Two carotenoid oxygenases contribute to mammalian provitamin A metabolism.

Mammalian genomes encode two provitamin A-converting enzymes as follows: the ß-carotene-15,15'-oxygenase (BCO1) and the ß-carotene-9',10'-oxygenase (BCO2). Symmetric cleavage by BCO1 yields retinoids (ß-15'-apocarotenoids, C20), whereas eccentric cleavage by BCO2 produces long-chain (>C20) apocarotenoids. Here, we used genetic and biochemical approaches to clarify the contribution of these enzymes to provitamin A metabolism. We subjected wild type, Bco1(-/-), Bco2(-/-), and Bco1(-/-)Bco2(-/-) double knock-out mice to a controlled diet providing ß-carotene as the sole source for apocarotenoid production. This study revealed that BCO1 is critical for retinoid homeostasis. Genetic disruption of BCO1 resulted in ß-carotene accumulation and vitamin A deficiency accompanied by a BCO2-dependent production of minor amounts of ß-apo-10'-carotenol (APO10ol). We found that APO10ol can be esterified and transported by the same proteins as vitamin A but with a lower affinity and slower reaction kinetics. In wild type mice, APO10ol was converted to retinoids by BCO1. We also show that a stepwise cleavage by BCO2 and BCO1 with APO10ol as an intermediate could provide a mechanism to tailor asymmetric carotenoids such as ß-cryptoxanthin for vitamin A production. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that mammals employ both carotenoid oxygenases to synthesize retinoids from provitamin A carotenoids.

Beta-carotene reduces body adiposity of mice via BCMO1.

Evidence from cell culture studies indicates that ß-carotene-(BC)-derived apocarotenoid signaling molecules can modulate the activities of nuclear receptors that regulate many aspects of adipocyte physiology. Two BC metabolizing enzymes, the BC-15,15'-oxygenase (Bcmo1) and the BC-9',10'-oxygenase (Bcdo2) are expressed in adipocytes. Bcmo1 catalyzes the conversion of BC into retinaldehyde and Bcdo2 into ß-10'-apocarotenal and ß-ionone. Here we analyzed the impact of BC on body adiposity of mice. To genetically dissect the roles of Bcmo1 and Bcdo2 in this process, we used wild-type and Bcmo1(-/-) mice for this study. In wild-type mice, BC was converted into retinoids. In contrast, Bcmo1(-/-) mice showed increased expression of Bcdo2 in adipocytes and ß-10'-apocarotenol accumulated as the major BC derivative. In wild-type mice, BC significantly reduced body adiposity (by 28%), leptinemia and adipocyte size. Genome wide microarray analysis of inguinal white adipose tissue revealed a generalized decrease of mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) target genes. Consistently, the expression of this key transcription factor for lipogenesis was significantly reduced both on the mRNA and protein levels. Despite ß-10'-apocarotenoid production, this effect of BC was absent in Bcmo1(-/-) mice, demonstrating that it was dependent on the Bcmo1-mediated production of retinoids. Our study evidences an important role of BC for the control of body adiposity in mice and identifies Bcmo1 as critical molecular player for the regulation of PPARγ activity in adipocytes.

Downregulation of Fzd6 and Cthrc1 and upregulation of olfactory receptors and protocadherins by dietary beta-carotene in lungs of Bcmo1-/- mice.

An ongoing controversy exists on beneficial versus harmful effects of high beta-carotene (BC) intake, especially for the lung. To elucidate potential mechanisms, we studied effects of BC on lung gene expression. We used a beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase 1 (Bcmo1) knockout mouse (Bcmo1(-/-)) model, unable to convert BC to retinoids, and wild-type mice (Bcmo1(+/+)) mice to dissect the effects of intact BC from effects of BC metabolites. As expected, BC supplementation resulted in a higher BC accumulation in lungs of Bcmo1(-/-) mice than in lungs of Bcmo1(+/+) mice. Whole mouse genome transcriptome analysis on lung tissue revealed that more genes were regulated in Bcmo1(-/-) mice than Bcmo1(+/+) mice upon BC supplementation. Frizzled homolog 6 (Fzd6) and collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (Cthrc1) were significantly downregulated (fold changes -2.99 and -2.60, respectively, false discovery rate < 0.05) by BC in Bcmo1(-/-). Moreover, many olfactory receptors and many members of the protocadherin family were upregulated. Since both olfactory receptors and protocadherins have an important function in sensory nerves and Fzd6 and Cthrc1 are important in stem cell development, we hypothesize that BC might have an effect on the highly innervated pulmonary neuroendocrine cell (PNEC) cluster. PNECs are highly associated with sensory nerves and are important cells in the control of stem cells. A role for BC in the innervated PNEC cluster might be of particular importance in smoke-induced carcinogenesis since PNEC-derived lung cancer is highly associated with tobacco smoke.

