Phosphorylated glycosphingolipids essential for cholesterol mobilization in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans requires exogenous cholesterol to survive and its depletion leads to early developmental arrest. Thus, tight regulation of cholesterol storage and distribution within the organism is indispensable. Here, we present a novel class of C. elegans phosphorylated glycosphingolipids, phosphoethanolamine glucosylceramides (PEGCs), capable of rescuing larval arrest induced by sterol starvation. We describe the total synthesis of a major PEGC species and demonstrate that the PEGC synthetic counterpart suppresses the dauer-constitutive phenotype of Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) and DAF-7/TGF-ß mutant worms caused by impaired intracellular sterol trafficking. PEGC biosynthesis depends on functional NPC1 and TGF-ß, indicating that these proteins control larval development at least partly through PEGC. Furthermore, glucosylceramide deficiency dramatically reduced PEGC amounts. However, the resulting developmental arrest could be rescued by oversaturation of food with cholesterol. Taken together, these data show that PEGC is essential for C. elegans development through its regulation of sterol mobilization.

A plant/fungal-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase located in the parasite mitochondrion ensures glucose-independent survival of Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is considered to be one of the most successful intracellular pathogens, because it can reproduce in varied nutritional milieus, encountered in diverse host cell types of essentially any warm-blooded organism. Our earlier work demonstrated that the acute (tachyzoite) stage of T. gondii depends on cooperativity of glucose and glutamine catabolism to meet biosynthetic demands. Either of these two nutrients can sustain the parasite survival; however, what determines the metabolic plasticity has not yet been resolved. Here, we reveal two discrete phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) enzymes in the parasite, one of which resides in the mitochondrion (TgPEPCKmt), whereas the other protein is not expressed in tachyzoites (TgPEPCKnet). Parasites with an intact glycolysis can tolerate genetic deletions of TgPEPCKmt as well as of TgPEPCKnet, indicating their nonessential roles for tachyzoite survival. TgPEPCKnet can also be ablated in a glycolysis-deficient mutant, while TgPEPCKmt is refractory to deletion. Consistent with this, the lytic cycle of a conditional mutant of TgPEPCKmt in the glycolysis-impaired strain was aborted upon induced repression of the mitochondrial isoform, demonstrating its essential role for the glucose-independent survival of parasites. Isotope-resolved metabolomics of the conditional mutant revealed defective flux of glutamine-derived carbon into RNA-bound ribose sugar as well as metabolites associated with gluconeogenesis, entailing a critical nodal role of PEPCKmt in linking catabolism of glucose and glutamine with anabolic pathways. Our data also suggest a homeostatic function ofTgPEPCKmt in cohesive operation of glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle in a normal glucose-replete milieu. Conversely, we found that the otherwise integrative enzyme pyruvate carboxylase (TgPyC) is dispensable not only in glycolysis-competent but also in glycolysis-deficient tachyzoites despite a mitochondrial localization. Last but not least, the observed physiology of T. gondii tachyzoites appears to phenocopy cancer cells, which holds promise for developing common therapeutics against both threats.

Metabolic Cooperation of Glucose and Glutamine Is Essential for the Lytic Cycle of Obligate Intracellular Parasite Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite infecting nearly all warm-blooded organisms. Asexual reproduction of the parasite within its host cells is achieved by consecutive lytic cycles, which necessitates biogenesis of significant energy and biomass. Here we show that glucose and glutamine are the two major physiologically important nutrients used for the synthesis of macromolecules (ATP, nucleic acid, proteins, and lipids) in T. gondii, and either of them is sufficient to ensure the parasite survival. The parasite can counteract genetic ablation of its glucose transporter by increasing the flux of glutamine-derived carbon through the tricarboxylic acid cycle and by concurrently activating gluconeogenesis, which guarantee a continued biogenesis of ATP and biomass for host-cell invasion and parasite replication, respectively. In accord, a pharmacological inhibition of glutaminolysis or oxidative phosphorylation arrests the lytic cycle of the glycolysis-deficient mutant, which is primarily a consequence of impaired invasion due to depletion of ATP. Unexpectedly, however, intracellular parasites continue to proliferate, albeit slower, notwithstanding a simultaneous deprivation of glucose and glutamine. A growth defect in the glycolysis-impaired mutant is caused by a compromised synthesis of lipids, which cannot be counterbalanced by glutamine but can be restored by acetate. Consistently, supplementation of parasite cultures with exogenous acetate can amend the lytic cycle of the glucose transport mutant. Such plasticity in the parasite's carbon flux enables a growth-and-survival trade-off in assorted nutrient milieus, which may underlie the promiscuous survival of T. gondii tachyzoites in diverse host cells. Our results also indicate a convergence of parasite metabolism with cancer cells.

