1
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Sapia J, Vanni S. Molecular dynamics simulations of intracellular lipid droplets: a new tool in the toolbox. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:1143-1153. [PMID: 38627196 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are ubiquitous intracellular organelles with a central role in multiple lipid metabolic pathways. However, identifying correlations between their structural properties and their biological activity has proved challenging, owing to their unique physicochemical properties as compared with other cellular membranes. In recent years, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, a computational methodology allowing the accurate description of molecular assemblies down to their individual components, have been demonstrated to be a useful and powerful approach for studying LD structural and dynamical properties. In this short review, we attempt to highlight, as comprehensively as possible, how MD simulations have contributed to our current understanding of multiple molecular mechanisms involved in LD biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Sapia
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Vanni
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Université Côte d'Azur, Inserm, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France
- Swiss National Center for Competence in Research (NCCR) Bio-inspired Materials, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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2
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Wölk M, Fedorova M. The lipid droplet lipidome. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:1215-1225. [PMID: 38604996 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are intracellular organelles with a hydrophobic core formed by neutral lipids surrounded by a phospholipid monolayer harboring a variety of regulatory and enzymatically active proteins. Over the last few decades, our understanding of LD biology has evolved significantly. Nowadays, LDs are appreciated not just as passive energy storage units, but rather as active players in the regulation of lipid metabolism and quality control machineries. To fulfill their functions in controlling cellular metabolic states, LDs need to be highly dynamic and responsive organelles. A large body of evidence supports a dynamic nature of the LD proteome and its contact sites with other organelles. However, much less is known about the lipidome of LDs. Numerous examples clearly indicate the intrinsic link between LD lipids and proteins, calling for a deeper characterization of the LD lipidome in various physiological and pathological settings. Here, we reviewed the current state of knowledge in the field of the LD lipidome, providing a brief overview of the lipid classes and their molecular species present within the neutral core and phospholipid monolayer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Wölk
- Center of Membrane Biochemistry and Lipid Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Faculty of Medicine of TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Fedorova
- Center of Membrane Biochemistry and Lipid Research, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Faculty of Medicine of TU Dresden, Germany
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3
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Papadopoulou P, van der Pol R, van Hilten N, van Os WL, Pattipeiluhu R, Arias-Alpizar G, Knol RA, Noteborn W, Moradi MA, Ferraz MJ, Aerts JMFG, Sommerdijk N, Campbell F, Risselada HJ, Sevink GJA, Kros A. Phase-Separated Lipid-Based Nanoparticles: Selective Behavior at the Nano-Bio Interface. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2310872. [PMID: 37988682 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
The membrane-protein interface on lipid-based nanoparticles influences their in vivo behavior. Better understanding may evolve current drug delivery methods toward effective targeted nanomedicine. Previously, the cell-selective accumulation of a liposome formulation in vivo is demonstrated, through the recognition of lipid phase-separation by triglyceride lipases. This exemplified how liposome morphology and composition can determine nanoparticle-protein interactions. Here, the lipase-induced compositional and morphological changes of phase-separated liposomes-which bear a lipid droplet in their bilayer- are investigated, and the mechanism upon which lipases recognize and bind to the particles is unravelled. The selective lipolytic degradation of the phase-separated lipid droplet is observed, while nanoparticle integrity remains intact. Next, the Tryptophan-rich loop of the lipase is identified as the region with which the enzymes bind to the particles. This preferential binding is due to lipid packing defects induced on the liposome surface by phase separation. In parallel, the existing knowledge that phase separation leads to in vivo selectivity, is utilized to generate phase-separated mRNA-LNPs that target cell-subsets in zebrafish embryos, with subsequent mRNA delivery and protein expression. Together, these findings can expand the current knowledge on selective nanoparticle-protein communications and in vivo behavior, aspects that will assist to gain control of lipid-based nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Papadopoulou
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Rianne van der Pol
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Niek van Hilten
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Winant L van Os
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Roy Pattipeiluhu
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriela Arias-Alpizar
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Renzo Aron Knol
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Noteborn
- NeCEN, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, 2333 AL, The Netherlands
| | - Mohammad-Amin Moradi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P. O. Box 513, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Joao Ferraz
