Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase enhances adrenergic-stimulated arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase activity in rat pinealocytes.

We have previously shown that inhibition of p38(MAPK) increases adrenergic-stimulated p42/44(MAPK) activation in rat pinealocytes. In this study we investigated whether p38(MAPK) played a role in the adrenergic regulation of arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) induction and melatonin (MT) synthesis. Treatment of pinealocytes with norepinephrine (NE) caused a time-dependent increase in the levels of AA-NAT mRNA, AA-NAT protein, and enzymatic activity as well as MT production. Cotreatment with SB202190, a selective p38(MAPK) inhibitor, although having no effect on AA-NAT activity or protein level 3 h after NE treatment, caused a sustained increase in AA-NAT activity and protein level after 6 h of NE treatment. The increases in NE-stimulated AA-NAT activity and protein level by SB202190 occurred in the absence of an increase in AA-NAT mRNA. Similar results were obtained when AA-NAT was induced by (Bu)(2)cAMP or when SB203580 was used to inhibit p38(MAPK). In comparison, SB202474, the inactive analog, had no effect on NE or (Bu)(2)cAMP-stimulated AA-NAT activity or protein level. SB202190 also increased cumulative NE-stimulated MT production, provided that the medium was supplemented with 5-methoxytryptamine. p38(MAPK) inhibitors had no effect on hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase activity. These results show that inhibition of p38(MAPK), although having no effect on cAMP-mediated AA-NAT transcription, appears to increase AA-NAT activity either by increasing translation or by reducing degradation of the AA-NAT protein. The lack of effect on NE-stimulated MT accumulation by p38(MAPK) inhibitors in the absence of 5-methoxytryptamine could be secondary to a lack of substrate, or alternatively, hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase may become limiting.

The assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein B-48-containing very low density lipoproteins in McA-RH7777 cells.

We have used an extraction procedure, which released membrane-bound apoB-100, to study the assembly of apoB-48 VLDL (very low density lipoproteins). This procedure released apoB-48, but not integral membrane proteins, from microsomes of McA-RH7777 cells. Upon gradient ultracentrifugation, the extracted apoB-48 migrated in the same position as the dense apoB-48-containing lipoprotein (apoB-48 HDL (high density lipoprotein)) secreted into the medium. Labeling studies with [(3)H]glycerol demonstrated that the HDL-like particle extracted from the microsomes contains both triglycerides and phosphatidylcholine. The estimated molar ratio between triglyceride and phosphatidylcholine was 0.70 +/- 0.09, supporting the possibility that the particle has a neutral lipid core. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that microsomal apoB-48 HDL can either be secreted as apoB-48 HDL or converted to apoB-48 VLDL. These results support the two-step model of VLDL assembly. To determine the size of apoB required to assemble HDL and VLDL, we produced apoB polypeptides of various lengths and followed their ability to assemble VLDL. Small amounts of apoB-40 were associated with VLDL, but most of the nascent chains associated with VLDL ranged from apoB-48 to apoB-100. Thus, efficient VLDL assembly requires apoB chains of at least apoB-48 size. Nascent polypeptides as small as apoB-20 were associated with particles in the HDL density range. Thus, the structural requirements of apoB to form HDL-like first-step particles differ from those to form second-step VLDL. Analysis of proteins in the d < 1.006 g/ml fraction after ultracentrifugation of the luminal content of the cells identified five chaperone proteins: binding protein, protein disulfide isomerase, calcium-binding protein 2, calreticulin, and glucose regulatory protein 94. Thus, intracellular VLDL is associated with a network of chaperones involved in protein folding. Pulse-chase and subcellular fractionation studies showed that apoB-48 VLDL did not accumulate in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. This finding indicates either that the two steps of apoB lipoprotein assembly occur in different compartment or that the assembled VLDL is transferred rapidly out of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Assembly of very low density lipoprotein: a two-step process of apolipoprotein B core lipidation.

The liver plays a primary role in lipid metabolism. Important functions include the synthesis and incorporation of hydrophobic lipids, triacylglycerols and cholesteryl esters into the core of water-miscible particles called lipoproteins and the secretion of these particles into the circulation for transport to distant tissues. In this article, we present a brief overview of one aspect of the assembly process of very low density lipoproteins, namely, possible mechanisms for combining core lipids with apolipoprotein B. This is a complex process in which apolipoprotein B interacts with core lipids to form very low density lipoproteins by a two-step process that can be dissociated biochemically.

The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein catalyzes the post-translational assembly of apolipoprotein B-100 very low density lipoprotein in McA-RH7777 cells.

