Showing papers on "ATP citrate lyase published in 2005"

Hepatitis C virus RNA replication is regulated by host geranylgeranylation and fatty acids

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that high-level HCV replication during acute infection of chimpanzees is associated with the modulation of multiple genes involved in lipid metabolism, and that drugs that regulate cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis regulate the replication of the subgenomic HCV replicon in Huh-7 cells. In this article, we demonstrate that Huh-7 cells harboring replicating, full-length HCV RNAs express elevated levels of ATP citrate lyase and acetyl-CoA synthetase genes, both of which are involved in cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis. Further, we confirm that the cholesterol-biosynthetic pathway controls HCV RNA replication by regulating the cellular levels of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, we demonstrate that the impact of geranylgeranylation depends on the fatty acid content of the cell, and we show that fatty acids can either stimulate or inhibit HCV replication, depending on their degree of saturation. These results illustrate a complex cellular-regulatory network that controls HCV RNA replication, presumably by modulating the trafficking and association of cellular and/or viral proteins with cellular membranes, suggesting that pharmacologic manipulation of these pathways may have a therapeutic effect in chronic HCV infection.

ATP citrate lyase is an important component of cell growth and transformation

Abstract: Cell proliferation requires a constant supply of lipids and lipid precursors to fuel membrane biogenesis and protein modification. Cytokine stimulation of hematopoietic cells directly stimulates glucose utilization in excess of bioenergetic demand, resulting in a shift from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism. A potential benefit of this form of metabolism is the channeling of glucose into biosynthetic pathways. Here we report that glucose supports de novo lipid synthesis in growing hematopoietic cells in a manner regulated by cytokine availability and the PI 3 K/Akt signaling pathway. The net conversion of glucose to lipid is dependent on the ability of cells to produce cytosolic acetyl CoA from mitochondria-derived citrate through the action of ATP citrate lyase (ACL). Stable knockdown of ACL leads to a significant impairment of glucose-dependent lipid synthesis and an elevation of mitochondrial membrane potential. Cells with ACL knockdown display decreased cytokine-stimulated cell proliferation. In contrast, these cells resist cell death induced by either cytokine or glucose withdrawal. However, ACL knockdown significantly impairs Akt-mediated tumorigenesis in vivo. These data suggest that enzymes involved in the conversion of glucose to lipid may be targets for the treatment of pathologic cell growth.

Evidence for Autotrophic CO2 Fixation via the Reductive Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle by Members of the ε Subdivision of Proteobacteria

Abstract: Based on 16S rRNA gene surveys, bacteria of the e subdivision of proteobacteria have been identified to be important members of microbial communities in a variety of environments, and quite a few have been demonstrated to grow autotrophically. However, no information exists on what pathway of autotrophic carbon fixation these bacteria might use. In this study, Thiomicrospira denitrificans and Candidatus Arcobacter sulfidicus, two chemolithoautotrophic sulfur oxidizers of the e subdivision of proteobacteria, were examined for activities of the key enzymes of the known autotrophic CO 2 fixation pathways. Both organisms contained activities of the key enzymes of the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle, ATP citrate lyase, 2-oxoglutarate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, and pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase. Furthermore, no activities of key enzymes of other CO 2 fixation pathways, such as the Calvin cycle, the reductive acetyl coenzyme A pathway, and the 3-hydroxypropionate cycle, could be detected. In addition to the key enzymes, the activities of the other enzymes involved in the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle could be measured. Sections of the genes encoding the α- and β-subunits of ATP citrate lyase could be amplified from both organisms. These findings represent the first direct evidence for the operation of the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle for autotrophic CO 2 fixation in e-proteobacteria. Since e-proteobacteria closely related to these two organisms are important in many habitats, such as hydrothermal vents, oxic-sulfidic interfaces, or oilfields, these results suggest that autotrophic CO 2 fixation via the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle might be more important than previously considered.