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nico Sommerdijk
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P. O. Box 513, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical BioSciences and Radboud Technology Center - Electron Microscopy, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Frederick Campbell
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Herre Jelger Risselada
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
- Department of Physics, Technical University Dortmund, 44221, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Geert Jan Agur Sevink
- Department of Biophysical Organic Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Kros
- Department of Supramolecular & Biomaterials Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, P. O. Box 9502, Leiden, 2300 RA, The Netherlands
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4
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Speer NO, Braun RJ, Reynolds EG, Brudnicka A, Swanson JM, Henne WM. Tld1 is a regulator of triglyceride lipolysis that demarcates a lipid droplet subpopulation. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202303026. [PMID: 37889293 PMCID: PMC10609110 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202303026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells store lipids in the form of triglyceride (TG) and sterol ester (SE) in lipid droplets (LDs). Distinct pools of LDs exist, but a pervasive question is how proteins localize to and convey functions to LD subsets. Here, we show that the yeast protein YDR275W/Tld1 (for TG-associated LD protein 1) localizes to a subset of TG-containing LDs and reveal it negatively regulates lipolysis. Mechanistically, Tld1 LD targeting requires TG, and it is mediated by two distinct hydrophobic regions (HRs). Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that Tld1's HRs interact with TG on LDs and adopt specific conformations on TG-rich LDs versus SE-rich LDs in yeast and human cells. Tld1-deficient yeast display no defect in LD biogenesis but exhibit elevated TG lipolysis dependent on lipase Tgl3. Remarkably, overexpression of Tld1, but not LD protein Pln1/Pet10, promotes TG accumulation without altering SE pools. Finally, we find that Tld1-deficient cells display altered LD mobilization during extended yeast starvation. We propose that Tld1 senses TG-rich LDs and regulates lipolysis on LD subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Ortiz Speer
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - R. Jay Braun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Emma Grace Reynolds
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Alicja Brudnicka
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - W. Mike Henne
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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5
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Mathivanan A, Nachiappan V. Deletion of ORM2 Causes Oleic Acid-Induced Growth Defects in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:5916-5932. [PMID: 36719521 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04359-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident proteins of the Orm family (Orm1p and Orm2p) play an essential regulatory role in sphingolipid metabolism and proteostasis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sphingolipid metabolism and its relationship with yeast ORM1 and ORM2 have been studied widely, but its position in phospholipids and neutral lipids requires further studies. We found that the deletion of ORM2 reduced phospholipid levels, but orm1Δ had shown no significant alteration of phospholipids. On the contrary, neutral lipid levels and lipid droplet (LD) numbers were increased in both orm1∆ and orm2∆ cells. Unlike orm1Δ, free fatty acid (FFA) levels were steeply accumulated in orm2∆ cells, and deletion of ORM2 made the cells more sensitive towards oleic acid toxicity. Misregulation of fatty acids has been implicated in the causation of several lipid metabolic disorders. It is imminent to comprehend the control mechanisms of free fatty acid homeostasis and its pathophysiology. Our study has provided experimental evidence of ORM2 role in the lipid and fatty acid metabolism of yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arul Mathivanan
- Biomembrane Lab, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, 620 024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vasanthi Nachiappan
- Biomembrane Lab, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, 620 024, Tamil Nadu, India.
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6
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Speer NO, Braun RJ, Reynolds E, Brudnicka A, Swanson J, Henne WM. Tld1 is a novel regulator of triglyceride lipolysis that demarcates a lipid droplet subpopulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.07.531595. [PMID: 36945645 PMCID: PMC10028886 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.07.531595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Cells store lipids in the form of triglyceride (TG) and sterol-ester (SE) in lipid droplets (LDs). Distinct pools of LDs exist, but a pervasive question is how proteins localize to and convey functions to LD subsets. Here, we show the yeast protein YDR275W/Tld1 (for TG-associated LD protein 1) localizes to a subset of TG-containing LDs, and reveal it negatively regulates lipolysis. Mechanistically, Tld1 LD targeting requires TG, and is mediated by two distinct hydrophobic regions (HRs). Molecular dynamics simulations reveal Tld1 HRs interact with TG on LDs and adopt specific conformations on TG-rich LDs versus SE-rich LDs in yeast and human cells. Tld1-deficient yeast display no defect in LD biogenesis, but exhibit elevated TG lipolysis dependent on lipase Tgl3. Remarkably, over-expression of Tld1, but not LD protein Pln1/Pet10, promotes TG accumulation without altering SE pools. Finally, we find Tld1-deficient cells display altered LD mobilization during extended yeast starvation. We propose Tld1 senses TG-rich LDs and regulates lipolysis on LD subpopulations.
