Role of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase-1 in the control of hepatic very low density lipoprotein secretion and low density lipoprotein receptor expression in the mouse and hamster

HCV Interplay with Lipoproteins: Inside or Outside the Cells?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health issue leading to chronic liver diseases. HCV particles are unique owing to their particular lipid composition, namely the incorporation of neutral lipids and apolipoproteins. The mechanism of association between HCV virion components and these lipoproteins factors remains poorly understood as well as its impact in subsequent steps of the viral life cycle, such as entry into cells. It was proposed that the lipoprotein biogenesis pathway is involved in HCV morphogenesis; yet, recent evidence indicated that HCV particles can mature and evolve biochemically in the extracellular medium after egress. In addition, several viral, cellular and blood components have been shown to influence and regulate this specific association. Finally, this specific structure and composition of HCV particles was found to influence entry into cells as well as their stability and sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. Due to its specific particle composition, studying the association of HCV particles with lipoproteins remains an important goal towards the rational design of a protective vaccine.

Sterol O-Acyltransferase 2 Contributes to the Yolk Cholesterol Trafficking during Zebrafish Embryogenesis

To elucidate whether Sterol O-acyltransferase (Soat) mediates the absorption and transportation of yolk lipids to the developing embryo, zebrafish soat1 and soat2 were cloned and studied. In the adult zebrafish, soat1 was detected ubiquitously while soat2 mRNA was detected specifically in the liver, intestine, brain and testis. Whole mount in situ hybridization demonstrated that both soat1 and soat2 expressed in the yolk syncytial layer, hatching gland and developing cardiovascular as well as digestive systems, suggesting that Soats may play important roles in the lipid trafficking and utilization during embryonic development. The enzymatic activity of zebrafish Soat2 was confirmed by Oil Red O staining in the HEK293 cells overexpressing this gene, and could be quenched by Soat2 inhibitor Pyripyropene A (PPPA). The zebrafish embryos injected with PPPA or morpholino oligo against soat2 in the yolk showed significantly larger yolk when compared with wild-type embryos, especially at 72 hpf, indicating a slower rate of yolk consumption. Our result indicated that zebrafish Soat2 is catalytically active in synthesizing cholesteryl esters and contributes to the yolk cholesterol trafficking during zebrafish embryogenesis.

Hepatic overexpression of methionine sulfoxide reductase A reduces atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA), a specific enzyme that converts methionine-S-sulfoxide to methionine, plays an important role in the regulation of protein function and the maintenance of redox homeostasis. In this study, we examined the impact of hepatic MsrA overexpression on lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient (apoE^−/−) mice. In vitro study showed that in HepG2 cells, lentivirus-mediated human MsrA (hMsrA) overexpression upregulated the expression levels of several key lipoprotein-metabolism-related genes such as liver X receptor α, scavenger receptor class B type I, and ABCA1. ApoE^−/− mice were intravenously injected with lentivirus to achieve high-level hMsrA expression predominantly in the liver. We found that hepatic hMsrA expression significantly reduced plasma VLDL/LDL levels, improved plasma superoxide dismutase, and paraoxonase-1 activities, and decreased plasma serum amyloid A level in apoE^−/− mice fed a Western diet, by significantly altering the expression of several genes in the liver involving cholesterol selective uptake, conversion and excretion into bile, TG biosynthesis, and inflammation. Moreover, overexpression of hMsrA resulted in reduced hepatic steatosis and aortic atherosclerosis. These results suggest that hepatic MsrA may be an effective therapeutic target for ameliorating dyslipidemia and reducing atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases.

ACAT inhibition and amyloid beta reduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Accumulation and deposition of the beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide generated from its larger amyloid precursor protein (APP) is one of the pathophysiological hallmarks of AD. Intracellular cholesterol was shown to regulate Abeta production. Recent genetic and biochemical studies indicate that not only the amount, but also the distribution of intracellular cholesterol is critical to regulate Abeta generation. Acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT) is a family of enzymes that regulates the cellular distribution of cholesterol by converting membrane cholesterol into hydrophobic cholesteryl esters for cholesterol storage and transport. Using pharmacological inhibitors and transgenic animal models, we and others have identified ACAT1 as a potential therapeutic target to lower Abeta generation and accumulation. Here we discuss data focusing on ACAT inhibition as an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of AD.

The genetics of neutral lipid biosynthesis: an evolutionary perspective

The storage of fatty acids and fatty alcohols in the form of neutral lipids such as triacylglycerol (TAG), cholesteryl ester (CE), and wax ester (WE) serves to provide reservoirs for membrane formation and maintenance, lipoprotein trafficking, lipid detoxification, evaporation barriers, and fuel in times of stress or nutrient deprivation. This ancient process likely originated in actinomycetes and has persisted in eukaryotes, albeit by different molecular mechanisms. A surfeit of neutral lipids is strongly, perhaps causally, related to several human diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore, understanding the metabolic pathways of neutral lipid synthesis and the roles of the enzymes involved may facilitate the development of new therapeutic interventions for these syndromes.

Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferases

The enzymes acyl-coenzyme A (CoA):cholesterol acyltransferases (ACATs) are membrane-bound proteins that utilize long-chain fatty acyl-CoA and cholesterol as substrates to form cholesteryl esters. In mammals, two isoenzymes, ACAT1 and ACAT2, encoded by two different genes, exist. ACATs play important roles in cellular cholesterol homeostasis in various tissues. This chapter summarizes the current knowledge on ACAT-related research in two areas: 1) ACAT genes and proteins and 2) ACAT enzymes as drug targets for atherosclerosis and for Alzheimer's disease.

