The protein and neutral lipid composition of lipid droplets isolated from the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Cbf11 and Mga2 function together to activate transcription of lipid metabolism genes and promote mitotic fidelity in fission yeast

Within a eukaryotic cell, both lipid homeostasis and faithful cell cycle progression are meticulously orchestrated. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe provides a powerful platform to study the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing these fundamental processes. In S. pombe, the Cbf11 and Mga2 proteins are transcriptional activators of non-sterol lipid metabolism genes, with Cbf11 also known as a cell cycle regulator. Despite sharing a common set of target genes, little was known about their functional relationship. This study reveals that Cbf11 and Mga2 function together in the same regulatory pathway, critical for both lipid metabolism and mitotic fidelity. Deletion of either gene results in a similar array of defects, including slow growth, dysregulated lipid homeostasis, impaired cell cycle progression (cut phenotype), abnormal cell morphology, perturbed transcriptomic and proteomic profiles, and compromised response to the stressors camptothecin and thiabendazole. Remarkably, the double deletion mutant does not exhibit a more severe phenotype compared to the single mutants. In addition, ChIP-nexus analysis reveals that both Cbf11 and Mga2 bind to nearly identical positions within the promoter regions of target genes. Interestingly, Mga2 binding appears to be dependent on the presence of Cbf11 and Cbf11 likely acts as a tether to DNA, while Mga2 is needed to activate the target genes. In addition, the study explores the distribution of Cbf11 and Mga2 homologs across fungi. The presence of both Cbf11 and Mga2 homologs in Basidiomycota contrasts with Ascomycota, which mostly lack Cbf11 but retain Mga2. This suggests an evolutionary rewiring of the regulatory circuitry governing lipid metabolism and mitotic fidelity. In conclusion, this study offers compelling support for Cbf11 and Mga2 functioning jointly to regulate lipid metabolism and mitotic fidelity in fission yeast.

Mild Heat Stress Alters the Physical State and Structure of Membranes in Triacylglycerol-Deficient Fission Yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We investigated whether the elimination of two major enzymes responsible for triacylglycerol synthesis altered the structure and physical state of organelle membranes under mild heat shock conditions in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Our study revealed that key intracellular membrane structures, lipid droplets, vacuoles, the mitochondrial network, and the cortical endoplasmic reticulum were all affected in mutant fission yeast cells under mild heat shock but not under normal growth conditions. We also obtained direct evidence that triacylglycerol-deficient cells were less capable than wild-type cells of adjusting their membrane physical properties during thermal stress. The production of thermoprotective molecules, such as HSP16 and trehalose, was reduced in the mutant strain. These findings suggest that an intact system of triacylglycerol metabolism significantly contributes to membrane protection during heat stress.

Lipid droplets: a cellular organelle vital in cancer cells

Lipid droplets (LDs) are cellular organelles comprising a core of neutral lipids (glycerides, sterols) encased within a single phospholipid membrane, responsible for storing surplus lipids and furnishing cellular energy. LDs engage in lipid synthesis, catabolism, and transport processes by interacting with other organelles (e.g., endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria), and they play critical roles in regulating cellular stress and immunity. Recent research has uncovered that an elevated number of LDs is a hallmark of cancer cells, attributable to their enhanced lipid uptake and synthesis capacity, with lipids stored as LDs. Depletion of LDs in cancer cells induces apoptosis, prompting the emergence of small molecule antitumor drugs targeting LDs or key factors (e.g., FASN, SCD1) within the lipid synthesis pathway. Advancements in LD isolation and artificial synthesis have demonstrated their potential applicability in antitumor research. LDs extracted from murine adipose tissue and incubated with lipophilic antitumor drugs yield drug-coated LDs, which promote apoptosis in cancer cells. Furthermore, LDs have been employed as biological lenses to augment the resolution of subcellular structures (microfilaments, microtubules), facilitating the observation of intricate structures within thicker cells, including cancer cells. This review delineates the functional and metabolic mechanisms of LDs in cancer cells and encapsulates recent progress in LD-centered antitumor research, offering novel insights for tumor diagnosis and treatment.

