Turnover of axonally transported phospholipids in nerve endings of retinal ganglion cells

Bimodal occurrence of aspartoacylase in myelin and cytosol of brain

The growing use of N-acetylaspartate as an indicator of neuronal viability has fostered interest in the biological function(s) of this unusual amino acid derivative. In considering the various physiological roles that have been proposed for this relatively abundant molecule one is obliged to take into account its unusual metabolic compartmentalization, according to which synthesis and storage occur in the neuron and hydrolytic cleavage in the oligodendrocyte. The latter reaction, catalyzed by aspartoacylase (ASPA), produces acetyl groups plus aspartate and has been proposed to occur in both soluble and membranous subfractions of white matter. Our study supports such bimodal occurrence and we now present immunoblot, proteomic, and biochemical evidence that the membrane-bound form of ASPA is intrinsic to purified myelin membranes. This was supported by a novel TLC-based method for the assay of ASPA. That observation, together with previous demonstrations of numerous lipid-synthesizing enzymes in myelin, suggests utilization of acetyl groups liberated by myelin-localized ASPA for lipid synthesis within the myelin sheath. Such synthesis might be selective and could explain the deficit of myelin lipids in animals lacking ASPA.

The myelin-axolemmal complex: biochemical dissection and the role of galactosphingolipids

Myelin-axolemmal interactions regulate many cellular and molecular events, including gene expression, oligodendrocyte survival and ion channel clustering. Here we report the biochemical fractionation and enrichment of distinct subcellular domains from myelinated nerve fibers. Using antibodies against proteins found in compact myelin, non-compact myelin and axolemma, we show that a rigorous procedure designed to purify myelin also results in the isolation of the myelin-axolemmal complex, a high-affinity protein complex consisting of axonal and oligodendroglial components. Further, the isolation of distinct subcellular domains from galactolipid-deficient mice with disrupted axoglial junctions is altered in a manner consistent with the delocalization of axolemmal proteins observed in these animals. These results suggest a paradigm for identification of proteins involved in neuroglial signaling.

Intraneuronal N-acetylaspartate supplies acetyl groups for myelin lipid synthesis: evidence for myelin-associated aspartoacylase

Despite its growing use as a radiological indicator of neuronal viability, the biological function of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) has remained elusive. This is due in part to its unusual metabolic compartmentalization wherein the synthetic enzyme occurs in neuronal mitochondria whereas the principal metabolizing enzyme, N-acetyl-L-aspartate amidohydrolase (aspartoacylase), is located primarily in white matter elements. This study demonstrates that within white matter, aspartoacylase is an integral component of the myelin sheath where it is ideally situated to produce acetyl groups for synthesis of myelin lipids. That it functions in this manner is suggested by the fact that myelin lipids of the rat optic system are well labeled following intraocular injection of [14C-acetyl]NAA. This is attributed to uptake of radiolabeled NAA by retinal ganglion cells followed by axonal transport and transaxonal transfer of NAA into myelin, a membrane previously shown to contain many lipid synthesizing enzymes. This study identifies a group of myelin lipids that are so labeled by neuronal [14C]NAA, and demonstrates a different labeling pattern from that produced by neuronal [14C]acetate. High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the deproteinated soluble materials from the optic system following intraocular injection of [14C]NAA revealed only the latter substance and no radiolabeled acetate, suggesting little or no hydrolysis of NAA within mature neurons of the optic system. These results suggest a rationale for the unusual compartmentalization of NAA metabolism and point to NAA as a neuronal constituent that is essential for the formation and/or maintenance of myelin. The relevance of these findings to Canavan disease is discussed.

