Asymmetric Distribution of Plasmalogens and Their Roles-A Mini Review.

Plasmalogens are a unique family of cellular glycerophospholipids that contain a vinyl-ether bond. The synthesis of plasmalogens is initiated in peroxisomes and completed in the endoplasmic reticulum. Plasmalogens are transported to the post-Golgi compartment, including endosomes and plasma membranes, in a manner dependent on ATP, but not vesicular transport. Plasmalogens are preferentially localized in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in a manner dependent on P4-type ATPase ATP8B2, that associates with the CDC50 subunit. Plasmalogen biosynthesis is spatiotemporally regulated by a feedback mechanism that senses the amount of plasmalogens in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane and controls the stability of fatty acyl-CoA reductase 1 (FAR1), the rate-limiting enzyme for plasmalogen biosynthesis. The physiological consequences of such asymmetric localization and homeostasis of plasmalogens are discussed in this review.

Complex Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis Caused by de novo p.Arg480Ser in FAR1.

FAR1 (MIM *616107) is required for the reduction of fatty acyl CoAs to fatty alcohols which is important for plasmalogen biosynthesis. Recently, heterozygous de novo variants in FAR1 have been associated with cataracts, spastic paraparesis, and speech delay (MIM# 619338). Three different heterozygous de novo variants, all located in the same codon, causing substitution of arginine at position 480 into cysteine, histidine, or leucine, were reported in patients in the latter disorder.Here, authors have identified a novel substitution in the same Arg480 position into serine. The authors also provide in silico docking analysis of the mutant protein.

Disrupted intercellular bridges and spermatogenesis in fatty acyl-CoA reductase 1 knockout mice: A new model of ether lipid deficiency.

Peroxisomal fatty acyl-CoA reductase 1 (FAR1) is a rate-limiting enzyme for ether lipid (EL) synthesis. Gene mutations in FAR1 cause a rare human disease. Furthermore, altered EL homeostasis has also been associated with various prevalent human diseases. Despite their importance in human health, the exact cellular functions of FAR1 and EL are not well-understood. Here, we report the generation and initial characterization of the first Far1 knockout (KO) mouse model. Far1 KO mice were subviable and displayed growth retardation. The adult KO male mice had smaller testes and were infertile. H&E and immunofluorescent staining showed fewer germ cells in seminiferous tubules. Round spermatids were present but no elongated spermatids or spermatozoa were observed, suggesting a spermatogenesis arrest at this stage. Large multi-nucleated giant cells (MGC) were found lining the lumen of seminiferous tubules with many of them undergoing apoptosis. The immunofluorescent signal of TEX14, an essential component of intercellular bridges (ICB) between developing germ cells, was greatly reduced and mislocalized in KO testis, suggesting the disrupted ICBs as an underlying cause of MGC formation. Integrative analysis of our total testis RNA-sequencing results and published single-cell RNA-sequencing data unveiled cell type-specific molecular alterations underlying the spermatogenesis arrest. Many genes essential for late germ cell development showed dramatic downregulation, whereas genes essential for extracellular matrix dynamics and cell-cell interactions were among the most upregulated genes. Together, this work identified the cell type-specific requirement of ELs in spermatogenesis and suggested a critical role of Far1/ELs in the formation/maintenance of ICB during meiosis.

Fatty Acyl-CoA Reductase 1 Deficiency.

Investigators from Erlangen, Germany; Calgary, CA; and Kafranbel, Syria, identified mutations in the gene, fatty acyl-CoA reductase 1 (FAR1) deficiency, adding to three other genes involved in plasmalogen biosynthesis, in two families affected by severe intellectual disability, early-onset epilepsy, microcephaly, congenital cataracts, growth retardation, and spasticity.