Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Lipid modification”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Inverted-repeat DNA: a new gene-silencing tool for seed lipid modification.

Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) has been successfully used to modify seed lipids in oilseed crops like soybean, canola and sunflower. Conventionally, PTGS has been induced by transforming the plants with either antisense or co-suppression constructs targeted against key seed lipid biosynthesis genes. A major drawback of this approach has been the recovery of only a modest proportion of silenced individuals from large populations of transgenic plants. In this report we show that inverted-repeat DNA constructs containing an intron encoding RNA with a hairpin structure can induce PTGS with very high frequency.

Arabidopsis↗

Schirmers-I test with and without modifications (lipid extracted paper and replacement of paper).

The lacrimation rate of 12 persons was measured by the Schirmer-I test and by two modifications of the test. The modifications used were: 1. the use of lipid extracted standardized Halberg paper (in a mixture of chloroform and ethanol), 2. replacement of the test paper in the conjunctival sac if no lacrimation was observed within 2 min. We could not detect any change in the variation of results between the different modifications or set-ups, and consequently the modifications were considered as being of little clinical value compared to the original test.

Humans↗

Dietary fat saturation produces lipid modifications in peritoneal macrophages of mouse.

We investigated the effects of a saturated fat diet on mice lipid metabolism in resident peritoneal macrophages. Male C57BL/6 mice were weaned at 21 days of age and assigned to either the experimental diet, containing coconut oil (COCO diet), or the control diet, containing soybean oil as fat source. Fat content of each diet was 15% (w/w). Mice were fed for 6 weeks until sacrifice. In plasma of mice fed the COCO diet, the concentration of triglyceride, total cholesterol, HLD- and (LDL+VLDL)-cholesterol, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) increased, without changes in phospholipid concentration, compared with the controls. In macrophages of COCO-fed mice, the concentration of total (TC), free and esterified cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid (P) and TBARS increased, while the TC/P ratio did not change. The phospholipid compositions showed an increase of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine + phosphadytilinositol, a decrease of phosphatidylethanolamine, and no change in phosphatidylglycerol. (3)H(2)O incorporation into triglyceride and phospholipid fractions of macrophages increased, while its incorporation into free cholesterol decreased. Incorporation of [(3)H]cholesterol into macrophages of COCO-fed mice and the fraction of [(3)H]cholesterol ester increased. COCO diet produced an increase in myrystic, palmitic and palmitoleic acids proportion, a decrease in linoleic and arachidonic acids and no changes in stearic and oleic acids, compared with the control. Also, a higher relative percentage of saturated fatty acid and a decrease in unsaturation index (p <0.001) were observed in macrophages of COCO-fed mice. These results indicate that the COCO-diet, high in saturated fatty acids, alters the lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition of macrophages and produces a significant degree of oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Lipid modification in mouse peritoneal macrophages after chronic cadmium exposure.

The effect of cadmium (Cd) exposure through drinking water on lipid status in mouse peritoneal macrophages (pM) was studied. After 2 months, adult male Balb/c mice that had drunk water with 15 ppm of Cd, showed tissue damage mediated by oxidative stress, as assessed by serum measuring of tissue damage and lipoperoxidation indicators. Resident pM obtained from Cd-exposed mice showed diminution in total lipids, total cholesterol, free cholesterol/esterified cholesterol ratio (FC/EC) and phospholipids in relation to control pM. On a percentage basis, the phospholipid composition showed that phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylglycerol decreased, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) increased, while phosphatidylinositol, sphingomyeline and phosphatidylserine did not change. The incorporation in vitro of [14C]-methyl-choline and [14C]-phosphorylcholine, as well as the activity of regulatory enzyme CTP-phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase, decreased in PC after 60 min. The incorporation of [14C]-linoleic acid increased after 1 h and the incorporation of [14C]-ethanolamine increased after 90 min in PC. The incorporation in vitro of [3H]-cholesterol in total lipids decreased after 120 min of incubation. Besides, the stearic acid and arachidonic acid content increased, while the contents of palmitoleic acid and linoleic acid decreased. Chronic Cd exposure alters the lipid composition in resident pM of Balb/c mice.

Animals↗

Lipid modification during epidermal cell differentiation.

As keratinocytes differentiate into corneocytes of the stratum corneum or epidermal permeability barrier, their lipids are modified so as to fulfill totally different functions. Recent experimentation has clarified the molecular mechanisms by which lipids of membrane origin are targeted to specialized lamellar bodies, where metabolic retailoring makes them suitable for use in the water-impermeable intercellular lamellae. In this latter structure the modified lipids are bound covalently to specialized proteins in a way that encourages the formation of lipid bilayers alternating with lipid monolayers. Only now are potential clues to the molecular regulation of this dramatic lipid transformation becoming apparent.

