Glucosylceramide synthase inhibition with lucerastat lowers globotriaosylceramide and lysosome staining in cultured fibroblasts from Fabry patients with different mutation types.

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene coding for α-galactosidase A (α-GalA). The deleterious mutations lead to accumulation of α-GalA substrates, including globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotriaosylsphingosine. Progressive glycolipid storage results in cellular dysfunction, leading to organ damage and clinical disease, i.e. neuropathic pain, impaired renal function and cardiomyopathy. Many Fabry patients are treated by bi-weekly intravenous infusions of replacement enzyme. While the only available oral therapy is an α-GalA chaperone, which is indicated for a limited number of patients with specific 'amenable' mutations. Lucerastat is an orally bioavailable inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) that is in late stage clinical development for Fabry disease. Here we investigated the ability of lucerastat to lower Gb3, globotriaosylsphingosine and lysosomal staining in cultured fibroblasts from 15 different Fabry patients. Patients' cells included 13 different pathogenic variants, with 13 cell lines harboring GLA mutations associated with the classic disease phenotype. Lucerastat dose dependently reduced Gb3 in all cell lines. For 13 cell lines the Gb3 data could be fit to an IC50 curve, giving a median IC50 [interquartile range (IQR)] = 11 µM (8.2-18); the median percent reduction (IQR) in Gb3 was 77% (70-83). Lucerastat treatment also dose dependently reduced LysoTracker Red staining of acidic compartments. Lucerastat's effects in the cell lines were compared to those with current treatments-agalsidase alfa and migalastat. Consequently, the GCS inhibitor lucerastat provides a viable mechanism to reduce Gb3 accumulation and lysosome volume, suitable for all Fabry patients regardless of genotype.

Lucerastat, an iminosugar with potential as substrate reduction therapy for glycolipid storage disorders: safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Lucerastat, an inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase, has the potential to restore the balance between synthesis and degradation of glycosphingolipids in glycolipid storage disorders such as Gaucher disease and Fabry disease. The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of oral lucerastat were evaluated in two separate randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-ascending dose studies (SAD and MAD, respectively) in healthy male subjects. METHODS: In the SAD study, 31 subjects received placebo or a single oral dose of 100, 300, 500, or 1000 mg lucerastat. Eight additional subjects received two doses of 1000 mg lucerastat or placebo separated by 12 h. In the MAD study, 37 subjects received placebo or 200, 500, or 1000 mg b.i.d. lucerastat for 7 consecutive days. Six subjects in the 500 mg cohort received lucerastat in both absence and presence of food. RESULTS: In the SAD study, 15 adverse events (AEs) were reported in ten subjects. Eighteen AEs were reported in 15 subjects in the MAD study, in which the 500 mg dose cohort was repeated because of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values in 4 subjects, not observed in other dose cohorts. No severe or serious AE was observed. No clinically relevant abnormalities regarding vital signs and 12-lead electrocardiograms were observed. Lucerastat Cmax values were comparable between studies, with geometric mean Cmax 10.5 (95% CI: 7.5, 14.7) and 11.1 (95% CI: 8.7, 14.2) µg/mL in the SAD and MAD study, respectively, after 1000 mg lucerastat b.i.d. tmax (0.5 - 4 h) and t1/2 (3.6 - 8.1 h) were also within the same range across dose groups in both studies. Using the Gough power model, dose proportionality was confirmed in the SAD study for Cmax and AUC0-∞, and for AUC0-12 in the MAD study. Fed-to-fasted geometric mean ratio for AUC0-12 was 0.93 (90% CI: 0.80, 1.07) and tmax was the same with or without food, indicating no food effect. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of drug-related AEs did not increase with dose. No serious AEs were reported for any subject. Overall, lucerastat was well tolerated. These results warrant further investigation of substrate reduction therapy with lucerastat in patients with glycolipid storage disorders. SAD study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT02944487 on the 24th of October 2016 (retrospectively registered). MAD study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT02944474 on the 25th of October 2016 (retrospectively registered). TRIAL REGISTRATION: A Study to Assess the Safety and Tolerability of Lucerastat in Subjects With Fabry Disease. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02930655 .