Reverse Genetic Characterization of Cytosolic Acetyl-CoA Generation by ATP-Citrate Lyase in Arabidopsis

Abstract: Acetyl-CoA provides organisms with the chemical flexibility to biosynthesize a plethora of natural products that constitute much of the structural and functional diversity in nature. Recent studies have characterized a novel ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) in the cytosol of Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, we report the use of antisense RNA technology to generate a series of Arabidopsis lines with a range of ACL activity. Plants with even moderately reduced ACL activity have a complex, bonsai phenotype, with miniaturized organs, smaller cells, aberrant plastid morphology, reduced cuticular wax deposition, and hyperaccumulation of starch, anthocyanin, and stress-related mRNAs in vegetative tissue. The degree of this phenotype correlates with the level of reduction in ACL activity. These data indicate that ACL is required for normal growth and development and that no other source of acetyl-CoA can compensate for ACL-derived acetyl-CoA. Exogenous malonate, which feeds into the carboxylation pathway of acetyl-CoA metabolism, chemically complements the morphological and chemical alterations associated with reduced ACL expression, indicating that the observed metabolic alterations are related to the carboxylation pathway of cytosolic acetyl-CoA metabolism. The observations that limiting the expression of the cytosolic enzyme ACL reduces the accumulation of cytosolic acetyl-CoA-derived metabolites and that these deficiencies can be alleviated by exogenous malonate indicate that ACL is a nonredundant source of cytosolic acetyl-CoA.

A Comparative Study of Citrate Efflux from Mitochondria of Oleaginous and Non-oleaginous Yeasts

Abstract: Citrate efflux from mitochondria of 10 different yeasts was investigated. 1 Isolated mitochondria of all the yeasts show the possession of a carrier system for dicarboxylic and tricarboxylic anions, phosphate and pyruvate. 2 The tricarboxylate carrier is also specific for l-malate in all 10 yeasts. 3 In citrate-loaded mitochondria, citrate efflux and l-malate uptake are directly proportional to the concentration of extramitochondrial l-malate until the translocator becomes saturated (> 8 mM l-malate in Candida curvata D). 4 Rates of citrate efflux in the presence of l-malate are linear for a period of 2 min and are approximately 2.5-times greater in oleaginous than in non-oleaginous yeasts. 5 The malate-citrate translocator has a significantly lower Km for l-malate in oleaginous yeasts (∼ 4.0 mM) than in non-oleaginous yeasts (∼ 8.4 mM). 6 Both pyruvate and phosphate appear to stimulate the malate-citrate exchange in mitochondria of C. curvata D. 7 Oleginous yeast mitochondria contain 3—4-times higher intramitochondrial citrate levels than non-oleaginous yeast. In all these yeasts the enzymes for synthesis and metabolism of citrate were exclusively mitochondrial, the only exception being the possession of a cytosolic ATP; citrate lyase by oleaginous yeasts. 8 In metabolically active mitochondria, once the malate-citrate carrie is saturated with l-malate, efflux of citrate is directly proportional to the concentration of extramitochondrial pyruvate (as acetyl donor). 9 The rates of efflux of newly synthesised citrate from metabolically active mitochondria, in the presence of saturating l-malate and pyruvate, are 6–8-times greater in oleaginous yeasts and the citric-acid-producing yeast. 10 The inhibition of aconitase by fluorocitrate produced a ninefold increase in citrate efflux from non-oleaginous yeast mitochondria but only a slight increase in oleaginous yeasts. 11 It is concluded that in fully functional yeast mitochondria, citrate efflux is limited by the amount of intra-mitochondrial citrate made available to the citrate translocator for exchange.

