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At least 811 records · Page 45

Liquid Crystal Enabled Early Stage Detection of Beta Amyloid Formation on Lipid Monolayers

Liquid crystals (LCs) can serve as sensitive reporters of interfacial events, and this property has been used for sensing of synthetic or biological toxins. Here it is demonstrated that LCs can distinguish distinct molecular motifs and exhibit a specific response to beta-sheet structures. That property is used to detect the formation of highly toxic protofibrils involved in neurodegenerative diseases, where it is crucial to develop methods that probe the early-stage aggregation of amyloidogenic peptides in the vicinity of biological membranes. In the proposed method, the amyloid fibrils formed at the lipid-decorated LC interface can change the orientation of LCs and form elongated and branched structures that are amplified by the mesogenic medium; however, nonamyloidogenic peptides form ellipsoidal domains of tilted LCs. Moreover, a theoretical and computational analysis is used to reveal the underlying structure of the LC, thereby providing a detailed molecular-level view of the interactions and mechanisms responsible for such motifs. The corresponding signatures can be detected at nanomolar concentrations of peptide by polarized light microscopy and much earlier than the ones that can be identified by fluorescence-based techniques. As such, it offers the potential for early diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases and for facile testing of inhibitors of amyloid formation.

Sadati, Monirosadat↗

Photoresponsive Rotaxanes Switch Lipid Bilayer Neuromorphic Behavior with Light

A rotaxane consisting of a macrocycle ring with two azobenzene units mechanically interlocked onto a bolaamphiphilic axle was incorporated into droplet interface bilayers (DIBs). The azobenzene groups on the ring underwent quasi-reversible, photoisomerization-induced cycling between 1-E and 1-Z configurations when irradiated with 370 and 467 nm light, respectively, enabling programmable access to different history-dependent electrical behaviors from the same membrane. In the 1-E configuration, bilayers exhibited type-IIactive memristance that coincided with increasingly elevated ionic conduction, associated with progressively enhanced bilayer permeability during voltage cycling. In the 1-Z configuration, bilayers displayed type-I, passive memcapacitive behavior, reflecting tighter lipid packing and reduced ionic permeability. Photoswitching also yielded a nonvolatile, photoresponsive memcapacitor that could be modulated repetitively with negligible loss, likely via reversible changes in membrane thickness. Concurrent ohmic leakage currents across the membrane were less than 0.3%. These results agree with previous studies with increasing membrane permeability using photoswitchable rotaxanes and provide new insights into the coupling between volatile and nonvolatile memcapacitance during photoisomerization. More broadly, they demonstrate a new strategy for the manipulation of neuromorphic behaviors in soft materials using light, with implications for brain-inspired computation and sensing.

droplet interface bilayers↗

Three-Dimensional Imaging of Lipids and Metabolites in Tissues by Nanospray Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) imaging of tissue sections is a new frontier in mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). Here we report on fast 3D imaging of lipids and metabolites associated with mouse uterine decidual cells and embryo at the implantation site on day 6 of pregnancy. 2D imaging of 16-20 serial tissue sections deposited on the same glass slide was performed using nanospray desorption electrospray ionization (nano-DESI) – an ambient ionization technique that enables sensitive localized analysis of analytes on surfaces without special sample pre-treatment. In this proof-of-principle study, nano-DESI was coupled to a high-resolution Q-Exactive instrument operated at high repetition rate of >5 Hz with moderate mass resolution of 35,000 (m/Δm at m/z 200), which enabled acquisition of the entire 3D image with a spatial resolution of ~150 μm in less than 4.5 hours. The results demonstrate localization of acetylcholine in the primary decidual zone (PDZ) of the implantation site throughout the depth of the tissue examined, indicating an important role of this signaling molecule in decidualization. Choline and phosphocholine – metabolites associated with cell growth – are enhanced in the PDZ and abundant in other cellular regions of the implantation site. Very different 3D distributions were obtained for fatty acids (FA), oleic acid and linoleic acid (FA 18:1 and FA 18:2), differing only by one double bond. Localization of FA 18:2 in the PDZ indicates its important role in decidualization while FA 18:1 is distributed more evenly throughout the tissue. In contrast, several lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC) observed in this study show donut-like distributions with localization around the PDZ. Complementary distributions with minimal overlap were observed for LPC 18:0 and FA 18:2 while the 3D image of the potential precursor phosphatidylcholine (PC 36:2) showed a significant overlap with both LPC 18:0 and FA 18:2.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