The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor miglustat in the rat.

Miglustat (Zavesca) is a reversible inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase, which catalyses the first step in the glucosylceramide biosynthetic pathway, and is approved for therapy in patients with type 1 Gaucher disease. The present report describes the pharmacokinetic profile of miglustat in the rat with a focus on tissue distribution. Experiments were performed with radiolabeled miglustat itself and with a perbutyrated prodrug, the latter being readily converted to miglustat during gastrointestinal absorption and first pass metabolism. Miglustat was well absorbed and exhibited an oral bioavailability of 40-60%. Tissue distribution studies indicated the presence of miglustat in a number of organs and tissues that are considered of importance for the long-term therapeutic benefit, in particular the central nervous system, bone and lung. Miglustat was eliminated via renal clearance by a combination of glomerular filtration and active secretion. Hepatic clearance was negligible, as was the role of metabolism in the overall elimination process of miglustat in the rat.

Differential regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism by alphaVbeta3 and alphaVbeta5 integrins upon smooth muscle cell migration.

Smooth muscle cell migration is a key step of atherosclerosis and angiogenesis. We demonstrate that alpha(V)beta(3) and alpha(V)beta(5) integrins synergistically regulate smooth muscle cell migration onto vitronectin. Using an original haptotactic cell migration assay, we measured a strong stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism in migrating vascular smooth muscle cells. Phosphatidic acid production and phosphoinositide 3-kinase IA activation were triggered only upon alpha(V)beta(3) engagement. Blockade of alpha(V)beta(3) engagement or phospholipase C activity resulted in a strong inhibition of smooth muscle cell spreading on vitronectin. By contrast, blockade of alpha(V)beta(5) reinforced elongation and polarization of cell shape. Moreover, Pyk2-associated tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide 4-kinase activities measured in Pyk2 immunoprecipitates were stimulated upon cell migration. Blockade of either alpha(V)beta(3) or alpha(V)beta(5) function, as well as inhibition of phospholipase C activity, decreased both Pyk2-associated activities. We demonstrated that the Pyk2-associated phosphoinositide 4-kinase corresponded to the beta isoform. Our data point to the metabolism of phosphoinositides as a regulatory pathway for the differential roles played by alpha(V)beta(3) and alpha(V)beta(5) upon cell migration and identify the Pyk2-associated phosphoinositide 4-kinase beta as a common target for both integrins.

Down-regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase mRNA levels and synthesis in syrian hamster C100 cells by the oxidosqualene cyclase inhibitor [4'-(6-allyl-ethyl-amino-hexyloxy)-2'-fluoro-phenyl]-(4-bromophenyl)-me thanone (Ro 48-8071): comparison to simvastatin.