Light exposure activates retina ganglion cell lysophosphatidic acid acyl transferase and phosphatidic acid phosphatase by a c-fos-dependent mechanism

We previously reported that the biosynthesis of phospholipids in the avian retina is altered by light stimulation, increasing significantly in ganglion cells in light and in photoreceptor cells in dark. In the present work, we have determined that light significantly increases the incorporation of [3H]glycerol into retina ganglion cell glycerophospholipids in vivo by a Fos-dependent mechanism because an oligonucleotide antisense to c-fos mRNA substantially blocked the light-dark differences. We also studied in vitro the enzyme activities of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAPase), lysophosphatidate acyl transferase (AT II), and phosphatidylserine synthase from retinas of chickens exposed to light or dark. Higher PAPase I and AT II activities were found in incubations of retinal ganglion cells from animals exposed to light; no increase was observed in preparations obtained from light-exposed animals treated with the c-fos antisense oligonucleotide. No light-dark differences were found in phosphatidylserine synthase activity. These findings support the idea that a coordinated photic regulation of PAPase I and AT II is taking place in retina ganglion cells. This constitutes a reasonable mechanism to obtain an overall increased synthesis of glycerophospholipids in stimulated cells that is mediated by the expression of Fos-like proteins.

Locally synthesized phosphatidylcholine, but not protein, undergoes rapid retrograde axonal transport in the rat sciatic nerve

Retrograde axonal transport of phosphatidylcholine in the sciatic nerve has been demonstrated only after injection of lipid precursors into the cell body region. We now report, however, that after microinjection (1 microliter) of [methyl-3H]choline chloride into the rat sciatic nerve (35-40 mm distal to the L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia), time-dependent accumulation of 3H-labeled material occurred in dorsal root ganglia ipsilateral, but not contralateral, to the injection site. The level of radioactivity in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia was minimal at 2 h after isotope injection but was significantly increased at 7, 24, 48, and 72 h after intraneural isotope injection (n = 3-8 per time point); at these time points, all of the radiolabel in the chloroform/methanol extract of the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia was present in phosphatidylcholine. The radioactivity in the water-soluble fraction did not show a time-dependent accumulation in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia as compared with the contralateral DRGs, ruling out transport or diffusion of precursor molecules. In addition, colchicine injection into the sciatic nerve proximal to the isotope injection site prevented the accumulation of radiolabel in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia. Therefore, this time-dependent accumulation of radiolabeled phosphatidylcholine in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia is most likely due to retrograde axonal transport of locally synthesized phospholipid material. Moreover, 24 h after injection of both [3H]choline and [35S]-methionine into the sciatic nerve, the ipsilateral/contralateral ratio of radiolabel was 11.7 for 3H but only 1.1 for 35S, indicating that only locally synthesized choline phospholipids, but not protein, were retrogradely transported.

Axon-myelin transfer of phospholipids and phospholipid precursors. Labeling of myelin phosphoinositides through axonal transport

Previous studies have provided evidence for axon-to-myelin transfer of intact lipids and lipid precursors for reutilization by myelin enzymes. Several of the lipid constituents of myelin showed significant contralateral/ipsilateral ratios of incorporated radioactivity, indicative of axonal origin, whereas proteins and certain other lipids did not participate in this transfer-reutilization process. The present study will examine the labeling of myelin phosphoinositides by this pathway. Both 32PO4 and [3H]inositol were injected monocularly into 7-9-wk-old rabbits and myelin was isolated 7 or 21 days later from pooled optic tracts and superior colliculi. In total lipids 32P counts of the isolated myelin samples showed significant contralateral/ipsilateral ratios as well as increasing magnitude of contralateral-ipsilateral differences during the time interval. Thin-layer chromatographic isolation of the myelin phosphoinositides revealed significant 32P-labeling of these species, with PIP and PIP2 showing time-related increases. This resembled the labeling pattern of the major phospholipids from rabbit optic system myelin in a previous study and suggested incorporation of axon-derived phosphate by myelin-associated enzymes. The 32P label in PI, on the other hand, remained constant between 7 and 21 days, suggesting transfer of intact lipid. This was supported by the labeling pattern with [3H]inositol, which also showed no increase over time for PI. These results suggest axon-myelin transfer of intact PI followed by myelin-localized incorporation of axon-derived phosphate groups into PIP and PIP2. The general topic of axon-myelin transfer of phospholipids and phospholipid precursors is reviewed.