Knockout of the Bcmo1 gene results in an inflammatory response in female lung, which is suppressed by dietary beta-carotene.

Beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase 1 knockout (Bcmo1 (-/-)) mice accumulate beta-carotene (BC) similarly to humans, whereas wild-type (Bcmo1 (+/+)) mice efficiently cleave BC. Bcmo1 (-/-) mice are therefore suitable to investigate BC-induced alterations in gene expression in lung, assessed by microarray analysis. Bcmo1 (-/-) mice receiving control diet had increased expression of inflammatory genes as compared to BC-supplemented Bcmo1 (-/-) mice and Bcmo1 (+/+) mice that received either control or BC-supplemented diets. Differential gene expression in Bcmo1 (-/-) mice was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. Histochemical analysis indeed showed an increase in inflammatory cells in lungs of control Bcmo1 (-/-) mice. Supported by metabolite and gene-expression data, we hypothesize that the increased inflammatory response is due to an altered BC metabolism, resulting in an increased vitamin A requirement in Bcmo1 (-/-) mice. This suggests that effects of BC may depend on inter-individual variations in BC-metabolizing enzymes, such as the frequently occurring human polymorphisms in BCMO1.

ISX is a retinoic acid-sensitive gatekeeper that controls intestinal beta,beta-carotene absorption and vitamin A production.

The uptake of dietary lipids from the small intestine is a complex process that depends on the activities of specific membrane receptors with yet unknown regulatory mechanisms. Using both mouse models and human cell lines, we show here that intestinal lipid absorption by the scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-BI) is subject to control by retinoid signaling. Retinoic acid via retinoic acid receptors induced expression of the intestinal transcription factor ISX. ISX then repressed the expression of SR-B1 and the carotenoid-15,15'-oxygenase Bcmo1. BCMO1 acts downstream of SR-BI and converts absorbed beta,beta-carotene to the retinoic acid precursor, retinaldehyde. Using BCMO1-knockout mice, we demonstrated increased intestinal SR-BI expression and systemic beta,beta-carotene accumulation. SR-BI-dependent accumulation of beta,beta-carotene was prevented by dietary retinoids that induced ISX expression. Thus, our study revealed a diet-responsive regulatory network that controls beta,beta-carotene absorption and vitamin A production by negative feedback regulation. The role of SR-BI in the intestinal absorption of other dietary lipids, including cholesterol, fatty acids, and tocopherols, implicates retinoid signaling in the regulation of lipid absorption more generally and has clinical implications for diseases associated with dyslipidemia.

Synthesis of new N-analogous corollosporine derivatives with antibacterial activity by laccase-catalyzed amination.

Corollosporine isolated from the marine fungus Corollospora maritima and N-analogous corollosporines are antimicrobial substances. Owing to the basic structure of the N-analogous corollosporines, they have become an attractive target for laccase-catalyzed derivatisation. In this regard we report on the straightforward laccase-catalyzed amination of dihydroxylated arenes with N-analogous corollosporines. In biological assays the obtained amination products are more active than the parent compounds.

CMO1 deficiency abolishes vitamin A production from beta-carotene and alters lipid metabolism in mice.

Carotenoids are currently investigated regarding their potential to lower the risk of chronic disease and to combat vitamin A deficiency in humans. These plant-derived compounds must be cleaved and metabolically converted by intrinsic carotenoid oxygenases to support the panoply of vitamin A-dependent physiological processes. Two different carotenoid-cleaving enzymes were identified in mammals, the classical carotenoid-15,15'-oxygenase (CMO1) and a putative carotenoid-9',10'-oxygenase (CMO2). To analyze the role of CMO1 in mammalian physiology, here we disrupted the corresponding gene by targeted homologous recombination in mice. On a diet providing beta-carotene as major vitamin A precursor, vitamin A levels fell dramatically in several tissues examined. Instead, this mouse mutant accumulated the provitamin in large quantities (e.g. as seen by an orange coloring of adipose tissues). Besides impairments in beta-carotene metabolism, CMO1 deficiency more generally interfered with lipid homeostasis. Even on a vitamin A-sufficient chow, CMO1(-/-) mice developed a fatty liver and displayed altered serum lipid levels with elevated serum unesterified fatty acids. Additionally, this mouse mutant was more susceptible to high fat diet-induced impairments in fatty acid metabolism. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-regulated marker genes related to adipogenesis was elevated in visceral adipose tissues. Thus, our study identifies CMO1 as the key enzyme for vitamin A production and provides evidence for a role of carotenoids as more general regulators of lipid metabolism.