Oleaginous yeasts: Time to rethink the definition?

Oleaginous yeasts are typically defined as those able to accumulate more than 20% of their cell dry weight as lipids or triacylglycerides. Research on these yeasts has increased lately fuelled by an interest to use biotechnology to produce lipids and oleochemicals that can substitute those coming from fossil fuels or offer sustainable alternatives to traditional extractions (e.g., palm oil). Some oleaginous yeasts are attracting attention both in research and industry, with Yarrowia lipolytica one of the best-known and studied ones. Oleaginous yeasts can be found across several clades and different metabolic adaptations have been found, affecting not only fatty acid and neutral lipid synthesis, but also lipid particle stability and degradation. Recently, many novel oleaginous yeasts are being discovered, including oleaginous strains of the traditionally considered non-oleaginous Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the face of this boom, a closer analysis of the definition of "oleaginous yeast" reveals that this term has instrumental value for biotechnology, while it does not give information about distinct types of yeasts. Having this perspective in mind, we propose to expand the term "oleaginous yeast" to those able to produce either intracellular or extracellular lipids, not limited to triacylglycerides, in at least one growth condition (including ex novo lipid synthesis). Finally, a critical look at Y. lipolytica as a model for oleaginous yeasts shows that the term "oleaginous" should be reserved only for strains and not species and that in the case of Y. lipolytica, it is necessary to distinguish clearly between the lipophilic and oleaginous phenotype.

ER-localized phosphatidylethanolamine synthase plays a conserved role in lipid droplet formation

The asymmetric distribution of phospholipids in membranes is a fundamental principle of cellular compartmentalization and organization. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), a nonbilayer phospholipid that contributes to organelle shape and function, is synthesized at several subcellular localizations via semiredundant pathways. Previously, we demonstrated in budding yeast that the PE synthase Psd1, which primarily operates on the mitochondrial inner membrane, is additionally targeted to the ER. While ER-localized Psd1 is required to support cellular growth in the absence of redundant pathways, its physiological function is unclear. We now demonstrate that ER-localized Psd1 sublocalizes on the ER to lipid droplet (LD) attachment sites and show it is specifically required for normal LD formation. We also find that the role of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (PSD) enzymes in LD formation is conserved in other organisms. Thus we have identified PSD enzymes as novel regulators of LDs and demonstrate that both mitochondria and LDs in yeast are organized and shaped by the spatial positioning of a single PE synthesis enzyme.

Lipid Droplet Nucleation

All living organisms can make lipid droplets (LDs), intracellular oil-in-water droplets, surrounded by a phospholipid and protein monolayer. LDs are at the nexus of cellular lipid metabolism and function in diverse biological processes. During the past decade, multidisciplinary approaches have shed light on LD assembly steps from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER): nucleation, growth, budding, and formation of a separate organelle. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning these steps remain elusive. In this review, we focus on the nucleation step, defining where and how LD assembly is initiated. We present how membrane biophysical and physicochemical properties control this step and how proteins act on it to orchestrate LD biogenesis.

Metabolism of Storage Lipids and the Role of Lipid Droplets in the Yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Storage lipids, triacylglycerols (TAG), and steryl esters (SE), are predominant constituents of lipid droplets (LD) in fungi. In several yeast species, metabolism of TAG and SE is linked to various cellular processes, including cell division, sporulation, apoptosis, response to stress, and lipotoxicity. In addition, TAG are an important source for the generation of value-added lipids for industrial and biomedical applications. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a widely used unicellular eukaryotic model organism. It is a powerful tractable system used to study various aspects of eukaryotic cellular and molecular biology. However, the knowledge of S. pombe neutral lipids metabolism is quite limited. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge of the homeostasis of storage lipids and of the role of LD in the fission yeast S. pombe with the aim to stimulate research of lipid metabolism and its connection with other essential cellular processes. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fission yeast in lipid biotechnology and recent achievements in the use of S. pombe in the biotechnological production of valuable lipid compounds.