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7
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Braun RJ, Swanson JMJ. Capturing the Liquid-Crystalline Phase Transformation: Implications for Protein Targeting to Sterol Ester-Rich Lipid Droplets. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:949. [PMID: 36295707 PMCID: PMC9607156 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12100949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lipid droplets are essential organelles that store and traffic neutral lipids. The phospholipid monolayer surrounding their neutral lipid core engages with a highly dynamic proteome that changes according to cellular and metabolic conditions. Recent work has demonstrated that when the abundance of sterol esters increases above a critical concentration, such as under conditions of starvation or high LDL exposure, the lipid droplet core can undergo an amorphous to liquid-crystalline phase transformation. Herein, we study the consequences of this transformation on the physical properties of lipid droplets that are thought to regulate protein association. Using simulations of different sterol-ester concentrations, we have captured the liquid-crystalline phase transformation at the molecular level, highlighting the alignment of sterol esters in alternating orientations to form concentric layers. We demonstrate how ordering in the core permeates into the neutral lipid/phospholipid interface, changing the magnitude and nature of neutral lipid intercalation and inducing ordering in the phospholipid monolayer. Increased phospholipid packing is concomitant with altered surface properties, including smaller area per phospholipid and substantially reduced packing defects. Additionally, the ordering of sterol esters in the core causes less hydration in more ordered regions. We discuss these findings in the context of their expected consequences for preferential protein recruitment to lipid droplets under different metabolic conditions.
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8
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Renne MF, Corey RA, Ferreira JV, Stansfeld PJ, Carvalho P. Seipin concentrates distinct neutral lipids via interactions with their acyl chain carboxyl esters. J Cell Biol 2022; 221:e202112068. [PMID: 35938957 PMCID: PMC9365673 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202112068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are essential for cellular lipid homeostasis by storing diverse neutral lipids (NLs), such as triacylglycerol (TAG), steryl esters (SE), and retinyl esters (RE). A proper assembly of TAG-containing LDs at the ER requires Seipin, a conserved protein often mutated in lipodystrophies. Here, we show that the yeast Seipin Sei1 and its partner Ldb16 also promote the storage of other NL in LDs. Importantly, this role of Sei1/Ldb16 is evolutionarily conserved as expression of human-Seipin restored normal SE-containing LDs in yeast Seipin mutants. As in the case of TAG, the formation of SE-containing LDs requires interactions between hydroxyl-residues in human Seipin or yeast Ldb16 with NL carboxyl esters. These findings provide a universal mechanism for Seipin-mediated LD formation and suggest a model for how Seipin distinguishes NLs from aliphatic phospholipid acyl chains in the center of the membrane bilayer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike F. Renne
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robin A. Corey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Phillip J. Stansfeld
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- School of Life Sciences and Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Pedro Carvalho
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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9
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Chain flexibility of medicinal lipids determines their selective partitioning into lipid droplets. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3612. [PMID: 35750680 PMCID: PMC9232528 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31400-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In guiding lipid droplets (LDs) to serve as storage vessels that insulate high-value lipophilic compounds in cells, we demonstrate that chain flexibility of lipids determines their selective migration in intracellular LDs. Focusing on commercially important medicinal lipids with biogenetic similarity but structural dissimilarity, we computationally and experimentally validate that LD remodeling should be differentiated between overproduction of structurally flexible squalene and that of rigid zeaxanthin and β-carotene. In molecular dynamics simulations, worm-like flexible squalene is readily deformed to move through intertwined chains of triacylglycerols in the LD core, whereas rod-like rigid zeaxanthin is trapped on the LD surface due to a high free energy barrier in diffusion. By designing yeast cells with either much larger LDs or with a greater number of LDs, we observe that intracellular storage of squalene significantly increases with LD volume expansion, but that of zeaxanthin and β-carotene is enhanced through LD surface broadening; as visually evidenced, the outcomes represent internal penetration of squalene and surface localization of zeaxanthin and β-carotene. Our study shows the computational and experimental validation of selective lipid migration into a phase-separated organelle and reveals LD dynamics and functionalization. Lipid droplet (LD) is a highly dynamic organelle capable of regulating lipid metabolism, storage and transportation. Here, by combining molecular dynamics simulations and microbial LD engineering, the authors demonstrate that the structural flexibility of lipids is one of decisive factors in selective partitioning into LDs.