Identification of putative active site residues of ACAT enzymes

In this report, we sought to determine the putative active site residues of ACAT enzymes. For experimental purposes, a particular region of the C-terminal end of the ACAT protein was selected as the putative active site domain due to its high degree of sequence conservation from yeast to humans. Because ACAT enzymes have an intrinsic thioesterase activity, we hypothesized that by analogy with the thioesterase domain of fatty acid synthase, the active site of ACAT enzymes may comprise a catalytic triad of ser-his-asp (S-H-D) amino acid residues. Mutagenesis studies revealed that in ACAT1, S456, H460, and D400 were essential for activity. In ACAT2, H438 was required for enzymatic activity. However, mutation of D378 destabilized the enzyme. Surprisingly, we were unable to identify any S mutations of ACAT2 that abolished catalytic activity. Moreover, ACAT2 was insensitive to serine-modifying reagents, whereas ACAT1 was not. Further studies indicated that tyrosine residues may be important for ACAT activity. Mutational analysis showed that the tyrosine residue of the highly conserved FYXDWWN motif was important for ACAT activity. Furthermore, Y518 was necessary for ACAT1 activity, whereas the analogous residue in ACAT2, Y496, was not. The available data suggest that the amino acid requirement for ACAT activity may be different for the two ACAT isozymes.

Human acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase expressed in chinese hamster ovary cells: membrane topology and active site location

Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is a membrane-bound enzyme that produces cholesteryl esters intracellularly. Two ACAT genes (ACAT1 and ACAT2) have been identified. The expression of ACAT1 is ubiquitous, whereas that of ACAT2 is tissue restricted. Previous research indicates that ACAT1 may contain seven transmembrane domains (TMDs). To study ACAT2 topology, we inserted two different antigenic tags (hemagglutinin, monoclonal antibody Mab1) at various hydrophilic regions flanking each of its predicted TMDs, and expressed the recombinant proteins in mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells lacking endogenous ACAT. Each tagged ACAT2 was expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum as a single undegraded protein band and was at least partially active enzymatically. We then used cytoimmunofluorescence and protease protection assays to monitor the sidedness of the hemagglutinin and Mab1 tags along the ER membranes. The results indicated that ACAT2 contains only two detectable TMDs, located near the N terminal region. We also show that a conserved serine (S245), a candidate active site residue, is not essential for ACAT catalysis. Instead, a conserved histidine (H434) present within a hydrophobic peptide segment, may be essential for ACAT catalysis. H434 may be located at the cytoplasmic side of the membrane.

Inhibition of acyl coenzyme A-cholesterol acyltransferase: a possible treatment of atherosclerosis?

Our full understanding of atherosclerosis and our ability to prevent its sequellae are incomplete. As a result, further investigation of novel antiatherosclerotic mechanisms and agents continues. Acyl coenzyme A-cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibition has been evaluated as a potential mechanism by which the current treatment arsenal may be expanded. ACAT is present in a variety of tissues and is responsible for catalyzing the conversion of free cholesterol to the more readily stored cholesteryl esters. Impressive lipid effects demonstrated in animals have not generally been demonstrated in human clinical trials. Partial ACAT inhibition with specific agents has resulted in lesion regression and decreased progression, whereas complete ACAT inhibition via genetic alterations has led to an exacerbation of cholesterol deposition in tissues in animal models. No ACAT inhibitor has yet been fully evaluated in human clinical trials for its impact on atherosclerotic disease progression. Several hurdles, such as sample size requirements needed to detect effect over background therapy and lack of sensitive surrogate efficacy markers, have served as a deterrent to the development of this class of investigational drug. However, with recent technologic advancements, more sensitive methods of measuring disease progression may be available. Human clinical trials are currently underway, with several agents reported in Phase II clinical trials. Within the next few years, results from these trials may determine whether or not ACAT inhibitors will be added to the list of treatment options for the prevention of atherosclerotic disease progression.

A role for smooth endoplasmic reticulum membrane cholesterol ester in determining the intracellular location and regulation of sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein-2

Cellular cholesterol homoeostasis is regulated through proteolysis of the membrane-bound precursor sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein (SREBP) that releases the mature transcription factor form, which regulates gene expression. Our aim was to identify the nature and intracellular site of the putative sterol-regulatory pool which regulates SREBP proteolysis in hamster liver. Cholesterol metabolism was modulated by feeding hamsters control chow, or a cholesterol-enriched diet, or by treatment with simvastatin or with the oral acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor C1-1011 plus cholesterol. The effects of the different treatments on SREBP activation were confirmed by determination of the mRNAs for the low-density lipoprotein receptor and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase and by measurement of HMG-CoA reductase activity. The endoplasmic reticulum was isolated from livers and separated into subfractions by centrifugation in self-generating iodixanol gradients. Immunodetectable SREBP-2 accumulated in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of cholesterol-fed animals. Cholesterol ester levels of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum membrane (but not the cholesterol levels) increased after cholesterol feeding and fell after treatment with simvastatin or C1-1011. The results suggest that an increased cellular cholesterol load causes accumulation of SREBP-2 in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and, therefore, that membrane cholesterol ester may be one signal allowing exit of the SREBP-2/SREBP-cleavage-regulating protein complex to the Golgi.