Characterization of Citrate Synthase from Geobacter sulfurreducens and Evidence for a Family of Citrate Synthases Similar to Those of Eukaryotes throughout the Geobacteraceae

Abstract: Members of the family Geobacteraceae are commonly the predominant Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms in sedimentary environments, as well as on the surface of energy-harvesting electrodes, and are able to effectively couple the oxidation of acetate to the reduction of external electron acceptors. Citrate synthase activity of these organisms is of interest due to its key role in acetate metabolism. Prior sequencing of the genome of Geobacter sulfurreducens revealed a putative citrate synthase sequence related to the citrate synthases of eukaryotes. All citrate synthase activity in G. sulfurreducens could be resolved to a single 49-kDa protein via affinity chromatography. The enzyme was successfully expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli with similar properties as the native enzyme, and kinetic parameters were comparable to related citrate synthases (kcat 8.3 s 1 ; Km 14.1 and 4.3 M for acetyl coenzyme A and oxaloacetate, respectively). The enzyme was dimeric and was slightly inhibited by ATP (Ki 1.9 mM for acetyl coenzyme A), which is a known inhibitor for many eukaryotic, dimeric citrate synthases. NADH, an allosteric inhibitor of prokaryotic hexameric citrate synthases, did not affect enzyme activity. Unlike most prokaryotic dimeric citrate synthases, the enzyme did not have any methylcitrate synthase activity. A unique feature of the enzyme, in contrast to citrate synthases from both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, was a lack of stimulation by K ions. Similar citrate synthase sequences were detected in a diversity of other Geobacteraceae members. This first characterization of a eukaryotic-like citrate synthase from a prokaryote provides new insight into acetate metabolism in Geobacteraceae members and suggests a molecular target for tracking the presence and activity of these organisms in the environment.

Adipose Gene Expression Patterns of Weight Gain Suggest Counteracting Steroid Hormone Synthesis

Abstract: VAN SCHOTHORST, EVERT M., NICOLE FRANSSEN-VAN HAL, MIRJAM M. SCHAAP, JEROEN PENNINGS, BARBARA HOEBEE, AND JAAP KEIJER. Adipose gene expression patterns of weight gain suggest counteracting steroid hormone synthesis. Obes Res. 2005;13:1031-1041. Objective: To identify early molecular changes in weight gain, using analysis of gene expression changes in adipose tissue of mice fed well-defined humanized (Western) high-fat and low-fat (control) diets during a short (3- to 5-week) time interval. Research Methods and Procedures: An adipose-enriched cDNA microarray was constructed and used for the expression analyses of visceral adipose tissues of wildtype young adult C57BL/6J male mice on different diets. Results: Mice on a high-fat diet had significantly higher body weight (at most, 9.6% greater) and adipose tissue weights compared with mice on a control diet. Gene expression analyses revealed 31 transcripts significantly differentially expressed in visceral adipose tissue between the diet groups. Most of these genes were expressed more on the high-fat diet. They mainly encode proteins involved in cellular structure (e.g., myosin, procollagen, vimentin) and lipid metabolism (e.g., leptin, lipoprotein lipase, carbonic anhydrase 3). This increase in gene expression was accompanied by a decrease in oxidative phosphorylation and carbohydrate metabolism (ATP citrate lyase). Importantly, genes belonging to steroid hormone biosynthesis (3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1, cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450, and steroid-11 beta-hydroxylase) were all expressed less in mice on a high-fat diet. Discussion: A short time period of 3 to 5 weeks of high-fat feeding altered gene expression patterns in visceral adipose tissue in male mice. Gene expression changes indicate initiation of adipose tissue enlargement and the down-regulation of adipose steroid hormone biosynthesis. The latter suggests a mechanism by which initial progression toward weight gain is counteracted.

Synthesis and pharmacological activities of amine-boranes.

