Looking for lipases and lipolytic organisms in low-temperature anaerobic reactors treating domestic wastewater

Poor lipid degradation limits low-temperature anaerobic treatment of domestic wastewater even when psychrophiles are used. We combined metagenomics and metaproteomics to find lipolytic bacteria and their potential, and actual, cold-adapted extracellular lipases in anaerobic membrane bioreactors treating domestic wastewater at 4℃ and 15℃. Of the 40 recovered putative lipolytic metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), only three (Chlorobium, Desulfobacter, and Mycolicibacterium) were common and abundant (relative abundance ≥ 1%) in all reactors. Notably, some MAGs that represented aerobic autotrophs contained lipases. Therefore, we hypothesised that the lipases we found are not always associated with exogenous lipid degradation and can have other roles such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) accumulation/degradation and interference with the outer membranes of other bacteria. Metaproteomics did not provide sufficient proteome coverage for relatively lower abundant proteins such as lipases though the expression of fadL genes, long-chain fatty acid transporters, was confirmed for four genera (Dechloromonas, Azoarcus, Aeromonas and Sulfurimonas), none of which were recovered as putative lipolytic MAGs. Metaproteomics also confirmed the presence of 15 relatively abundant (≥1%) genera in all reactors, of which at least 6 can potentially accumulate lipid/polyhydroxyalkanoates. For most putative lipolytic MAGs, there was no statistically significant correlation between the read abundance and reactor conditions such as temperature, phase (biofilm and bulk liquid), and feed type (treated by ultraviolet light or not). Results obtained by metagenomics and metaproteomics did not confirm each other and further work is required to identify the true lipid degraders in these systems. Keywords: Anaerobic treatment, domestic wastewater, psychrophilic extracellular lipases, metagenomics, metaproteomics

The Endocannabinoid System and PPARs: Focus on Their Signalling Crosstalk, Action and Transcriptional Regulation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of nuclear receptors including PPARα, PPARγ, and PPARβ/δ, acting as transcription factors to regulate the expression of a plethora of target genes involved in metabolism, immune reaction, cell differentiation, and a variety of other cellular changes and adaptive responses. PPARs are activated by a large number of both endogenous and exogenous lipid molecules, including phyto- and endo-cannabinoids, as well as endocannabinoid-like compounds. In this view, they can be considered an extension of the endocannabinoid system. Besides being directly activated by cannabinoids, PPARs are also indirectly modulated by receptors and enzymes regulating the activity and metabolism of endocannabinoids, and, vice versa, the expression of these receptors and enzymes may be regulated by PPARs. In this review, we provide an overview of the crosstalk between cannabinoids and PPARs, and the importance of their reciprocal regulation and modulation by common ligands, including those belonging to the extended endocannabinoid system (or “endocannabinoidome”) in the control of major physiological and pathophysiological functions.

Novel Molecular Insights into Human Lipid-Mediated T Cell Immunity

T cells represent a critical arm of our immune defense against pathogens. Over the past two decades, considerable inroads have been made in understanding the fundamental principles underpinning the molecular presentation of peptide-based antigens by the Major Histocompatibility Complex molecules (MHC-I and II), and their molecular recognition by specialized subsets of T cells. However, some T cells can recognize lipid-based antigens presented by MHC-I-like molecules that belong to the Cluster of Differentiation 1 (CD1) family. Here, we will review the advances that have been made in the last five years to understand the molecular mechanisms orchestrating the presentation of novel endogenous and exogenous lipid-based antigens by the CD1 glycoproteins and their recognition by specific populations of CD1-reactive T cells.