Lipid Droplets in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Knowledge of lipid droplets (LDs) has evolved from simple depots of lipid storage to dynamic and functionally active organelles involved in a variety of cellular functions. Studies have now informed significant roles for LDs in cellular signaling, metabolic disease, and inflammation. While lipid droplet biology has been well explored in peripheral organs such as the liver and heart, LDs within the brain are relatively understudied. The presence and function of these dynamic organelles in the central nervous system has recently gained attention, especially in the context of neurodegeneration. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of LDs within the brain, with an emphasis on their relevance in neurodegenerative diseases.

Harnessing the Power of Mutagenesis and Adaptive Laboratory Evolution for High Lipid Production by Oleaginous Microalgae and Yeasts

Oleaginous microalgae and yeasts represent promising candidates for large-scale production of lipids, which can be utilized for production of drop-in biofuels, nutraceuticals, pigments, and cosmetics. However, low lipid productivity and costly downstream processing continue to hamper the commercial deployment of oleaginous microorganisms. Strain improvement can play an essential role in the development of such industrial microorganisms by increasing lipid production and hence reducing production costs. The main means of strain improvement are random mutagenesis, adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE), and rational genetic engineering. Among these, random mutagenesis and ALE are straight forward, low-cost, and do not require thorough knowledge of the microorganism’s genetic composition. This paper reviews available mutagenesis and ALE techniques and screening methods to effectively select for oleaginous microalgae and yeasts with enhanced lipid yield and understand the alterations caused to metabolic pathways, which could subsequently serve as the basis for further targeted genetic engineering.

Mechanisms of protein targeting to lipid droplets: A unified cell biological and biophysical perspective

Lipid droplets (LDs), or oil bodies in plants, are specialized organelles that primarily serve as hubs of cellular metabolic energy storage and consumption. These ubiquitous cytoplasmic organelles are derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and consist of a hydrophobic neutral lipid core - mainly consisting of triglycerides and sterol esters - that is encircled by a phospholipid monolayer. The dynamic metabolic functions of the LDs are mainly executed and regulated by proteins on the monolayer surface. However, its unique architecture puts some structural constraints on the types of proteins that can associate with LDs. The lipid monolayer is decorated with either peripheral proteins or with integral membrane proteins that adopt a monotopic topology. Due to its oil-water interface, which is energetically costly, the LD surface happens to be favorable to the recruitment of many proteins involved in metabolic but also non-metabolic functions. We only started very recently to understand biophysical and biochemical principles controlling protein targeting to LDs. This review aims to summarize the most recent findings regarding this topic and proposes directions that will potentially lead to a better understanding of LD surface characteristics, as compared to bilayer membranes, and how that impacts protein-LD interactions.

Effect of Selenium on Lipid and Amino Acid Metabolism in Yeast Cells

This article discusses the effect of selenium in aqueous solutions on aspects of lipid and amino acid metabolism in the cell biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MYA-2200 and Candida utilis ATCC 9950 yeasts. The yeast biomass was obtained by using waste products (potato wastewater and glycerol). Selenium, at a dose of 20 mg/L of aqueous solution, affected the differentiation of cellular morphology. Yeast enriched with selenium was characterized by a large functional diversity in terms of protein and amino acid content. The protein content in the biomass of S. cerevisiae enriched with selenium (42.6%) decreased slightly as compared to that in the control sample without additional selenium supplementation (48.4%). Moreover, yeasts of both strains enriched with selenium contained a large amount of glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine, and leucine. Analysis of fatty acid profiles in S. cerevisiae yeast supplemented with selenium showed an increase in the unsaturated fatty acid content (e.g., C18:1). The presence of margaric acid (C17:0) and hexadecanoic acid (C17:1) was found in the C. utilis biomass enriched with selenium, in contrast to that of S. cerevisiae. These results indicate that selenium may induce lipid peroxidation, which consequently affects the loss of integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane. Yeast enriched with selenium with optimal amino acid and lipid composition can be used to prepare a novel formula of dietary supplements, which can be applied directly to various diets for both humans and animals.