In vivo inhibition of 2,3-oxidosqualene:lanosterol cyclase (OSC, E.C. 5.4.99.7)--the enzyme which catalyzes the cyclization of monooxidosqualene to lanosterol--does not result in elevated 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGR) activity. This trait is attributed to increased levels of oxysterols, produced upon partial inhibition of OSC, that suppress HMGR and other sterol-responsive genes. The OSC inhibitor [4'-(6-allyl-ethyl-amino-hexyloxy)-2'-fluoro-phenyl]-(4-bromopheny l)-methanone (Ro 48-8071) was shown earlier to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in hamsters with no increase in hepatic HMGR, in contrast to simvastatin. To delineate the regulatory mechanism(s) by which Ro 48-8071 reduces cholesterol synthesis without raising HMGR levels, Syrian hamster C100 cells were incubated with either Ro 48-8071 or simvastatin, and their effects on cholesterol synthesis and LDL uptake, as well as on HMGR mRNA levels and rates of synthesis, were determined. Using RNase protection and radioimmunoprecipitation assays, we found that, in the absence of LDL in the culture medium, both HMGR mRNA levels and synthesis were reduced with concentrations of Ro 48-8071 inhibiting cholesterol synthesis by 50-75%, whereas LDL uptake was either reduced or unchanged. In contrast, simvastatin, at concentrations inhibiting cholesterol synthesis by the same 50-75%, increased both HMGR mRNA levels and synthesis, as well as LDL uptake. In the presence of LDL, HMGR mRNA levels and synthesis along with LDL uptake were little affected after incubation with Ro 48-8071. Still, simvastatin markedly increased both HMGR mRNA levels and synthesis in cells incubated in the presence of LDL, leaving LDL uptake unaffected. These data suggest that inhibition of OSC by Ro 48-8071 results in an indirect down-regulation of HMGR mRNA levels and synthesis.

Human monocyte-derived macrophages express an approximately 120-kD Ox-LDL binding protein with strong identity to CD68.

A protein that specifically binds oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) has recently been characterized in mouse peritoneal macrophages and identified as macrosialin, a protein with a molecular weight of 95 kD. First, the present work shows that human monocyte-derived macrophages express a membrane protein with a molecular weight of approximately 120 kD that selectively binds Ox-LDL. Second, we tested whether this approximately 120-kD Ox-LDL binding protein had any relation to CD68, the human homologue of macrosialin. The following evidence was obtained to support the role of CD68 as an Ox-LDL binding protein: (1) Ligand blots with Ox-LDL and Western blots with Ki-M6, an anti-human CD68 monoclonal antibody, revealed a single band with a molecular weight of approximately 120 kD under reducing and nonreducing condition. (2) The expression patterns of the approximately 120-kD Ox-LDL binding membrane protein and of CD68 paralleled each other during monocyte/macrophage differentiation. (3) Digestion with N-glycosidase F demonstrated that both CD68 and the Ox-LDL binding protein are glycoproteins; both showed a similar shift of approximately 18 kD in apparent molecular weight. (4) CD68, probed with monoclonal antibody Ki-M6, and the approximately 120-kD Ox-LDL binding protein were coprecipitated with EMB11, another anti-CD68 antibody. About 5000 molecules of CD68 are expressed on the cell surface of human macrophages. Ligation of 125I-Ki-M6 to cells leads to its internalization and degradation. This capacity would be sufficient to allow for the specific uptake and degradation of Ox-LDL. Taken together, these data support a role for CD68 as a specific Ox-LDL binding protein in human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Ro 48-8.071, a new 2,3-oxidosqualene:lanosterol cyclase inhibitor lowering plasma cholesterol in hamsters, squirrel monkeys, and minipigs: comparison to simvastatin.

2,3-Oxidosqualene:lanosterol cyclase (OSC, E.C. 5.4.99.7) represents a unique target for a cholesterol lowering drug. Partial inhibition of OSC should reduce synthesis of lanosterol and subsequent sterols, and also stimulate the production of epoxysterols that repress HMG-CoA reductase expression, generating a synergistic, self-limited negative regulatory loop. Hence, the pharmacological properties of Ro 48-8.071, a new OSC inhibitor, were compared to that of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, simvastatin. Ro 48-8.071 blocked human liver OSC and cholesterol synthesis in HepG2 cells in the nanomolar range; in cells it triggered the production of monooxidosqualene, dioxidosqualene, and epoxycholesterol. It was safe in hamsters, squirrel monkeys and Göttingen minipigs at pharmacologically active doses, lowering LDL approximately 60% in hamsters, and at least 30% in the two other species, being at least as efficacious as safe doses of simvastatin. The latter was hepatotoxic in hamsters at doses > 30 mumol/kg/day limiting its window of efficacy. Hepatic monooxidosqualene increased dose-dependently after treatment with Ro 48-8.071, up to approximately 20 micrograms/g wet liver or less than 1% of hepatic cholesterol, and it was inversely correlated with LDL levels. Ro 48-8.071 did not reduce coenzyme Q10 levels in liver and heart of hamsters, and importantly did not trigger an overexpression of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, squalene synthase, and OSC itself. In strong contrast, simvastatin stimulated these enzymes dramatically, and reduced coenzyme Q10 levels in liver and heart. Altogether these findings clearly differentiate the OSC inhibitor Ro 48-8.071 from simvastatin, and support the view that OSC is a distinct key component in the regulation of the cholesterol synthesis pathway.