A wax ester promotes collective host finding in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus.

Survival of nematode species depends on how successfully they disperse in the habitat and find a new host. As a new strategy for collective host finding in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, dauer larvae synthesize an extremely long-chain polyunsaturated wax ester (nematoil) that covers the surface of the animal. The oily coat promotes congregation of up to one thousand individuals into stable 'dauer towers' that can reach a beetle host more easily.

Identification of biomarkers of brown adipose tissue aging highlights the role of dysfunctional energy and nucleotide metabolism pathways.

Brown adipose tissue function declines during aging and may contribute to the onset of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. Only limited understanding of the mechanisms leading to the metabolic impairment of brown adipocytes during aging exists. To this end, interscapular brown adipose tissue samples were collected from young and aged mice for quantification of differential gene expression and metabolite levels. To identify potential processes involved in brown adipocyte dysfunction, metabolite concentrations were correlated to aging and significantly changed candidates were subsequently integrated with a non-targeted proteomic dataset and gene expression analyses. Our results include novel age-dependent correlations of polar intermediates in brown adipose tissue. Identified metabolites clustered around three biochemical processes, specifically energy metabolism, nucleotide metabolism and vitamin metabolism. One mechanism of brown adipose tissue dysfunction may be linked to mast cell activity, and we identify increased histamine levels in aged brown fat as a potential biomarker. In addition, alterations of genes involved in synthesis and degradation of many metabolites were mainly observed in the mature brown adipocyte fraction as opposed to the stromal vascular fraction. These findings may provide novel insights on the molecular mechanisms contributing to the impaired thermogenesis of brown adipocytes during aging.

Long-chain O-ascarosyl-alkanediols are constitutive components of Caenorhabditis elegans but do not induce dauer larva formation.

Two long-chain ascarosides, O-ascarosylnonacosane-2,28-diol and O-ascarosyluntriacontane-2,30-diol, were isolated from Caenorhabditis elegans and detected in all developmental stages of the worm. The long-chain ascarosides were shown to be minor lipid components, and it was also shown that they do not induce dauer larva formation.

4Alpha-bromo-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol and nor-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol derivatives-stereoselective synthesis and hormonal activity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

We describe the stereoselective synthesis of 4alpha-bromo-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol, 21-nor-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol, 27-nor-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol and 21,27-bisnor-5alpha-cholestan-3beta-ol. In order to clarify the in vivo metabolism of cholesterol, these compounds have been used for feeding experiments in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our preliminary results provide important insights into the metabolism of cholesterol in worms.

Identification of functional lipid metabolism biomarkers of brown adipose tissue aging.

OBJECTIVE: Aging is accompanied by loss of brown adipocytes and a decline in their thermogenic potential, which may exacerbate the development of adiposity and other metabolic disorders. Presently, only limited evidence exists describing the molecular alterations leading to impaired brown adipogenesis with aging and the contribution of these processes to changes of systemic energy metabolism. METHODS: Samples of young and aged murine brown and white adipose tissue were used to compare age-related changes of brown adipogenic gene expression and thermogenesis-related lipid mobilization. To identify potential markers of brown adipose tissue aging, non-targeted proteomic and metabolomic as well as targeted lipid analyses were conducted on young and aged tissue samples. Subsequently, the effects of several candidate lipid classes on brown adipocyte function were examined. RESULTS: Corroborating previous reports of reduced expression of uncoupling protein-1, we observe impaired signaling required for lipid mobilization in aged brown fat after adrenergic stimulation. Omics analyses additionally confirm the age-related impairment of lipid homeostasis and reveal the accumulation of specific lipid classes, including certain sphingolipids, ceramides, and dolichols in aged brown fat. While ceramides as well as enzymes of dolichol metabolism inhibit brown adipogenesis, inhibition of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 induces brown adipocyte differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Our functional analyses show that changes in specific lipid species, as observed during aging, may contribute to reduced thermogenic potential. They thus uncover potential biomarkers of aging as well as molecular mechanisms that could contribute to the degradation of brown adipocytes, thereby providing potential treatment strategies of age-related metabolic conditions.