Abstract: A number of amine-boranes and related derivatives possess a wide range of biological activities including antineoplastic, antiviral, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory activities, anti-osteoporotic and dopamine receptor antagonist activities. The compounds include borane complexes of alpha-amino acids, aromatic, aliphatic and heterocyclic amines, and nucleosides. The syntheses of amine-borane derivatives are generally carried out by first preparing a tertiary amine- or phosphine-cyano- or carboxyborane to serve as a borane donor for a subsequent Lewis acid exchange reaction. Borane adducts of simple aliphatic amines, heterocyclic amines and nucleic acids demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity in vitro and in vivo against murine and human tumor models. These boron-containing compounds were shown to inhibit DNA synthesis; such inhibition was caused primarily by reducing de novo purine biosynthesis via inhibition of PRPP amidotransferase, IMP dehydrogenase and dihydrofolate reductase activities. Aliphatic, heterocyclic and nucleoside amine-boranes have also been shown to possess hypolipidemic activity in mice and rats. Many boron derivatives from different chemical classes demonstrated both cytotoxic and hypolipidemic activities. They decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. The mode of action of these compounds in the 50-100 microM concentration range appeared to be by increasing lipid excretion from the body and by inhibiting rate-limiting enzyme activities for the de novo synthesis of lipids and cholesterol (e.g., phosphatidylate phosphohydrolase, ATP-dependent citrate lyase, cytoplasmic acetyl coenzyme A [CoA] synthetase, HMG CoA reductase, and acetyl CoA carboxylase). Selected amine-boranes (e.g., trimethylamine-cyanoborane, N-methylmorpholine-cyanoborane, and the base-boronated 2'-deoxynucleosides) have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-arthritic and anti-osteoporotic activities.

Production of Hydroxycitric Acid by Microorganisms

Abstract: Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is a major acid component of the tropical plants Garcinia cambogia and Hibiscus subdariffa. (2S,3S)-HCA from G. cambogia was shown to be a potent inhibitor of ATP citrate lyase (EC4.1.3.8), which catalyzes the extramitochondrial cleavage of citrate to oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA. (2S,3R)-HCA from H. subdariffa inhibits alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, leading to reduction of carbohydrate metabolism. The availability of HCA is limited by the restricted habitat of the plants as well as the difficulty of stereoselective organic synthesis. Hence, we screened microorganisms producing HCA to find an alternative source of optically pure bulk HCA. Two strains, Streptomyces sp. U121 and Bacillus megaterium G45C, were screened by HPLC analysis. Particular metabolites were purified from their culture broths and compared with authentic HCA from plants. NMR studies indicated that the products are identical to Hibiscus-type HCA. This is the first report showing isolation of microorganisms producing HCA.

Effects of potassium-magnesium citrate supplementation on cytosolic ATP citrate lyase and mitochondrial aconitase activity in leukocytes: a window on renal citrate metabolism.

Abstract: Background: An increase in urinary citrate excretion is associated with a decrease in activity of renal cortical cytosolic ATP citrate lyase (ACL) and mitochondrial aconitase (m-aconitase). Because potassium-magnesium citrate causes an increase in urinary citrate excretion, we decided to assess its effects on ACL and m-aconitase in the leukocytes of renal stone patients. Methods: Twenty male renal stone patients were supplemented with potassium-magnesium citrate twice daily (i.e. 42 mEq potassium, 21 mEq magnesium, and 63 mEq citrate per day) for a period of 1 month. Two 24-h urine and one 15-mL heparinized blood samples were collected from each patient before and after supplementation. Urine samples were analyzed for relevant biochemical compositions. Leukocytes were separated from blood samples by centrifugation and assayed for ACL and m-aconitase activity. Results: Supplementation with potassium-magnesium citrate significantly increased urinary pH (P < 0.005) and excretions of potassium (P < 0.001), magnesium (P < 0.001) and citrate (P < 0.0001). The activity of both ACL and m-aconitase were significantly decreased (P < 0.004 and P < 0.02 respectively). The decrease in ACL activity was inversely correlated with an increase in urinary excretion of both potassium (r = −0.620, P < 0.0001) and citrate (r = −0.451, P < 0.004). A similar inverse correlation was observed between m-aconitase activity and urinary excretion of citrate (r = −0.322, P < 0.043). Conclusion: Changes in enzyme activity, related to citrate metabolism in leukocytes, might reflect the status of renal tubular cells.