Mitotic defects in fission yeast lipid metabolism 'cut' mutants are suppressed by ammonium chloride

Fission yeast 'cut' mutants show defects in temporal coordination of nuclear division with cytokinesis, resulting in aberrant mitosis and lethality. Among other causes, the 'cut' phenotype can be triggered by genetic or chemical perturbation of lipid metabolism, supposedly resulting in shortage of membrane phospholipids and insufficient nuclear envelope expansion during anaphase. Interestingly, penetrance of the 'cut' phenotype in mutants of the transcription factor cbf11 and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase cut6, both related to lipid metabolism, is highly dependent on growth media, although the specific nutrient(s) affecting 'cut' occurrence is not known. In this study, we set out to identify the growth media component(s) responsible for 'cut' phenotype suppression in Δcbf11 and cut6-621 cells. We show that mitotic defects occur rapidly in Δcbf11 cells upon shift from the minimal EMM medium ('cut' suppressing) to the complex YES medium ('cut' promoting). By growing cells in YES medium supplemented with individual EMM components, we identified ammonium chloride, an efficiently utilized nitrogen source, as a specific and potent suppressor of the 'cut' phenotype in both Δcbf11 and cut6-621. Furthermore, we found that ammonium chloride boosts lipid droplet formation in wild-type cells. Our findings suggest a possible involvement of nutrient-responsive signaling in 'cut' suppression.

The Peroxygenase Activity of the Aspergillus flavus Caleosin, AfPXG, Modulates the Biosynthesis of Aflatoxins and Their Trafficking and Extracellular Secretion via Lipid Droplets

Aflatoxins (AF) are highly detrimental to human and animal health. We recently demonstrated that the Aspergillus flavus caleosin, AfPXG, had peroxygenase activity and mediated fungal development and AF accumulation. We now report the characterization of an AfPXG-deficient line using reference strain NRRL3357. The resulting fungal phenotype included a severe decrease in mycelium growth, failure to sporulate, and reduced AF production. Increasing cellular oxidative status by administration of hydrogen peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide did not restore the AfPXG-deficient phenotype, which suggests that AfPXG-deficiency is not directly related to oxidative stress. To investigate possible alternative roles of AfPXG, a gain of function approach was used to overexpress AfPXG, with the reporter gene Gfp, in an AfPXG-deficient line, termed AfPXG+ . The resulting phenotype included elevated numbers of stable lipid droplets (LDs) plus enhanced AF production. Highly purified LDs from AfPXG+ cultures sequestered AF and this ability was positively correlated with overall LD number. Site-specific mutagenesis of AfPXG to delete Histidine 85 (AfPXGHis85), a residue essential for its catalytic activity, or deletion of the putative LD targeting domain (AfPXGD126-140), showed that AfPXG-peroxygenase activity was required for AF biosynthesis and that integration of AF into LDs was required for their export via a LD-dependent pathway. Ectopic expression in fungal cells of the plant LD-associated protein, oleosin, also resulted in both additional LD accumulation and enhanced AF secretion. These results suggest that both fungal LDs and their associated caleosin proteins are intimately involved in the biosynthesis, trafficking, and secretion of AF.

Lipid Droplets: Formation to Breakdown

One of the most exciting areas of cell biology during the last decade has been the study of lipid droplets. Lipid droplets allow cells to store non-polar molecules such as neutral lipids in specific compartments where they are sequestered from the aqueous environment of the cell yet can be accessed through regulated mechanisms. These structures are highly conserved, appearing in organisms throughout the phylogenetic tree. Until somewhat recently, lipid droplets were widely regarded as inert, however progress in the field has continued to demonstrate their vast roles in a number of cellular processes in both mitotic and post-mitotic cells. No doubt the increase in the attention given to lipid droplet research is due to their central role in current pressing human diseases such as obesity, type-2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. This review provides a mechanistic timeline from neutral lipid synthesis through lipid droplet formation and size augmentation to droplet breakdown.