Allelic polymorphism of endothelial NO-synthase gene and its functional manifestations.

Investigation of the mechanisms of phenotypic realization of allelic polymorphism of the eNOS gene has shown that the level of eNOS mRNA and activity of this enzyme in platelets depends from genotype. We identified a T(-786)-->C polymorphism in the promoter region, a variable number of tandem repeats (4a/4b) in intron 4 and the G(894)-->T polymorphism in exon 7 of the eNOS gene in isolated human platelets. We measured eNOS mRNA in isolated platelets by reverse transcription-PCR and eNOS enzyme activity by fluorimetric detection system FCANOS-1 using diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2A). It was shown that the level of eNOS mRNA is the lowest for the -786C/C promoter genotype. In exon 7 homozygotes (894T/T) the level of RNA is lower than in normal homozygotes (894G/G), but higher than in heterozygotes (894G/T). The eNOS activity in platelets is lower in carriers of the 786C/C promoter genotype than in normal homozygotes (2.1 times; P=0.03), and lower comparing to heterozygotes (2.9 times; P>0.05). The eNOS activity accompanying the 894T/T variant of exon 7 is also lower than in normal homozygotes (P>0.05). Regarding the polymorphism in intron 4 - the enzyme's activity is lower in carriers of the 4a/4a genotype comparing to normal homozygotes (1.7 times; P>0.05) and lower than in heterozygotes (1.9 times; P>0.05). These results allow one to conclude that the T(-786)-->C polymorphism of the eNOS gene promoter most significantly affects the gene expression and eNOS activity.

Proteasomal proteolysis in anoxia-reoxygenation, preconditioning and postconditioning of isolated cardiomyocytes.

The role of proteasomal proteolysis in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion is being actively studied. To evaluate the participation of the proteasome in the preconditioning and postconditioning phenomena we used primary culture of neonatal cardiomyocytes. This culture was undergone 30min of anoxia followed by 60min of reoxygenation. Preconditioning was modeled by three cycles of 3min anoxia followed by 3min reoxygenation. Postconditioning was modeled by three cycles of 1min reoxygenation followed by 1min anoxia, respectively. Clasto-lactacystin beta-lactone, a specific proteasome inhibitor, was added to the culture medium right before the cycles of preconditioning or postconditioning in the dose that does not cause cell death (2.5muM). Percentages of living, necrotic, and apoptotic cells were determined by staining with bisbenzimide and propidium iodide. Autophagy was demonstrated by staining vacuolar structures with monodansyl cadaverine. Proteasomal activity was determined by cleavage intensity of specific fluorogenic substrates. Trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like and peptidyl-glutamyl peptide-hydrolyzing (PGPH) activities were decreased after anoxia. Reoxygenation has led to the increase in trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like activities comparing to anoxia, but these parameters have never reached the control levels. PGPH activity has been restored up to the initial level. Preconditioning and postconditioning increased numbers of living cells and decreased that of necrotic, apoptotic and autophagic cells. Paradoxically, it was established that proteasome inhibitors prevented the necrotic and apoptotic cell death of cardiomyocytes in anoxia-reoxygenation, but in the same concentration abolished the effects of preconditioning and postconditioning. Low doses of proteasome inhibitors, particularly the ones used in our experiments, resulted in the abolishing of preconditioning and postconditioning phenomena, but at the same time led to the increase of the population of living cells in anoxia-reoxygenation, and can be considered as potential pharmacological agents of preconditioning and postconditioning.

Allelic polymorphism in the promoter (T-->C), but not in exon 7 (G-->T) or the variable number tandem repeat in intron 4, of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene is positively associated with acute coronary syndrome in the Ukrainian population.

