developed a novel enzymatic method for measuring phosphatidic acid (PA) in cultured cells. The enzymatic reaction sequence of the method involves hydrolysis of PA to produce glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P), which is then oxidized by G3P oxidase to generate hydrogen peroxide. In the presence of peroxidase, hydrogen peroxide reacted with Amplex Red to produce highly fluorescent resorufin. We found that lipase from Pseudomonas sp. can completely hydrolyze PA to G3P and FAs. The calibration curve for PA measurement was linear between 20 and 250 µM, and the detection limit was 5 µM (50 pmol in the reaction mixture). We also modified the method for the enzymatic measurement of lysophosphatidic acid. By this new method, we determined the PA content in the lipid extract from HEK293 cells. The cellular content of PA was decreased with increasing cell density but not correlated with the proliferation rate. The diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59949 markedly reduced the cellular PA content, suggesting the diacylglycerol kinase activity was involved in a large part of the PA production in HEK293 cells. This novel method for PA quantification is simple, rapid, specific, sensitive, and high-throughput and will help to study the biological functions of PA and its related enzymes.

Effects of sphingomyelin on apolipoprotein E- and lipoprotein lipase-mediated cell uptake of lipid particles

It has been reported that human plasma sphingomyelin (SM) levels are positively and independently related to coronary artery disease. The lipoprotein surface is mainly formed by phosphatidylcholine (PC) and SM together with cholesterol and apolipoproteins. However, the influence of SM on the cell uptake of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and remnants is poorly understood. To clarify the role of SM in lipoprotein uptake, we prepared lipid emulsions containing triolein, PC and SM as model particles of lipoproteins. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) binding studies revealed that incorporation of SM into the emulsion surface reduced the binding capacity of apoE without changing the affinity. Surface SM reduced apoE-mediated uptake of emulsions by HepG2 cells because of the decreased amount of binding apoE. Apolipoproteins C-II and C-III inhibited the apoE-mediated uptake of SM containing emulsions more effectively. The stimulatory effect of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) on emulsion uptake was decreased by replacing surface PC with SM. These results suggest that SM-induced changes in the binding properties of apolipoproteins and LPL correlate with decreased hepatic uptake of lipid particles.

Novel action of apolipoprotein E (ApoE): ApoE isoform specifically inhibits lipid-particle-mediated cholesterol release from neurons

BackgroundSince the majority of apolipoprotein E (apoE) existing in the cerebrospinal fluid is associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL), one should focus on the role of the apoE-HDL complex rather than on that of free apoE in cholesterol metabolism in the central nervous system. However, the apoE-isoform-specific effect of apoE-HDL on cholesterol transport remains unclarified.ResultsHere we show that apoE3-HDL induced a marked cholesterol release from neurons, while apoE4-HDL induced little. To elucidate the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we used a complex of lipid emulsion (EM) with recombinant apoE3 or apoE4 (apoE-EM) at various apoE concentrations. When a small number of apoE molecules were associated with EM, apoE3- and apoE4-EM, induced a marked cholesterol release to a level similar to that induced by EM alone. However, when apoE at given concentrations was incubated with EM, apoE3-EM induced a marked cholesterol release, while apoE4-EM induced little. Under these conditions, a greater number of apoE4 molecules were associated with EM than apoE3 molecules. When an increasing number of apoE molecules were associated with EM, both apoE3-EM and apoE4-EM induced little cholesterol release. Preincubation with β-mercaptoethanol increased the number of apoE3 molecules associated with EM similar to that of apoE4 molecules, indicating that the presence (apoE3) or absence (apoE4) of intermolecular disulfide bond formation is responsible for the association of a greater number of apoE4 molecules to EM than apoE3 molecules.ConclusionThese results suggest that although apoE and a lipid particle are lipid acceptors, when apoE and a lipid particle form a complex, apoE on the particle surface inhibits the lipid particle-mediated cholesterol release from cells in an apoE-concentration-dependent manner.

Effects of plasma apolipoproteins on lipoprotein lipase-mediated lipolysis of small and large lipid emulsions.

Large (ca. 120 nm) and small (ca. 35 nm) emulsions consisting of triolein (TO) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were prepared as the primary protein-free models of chylomicrons and their remnants, respectively. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-mediated lipolysis of emulsion TO was retarded in chylomicron-free human plasma compared with the hydrolysis activated by isolated apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II). In 30% plasma, free fatty acid (FFA) release rate was higher for large emulsions than for small ones, while both emulsions were hydrolyzed at similar rates in the presence of isolated apoC-II. Isolated apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) or apolipoprotein E (apoE) worked as LPL-inhibitor of the lipolysis activated by apoC-II. It was also observed that apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) showed distinct inhibitory effects on the lipolysis of large and small emulsions: more effective inhibition for small emulsions. Kinetic analyses showed that K(m)(app) and V(max)(app) for the lipolysis of emulsions were lower in the presence of 30% plasma than isolated apoC-II. ApoA-I also markedly decreased K(m)(app) and V(max)(app) for LPL-catalyzed hydrolysis of both emulsions. In chylomicron-free serum, the density of bound apoA-I at small emulsion surfaces was about three fold greater than large emulsion surfaces, but the binding densities of apoC-II, apoC-III and apoE were less for small emulsion surfaces than for large ones, suggesting that apoA-I preferentially binds to small particles and displaces other exchangeable apolipoproteins from particle surfaces. These results indicate that, in addition to the well known inhibitory effects of apoC-III and apoE, apoA-I in plasma regulates the lipolysis of triglyceride (TG)-rich emulsions and lipoproteins in a size-dependent manner.