Labeling of retina and optic tectum phospholipids in chickens exposed to light or dark

The labeling of retina ganglion cell and optic tectum phospholipids was determined in chickens given an intraocular injection of 32P and then either exposed to light or maintained in the dark. Significantly higher labeling was found in the optic tectum phospholipids of light-exposed compared with dark-maintained animals after 3-24 h of labeling. In the ganglion cells, the labeling of phospholipids increased in dark with respect to light at 15 and 30 min of labeling; from 60 min to 24 h, the labeling of phospholipids was significantly higher in light with respect to dark, even if the precursor pool showed a higher labeling in dark at all times studied. When labeling was allowed to proceed in the dark for 30 min and then half of the animals were exposed to light for 15 min, the labeling of ganglion cell phospholipids of light-exposed animals was significantly higher than those of animals kept in the dark. No individual phospholipid accounted for the differences observed in the labeling of the total phospholipid pool. These results are interpreted as an increase in the biosynthesis of phospholipids in the ganglion cell somas in light with respect to dark.

Phosphatidate phosphohydrolase in purified rat brain myelin

Highly purified myelin from rat brain stem has been shown to contain phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, an enzyme which converts phosphatidate to diacylglycerol. The high levels relative to cytosol and microsomes (17% and 22%, respectively) tended to preclude contamination by these fractions as the source of activity. Additional evidence came from study of repeated purification, mixing experiments, and washing of the myelin with salt and detergent. We conclude that this enzyme, in addition to being widely distributed in other subcellular fractions, is intrinsic to the myelin membrane. Through its activity it generates a key substrate for the cytidine (Kennedy) pathway which was previously shown to occur in this membrane.

Purified rat brain myelin contains measurable acyl-CoA:lysophospholipid acyltransferase(s) but little, if any, glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase

Previous reports from several laboratories have demonstrated the presence of many lipid-metabolizing enzymes in myelin, including all the enzymes needed to convert diacylglycerol to phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Axonal transport studies had suggested the presence of additional enzymes which incorporate acyl chains into specific phospholipids of myelin. We report here evidence for one such group of enzymes, the acyl-CoA:lysophospholipid acyltransferases. At the same time, activity of acyl-CoA:sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase was negligible in myelin. Oleoyl-CoA and arachidonoyl-CoA were both active substrates for transfer of acyl chains to lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylinositol. Activity in myelin varied from 7 to 19% of microsomal activity, values well above the likely level of microsomal contamination as judged by microsomal markers. Additional evidence for a myelin locus came from assays at sequential stages of purification and from mixing experiments. Arachidonoyl-CoA was somewhat more reactive than oleoyl-CoA toward lysophosphatidylcholine; the myelin Km for these two CoA derivatives was 98 microM and 6.6 microM, respectively. Activity with lysophosphatidylinositol as substrate was approximately 40% of that with lysophosphatidylcholine in myelin, whereas activities with lysophosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylserine were considerably less.

Detection of choline kinase in purified rat brain myelin

Choline kinase, an enzyme involved in the Kennedy pathway conversion of diacylglycerol to phosphatidylcholine, was detected in highly purified rat brain myelin at a level equal to 20% that of whole brain homogenate. This was an order of magnitude higher than the specific activity of lactate dehydrogenase, marker for cytosol. Choline kinase was also detected in the P1, P2, P3, and cytosolic fractions with highest relative specific activity in the latter. Myelin washed with buffered sodium chloride or taurocholate retained most of its kinase, indicating that adsorption of the soluble enzyme was unlikely. The results of mixing experiments and repeated purification further indicated that the enzyme is intrinsic to myelin. This finding in concert with previous studies supports the concept that myelin has all the enzymes needed to convert diacylglycerol to phosphatidylcholine.

