Induction and Aggravation of the Endoplasmic-Reticulum Stress by Membrane-Lipid Metabolic Intermediate Phosphatidyl-N-Monomethylethanolamine

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is produced via two distinct pathways in both hepatocytes and yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. One of these pathways involves the sequential methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). In yeast cells, the methyltransferase, Cho2, converts PE to phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PMME), which is further modified to PC by another methyltransferase, Opi3. On the other hand, free choline is utilized for PC production via the Kennedy pathway. The blockage of PC production is well known to cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activate the ER-stress sensor, Ire1, to induce unfolded protein response (UPR). Here, we demonstrate that even when free choline is sufficiently supplied, the opi3Δ mutation, but not the cho2 Δ mutation, induces the UPR. The UPR was also found to be induced by CHO2 overexpression. Further, monomethylethanolamine, which is converted to PMME probably through the Kennedy pathway, caused or potentiated ER stress in both mammalian and yeast cells. We thus deduce that PMME per se is an ER-stressing molecule. Interestingly, spontaneously accumulated PMME seemed to aggravate ER stress in yeast cells. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the multiple detrimental effects of the low-abundance phospholipid species, PMME.

The Crucial Roles of Phospholipids in Aging and Lifespan Regulation

Phospholipids are major membrane lipids that consist of lipid bilayers. This basic cellular structure acts as a barrier to protect the cell against various environmental insults and more importantly, enables multiple cellular processes to occur in subcellular compartments. Numerous studies have linked the complexity of membrane lipids to signal transductions, organelle functions, as well as physiological processes, and human diseases. Recently, crucial roles for membrane lipids in the aging process are beginning to emerge. In this study, we summarized current advances in our understanding of the relationship between membrane lipids and aging with an emphasis on phospholipid species. We surveyed how major phospholipid species change with age in different organisms and tissues, and some common patterns of membrane lipid change during aging were proposed. Further, the functions of different phospholipid molecules in regulating healthspan and lifespan, as well as their potential mechanisms of action, were also discussed.

Methodology to detect oxidised phospholipids and their relevance in disease

Unsaturated membrane phospholipids are susceptible to oxidation, either by reactive oxygen species or enzymatically, to generate a complex mixture of peroxy and hydroxyl species. They can then spontaneously decompose to truncated oxidised phospholipids composed of aldehyde, carboxyl and hydroxyl species of five to nine carbon atoms chain length, many of which exhibit potent biological activities. In addition, aldehydes can form Schiff's base reactions with protein lysines to form oxidised lipid:protein adducts. While a selection of oxidised phospholipids have been characterised in detail by a range of mass spectrometry techniques, including direct infusion and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, there are relatively few reports of comprehensive analyses of oxidised phospholipids in disease states. Oxidised phospholipid species are widely thought to be central to the pathology of many diseases, but there is relatively little direct evidence to confirm this in vivo. This review provides an overview of the various analytical methodologies and then summarises their application to examples of chronic and acute disease, cardiovascular disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome, respectively. It highlights the gaps in information and indicates directions for future research.

LC-MS/MS method development for quantitative analysis of cyanogenic glycosides in elderberry and lipid peroxidation products in mice

Cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs) are naturally occurring plant molecules (nitrogenous plant secondary metabolites) which consist of an aglycone and a sugar moiety. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is released from these compounds following enzymatic hydrolysis causing potential toxicity issues. The presence of CNGs in American elderberry (AE) fruit, Sambucus nigra (subsp. canadensis), is uncertain. A sensitive, reproducible and robust LC-MS/MS method was developed and optimized for accurate identification and quantification of the intact glycoside. A complimentary picrate paper test method was modified to determine the total cyanogenic potential (TCP). TCP analysis was performed using a camera-phone and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. A method validation was conducted, and the developed methods were successfully applied to the assessment of TCP and quantification of intact CNGs in different tissues of AE samples. Results showed no quantifiable trace of CNGs in commercial AE juice. Levels of CNGs found in various fruit tissues of AE cultivars studied ranged from between 0.12-6.38 [micro-gram]/g. In pressed juice samples, the concentration range measured was 0.29-2.36 [micro-gram]/mL and in seeds the amounts was 0.12-2.38 [micro-gram]/g. TCP was highest in the stems and green berries. CNG levels in all tissues were generally low and at a level that poses no threat to consumers of fresh and processed AE products. The abundance of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in phospholipids in the brain and retina has generated interest to search for its role in mediating neurological functions. Besides the source of many oxylipins with pro-resolving properties, DHA also undergoes peroxidation, producing 4-hydroxyhexenal (4-HHE), although its function remains elusive. Despite wide dietary consumption, whether supplementation of DHA may alter the peroxidation products and their relationship to phospholipid species in brain and other body organs have not been explored sufficiently. In this study, adult mice were administered a control or DHA-enriched diet for three weeks, and phospholipid species and peroxidation products were examined in brain, heart and plasma. Results demonstrated that this dietary regimen increased (n-3) and decreased (n-6) species to different extent in all major phospholipid classes (PC, dPE, PE-pl, PI and PS) examined. Besides changes in phospholipid species, DHA-enriched diet also showed substantial increases in 4-HHE in brain, heart and plasma. Among different brain regions, the hippocampus responded to the DHA-enriched diet showing significant increase in 4-HHE. Considering the pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways mediated by the (n-6) and (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids, unveiling the ability for DHA-enriched diet to alter phospholipid species and lipid peroxidation products in the brain and in different body organs may be an important step forward towards understanding the mechanism(s) for this (n-3) fatty acid on health and diseases. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by restricted social communication and repetitive behaviors. Prenatal stress is critical in neurodevelopment and increases risk for ASD, particularly in those with greater genetic susceptibility to stress. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is one of the most abundant [omega]-3 fatty acids in mammalian brain, and dietary [omega]-3 fatty acid affects the development and maintenance of brain structure. We investigated whether prenatal supplementation of DHA alleviates autistic-like behaviors in a gene/stress mouse model and how it alters lipid peroxidation activity in the brain. Pregnant heterozygous serotonin transporter knockout (SERT-KO) and wild-type (WT) dams were placed in either non-stressed control conditions or chronic variable stress conditions and fed either a control diet or a DHA-rich (1 [percent] by wt) diet. Offspring of each group were assessed for anxiety and autism-associated behavior at post-natal day 60, including an open field test, elevatedplus maze test, repetitive behavior, and the 3-chamber social approach test. Our LC-MS-based method was used to follow changes in peroxidation product concentrations in mouse plasma, heart, and cerebral cortex.

Correlations of Fat Content in Human Milk with Fat Droplet Size and Phospholipid Species

Fat globule size and phospholipid (PL) content in human milk (HM) were investigated. HM was classified into three groups depending on fat content (A < B < C). PL content (mg/100 g HM) was significantly higher in the C group (p < 0.05), indicating its positive relationship with HM fat content. When the PL content was normalized (mg/g fat), that of group A was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and fat droplet size in group C was slightly larger, suggesting that HM fat content is affected by fat droplet numbers to a larger extent than by fat droplet size. A correlation between PC and SM content in HM was observed regardless of fat content, while correlation between PE and either PC or SM increased in the order of C > B > A, hence the composition and content of PL species in HM varied according to its fat content.

Shotgun Lipidomics for the Determination of Phospholipid and Eicosanoid Profiles in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) Muscle Tissue Using Electrospray Ionization (ESI)-MS/MS Spectrometric Analysis

Shotgun lipidomics was applied to identify and quantify phospholipids (PLs) in salmon muscle tissue by focusing on the distribution of ω-3 fatty acids (e.g., docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)) in the form of phospholipids, as well as to identify and quantify eicosanoids, which has not yet been attempted in Atlantic salmon muscle. Shotgun lipidomics enabled the identification of 43 PL species belonging to four different classes: phosphatidylcholines (PCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), phosphatidylserines (PSs), and phosphatidylinositols (PIs). Among others, 16:0-22:6 PtdCho m/z [M + Na]+ at 828.4 was the predominant PL species in salmon muscle tissue. The present study provided the quantification of individual phospholipid species, which has not been performed for salmon muscle tissue so far. In addition, two eicosanoids—prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F3α (PGF3α)—were identified for the first time in salmon muscle. Thus, the rapid and high-throughput shotgun lipidomics approach should shed new light on phospholipids and eicosanoids in salmon muscle tissue.

Targeting SHIP1 and SHIP2 in Cancer

Membrane-anchored and soluble inositol phospholipid species are critical mediators of intracellular cell signaling cascades. Alterations in their normal production or degradation are implicated in the pathology of a number of disorders including cancer and pro-inflammatory conditions. The SH2-containing 5′ inositol phosphatases, SHIP1 and SHIP2, play a fundamental role in these processes by depleting PI(3,4,5)P3, but also by producing PI(3,4)P2 at the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. With the intent of targeting SHIP1 or SHIP2 selectively, or both paralogs simultaneously, small molecule inhibitors and agonists have been developed and tested in vitro and in vivo over the last decade in various disease models. These studies have shown promising results in various pre-clinical models of disease including cancer and tumor immunotherapy. In this review the potential use of SHIP inhibitors in cancer is discussed with particular attention to the molecular structure, binding site and efficacy of these SHIP inhibitors.