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10
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van Hilten N, Stroh KS, Risselada HJ. Efficient Quantification of Lipid Packing Defect Sensing by Amphipathic Peptides: Comparing Martini 2 and 3 with CHARMM36. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:4503-4514. [PMID: 35709386 PMCID: PMC9281404 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In biological systems, proteins can be attracted to curved or stretched regions of lipid bilayers by sensing hydrophobic defects in the lipid packing on the membrane surface. Here, we present an efficient end-state free energy calculation method to quantify such sensing in molecular dynamics simulations. We illustrate that lipid packing defect sensing can be defined as the difference in mechanical work required to stretch a membrane with and without a peptide bound to the surface. We also demonstrate that a peptide's ability to concurrently induce excess leaflet area (tension) and elastic softening─a property we call the "characteristic area of sensing" (CHAOS)─and lipid packing sensing behavior are in fact two sides of the same coin. In essence, defect sensing displays a peptide's propensity to generate tension. The here-proposed mechanical pathway is equally accurate yet, computationally, about 40 times less costly than the commonly used alchemical pathway (thermodynamic integration), allowing for more feasible free energy calculations in atomistic simulations. This enabled us to directly compare the Martini 2 and 3 coarse-grained and the CHARMM36 atomistic force fields in terms of relative binding free energies for six representative peptides including the curvature sensor ALPS and two antiviral amphipathic helices (AH). We observed that Martini 3 qualitatively reproduces experimental trends while producing substantially lower (relative) binding free energies and shallower membrane insertion depths compared to atomistic simulations. In contrast, Martini 2 tends to overestimate (relative) binding free energies. Finally, we offer a glimpse into how our end-state-based free energy method can enable the inverse design of optimal lipid packing defect sensing peptides when used in conjunction with our recently developed evolutionary molecular dynamics (Evo-MD) method. We argue that these optimized defect sensors─aside from their biomedical and biophysical relevance─can provide valuable targets for the development of lipid force fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niek van Hilten
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden 2300 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Kai Steffen Stroh
- Department of Physics, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund 44221, Germany.,Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen 37077, Germany
| | - Herre Jelger Risselada
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden 2300 RA, The Netherlands.,Department of Physics, Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund 44221, Germany.,Institute for Theoretical Physics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen 37077, Germany
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11
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Kim S, Swanson JMJ, Voth GA. Computational Studies of Lipid Droplets. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:2145-2154. [PMID: 35263109 PMCID: PMC8957551 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c00292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are intracellular organelles whose primary function is energy storage. Known to emerge from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) bilayer, LDs have a unique structure with a core consisting of neutral lipids, triacylglycerol (TG) or sterol esters (SE), surrounded by a phospholipid (PL) monolayer and decorated by proteins that come and go throughout their complex lifecycle. In this Feature Article, we review recent developments in computational studies of LDs, a rapidly growing area of research. We highlight how molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have provided valuable molecular-level insight into LD targeting and LD biogenesis. Additionally, we review the physical properties of TG from different force fields compared with experimental data. Possible future directions and challenges are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyoung Kim
- Pritzker
School of Molecular Engineering, University
of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Jessica M. J. Swanson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Gregory A. Voth
- Department
of Chemistry, Chicago Center for Theoretical Chemistry, James Franck
Institute, and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
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12
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Olarte MJ, Swanson JMJ, Walther TC, Farese RV. The CYTOLD and ERTOLD pathways for lipid droplet-protein targeting. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:39-51. [PMID: 34583871 PMCID: PMC8688270 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are the main organelles for lipid storage, and their surfaces contain unique proteins with diverse functions, including those that facilitate the deposition and mobilization of LD lipids. Among organelles, LDs have an unusual structure with an organic, hydrophobic oil phase covered by a phospholipid monolayer. The unique properties of LD monolayer surfaces require proteins to localize to LDs by distinct mechanisms. Here we review the two pathways known to mediate direct LD protein localization: the CYTOLD pathway mediates protein targeting from the cytosol toLDs, and the ERTOLD pathway functions in protein targeting from the endoplasmic reticulum toLDs. We describe the emerging principles for each targeting pathway in animal cells and highlight open questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Jesus Olarte
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Tobias C Walther
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02124, USA.
| | - Robert V Farese
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02124, USA.