Long-chain acyl-coenzyme A synthetase in rat brain myelin

Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.3), an enzyme(s) that activates fatty acids prior to incorporation into phospholipids and other substances, has been detected in highly purified myelin from rat brain stem. The high levels relative to microsomes (11% and 15% for oleate and arachidonate, respectively) tended to preclude contamination by the latter membrane as the source of activity. Additional evidence came from sequential purification and mixing experiments. Km values were not appreciably different for the two substrates with the two membranes, but Vmax values were approximately 2-4-fold greater for arachidonate in both membranes. Triton X-100 increased activity somewhat in myelin but not in microsomes; with arachidonate as substrate it reduced activity in the latter. Heat inactivation studies and pH profiles suggested the presence of two different enzymes, as previously shown for other tissues.

Ethanolamine kinase activity in purified myelin of rat brain

Highly purified rat brain myelin showed a significant level of ethanolamine kinase, amounting to 17% of the specific activity of whole brain homogenate. This kinase level in myelin was an order of magnitude higher than that of lactate dehydrogenase, a marker for cytosol. Subcellular distribution studies revealed that in addition to myelin, this kinase was present in the P1, P2, P3, and cytosolic fractions with highest relative specific activity in the latter. The possibility that myelin activity resulted from adsorption of the soluble enzyme was unlikely since activity was retained in myelin that had been washed with buffered sodium chloride or taurocholate. Mixing experiments and repeated purification further indicated that the enzyme is intrinsic to myelin. Kinetic studies indicated similar Km values for ethanolamine in the microsomal, cytosolic, and myelin fractions but a significantly lower apparent Km for ATP in myelin. This and other differences suggested the possible existence of isozymes. Establishment of the presence of this kinase completes the list of phospholipid synthesizing enzymes needed to synthesize phosphatidylethanolamine from diacylglycerol within the myelin membrane.

Remodeling and sorting process of ethanolamine and choline glycerophospholipids during their axonal transport in the rabbit optic pathway

The existence of a mechanism by which the ester- and ether-linked aliphatic chains of the major phospholipids are retailored during their axonal transport and sorted to specific membrane systems along the optic nerve and tract was investigated. A mixture of [1-14C]hexadecanol and [3H]arachidonic acid was injected into the vitreous body of albino rabbits. At 24 h and 8 days later, the distribution (as measured by the 3H/14C ratio) and the positioning (as monitored by hydrolytic procedures) of radioactivity in the various phospholipid classes of retina, purified axons, and myelin of the optic nerve and tract were determined. At the two intervals after labeling, the 3H/14C ratios of each diradyl type of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine were (a) substantially unchanged all along the axons within the optic nerve and tract and (b) markedly modified in comparison with those found in the retina and axons for molecular species selectively restricted to myelin sheath. Evidence is thus available that intraxonally moving ethanolamine and choline glycerophospholipids, among others, are added to axonal membranes most likely without extensive modifications. In contrast, they are transferred into myelin after retailoring. Through these two processes, the sorting and targeting of newly synthesized phospholipids to their correct membrane domains, such as axoplasmic organelles, axolemma, or periaxonal myelin, could be controlled.