Unveiling the Dynamics of KRAS4b on Lipid Model Membranes

Abstract Small GTPase proteins are ubiquitous and responsible for regulating several processes related to cell growth and differentiation. Mutations that stabilize their active state can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer. Although these proteins are well characterized at the cellular scale, the molecular mechanisms governing their functions are still poorly understood. In addition, there is limited information about the regulatory function of the cell membrane which supports their activity. Thus, we have studied the dynamics and conformations of the farnesylated KRAS4b in various membrane model systems, ranging from binary fluid mixtures to heterogeneous raft mimics. Our approach combines long time-scale coarse-grained (CG) simulations and Markov state models to dissect the membrane-supported dynamics of KRAS4b. Our simulations reveal that protein dynamics is mainly modulated by the presence of anionic lipids and to some extent by the nucleotide state (activation) of the protein. In addition, our results suggest that both the farnesyl and the polybasic hypervariable region (HVR) are responsible for its preferential partitioning within the liquid-disordered (Ld) domains in membranes, potentially enhancing the formation of membrane-driven signaling platforms. Graphic Abstract

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Adsorption Study of Acid Soluble Lignin Removal from Sugarcane Bagasse Hydrolysate by a Self-Synthesized Resin for Lipid Production

An adsorption resin CX-6 was synthesized and used for acid soluble lignin (ASL) removal from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate (SCBH). The adsorption conditions of pH value, amount of adsorbent, initial ASL concentration, and temperature on ASL adsorption were discussed. The results showed the adsorption capacity of ASL was negatively affected by increasing temperature, solution pH, and adsorbent dose, and was positively affected by increasing initial concentration. The maximum adsorption capacity of ASL was 135.3 mg/g at initial ASL concentration 6.46 g/L, adsorption temperature 298 K, and pH 1. Thermodynamic study demonstrated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Equilibrium and kinetics experiments were proved to fit the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order model well, respectively. Fermentation experiment showed that the SCBH after combined overliming with resin adsorption as fermentation substrate for microbial lipid production by Trichosporon cutaneum and Trichosporon coremiiforme was as better as that of SCBH by combined overliming with active charcoal adsorption, and more efficient than that of SCBH only by overliming. Moreover, the regeneration experiment indicated that the CX-6 resin is easy to regenerate and its recirculated performance is stable. In conclusion, our results provide a promising adsorbent to detoxify lignocellulose hydrolysate for further fermentation.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Vinpocetine attenuates lipid accumulation and atherosclerosis formation

Highlights: •Vinpocetine attenuates hyperlipidemia-induced atherosclerosis in a mouse model. •Vinpocetine antagonizes ox-LDL uptake and accumulation in macrophages. •Vinpocetine blocks the induction of ox-LDL receptor LOX-1 in vitro and in vivo. -- Abstract: Atherosclerosis, the major cause of myocardial infarction and stroke, is a chronic arterial disease characterized by lipid deposition and inflammation in the vessel wall. Cholesterol, in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Vinpocetine, a derivative of the alkaloid vincamine, has long been used as a cerebral blood flow enhancer for treating cognitive impairment. Recent study indicated that vinpocetine is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. However, its role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis remains unexplored. In the present study, we show that vinpocetine significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation in ApoE knockout mice fed with a high-fat diet. In cultured murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells, vinpocetine markedly attenuated oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) uptake and foam cell formation. Moreover, vinpocetine greatly blocked the induction of ox-LDL receptor 1 (LOX-1) in cultured macrophages as well as in the LOX-1 level in atherosclerotic lesions. Taken together, our data reveal a novel role of vinpocetine in reduction of pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, at least partially through suppressing LOX-1 signaling pathway. Given the excellent safety profile of vinpocetine, this study suggests vinpocetine may be a therapeutic candidate for treating atherosclerosis.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Fatty acid transport protein-2 inhibitor Grassofermata/CB5 protects cells against lipid accumulation and toxicity