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13
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Chorlay A, Forêt L, Thiam AR. Origin of gradients in lipid density and surface tension between connected lipid droplet and bilayer. Biophys J 2021; 120:5491-5503. [PMID: 34808099 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We combined theory and experiments to depict physical parameters modulating the phospholipid (PL) density and tension equilibrium between a bilayer and an oil droplet in contiguity. This situation is encountered during a neutral lipid (NL) droplet formation in the endoplasmic reticulum. We set up macroscopic and microscopic models to uncover free parameters and the origin of molecular interactions controlling the PL densities of the droplet monolayer and the bilayer. The established physical laws and predictions agreed with experiments performed with droplet-embedded vesicles. We found that the droplet monolayer is always by a few percent (∼10%) less packed with PLs than the bilayer. Such a density gradient arises from PL-NL interactions on the droplet, which are lower than PL-PL trans interactions in the bilayer, i.e., interactions between PLs belonging to different leaflets of the bilayer. Finally, despite the pseudo-surface tension for the water/PL acyl chains in the bilayer being higher than the water/NL surface tension, the droplet monolayer always has a higher surface tension than the bilayer because of its lower PL density. Thus, a PL density gradient is mandatory to maintain the mechanical and thermodynamic equilibrium of the droplet-bilayer continuity. Our study sheds light on the origin of the molecular interactions responsible for the unique surface properties of lipid droplets compared with cellular bilayer membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymeric Chorlay
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Lionel Forêt
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Abdou Rachid Thiam
- Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure, ENS, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
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14
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Campomanes P, Prabhu J, Zoni V, Vanni S. Recharging your fats: CHARMM36 parameters for neutral lipids triacylglycerol and diacylglycerol. BIOPHYSICAL REPORTS 2021; 1:None. [PMID: 34939045 PMCID: PMC8651513 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpr.2021.100034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Neutral lipids (NLs) are an abundant class of cellular lipids. They are characterized by the total lack of charged chemical groups in their structure, and, as a consequence, they play a major role in intracellular lipid storage. NLs that carry a glycerol backbone, such as triacylglycerols (TGs) and diacylglycerols (DGs), are also involved in the biosynthetic pathway of cellular phospholipids, and they have recently been the subject of numerous structural investigations by means of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. However, conflicting results on the physicochemical behavior of NLs were observed depending on the nature of the atomistic force field used. Here, we show that current phospholipid-derived CHARMM36 parameters for DGs and TGs cannot adequately reproduce interfacial properties of these NLs because of excessive hydrophilicity at the glycerol-ester region. By following a CHARMM36-consistent parameterization strategy, we develop improved parameters for both TGs and DGs that are compatible with both cutoff-based and particle mesh Ewald schemes for the treatment of Lennard-Jones interactions. We show that our improved parameters can reproduce interfacial properties of NLs and their behavior in more complex lipid assemblies. We discuss the implications of our findings in the context of intracellular lipid storage and NLs’ cellular activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Campomanes
- Chemin du Musée 10, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Janak Prabhu
- Chemin du Musée 10, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Valeria Zoni
- Chemin du Musée 10, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Vanni
- Chemin du Musée 10, Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Kim S, Voth GA. Physical Characterization of Triolein and Implications for Its Role in Lipid Droplet Biogenesis. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:6874-6888. [PMID: 34139844 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c03559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are neutral lipid-storing organelles surrounded by a phospholipid (PL) monolayer. At present, how LDs are formed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) bilayer is poorly understood. In this study, we present a revised all-atom (AA) triolein (TG) model, the main constituent of the LD core, and characterize its properties in a bilayer membrane to demonstrate the implications of its behavior in LD biogenesis. In bilayer simulations, TG resides at the surface, adopting PL-like conformations (denoted in this work as SURF-TG). Free energy sampling simulation results estimate the barrier for TG relocating from the bilayer surface to the bilayer center to be ∼2 kcal/mol in the absence of an oil lens. SURF-TG is able to modulate membrane properties by increasing PL ordering, decreasing bending modulus, and creating local negative curvature. The other neutral lipid, dioleoyl-glycerol (DAG), also reduces the membrane bending modulus and populates negative curvature regions. A phenomenological coarse-grained (CG) model is also developed to observe larger-scale SURF-TG-mediated membrane deformation. CG simulations confirm that TG nucleates between the bilayer leaflets at a critical concentration when SURF-TG is evenly distributed. However, when one monolayer contains more SURF-TG, the membrane bends toward the other leaflet, followed by TG nucleation if a concentration is higher than the critical threshold. The central conclusion of this study is that SURF-TG is a negative curvature inducer, as well as a membrane modulator. To this end, a model is proposed in which the accumulation of SURF-TG in the luminal leaflet bends the ER bilayer toward the cytosolic side, followed by TG nucleation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyoung Kim
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Gregory A Voth
- Department of Chemistry, Chicago Center for Theoretical Chemistry, James Franck Institute, and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
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