Lipids of nervous tissue: composition and metabolism

As indicated in the Introduction, the many significant developments in the recent past in our knowledge of the lipids of the nervous system have been collated in this article. That there is a sustained interest in this field is evident from the rather long bibliography which is itself selective. Obviously, it is not possible to summarize a review in which the chemistry, distribution and metabolism of a great variety of lipids have been discussed. However, from the progress of research, some general conclusions may be drawn. The period of discovery of new lipids in the nervous system appears to be over. All the major lipid components have been discovered and a great deal is now known about their structure and metabolism. Analytical data on the lipid composition of the CNS are available for a number of species and such data on the major areas of the brain are also at hand but information on the various subregions is meagre. Such investigations may yet provide clues to the role of lipids in brain function. Compared to CNS, information on PNS is less adequate. Further research on PNS would be worthwhile as it is amenable for experimental manipulation and complex mechanisms such as myelination can be investigated in this tissue. There are reports correlating lipid constituents with the increased complexity in the organization of the nervous system during evolution. This line of investigation may prove useful. The basic aim of research on the lipids of the nervous tissue is to unravel their functional significance. Most of the hydrophobic moieties of the nervous tissue lipids are comprised of very long chain, highly unsaturated and in some cases hydroxylated residues, and recent studies have shown that each lipid class contains characteristic molecular species. Their contribution to the properties of neural membranes such as excitability remains to be elucidated. Similarly, a large proportion of the phospholipid molecules in the myelin membrane are ethanolamine plasmalogens and their importance in this membrane is not known. It is firmly established that phosphatidylinositol and possibly polyphosphoinositides are involved with events at the synapse during impulse propagation, but their precise role in molecular terms is not clear. Gangliosides, with their structural complexity and amphipathic nature, have been implicated in a number of biological events which include cellular recognition and acting as adjuncts at receptor sites. More recently, growth promoting and neuritogenic functions have been ascribed to gangliosides. These interesting properties of gangliosides wIll undoubtedly attract greater attention in the future.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Axon-myelin transfer of glycerol-labeled lipids and inorganic phosphate during axonal transport

Axon-to-myelin transfer of lipids precursors have been studied in the rabbit optic system by intraocular injection of [32P]orthophosphate, [14C]glycerol and [3H]glycerol. Choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides and myelin showed increasing [32P]-radioactivity between 7 and 21 days following injection, while [3H]- and [14C]-radioactivities remained relative constant. The latter radioactivities decreased, however, in all the axon- and axolemma-enriched fractions during the same period. These findings supported the concept that a portion of substances undergoing axonal transport enters the pool of myelin lipids by two mechanisms: transcellular transfer of intact lipid and axon-myelin transfer of precursors which are re-utilized for lipid biosynthesis by myelin-localized enzymes. The present study shows that inorganic phosphate, possibly generated by catabolic activity within the axon, is able to enter myelin and participate in the re-utilization mechanism as previously described for serine, choline and acyl chains. The relative invariance of the 3H:14C ratio suggested that the majority of glycerol is not re-utilized in this manner but probably enters myelin through transfer of intact lipid. These and earlier results suggest a possible form of metabolic dependence of myelin on tropine substances from the axon.

Differences in the kinetics of axonal transport for individual lipid classes in rat sciatic nerve

Lipid precursors ([2-3H]glycerol for phospholipids and [3H]acetate for cholesterol) were injected into the L-5 dorsal root ganglion of adult rats. At various times, animals were killed, the ganglion and consecutive 5-mm segments of sciatic nerve were dissected, and lipids were extracted and analyzed by TLC. Individual lipid classes exhibited markedly different transport patterns. The crest of radioactive phosphatidylcholine moved as a sharply defined front at about 300 mm/day, with a relatively flat plateau behind the moving crest. Although some radioactive phosphatidylethanolamine also moved at the same rate, the crest was continually attenuated as it moved so that a gradient of radioactive phosphatidylethanolamine along the axon was maintained for several days. Transported diphosphatidylglycerol exhibited a defined crest, as did phosphatidylcholine, but moved at about half the rate. Labeled cholesterol was transported at a rapid rate similar to that for phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, but like phosphatidylethanolamine, the initial moving crest of radioactivity was continually attenuated. Relative to the phospholipids, cholesterol showed a more prolonged period of accumulation in the axons and was more metabolically stable. We propose that most labeled phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and cholesterol is transported in similar (or the same) rapidly moving membranous particles. Once incorporated into these particles, molecules of phosphatidylcholine tend to maintain associated with them during transport. In contrast, molecules of phosphatidylethanolamine and cholesterol in these transported particles exchange extensively with unlabeled molecules in stationary axonal structures. Diphosphatidylglycerol, localized in a specialized organelle, the mitochondrion, is transported at a slower rate than other phospholipids, and does not exchange with other structures.