The inhibition of the fatty acid uptake into non-adipose tissues provides an attractive target for prevention of lipotoxicity leading to obesity-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs) are bifunctional proteins involved in the uptake and activation of fatty acids by esterification with coenzyme A. Here we characterize Grassofermata/CB5, previously identified as a fatty acid uptake inhibitor directed against HsFATP2. The compound was effective in inhibiting the uptake of fatty acids in the low micro-molar range (IC{sub 50} 8–11 μM) and prevented palmitate-mediated lipid accumulation and cell death in cell lines that are models for intestines, liver, muscle and pancreas. In adipocytes, uptake inhibition was less effective (IC{sub 50} 58 μM). Inhibition was specific for long chain fatty acids and was ineffective toward medium chain fatty acids, which are transported by diffusion. Kinetic analysis of Grassofermata-dependent FA transport inhibition verified a non-competitive mechanism. By comparison with Grassofermata, several atypical antipsychotic drugs previously implicated as inhibitors of FA uptake were ineffectual. In mice Grassofermata decreased absorption of {sup 13}C-oleate demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic agent. - Highlights: • Grassofermata is a small compound inhibitor of FATP2. • Uptake inhibition is specific for long chain fatty acids. • Uptake kinetics shows low specificity for adipocytes compared to other cell types. • Inhibition is by a non-competitive mechanism. • Atypical antipsychotics do not inhibit FA uptake by comparison with Grassofermata.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Impaired biosynthesis of the non-bilayer lipids phosphatidylethanolamine or cardiolipin does not affect peroxisome biogenesis and proliferation in Sacchavamyces cerevisiae

The non-bilayer forming lipids cardiolipin (CL) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) modulate membrane curvature, facilitate membrane fusion and affect the stability and function of membrane proteins. Yeast peroxisomal membranes contain significant amounts of CL and PE. We analysed the effect of CL deficiency and PE depletion on peroxisome biogenesis and proliferation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our data indicate that deletion of CRD1, which encodes cardiolipin synthase, does not affect peroxisome biogenesis or abundance, both at peroxisome repressing (glucose) or inducing (oleate) growth conditions. Analysis of strains deficient in one of the three PE biosynthesis pathways (psd1, psd2 or the triple deletion strain eki1 cki1 dpl1) revealed that in all three strains peroxisome numbers were reduced upon growth of cells on oleic acid, whereas the psd1 strain also showed a reduction in peroxisome abundance upon growth on glucose. Because PE is an intermediate of the phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis pathway, PE depletion affects PC formation. PC however can be synthesized by an alternative pathway when choline is supplemented to the growth medium. Because the addition of choline resulted in suppression of the peroxisome phenotypes in phosphatidylserine decarboxylase mutant strains, we conclude that peroxisome biogenesis and proliferation are not crucially dependent on CL or PE. - Highlights: • Impaired synthesis of cardiolipin does not affect peroxisomal matrix protein import. • Lack of cardiolipin does not influence peroxisome abundance. • Phosphatidylethanolamine depletion does not affect peroxisomes.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Sodium butyrate attenuates soybean oil-based lipid emulsion-induced increase in intestinal permeability of lipopolysaccharide by modulation of P-glycoprotein in Caco-2 cells

Down-regulation of intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) by soybean oil-based lipid emulsion (SOLE) may cause elevated intestinal permeability of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in patients with total parenteral nutrition, but the appropriate preventative treatment is currently limited. Recently, sodium butyrate (NaBut) has been demonstrated to regulate the expression of P-gp. Therefore, this study aimed to address whether treatment with NaBut could attenuate SOLE-induced increase in intestinal permeability of LPS by modulation of P-gp in vitro. Caco-2 cells were exposed to SOLE with or without NaBut. SOLE-induced down-regulation of P-gp was significantly attenuated by co-incubation with NaBut. Nuclear recruitment of FOXO 3a in response to NaBut was involved in P-gp regulation. Transport studies revealed that SOLE-induced increase in permeability of LPS was significantly attenuated by co-incubation with NaBut. Collectively, our results suggested that NaBut may be a potentially useful medication to prevent SOLE-induced increase in intestinal permeability of LPS. - Highlights: • Caco-2 cells were used as models for studying parenteral nutrition in vitro. • NaBut restored SOLE-induced down-regulation of P-gp in Caco-2 cells. • Regulation of P-gp by NaBut was mediated via nuclear recruitment of FOXO 3a. • NaBut modulated the permeability of LPS by P-gp function, not barrier function.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 impairs insulin signaling and promotes lipid accumulation in hepatocytes

Dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 [DPP-4) has evolved into an important target in diabetes therapy due to its role in incretin hormone metabolism. In contrast to its systemic effects, cellular functions of membranous DPP-4 are less clear. Here we studied the role of DPP-4 in hepatic energy metabolism. In order to distinguish systemic from cellular effects we established a cell culture model of DPP-4 knockdown in human hepatoma cell line HepG2. DPP-4 suppression was associated with increased basal glycogen content due to enhanced insulin signaling as shown by increased phosphorylation of insulin-receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), protein kinase B/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)/ERK, respectively. Additionally, glucose-6-phosphatase cDNA expression was significantly decreased in DPP-4 deficiency. Reduced triglyceride content in DPP-4 knockdown cells was paralleled by enhanced expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase −1 (CPT-1) while sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) expression was significantly decreased. Our data suggest that hepatic DPP-4 induces a selective pathway of insulin resistance with reduced glycogen storage, enhanced glucose output and increased lipid accumulation in the liver. Hepatic DPP-4 might be a novel target in fatty liver disease in patients with glucose intolerance. - Highlights: • DPP-IV knockdown results in increased insulin signaling in hepatocytes. • Increased fatty acid oxidation and decreased lipogenesis result in reduced hepatic triglyceride content in DPP-IV deficiency. • Hepatic DPP-IV induces a selective pathway of insulin resistance with increased triglyceride accumulation in the liver.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

FPLD2 LMNA mutation R482W dysregulates iPSC-derived adipocyte function and lipid metabolism

Lipodystrophies are disorders that directly affect lipid metabolism and storage. Familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 (FPLD2) is caused by an autosomal dominant mutation in the LMNA gene. FPLD2 is characterized by abnormal adipose tissue distribution. This leads to metabolic deficiencies, such as insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia. Here we have derived iPSC lines from two individuals diagnosed with FPLD2, and differentiated these cells into adipocytes. Adipogenesis and certain adipocyte functions are impaired in FPLD2-adipocytes. Consistent with the lipodystrophic phenotype, FPLD2-adipocytes appear to accumulate markers of autophagy and catabolize triglycerides at higher levels than control adipocytes. These data are suggestive of a mechanism causing the lack of adipose tissue in FPLD2 patients.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Intracellular cholesterol level regulates sensitivity of glioblastoma cells against temozolomide-induced cell death by modulation of caspase-8 activation via death receptor 5-accumulation and activation in the plasma membrane lipid raft

Highlights: • Intracellular cholesterol positively regulates temozolomide-induced glioma apoptosis. • DR5-caspase-8 axis is essential for enhancement of glioma apoptosis by cholesterol. • HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors suppress temozolomide-induced glioma apoptosis. • Intracellular cholesterol loading overcomes temozolomide resistance of glioma cells. Development of resistance against temozolomide (TMZ) in glioblastoma (GBM) after continuous treatment with TMZ is one of the critical problems in clinical GBM therapy. Intracellular cholesterol regulates cancer cell biology, but whether intracellular cholesterol is involved in TMZ resistance of GBM cells remains unclear. The involvement of intracellular cholesterol in acquired resistance against TMZ in GBM cells was investigated. Intracellular cholesterol levels were measured in human U251 MG cells with acquired TMZ resistance (U251-R cells) and TMZ-sensitive control U251 MG cells (U251-Con cells), and found that the intracellular cholesterol level was significantly lower in U251-R cells than in U251-Con cells. In addition, treatment by intracellular cholesterol remover, methyl-beta cyclodextrin (MβCD), or intracellular cholesterol inducer, soluble cholesterol (Chol), regulated TMZ-induced U251-Con cell death in line with changes in intracellular cholesterol level. Involvement of death receptor 5 (DR5), a death receptor localized in the plasma membrane, was evaluated. TMZ without or with MβCD and/or Chol caused accumulation of DR5 into the plasma membrane lipid raft and formed a complex with caspase-8, an extrinsic caspase cascade inducer, reflected in the induction of cell death. In addition, treatment with caspase-8 inhibitor or knockdown of DR5 dramatically suppressed U251-Con cell death induced by combination treatment with TMZ, MβCD, and Chol. Combined treatment of Chol with TMZ reversed the TMZ resistance of U251-R cells and another GBM cell model with acquired TMZ resistance, whereas clinical antihypercholesterolemia agents at physiological concentrations suppressed TMZ-induced cell death of U251-Con cells. These findings suggest that intracellular cholesterol level affects TMZ treatment of GBM mediated via a DR5-caspase-8 mechanism.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Hyperhomocysteinemia and hyperandrogenemia share PCSK9-LDLR pathway to disrupt lipid homeostasis in PCOS