Decrease in scavenger receptor expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages treated with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

To determine whether scavenger receptors are susceptible to regulation by granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a macrophage-specific cytokine, human monocytes were differentiated into macrophages in the absence or presence of 20 U/mL GM-CSF. Binding, uptake, and degradation of acetylated LDL (Ac-LDL) and oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) were measured. Treatment with GM-CSF resulted in a significant twofold to threefold decrease in the number of binding sites for Ac-LDL and Ox-LDL on the surface of macrophages without affecting the affinity of the receptor for these ligands. Competition experiments revealed that two binding sites were responsible for the recognition and uptake of Ac-LDL; one specific for Ac-LDL and one that recognized both Ac-LDL and Ox-LDL. No binding site specific for Ox-LDL could be detected in either control or GM-CSF-treated macrophages. Treatment of human monocyte-derived macrophages with GM-CSF resulted in a decrease of the Ac-LDL/Ox-LDL receptor but did not affect the binding site specific for Ac-LDL. Northern blot analysis showed that mRNA levels of both types I and II scavenger receptor were reduced in macrophages differentiated in the presence of GM-CSF. Human macrophages that were differentiated in the presence of GM-CSF accumulated approximately 50% fewer cholesteryl esters. Taken together, these results indicate that GM-CSF can downregulate both types I and II scavenger receptor in human monocyte-derived macrophages, which might have implications for foam cell formation.

Effects of chronic aortic coarctation on atherosclerosis and arterial lipid accumulation in the Watanabe hereditary hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit.

The effects of high blood pressure on atherosclerosis were examined in the Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit. For this purpose, the subdiaphragmatic aorta of rabbits was partially ligated (coarctation) to increase blood pressure. Atherosclerosis was assessed 4 months later by morphometric analyses and quantitation of arterial lipids. Results were compared to control WHHL rabbits with matched plasma triglycerides and cholesterol levels. A marked increase in atherosclerotic lesions was observed in the thoracic aorta of the hypertensive rabbits without qualitative changes in its morphometric features. The cross sectional area of the atherosclerotic plaques of the ascending and descending aorta in the hypertensive rabbits was two- and six-times larger than in normotensive rabbits, respectively. Lesions represented 12.0% +/- 3.5% of the total medial cross sectional area of the descending aorta of normotensive rabbits, versus 45.0% +/- 5.7% in hypertensive rabbits. No lesions were observed downstream of the coarctation in hypertensive rabbits, nor in the normotensive rabbits. Accumulation of cholesterol and choline-containing phospholipids in the descending aorta of hypertensive rabbits was increased 3.2- and 1.5-fold, respectively, when compared to normotensive rabbits. Hypertension did not change the unesterified cholesterol/total cholesterol and sphingomyelin/lecithin + lysolecithin molar ratios. In conclusion, chronic coarctation enhances the atherosclerotic response in WHHL rabbits in the high blood pressure compartment, and reduces the variability of this response.