In cells in which the lipoprotein assembly process had been inactivated by brefeldin A (BFA), membrane-associated apoB-100 disappeared without forming lipoproteins or being secreted, indicating that it was degraded. Reactivation of the assembly process by chasing the cells in the absence of BFA, gave rise to a quantitative recovery of the membrane-associated apoB-100 in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction in the medium. These results indicate that the membrane-associated apoB-100 can be converted to VLDL. A new method was developed by which the major amount (88%) of microsomal apoB-100 but not integral membrane proteins could be extracted. The major effect of this method was to increase the recovery of apoB-100 that banded in the LDL and HDL density regions, suggesting that the membrane-associated form of apoB-100 is partially lipidated. We also investigated the role of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) in the assembly of apoB-100 VLDL using a photoactivatable MTP inhibitor (BMS-192951). This compound strongly inhibited the assembly and secretion of apoB-100 VLDL when present during the translation of the protein. To investigate the importance of MTP during the later stages in the assembly process, the cells were preincubated with BFA (to reversibly inhibit the assembly of apoB-100 VLDL) and pulse-labeled (+BFA) and chased (+BFA) for 30 min to obtain full-length apoB-100 associated with the microsomal membrane. Inhibition of MTP after the 30-min chase blocked assembly of VLDL. This indicates that MTP is important for the conversion of full-length apoB-100 into VLDL. Results from experiments in which a second chase (-BFA) was introduced before the inactivation of MTP indicated that only early events in this conversion of full-length apoB-100 into VLDL were blocked by the MTP inhibitor. Together these results indicate that there is a MTP-dependent "window" in the VLDL assembly process that occurs after the completion of apoB-100 but before the major amount of lipids is added to the VLDL particle. Thus the assembly of apoB-100 VLDL from membrane-associated apoB-100 involves an early MTP-dependent phase and a late MTP-independent phase, during which the major amount of lipid is added.

Brefeldin A reversibly inhibits the assembly of apoB containing lipoproteins in McA-RH7777 cells.

BFA inhibited in a dose dependent way the assembly of apoB-48 very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) but allowed a normal rate of biosynthesis of the apolipoprotein and of the assembly of the dense ("high density lipoprotein (HDL)-like") apoB-48 particle (apoB-48 HDL). The inhibition of the assembly of apoB-48 VLDL occurred at BFA levels that allowed a major secretion of both transferrin and apoB-48 HDL. The assembly of apoB-100 containing lipoproteins was also inhibited by BFA but could be reactivated by a 30-60 min chase in the absence of BFA, which agreed with the time that was estimated to be needed to restore the secretory pathway (approximately 60 min). Also the assembly of apoB-48 VLDL was reversible. Both apoB-48 and apoB-100 that was labeled in the presence of BFA assembled VLDL after removal of the BFA. Both apoB-100 and apoB-48 were associated with the membrane pellet of the microsomes. Virtually all (122 +/- 30%) of the membrane associated pulse-labeled apoB-48 remained in the membrane after a 180-min chase in the presence of BFA, compared to only 21 +/- 2% in normal cells (mean +/- S.D., n = 4). The corresponding figures for apoB-100 was 40 +/- 7% in BFA-treated cells and 9 +/- 7% in normal cells (mean +/- S.D., n = 4). Pulse-chase experiments with BFA offered conditions to selectively follow the turnover of membrane-associated apoB-100. Such experiments indicated that this apoB-100 pool is a precursor to VLDL.

Studies on the assembly of apolipoprotein B-100- and B-48-containing very low density lipoproteins in McA-RH7777 cells.

The mechanisms by which apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) and apoB-48 assemble lipoproteins have been studied in the McA-RH7777 cell line. After incubation for 2 h with 360 microM oleic acid, the McA-RH7777 cells secreted apoB-100 mainly on very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles, as judged from sucrose gradient and sequential ultracentrifugation. ApoB-48 was secreted on both VLDL and on denser, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-like lipoproteins. Both apoB-48 and apoB-100 occurred on VLDL particles in the luminal content of the total microsomal fraction. In addition, both proteins were present on denser particles, in particular, those that banded in the HDL region. The denser particles containing apoB-48 were secreted from the cells, whereas those containing apoB-100 were retained in the cell and degraded. Pulse-chase experiments showed that apoB-100 on VLDL was present in the secretory pathway already after a labeling period as short as 3 min. Thus, this particle was the first apoB-100-containing lipoprotein that could be detected in the microsomal fraction of the cell. The assembly of labeled apoB-100 VLDL was acutely (within min) and completely blocked by cycloheximide, if the cycloheximide was added after the pulse labeling period. If, on the other hand, a 15-min chase was introduced after the labeling period, there was no effect of cycloheximide on the assembly of apoB-100 VLDL. A 15-min chase is enough to allow the pulse-labeled apoB nascent polypeptides to be completed to apoB-100. These results indicated that the assembly of apoB-100-containing VLDL is dependent upon ongoing protein biosynthesis during the time when the nascent polypeptide elongate. After this period, the assembly and secretion of the particles are independent of ongoing protein biosynthesis. The first apoB-48-containing particle seen in the luminal content of the microsomal fraction was the HDL-like particle. Pulse-chase experiments as well as experiments with different lengths of the radioactive pulse indicated that the formation of apoB-48-containing VLDL was delayed compared with the formation of the apoB-48-containing HDL-like particle and also in relation to the assembly of the different apoB-100-containing particles, including VLDL. After a 30-min pulse with [35S]methionine followed by a 120-min chase the secretory pathway of the cell was depleted of almost all lipoproteins except the HDL-like apoB-48-containing particle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Purification of diacylglycerol:acyltransferase from rat liver to near homogeneity.