Functional analysis of two isoforms of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase

The enzyme catalysing the conversion of PE (phosphatidylethanolamine) into PC (phosphatidylcholine), PEMT (PE N-methyltransferase), exists as two isoforms, PEMT-L (longer isoform of PEMT) and PEMT-S (shorter isoform of PEMT). In the present study, to compare the functions of the two isoforms of PEMT, we established HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cell lines stably expressing PEMT-L and PEMT-S. Both PEMT-L and PEMT-S were localized in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). PEMT-L, but not PEMT-S, was N-glycosylated with high-mannose oligosaccharides. The enzymatic activity of PEMT-S was much higher than that of PEMT-L. By using novel enzymatic assays for measuring PC and PE, we showed that PEMT-L and PEMT-S expression remarkably increased the cellular PC content, whereas the PE content was decreased by PEMT-S expression, but was hardly affected by PEMT-L expression. The cellular content of phosphatidylserine was also reduced by the expression of PEMT-L or PEMT-S. MS analyses demonstrated that the expression of PEMT-S led to more increases in the molecular species of PC and PC-O (ether-linked PC) with longer polyunsaturated chains than that of PEMT-L, whereas the PC-O species with shorter chains were increased more by PEMT-L expression than by PEMT-S expression, suggesting a difference in the substrate specificity of PEMT-L and PEMT-S. On the other hand, various PE and PE-O species were decreased by PEMT-S expression. In addition, PEMT-L and PEMT-S expression promoted the proliferation of HEK-293 cells. Based upon these findings, we propose a model in which the enzymatic activity and substrate specificity are regulated by the glycosylated N-terminal region of PEMT-L localized in the ER lumen.

Formation of ceramide-enriched domains in lipid particles enhances the binding of apolipoprotein E

We investigated the interaction between apolipoprotein E (apoE) and ceramide (CER)‐enriched domains on the particles, by using lipid emulsions containing sphingomyelin (SM) or CER as model particles of lipoproteins. The sphingomyelinase (SMase)‐induced aggregation of emulsion particles was prevented by apoE. CER increased the amount of apoE bound to emulsion particles. The confocal images of CER‐containing large emulsions with two fluorescent probes showed three‐dimensional microdomains enriched in CER. SMase also induced the formation of CER‐enriched domains. We propose apoE prefers to bind on CER‐enriched domains exposed on particle surface, and thus inhibits the aggregation or fusion of the particles.

Molecular mechanisms for biliary phospholipid and drug efflux mediated by ABCB4 and bile salts.

On the canalicular membranes of hepatocytes, several ABC transporters are responsible for the secretion of bile lipids. Among them, ABCB4, also called MDR3, is essential for the secretion of phospholipids from hepatocytes into bile. The biliary phospholipids are associated with bile salts and cholesterol in mixed micelles, thereby reducing the detergent activity and cytotoxicity of bile salts and preventing cholesterol crystallization. Mutations in the ABCB4 gene result in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, low-phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and cholangiocarcinoma. In vivo and cell culture studies have demonstrated that the secretion of biliary phospholipids depends on both ABCB4 expression and bile salts. In the presence of bile salts, ABCB4 located in nonraft membranes mediates the efflux of phospholipids, preferentially phosphatidylcholine. Despite high homology with ABCB1, ABCB4 expression cannot confer multidrug resistance. This review summarizes our current understanding of ABCB4 functions and physiological relevance, and discusses the molecular mechanism for the ABCB4-mediated efflux of phospholipids.

Metabolism and Modification of Apolipoprotein B-Containing Lipoproteins Involved in Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis.

Increased levels of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins, such as low density lipoproteins (LDL) and chylomicron remnants, are associated with the development of atherosclerosis. Chylomicrons containing apoB-48 are secreted from the intestine during the postprandial state, whereas very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) containing apoB-100 are constitutively formed in the liver. Chylomicron remnants and VLDL remnants are produced by the lipoprotein lipase-mediated lipolysis of triglycerides, which is activated by apolipoprotein C-II bound on the particle surfaces. The hepatic uptake of these remnants is facilitated by apolipoprotein E (apoE), but is inhibited by apolipoproteins C-I, C-II and C-III. In the plasma, VLDL remnants are further converted into LDL by the hydrolysis of triglycerides. ApoB-100 is responsible for the hepatic uptake of LDL. LDL receptor, LDL receptor-related protein and heparan sulfate proteoglycans are involved in the hepatic clearance of lipoproteins containing apoB-100 and/or apoE. The subendothelial retention and modification of apoB-containing lipoproteins are crucial events in the initiation of atherosclerosis. In the subendothelium, the uptake of modified lipoproteins by macrophages leads to the formation of foam cells storing excess amounts of cholesteryl esters and subsequently to apoptosis. This review describes the current knowledge about the metabolism and modification of apoB-containing lipoproteins involved in dyslipidemia and atherogenesis. In particular, I focus on the effects of apolipoproteins, lipid composition and particle size on lipoprotein metabolism and on the roles of cholesterol, sphingomyelinase and apoB denaturation in macrophage foam cell formation and apoptosis. A detailed understanding of these mechanisms will help to develop new therapeutic strategies.