A rapid selection for animal cell mutants with defective peroxisomes.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells take up and incorporate 9-(1'-pyrene)nonanol (P9OH) into phospholipids and neutral lipids. Exposure of P9OH-labeled cells to long wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light causes cell death, because excitation of the pyrene moiety generates reactive oxygen species. CHO mutant cells deficient in plasmalogen biosynthesis and peroxisome assembly (Zoeller, R.A. and Raetz, C.R.H. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83, 5170-5174) are much more resistant to P9OH/UV treatment than are wild-type cells. This phenotype is explained by a 7.5-fold reduction of P9OH incorporation into the ethanolamine-linked phospholipids in the mutant cells and 2.4- to 6-fold reduction of P9OH incorporation into all other phospholipids and triglycerides, suggesting a general defect in fatty alcohol metabolism. [U-14C]Hexadecanol incorporation into the phospholipids of the mutant cells is also impaired. In contrast, the fatty acid analog, 9-(1'-pyrene)nonanoic acid, is incorporated into cells two times more rapidly by the mutants than by the wild type. Resistance to P9OH/UV treatment affords a simple, new method for the selection of animal cell mutants defective in peroxisome biogenesis.

Cytoplasmic requirement for peroxisome biogenesis in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Hybrids constructed by fusion of wild-type Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) to peroxisome-deficient CHO mutants (ZR-78.1) contain normal peroxisomes, demonstrating that the mutation(s) are recessive. "Nuclear hybrids" prepared by fusion of CHO-K1 karyoplasts to mutant ZR-78.1 occasionally fail to regain intact peroxisomes (approximately 1/300 cells). These peroxisome-deficient nuclear hybrids closely resemble the original mutant cells by biochemical criteria, but their modal chromosome number is 36-38, the same as that of CHO hybrids generated from intact cells. When the peroxisome-deficient nuclear hybrids are fused to wild-type cytoplasts, a fraction of the fusion products (at least 70%) continue to propagate normal peroxisomes indefinitely. Peroxisome biogenesis cannot be reinitiated in cells of mutant ZR-78.1 by fusion to wild-type cytoplasts. Our results suggest that a wild-type nucleus by itself is necessary but not sufficient for restoration of normal peroxisome biogenesis and that a cytoplasmic component of wild-type cells, possibly a normal peroxisome, is also required.

Purified rat brain microvessels exhibit both acid and neutral sphingomyelinase activities.

Purified rat brain microvessels have been shown to hydrolyze radiolabeled sphingomyelin by means of two different enzyme systems. Enzymatic activity was detected at pH 7.4 and was strongly stimulated by magnesium or manganese and inhibited by calcium. Activity at pH 5.1 could also be found and was not dependent on any of these cations. At neutral pH and in the presence of magnesium, the rate of sphingomyelin hydrolysis did not exhibit a linear relationship with protein concentration. In contrast, increasing the protein concentration from 0.05 to 0.5 mg/ml resulted in a constant increase of sphingomyelin hydrolysis at pH 5.1. Kinetic parameters of both neutral and acid activities have been determined and were similar in magnitude to values reported previously for neural sphingomyelinases. This work demonstrates the occurrence of a neutral sphingomyelinase activity in purified rat brain microvessels, an observation raising the question of its role at the level of the blood-brain interface.

Disappearance of plasmalogens from membranes of animal cells subjected to photosensitized oxidation.

Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) photosensitized with 12-(1'-pyrene)dodecanoic acid (P12) are killed when exposed to long wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light (greater than 300 nm). Mutants deficient in plasmalogen biosynthesis are hypersensitive to this treatment. We now demonstrate that plasmenylethanolamine is rapidly and preferentially destroyed when CHO-K1 cells, photosensitized either with P12 or merocyanine 540, are irradiated with light of the appropriate wavelength. Using [2-14C]ethanolamine, [1-14C]hexadecanol, or [U-14C]hexadecanol to follow the turnover of plasmenylethanolamine, we show that 2-monoacylglycerophosphoethanolamine, formic acid, and pentadecanal are formed during P12/UV treatment of CHO-K1 cells, but not of mutant cells deficient in plasmalogen synthesis. The decomposition of plasmenylethanolamine is O2-dependent, is enhanced in D2O, and is reduced in the presence of sodium azide. The process may be explained, in part, by the cycloaddition of singlet oxygen to the vinyl ether linkage of plasmenylethanolamine, generating a dioxetane intermediate that would be expected to decompose under physiological conditions to the observed products. An additional possibility is the formation of an allylic hydroperoxide at the 1'-carbon of the alkyl moiety by an "ene" reaction of singlet oxygen, or by radical-mediated oxidation, followed by metabolism or chemical decomposition of the hydroperoxide. Given the P12/UV hypersensitivity of plasmalogen-deficient mutants, we suggest that plasmalogens might protect animal cell membranes from singlet oxygen and/or radical-initiated oxidation by functioning as scavengers and decomposing to products that can be reutilized.