Animals↗

Protein estimation in tissues containing high levels of lipid: modifications to Lowry's method of protein determination.

A method to estimate protein in detergent-solubilized homogenates of lipid-rich biological samples (e.g., adipose tissue, myelin-enriched fractions of sheep brain) is described. The method is also suitable for samples in which protein is present as a protein-detergent complex. The method involves homogenization of tissue in the presence of a suitable detergent and KCl. Protein is then estimated in an aliquot of this homogenate by Lowry's method in the presence of excess sodium dodecyl sulfate, the solutions being clarified by extraction with ethyl acetate. Protein solubilization by Triton X-100 from adipose tissue was biphasic, extracting two to three times more protein under optimum conditions [1.7 +/- 0.1% (v/v) Triton X-100 and 0.75 M KCl], compared with homogenization without salt and detergent. Unlike adipose tissue, protein solubilization from myelin-enriched fractions of sheep brain peaked at 1% (v/v) Triton X-100, resulting in the extraction of approximately three times more protein than homogenization in the absence of detergent and salt.

Adipose Tissue↗

Site-directed lipid modification of IgG-binding protein by intracellular bacterial lipoprotein process.

IgG-binding protein was genetically expressed and lipid-modified in a site-directed manner in Escherichia coli. The DNA sequence encoding the signal peptide and the nine N-terminal amino acid residues of the major lipoprotein of E. coli (lpp) was fused to the sequence of B-domain which was one of the IgG binding domains of Staphylococcal Protein A (SpA). The N-terminal cysteine residue of the resulting protein was enzymatically linked with lipids in the bacterial membrane. The lipid-modified protein was translocated at the bacterial membrane in a manner similar to native bacterial lipoprotein, and it was purified with IgG-Sepharose by affinity chromatography. The lipid modified proteins (lppB1 and lppB5) showed a similar IgG binding activity to unmodified proteins, which was estimated by competitive ELISA. Proteoliposomes of lipid modified proteins were prepared in an elegant fashion so that the IgG binding site should be properly oriented on the surface of an individual liposome by anchoring the lipid-tail into the hydrophobic layer of the liposome membrane. As compared with the unmodified one, the lipid modified protein incorporated into the proteoliposome exhibited higher IgG binding activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lipid modifications of microsomes isolated from villus and crypt zones of bovine intestinal mucosa: relationship with fatty acid binding protein.

The present studies were conducted to examine the fatty acid composition of microsomal lipids of bovine small intestine. Microsomes and cytosol were isolated from mucosal scrapings enriched with villus and crypts cells, and the following studies were conducted to: 1) analyse fatty acids from microsomal lipids; 2) incorporate 1-14C oleic acid to microsomal lipids; and 3) bind 1-14C oleic acid to cytosolic proteins of villus and crypt zone. The results of these studies demonstrated that: (1) the major unsaturated fatty acids of microsomes were oleic (C18:1 n-9), linoleic (C18:2 n-6) and arachidonic acids (C20:4 n-6), which increased from crypt to villus tip of the bovine intestinal mucosa; (2) gel filtration chromatography indicated that the low-molecular weight cytosolic proteins obtained from superficial mucosal scrapings contained the greatest oleic acid binding activity; (3) the incorporation of 1-14C oleic acid to microsomes was higher in phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol esters from villus than in crypts zones; (4) the protein content of cytosol and microsomes was longer in villus zones than in crypts zones; (5) the peroxidizability index showed the highest value in villus microsomes.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Prostaglandins and lipid modification.

Postaglandins(PG) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) both are playing a key role in atherogenesis. Their interaction at the local vascular level is of central relevance in plaque formation and progression. Details of these complex actions however, still need to be elucidated. Lipoproteins are influencing the PG-production of arterial wall cells and platelets, while PGs in turn have been shown to regulate lipoprotein receptor binding and entry into the arterial wall. Modification of LDL severely influences arterial wall trapping and foam cell formation. During LDL-modification, isoprostanes, a new family of compounds generated by free radical catalysed action, independent of cyclooxygenase, are formed. 8-epi PGF(2alpha) the most well known member exerts a great variety of proatherogenic actions, among them vasoconstriction and platelet activation; it also serves as a mitogen and stimulator of endothelin release. The influence of various eicosanoids on lipoprotein modification, however, has not been assessed yet.