Highlights: • Hyperhomocysteinemia attenuates PI3K-AKT & WNT signalling and manifests PCOS-like phenotypes in rats. • Hyperhomocysteinemia promotes StAR and atenuates Aromatase expression, and thereby leads to hyperandrogenemia. • Hyperandrogenemia and hyperhomocysteinemia share PCSK9-LDLR pathway and independently induce atherogenic dyslipidemia. • Because of hyperandrogenemia, PCOS patients are inherently at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. • Association of HHcy further aggravates the cardiovascular risk in PCOS. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD); however, the independent role of PCOS in the incident CVD remains unknown. There are reports that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), a potential cause of CVD, is frequently associated with PCOS. The present study investigates the independent attributes of hyperandrogenemia (HA), the integral associate of PCOS, and HHcy in causing atherogenic dyslipidemia. Twenty-five-day old rats were treated with homocysteine (Hcy) at 50 mg/kg/day dose level for 12 weeks. The HepG2 cell lines transfected with siRNA directed to PCSK9 were challenged with Hcy, homocysteine thiolactone (HTL), testosterone, 5α-dihydroxytestosterone (5α-DHT), or estradiol for 24 h. Rats administered with Hcy developed HHcy and displayed PCOS-like phenotypes with adversely altered lipid homeostasis and attenuated PI3K-AKT and Wnt signalling cascade. Overexpression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and down-regulated expression of Aromatase together with elevated testosterone level marked the state of HA. In culture, the HepG2 cells responded independently to Hcy, HTL, testosterone, and 5α-DHT by an overt expression of PCSK9 and down-regulated expression of LDLR. The effect was magnified under the combined influence of Hcy and androgen(s). Estradiol, by contrast, exhibited the reverse effect. The findings suggest that HA may independently attribute to an increased cardiovascular risk in PCOS; however, the coexistence of HHcy catalyzes the risk further.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Reelin deficiency leads to aberrant lipid composition in mouse brain

Reelin is a secreted protein essential for the development and function of the mammalian brain. The receptors for Reelin, apolipoprotein E receptor 2 and very low-density lipoprotein receptor, belong to the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, but it is not known whether Reelin is involved in the brain lipid metabolism. In the present study, we performed lipidomic analysis of the cerebral cortex of wild-type and Reelin-deficient (reeler) mice, and found that reeler mice exhibited several compositional changes in phospholipids. First, the ratio of phospholipids containing one saturated fatty acid (FA) and one docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or arachidonic acid (ARA) decreased. Secondly, the ratio of phospholipids containing one monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and one DHA or ARA increased. Thirdly, the ratio of phospholipids containing 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid, or Mead acid (MA), increased. Finally, the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) increased. As the increase of MA is seen as an index of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) deficiency, and the expression of SCD-1 is suppressed by PUFA, these results strongly suggest that the loss of Reelin leads to PUFA deficiency. Hence, MUFA and MA are synthesized in response to this deficiency, in part by inducing SCD-1 expression. This is the first report of changes of FA composition in the reeler mouse brain and provides a basis for further investigating the new role of Reelin in the development and function of the brain.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