A method to isolate a protein related to the diacylglycerol:acyltransferase (DGAT) activity in rat liver microsomes has been developed. The microsomes were treated with sodium deoxycholate (DOC; 0.1 mg/mg protein) at a concentration of 1 mM, i.e., below the critical micellar concentration (CMC), to remove luminal and loosely bound proteins. Three percent of the DGAT activity and all of the acylCoA hydrolyse activity were present in the supernatant, i.e., among the extracted loosely bound proteins. The insoluble material, recovered as a pellet, was suspended in DOC (1.6 mg/ml and mg protein in the original microsomes), and subjected to multiple, short (1-2 sec) sonications. CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate; 5 mg/ml) was then added, and the sonication was repeated. The detergent-treated microsomal membranes were filtered through a 0.22-micron filter and chromatographed on a Superose 6 column from which the DGAT activity was recovered in a high molecular mass fraction. A monoclonal antibody that reacted with this fraction was raised and used in immunoaffinity experiments. This antibody removed 93 +/- 6% (mean +/- SD, n = 4) of the DGAT activity present in solution and 44 +/- 6% (mean +/- SD, n = 5) of the applied activity could be recovered after desorption. The antibody recognized a 60 kDa protein upon Western blot of rat liver microsomal proteins as well as of the DGAT-containing fraction from the Superose 6 column. A 60 kDa protein was highly enriched in the DGAT-containing retained fraction from the immunoaffinity chromatography. This 60 kDa protein reacted with the monoclonal antibody on Western blot. In addition to the 60 kDa protein, the retained fraction from the immunoadsorber contained a 77 kDa protein. This protein did not react with the monoclonal antibody on Western blots. Neither the 60 nor the 77 kDa protein reacted with antibodies to mouse immunoglobulins or showed any unspecific reaction with immunoglobulins.

Influence of triacylglycerol biosynthesis rate on the assembly of apoB-100-containing lipoproteins in Hep G2 cells.

Apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) appears in three forms in the endoplasmic reticulum of Hep G2 cells: (1) tightly bound to the membrane, ie, not extractable by sodium carbonate. This form is glycosylated but protease sensitive when present in intact microsomes, suggesting that it is only partially translocated to the microsomal lumen; (2) extractable by sodium carbonate and present on low-density lipoprotein-very-low-density lipoprotein (LDL-VLDL)-like particles. This form is glycosylated and secreted into the medium; and (3) extractable by sodium carbonate but having a higher density than the LDL-VLDL-like particles. This form, referred to as Fraction I, is glycosylated and protected against proteases when present in intact microsomal vesicles, indicating that it is completely translocated to the luminal side of the microsomal membrane. Fraction I is not secreted into the medium, but it disappears with time from the cell, suggesting that it is degraded. Oleic acid induced a 2.7-fold increase in the rate of the biosynthesis of triacylglycerol but not of phosphatidylcholine in Hep G2 cells. Incubation of the cells with oleic acid had no significant effect on the rate of initiation of the apoB-100-containing lipoproteins, nor did it influence the amount of apoB-100 that was associated with the membrane or the turnover of apoB-100 in the membrane. Instead, it increased the proportion of the nascent apoB polypeptides on initiated lipoproteins that was converted into full-length apoB-100 on LDL-VLDL-like particles, giving rise to an increased amount of these particles in the lumen of the secretory pathway. Pulse-chase experiments showed that incubation with oleic acid gave rise to an increased formation of LDL-VLDL-like particles on behalf of the formation of Fraction I. This effect of oleic acid could partially explain the protective effect of the fatty acid on apoB-100, preventing it from undergoing posttranslational degradation.