A possible role for plasmalogens in protecting animal cells against photosensitized killing.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells incorporate 12-(1'-pyrene) dodecanoic acid (P12) into membrane lipids. Exposure of P12-labeled cells to long wavelength ultraviolet light causes cell killing, presumably because excitation of the pyrene moiety (a photosensitizer) leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Cytotoxicity is dependent upon the concentration of P12 used to label the cells, and time of UV exposure, and the presence of oxygen during irradiation. CHO mutant cells deficient in plasmalogen biosynthesis and peroxisome assembly (Zoeller, R.A., and Raetz, C.R.H. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83, 5170-5174) are several orders of magnitude more sensitive to P12/UV treatment than wild-type cells, permitting direct selection of one wild-type cell in 1 X 10(4) mutant cells. A major factor responsible for the P12/UV hypersensitivity of these mutants appears to be the absence of plasmalogens. Supplementation of the mutants with 1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycerol restores plasmalogen levels and nearly normal resistance to P12/UV treatment, whereas the biogenesis of peroxisomes is not restored. The P12/UV hypersensitivity of the plasmalogen-deficient mutants, together with the selective, P12/UV-induced decomposition of plasmalogens in wild-type cells, documented in the accompanying manuscript, suggest that the vinyl ether linkage of plasmalogens plays a direct role in protecting animal cell membranes against certain oxidative stresses.

Arachidonoyl-coenzyme A synthetase and nonspecific acyl-coenzyme A synthetase activities in purified rat brain microvessels.

Purified rat brain microvessels were prepared to demonstrate the occurrence of acyl-CoA (EC 6.2.1.3) synthesis activity in the microvasculature of rat brain. Both arachidonoyl-CoA and palmitoyl-CoA synthesis activities showed an absolute requirement for ATP and CoA. This activity was strongly enhanced by magnesium chloride and inhibited by EDTA. The apparent Km values for acyl-CoA synthesis by purified rat brain microvessels were 4.0 microM and 5.8 microM for palmitic acid and arachidonic acid, respectively. The apparent Vmax values were 1.0 and 1.5 nmol X min-1 X mg protein-1 for palmitic acid and arachidonic acid, respectively. Cross-competition experiments showed inhibition of radiolabelled arachidonoyl-CoA formation by 15 microM unlabelled arachidonic acid, with a Ki of 7.1 microM, as well as by unlabelled docosahexaenoic acid, with a Ki of 8.0 microM. Unlabelled palmitic acid and arachidic acid had no inhibitory effect on arachidonoyl-CoA synthesis. In comparison, radiolabelled palmitoyl-CoA formation was inhibited competitively by 15 microM unlabelled palmitic acid, with a Ki of 5.0 microM and to a much lesser extent by arachidonic acid (Ki, 23 microM). The Vmax of palmitoyl-CoA formation obtained on incubation in the presence of the latter fatty acids was not changed. Unlabelled arachidic acid and docosahexaenoic acid had no inhibitory effect on palmitoyl-CoA synthesis. Both arachidonoyl-CoA and palmitoyl-CoA synthesis activities were thermolabile. Arachidonoyl-CoA formation was inhibited by 75% after 7 min at 40 degrees C whereas a 3-min heating treatment was sufficient to produce the same relative inhibition of palmitoyl-CoA synthesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Photosensitization to ultraviolet irradiation and selective killing of cells following uptake of pyrene-containing fatty acid.