Arteriosclerosis↗

A sensitive predictor for potential GPI lipid modification sites in fungal protein sequences and its application to genome-wide studies for Aspergillus nidulans, Candida albicans, Neurospora crassa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

The fungal transamidase complex that executes glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) lipid anchoring of precursor proteins has overlapping but distinct sequence specificity compared with the animal system. Therefore, a taxon-specific prediction tool for the recognition of the C-terminal signal in fungal sequences is necessary. We have collected a learning set of fungal precursor protein sequences from the literature and fungal proteomes. Although the general four segment scheme of the recognition signal is maintained also in fungal precursors, there are taxon specificities in details. A fungal big-Pi predictor has been developed for the assessment of query sequence concordance with fungi-specific recognition signal requirements. The sensitivity of this predictor is close to 90%. The rate of false positive prediction is in the range of 0.1%. The fungal big-Pi tool successfully predicts the Gas1 mutation series described by C. Nuoffer and co-workers, and recognizes that the human PLAP C terminus is not a target for the fungal transamidase complex. Lists of potentially GPI lipid anchored proteins for five fungal proteomes have been generated and the hits have been functionally classified. The fungal big-Pi prediction WWW server as well as precursor lists are available at

Acyltransferases↗

Role of lipid modifications in targeting proteins to detergent-resistant membrane rafts. Many raft proteins are acylated, while few are prenylated.

Sphingolipid and cholesterol-rich Triton X-100-insoluble membrane fragments (detergent-resistant membranes, DRMs) containing lipids in a state similar to the liquid-ordered phase can be isolated from mammalian cells, and probably exist as discrete domains or rafts in intact membranes. We postulated that proteins with a high affinity for such an ordered lipid environment might be targeted to rafts. Saturated acyl chains should prefer an extended conformation that would fit well in rafts. In contrast, prenyl groups, which are as hydrophobic as acyl chains but have a branched and bulky structure, should be excluded from rafts. Here, we showed that at least half of the proteins in Madin-Darby canine kidney cell DRMs (other than cytoskeletal contaminants) could be labeled with [3H]palmitate. Association of influenza hemagglutinin with DRMs required all three of its palmitoylated Cys residues. Prenylated proteins, detected by [3H]mevalonate labeling or by blotting for Rap1, Rab5, Gbeta, or Ras, were excluded from DRMs. Rab5 and H-Ras each contain more than one lipid group, showing that hydrophobicity alone does not target multiply lipid-modified proteins to DRMs. Partitioning of covalently linked saturated acyl chains into liquid-ordered phase domains is likely to be an important mechanism for targeting proteins to DRMs.

Acylation↗

Plasma lipid modifications in elderly people after administration of two virgin olive oils of the same variety (Olea europaea var. hojiblanca) with different triacylglycerol composition.

In the present study we examined whether two virgin olive oils (VOO1 and VOO2), of the same variety (Olea europaea var. hojiblanca with a similar composition of minor components but differing in the content of triacylglycerol molecular species, had different effects on blood pressure and plasma lipid levels in a healthy elderly population. Thirty-one participants, aged 84-9 (SD 6.4) years, were asked to participate in the study. No differences were found with regard to blood pressure after both experimental periods (VOO1 and VOO2). However, plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were reduced only after VOO1 (P<0.01). The reduction of plasma cholesterol concentrations was related to the incorporation of oleic acid into plasma cholesteryl esters and phospholipids strongly correlated with plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in all experimental periods studied (r2>0.418, P<0.07), except for phospholipids in VOO1 (P=0.130 for total cholesterol and p=0.360 for LDL-cholesterol). These results have demonstrated that blood pressure and plasma lipids can be modified by the consumption of VOO in elderly people, but that the extent of such modification depends on the composition and amount of active minor components and triacylglycerol molecular species.

Aged↗

Novel lipid modifications of secreted protein signals.

Secreted signaling proteins function in a diverse array of essential patterning events during metazoan development, ranging from embryonic segmentation in insects to neural tube differentiation in vertebrates. These proteins generally are expressed in a localized manner, and they may elicit distinct concentration-dependent responses in the cells of surrounding tissues and structures, thus functioning as morphogens that specify the pattern of cellular responses by their tissue distribution. Given the importance of signal distribution, it is notable that the Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt proteins, two of the most important families of such signals, are known to be covalently modified by lipid moieties, the membrane-anchoring properties of which are not consistent with passive models of protein mobilization within tissues. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying biogenesis of the mature Hh proteins, which are dually modified by cholesteryl and palmitoyl adducts, as well as on the relationship between Hh proteins and the self-splicing proteins (i.e., proteins containing inteins) and the Hh-like proteins of nematodes. We further discuss the cellular mechanisms that have evolved to handle lipidated Hh proteins in the spatial deployment of the signal in developing tissues and the more recent findings that implicate palmitate modification as an important feature of Wnt signaling proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