Novel cephalosporins synthesized by amination of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid derivatives using fungal laccases II.

Sixteen novel cephalosporins were synthesized by amination of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid derivatives with the aminocephalosporins cefadroxil, cefalexin, cefaclor, and the structurally related carbacephem loracarbef using laccases from Trametes sp. or Myceliophthora thermophila. All products inhibited the growth of several Gram positive bacterial strains in the agar diffusion assay, among them methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. The products protected mice against an infection with Staphylococcus aureus lethal to the control animals. Cytotoxicity and acute toxicity of the new compounds were negligible. The results show the usefulness of laccase for the synthesis of potential new antibiotics. The biological activity of the new compounds stimulates intensified pharmacological tests.

Novel penicillins synthesized by biotransformation using laccase from Trametes spec.

Eight novel penicillins were synthesized by heteromolecular reaction of ampicillin or amoxicillin with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid derivatives using a laccase from Trametes spec. All products inhibited the growth of several gram positive bacterial strains in the agar diffusion assay, among them methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. The products protected mice against an infection with Staphylococcus aureus lethal to the untreated animals. Cytotoxicity and acute toxicity of the new compounds were neglectable. The results show the usefulness of laccase for the synthesis of potential new antibiotics. The biological activity of the new compounds stimulates intensified pharmacological tests.

Towards a better understanding of carotenoid metabolism in animals.

Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are essential components in vision; they contribute to pattern formation during development and exert multiple effects on cell differentiation with important clinical implications. All naturally occurring vitamin A derives by enzymatic oxidative cleavage from carotenoids with pro-vitamin A activity. To become biologically active, these plant-derived compounds must first be absorbed, then delivered to the site of action in the body, and metabolically converted to the real vitamin. Recently, molecular players of this pathway were identified by the analysis of blind Drosophila mutants. Similar genome sequences were found in vertebrates. Subsequently, these homologous genes were cloned and their gene products were functionally characterized. This review will summarize the advanced state of knowledge about the vitamin A biosynthetic pathway and will discuss biochemical, physiological, developmental and medical aspects of carotenoids and their numerous derivatives.

Provitamin A conversion to retinal via the beta,beta-carotene-15,15'-oxygenase (bcox) is essential for pattern formation and differentiation during zebrafish embryogenesis.

The egg yolk of vertebrates contains carotenoids, which account for its characteristic yellow color in some species. Such plant-derived compounds, e.g. beta-carotene, serve as the natural precursors (provitamins) of vitamin A, which is indispensable for chordate development. As egg yolk also contains stored vitamin A, carotenoids have so far been solely discussed as pigments for the coloration of the offspring. Based on our recent molecular identification of the enzyme catalyzing provitamin A conversion to vitamin A, we address a possible role of provitamin A during zebrafish (Danio rerio) development. We cloned the zebrafish gene encoding the vitamin A-forming enzyme, a beta,beta-carotene-15,15'-oxygenase. Analysis of its mRNA expression revealed that it is under complex spatial and temporal control during development. Targeted gene knockdown using the morpholino antisense oligonucleotide technique indicated a vital role of the provitamin A-converting enzyme. Morpholino-injected embryos developed a morphological phenotype that included severe malformation of the eyes, the craniofacial skeleton and pectoral fins, as well as reduced pigmentation. Analyses of gene expression changes in the morphants revealed that distinct retinoic acid-dependent developmental processes are impaired, such as patterning of the hindbrain and differentiation of hindbrain neurons, differentiation of neural crest derivatives (including the craniofacial skeleton), and the establishment of the ventral retina. Our data provide strong evidence that, for several developmental processes, retinoic acid generation depends on local de novo formation of retinal from provitamin A via the carotene oxygenase, revealing an unexpected, essential role for carotenoids in embryonic development.