The Bactericidal Fatty Acid Mimetic 2CCA-1 Selectively Targets Pneumococcal Extracellular Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism

ABSTRACTStreptococcus pneumoniae, a major cause of pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis worldwide, has the nasopharynges of small children as its main ecological niche. Depletion of pneumococci from this niche would reduce the disease burden and could be achieved using small molecules with narrow-spectrum antibacterial activity. We identified the alkylated dicyclohexyl carboxylic acid 2CCA-1 as a potent inducer of autolysin-mediated lysis of S. pneumoniae, while having low activity against Staphylococcus aureus. 2CCA-1-resistant strains were found to have inactivating mutations in fakB3, known to be required for uptake of host polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as through inactivation of the transcriptional regulator gene fabT, vital for endogenous, de novo fatty acid synthesis regulation. Structure activity relationship exploration revealed that, besides the central dicyclohexyl group, the fatty acid-like structural features of 2CCA-1 were essential for its activity. The lysis-inducing activity of 2CCA-1 was considerably more potent than that of free fatty acids and required growing bacteria, suggesting that 2CCA-1 needs to be metabolized to exert its antimicrobial activity. Total lipid analysis of 2CCA-1 treated bacteria identified unique masses that were modeled to 2CCA-1 containing lysophosphatidic and phosphatidic acid in wild-type but not in fakB3 mutant bacteria. This suggests that 2CCA-1 is metabolized as a fatty acid via FakB3 and utilized as a phospholipid building block, leading to accumulation of toxic phospholipid species. Analysis of FabT-mediated fakB3 expression elucidates how the pneumococcus could ensure membrane homeostasis and concurrent economic use of host-derived fatty acids.IMPORTANCE Fatty acid biosynthesis is an attractive antibiotic target, as it affects the supply of membrane phospholipid building blocks. In Streptococcus pneumoniae, it is not sufficient to target only the endogenous fatty acid synthesis machinery, as uptake of host fatty acids may bypass this inhibition. Here, we describe a small-molecule compound, 2CCA-1, with potent bactericidal activity that upon interactions with the fatty acid binding protein FakB3, which is present in a limited number of Gram-positive species, becomes metabolized and incorporated as a toxic phospholipid species. Resistance to 2CCA-1 developed specifically in fakB3 and the regulatory gene fabT. These mutants reveal a regulatory connection between the extracellular polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism and endogenous fatty acid synthesis in S. pneumoniae, which could ensure balance between efficient scavenging of host polyunsaturated fatty acids and membrane homeostasis. The data might be useful in the identification of narrow-spectrum treatment strategies to selectively target members of the Lactobacillales such as S. pneumoniae.

A promiscuous archaeal cardiolipin synthase generating a variety of cardiolipins and phospholipids

Cardiolipin (DPCL) biosynthesis has barely been explored in Archaeal isoprenoid-based ether lipid membranes. Here, we identified a cardiolipin synthase (MhCls) from the mesophilic anaerobic methanogen Methanospirillum hungatei. The enzyme was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and subsequently characterized by LC-MS. MhCls utilizes two archaetidylglycerol molecules in a transesterification reaction to synthesize archaeal di-phosphate cardiolipin (aDPCL) and glycerol. The enzyme is invariant to the stereochemistry of the glycerol-backbone and the nature of the lipid tail, as it also accepts phosphatidylglycerol to generate di-phosphate cardiolipin (DPCL). Remarkably, in the presence of archaetidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol, MhCls formed an archaeal-bacterial hybrid di-phosphate cardiolipin (hDPCL), that so far has not been observed in nature. Due to the reversibility of the transesterification, cardiolipin can be converted back in presence of glycerol into phosphatidylglycerol. In the presence of other compounds that contain primary hydroxyl groups (e.g. alcohols, water, sugars) various natural and unique artificial phospholipid species could be synthesized, including multiple di-phosphate cardiolipin species. Moreover, MhCls could utilize a glycolipid in the presence of phosphatidylglycerol to form a glycosyl-mono-phosphate cardiolipin, emphasizing the promiscuity of this cardiolipin synthase.