BACKGROUND: Different allelic variants of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) can have different effects on the development of certain forms of ischemic heart disease, depending on the specific human population. The frequency of the polymorphism T(-786) --> C in the promoter, G(894)-->T in exon 7 and the variable number tandem repeat in intron 4 were assayed in patients with acute coronary syndrome compared with clinically healthy individuals in the Ukrainian population. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis were used to detect the above mentioned variants of the eNOS gene in 221 patients with acute coronary syndrome and in 83 control subjects. RESULTS: It was shown that the percentage of normal homozygotes, heterozygotes and pathological homozygotes for the T(-786)-->C promoter polymorphism was 47.5%, 36.2% and 16.3%, respectively (controls: 48.2%, 45.8% and 6.0%; P<0.05 by chi(2) test); for the G(894)-->T polymorphism in exon 7, the percentages were 34.4%, 57.9% and 7.7%, respectively (controls: 28.9%, 67.5% and 3.6%; P>0.05); and, for the 4a/4b polymorphism in intron 4, the percentages were 64.7%, 31.2% and 4.1%, respectively (controls: 62.7%, 32.5% and 4.8%; P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The C/C promoter variant of eNOS can be considered a risk factor for acute coronary syndrome in the Ukrainian population.

Lsd1 Ablation Triggers Metabolic Reprogramming of Brown Adipose Tissue.

Previous work indicated that lysine-specific demethylase 1 (Lsd1) can positively regulate the oxidative and thermogenic capacities of white and beige adipocytes. Here we investigate the role of Lsd1 in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and find that BAT-selective Lsd1 ablation induces a shift from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism. This shift is associated with downregulation of BAT-specific and upregulation of white adipose tissue (WAT)-selective gene expression. This results in the accumulation of di- and triacylglycerides and culminates in a profound whitening of BAT in aged Lsd1-deficient mice. Further studies show that Lsd1 maintains BAT properties via a dual role. It activates BAT-selective gene expression in concert with the transcription factor Nrf1 and represses WAT-selective genes through recruitment of the CoREST complex. In conclusion, our data uncover Lsd1 as a key regulator of gene expression and metabolic function in BAT.

Methylation of the sterol nucleus by STRM-1 regulates dauer larva formation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

In response to pheromone(s), Caenorhabditis elegans interrupts its reproductive life cycle and enters diapause as a stress-resistant dauer larva. This decision is governed by a complex system of neuronal and hormonal regulation. All the signals converge onto the nuclear hormone receptor DAF-12. A sterol-derived hormone, dafachronic acid (DA), supports reproductive development by binding to DAF-12 and inhibiting its dauer-promoting activity. Here, we identify a methyltransferase, STRM-1, that modulates DA levels and thus dauer formation. By modifying the substrates that are used for the synthesis of DA, STRM-1 can reduce the amount of hormone produced. Loss of STRM-1 function leads to elevated levels of DA and inefficient dauer formation. Sterol methylation was not previously recognized as a mechanism for regulating hormone activity. Moreover, the C-4 sterol nucleus methylation catalyzed by STRM-1 is unique to nematodes and thus could be a target for therapeutic strategies against parasitic nematode infections.

LET-767 is required for the production of branched chain and long chain fatty acids in Caenorhabditis elegans.

LET-767 from Caenorhabditis elegans belongs to a family of short chain dehydrogenases/reductases and is homologous to 17beta-hydroxysterol dehydrogenases of type 3 and 3-ketoacyl-CoA reductases. Worms subjected to RNA interference (RNAi) of let-767 displayed multiple growth and developmental defects in the first generation and arrested in the second generation as L1 larvae. To determine the function of LET-767 in vivo, we exploited a biochemical complementation approach, in which let-767 (RNAi)-arrested larvae were rescued by feeding with compounds isolated from wild type worms. The arrest was only rescued by the addition of triacylglycerides extracted from worms but not from various natural sources, such as animal fats and plant oils. The mass spectrometric analyses showed alterations in the fatty acid content of triacylglycerides. Essential for the rescue were odd-numbered fatty acids with monomethyl branched chains. The rescue was improved when worms were additionally supplemented with long chain even-numbered fatty acids. Remarkably, let-767 completely rescued the yeast 3-ketoacyl-CoA reductase mutant (ybr159Delta). Because worm ceramides exclusively contain a monomethyl branched chain sphingoid base, we also investigated ceramides in let-767 (RNAi). Indeed, the amount of ceramides was greatly reduced, and unusual sphingoid bases were observed. Taken together, we conclude that LET-767 is a major 3-ketoacyl-CoA reductase in C. elegans required for the bulk production of monomethyl branched and long chain fatty acids, and the developmental arrest in let-767 (RNAi) worms is caused by the deficiency of the former.