Cells were incubated with 12-(1-pyrene)-dodecanoic acid (P12), a long-chain fatty acid to which a pyrene ring has been attached covalently. This acid was transported across the plasma membranes of cells and subsequently incorporated into their neutral lipids and phospholipids. Irradiation of these pyrene-containing cells for short periods (0.5-4 min) with ultraviolet light at 366 nm resulted in eventual cell death. Similar irradiation had no effect on cells that had not been exposed to P12. The time of the period of irradiation necessary for inducing the toxic process was related to the quantity of P12 incorporated, the latter being a function of the respective metabolic activity of the individual cell type. The degree of incorporation of P12 into a cell, and consequently its acquired sensitivity to killing by ultraviolet irradiation at 366 nm, was affected by the incubation temperature and addition of non-fluorescent fatty acid, albumin or other serum proteins. Different degrees of incorporation of P12 into various cell types were used for selective killing and elimination of cell populations by irradiation at 366 nm. The combined procedure of preincubation with P12 followed by ultraviolet irradiation thus permitted selection of cell types with a greater resistance to this procedure.

Transport of fatty acids across the membrane of human erythrocyte ghosts.

Human erythrocyte ghosts were used for studying the mechanism of uptake and membrane transport of fatty acids. Hemoglobin-free ghosts were prepared and loaded with substrates such as CoA and/or ATP, and their ability for transporting and activating radiolabelled palmitic acid was tested further. Uptake of radiolabelled palmitic acid by CoA- and ATP-loaded ghosts exceeded that observed with ghosts loaded only with ATP, the latter being greater than that measured with non-loaded ghosts. Acyl-CoA was synthesized in CoA- and ATP-loaded ghosts upon incubation with radiolabelled palmitic acid. Both CoA and ATP were needed within the ghosts to permit acyl-CoA synthesis, suggesting that the acyl-CoA synthetase is located in and is bound to the inner layer of the membrane. The rate of acyl-CoA synthesis was saturable with increasing concentration of palmitic acid in the incubation mixture, and kinetic parameters were calculated. The rate of acyl-CoA synthesis in CoA- and ATP-loaded ghosts upon incubation with radiolabelled palmitic acid was markedly decreased when increasing albumin concentration in the incubation medium up to a molar ratio albumin/fatty acid of one to one. It is not easy to distinguish experimentally fatty acids located in the outer layer and the inner layer of the membrane and the data of this paper suggest that acyl-CoA synthesis by an enzyme located in the inner layer could be used as a measure of the acyl groups which have been translocated across the membrane of erythrocyte ghosts.

Induction of lipid storage in cultured leukemic myeloid cells by pyrene-dodecanoic acid.

When incubated for 1-3 days in the presence of the fatty acid analog, 12-(1-pyrene)dodecanoic acid, the neutral lipid content of cultured human leukemic myeloid cells increased considerably, while that of the phospholipids increased to a much lesser extent. Among the neutral lipids, di- and monoacylglycerols predominated and a considerable portion of the fatty acyl residues of these newly synthesized neutral lipids consisted of pyrene-dodecanoic acid. Light microscopy showed evidence for the presence of highly fluorescent lipid droplets within the cells. Electron microscopy showed lipid globules, mostly devoid of a unit membrane, multivesicular inclusion bodies and some multilamellar membranous structures. In comparison, cells incubated with palmitic acid show neither these cellular structures, nor the increase of the neutral lipid content. The lipid storage, induced by pyrene-dodecanoic acid, is probably related to ineffective degradation of this fatty acid analog and might serve as an experimental model of cellular lipidosis.