Interferon-Stimulated SAMHD1 Restricts Hepatitis C Virus Replication

Human SAMHD1 is an IFN-induced dNTP triphosphatase that is able to restrict HIV-1 replication, whereas its role in innate immunity against virus infection remains largely unexplored. In this work, we provided evidence that SAMHD1 functions as an anti-HCV host factor. We found that overexpression of SAMHD1 resulted in significant inhibition on the replication of HCV, but not other RNA viruses including influenza A virus and EV71. SAMHD1 knockdown partially relieved the inhibitory effect of IFN on HCV, suggesting its important role in the innate immune response against HCV. Mechanistic studies revealed that SAMHD1 targets viral RNA replication without impact on both protein translation and virus entry. Transcriptome analysis showed a broad inhibitory effect of SAMHD1 on host genes involved in cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis. In particular, SAMHD1 was shown to downregulate the mRNA abundance of SREBP1, a master transcriptional regulator of de novo lipid biosynthesis, impairing the formation of lipid droplets. Restoring intracellular lipid levels by either exogenous lipid addition or SREBP1 overexpression counteracted the restriction of HCV by SAMHD1, providing evidence that SAMHD1 inhibits the replication of HCV by suppressing host cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis. Together, these data unveil, for the first time, a novel antiviral mechanism of SAMHD1 and open new avenues for the development of novel anti-HCV therapeutics.

Lipids as currency in ecological interactions: Competition and facilitation between two lipid scavenging parasitoids

Interspecific interactions in nature often revolve around the acquisition of nutrients. Depending on the organisms’ metabolic requirements, competition for specific essential nutrients may occur, which selects for increased abilities to monopolize, consume and store these nutrients. Lipid scavengers are organisms that rely on exogenous lipid acquisition as they lack the ability to synthesize fatty acids de novo or in sufficient quantity. Most parasitoid insects are lipid scavengers: they obtain all required lipids by feeding on their hosts as larvae. Here we study the nutritional ecology of competitive interactions between native Nasonia vitripennis and introduced Tachinaephagus zealandicus. While the former was already known to lack lipogenesis, we show that T. zealandicus also relies on host lipids. The interactions between the two species were studied using competition experiments, in which oviposition of T. zealandicus on a host was followed by multiparasitism by N. vitripennis. The outcome of competition was determined by the duration of the time lag between oviposition events. N. vitripennis was superior when arriving 3 days after oviposition by T. zealandicus. In contrast, 9 days after oviposition of T. zealandicus we observed complete reversal, and no N. vitripennis offspring were able to develop. Only when N. vitripennis laid eggs 15 days after T. zealandicus oviposition, both species could emerge from the same host. However, N. vitripennis realizes only 10% of its potential fitness at this time point because prior parasitization by the gregarious T. zealandicus compartmentalizes the host resources, limiting the spread of N. vitripennis’ venom. This study shows that successful reproduction of N. vitripennis at 15 days was achieved by hyperparasitizing, a capability that provides a fitness benefit to N. vitripennis, as it extends the time window that hosts are available for parasitization. Choice tests with hosts at different time intervals after T. zealandicus oviposition revealed a partial mismatch in N. vitripennis females between competition avoidance and offspring performance, which may be linked to the limited co-evolutionary time between native and introduced species. We discuss our results in the context of nutritional ecology and, specifically, the role of lipids in ecological interactions.

A case report of exogenous lipoid pneumonia associated with avocado/soybean unsaponifiables

Background Exogenous lipoid pneumonia is a rare disease resulting from intra-alveolar accumulation of lipids of mineral, vegetal, or animal origin, that induce a foreign body type of inflammatory reaction in the lungs. Gastroesophageal reflux disease and other esophageal abnormalities have often been associated with this disease. Case presentation We herein report the case of an 83-year-old patient in whom a follow-up chest computed tomography scan, for a lingular consolidation, showed multifocal ground glass and consolidative opacities with areas of low attenuation, suggestive of exogenous lipid pneumonia. The patient had been on piascledine capsules (avocado/soybean unsaponifiables) for 20 years and had a hiatal hernia with documented gastroesophageal reflux disease. After thorough history taking, no other predisposing factors were found. The diagnosis was confirmed using oil red staining of bronchoalveolar lavage showing lipid-laden macrophages and extracellular lipid droplets. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first case of ELP secondary to avocado/soybean unsaponifiables in the literature.