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Some new aspects of isoprenoid biosynthesis in plants--a review.

Plants are capable of synthesizing a myriad of isoprenoids and prenyl lipids. Much attention has been focused on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), the enzyme that synthesizes mevalonate and is generally considered responsible for the regulation of substrate flux to isoprenoids. In contrast to vertebrates, where there seems to exist only one HMGR gene, in plants a small family of isogenes appears differentially expressed in regard to location and time. Much less is known in plants about the preceding steps, viz. the conversion of acetyl-CoA to HMG-CoA. An enzyme system has been isolated from radish that can catalyze this transformation, and which shows some unusual properties in vitro. The intracellular localization of the early steps of isoprenoid biosynthesis in plant cells is still a matter of debate. The various observations and hypotheses derived from incorporation and inhibition studies are somewhat contradictory, and an attempt is being made to rationalize various findings that do not at first seem compatible. There are good arguments in favor of an exclusively cytoplasmic formation of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) via mevalonic acid, but other studies and observations suggest an independent formation in plastids. Other possibilities are being considered, such as the existence of independent (compartmentalized) biosynthetic pathways of IPP formation via the so-called Rohmer pathway. Substrate channeling through the formation of end product-specific multienzyme complexes (metabolons) with no release of substrate intermediates will also be discussed.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗

The use of amphotericin B to detect inhibitors of cellular cholesterol biosynthesis.

Pores formed in the membranes of animal cells by complexes of sterols and the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B can efficiently kill the cells. Thus, in the absence of exogenous sources of cholesterol, inhibitors of enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway render cells resistant to amphotericin B. Preincubation of Chinese hamster ovary cells with compactin or 25-hydroxycholesterol, inhibitors of the synthesis of the key intermediate mevalonate, protected cells from amphotericin B killing and this protection was reversed by the addition of exogenous mevalonate. The ability of compactin to confer amphotericin B resistance on normal cells was abolished when cells were provided exogenous cholesterol by the receptor-mediated endocytosis of low density lipoprotein. Low density lipoprotein receptor-defective Chinese hamster ovary cells were not subject to this low density lipoprotein-dependent amphotericin B killing. Exogenous mevalonate did not prevent 4,4,10 beta-trimethyl-trans-decal-3 beta-ol, an inhibitor of mevalonate conversion to sterols, from protecting cells from amphotericin B. A simple two-step protocol in which cells are preincubated (15-24 h) with potential inhibitors and then treated (3-6 h) with amphotericin B was devised to provide a sensitive method for detecting direct (e.g., competitive) and regulatory inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. This protocol may prove useful in detecting potential antihypercholesterolemia drugs and is currently being used to isolate mutants in receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

On the biosynthesis of ubiquinones in plant mitochondria.

Isolated mitochondria from potato tubers, spinach leaves, and daffodil petals from intermediates of the ubiquinone biosynthetic pathway (prenylated 4-hydroxybenzoate, prenylated phenols, and quinoid compounds) from [1-14C]isopentenyl diphosphate and endogenous or exogenous 4-hydroxybenzoate. In contrast [2-14C]mevalonate 5-diphosphate, the immediate precursor of isopentenyl diphosphate was not accepted as a substrate. These results suggest that plant mitochondria have their own prenyltransferase and prenylation system, similar to the plastid compartment which also starts by the use of isopentenyl diphosphate [see Kreuz, K. and Kleinig, H. (1984) Eur. J. Biochem. 141, 531-535].

Cell Fractionation↗

Composition of Pneumocystis carinii neutral lipids and identification of coenzyme Q10 as the major ubiquinone homolog.

The lipids of purified preparations of Pneumocystis carinii carinii freshly isolated from infected rats were analyzed and compared with those of whole lungs from normal and methylprednisolone-immunosuppressed uninfected rats. In this study, the neutral lipid fraction was examined in detail; the relative concentrations of individual classes making up this fraction were quantified. Of particular interest was the nature of the organism's ubiquinone (coenzyme Q, CoQ) fraction because atovaquone, a hydroxynaphtho-quinone (566C80) analog of ubiquinone, is efficacious in the treatment of P. carinii pneumonia. The ubiquinone concentration in both P. carinii and lung tissues was relatively low compared to that present in rat heart and liver tissues. Two homologs were identified in the organism: CoQ10 was the predominant homolog with lesser amounts of CoQ9 present. In contrast, the lungs of normal and immunosuppressed uninfected rats had CoQ9 and lesser amounts of CoQ8, but no detectable CoQ10. Furthermore, radiolabeled mevalonic acid was incorporated in vitro into the ubiquinone fraction of P. carinii indicating that the organism has the de novo branch of the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway leading to polyprenyl formation. Hence, it was concluded that CoQ10 (if not both CoQ10 and CoQ9) in P. carinii was not scavenged from the host but was synthesized by the organism. Although lung tissues contained substantial free fatty acids, the organism was enriched in these lipids. The high concentration of free fatty acids and relatively low level of triglycerides in P. carinii suggest that fatty acids may represent major carbon sources for ATP production by the organism.

Animals↗

Synchronization of tumor and normal cells from G1 to multiple cell cycles by lovastatin.

Synchronization of mammalian cells is essential for investigations involving cell proliferation. A simple method for obtaining synchrony in all types of cells, through several cycles and with minimal overall metabolic perturbations, has not yet been available. We describe a procedure for synchronizing normal as well as tumor cells reversibly in the G1 phase of the cell cycle using Lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. This method of synchronization was successful with all cell lines tested, including normal and tumor cells of mouse, hamster, and human origins. For example, when MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were synchronized with Lovastatin and released by the addition of mevalonic acid (the product of the reaction catalyzed by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase), 3 phases of accelerated thymidine incorporation into DNA corresponding to 3 S phases of the cell cycle occurred during a 90-h period of cell replication. Thymidine incorporation was decreased to less than or equal to 4% during the initial lag of 18 h before the first S phase, and maximum incorporation was then achieved after only 6 h. The antibody Ki-67, which detects a nuclear antigen associated with proliferation, was present in cells arrested with Lovastatin. This fact, together with the lack of thymidine incorporation during the initial lag time, indicates that the cells were arrested in the G1 and not in the G0 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, in synchronized tumor-derived human breast epithelial cells, histone H4 RNA was low after Lovastatin release and increased with the onset of DNA synthesis. Concomitant synthesis of DNA and histone H4 RNA expression could be observed for 2 cycles. Minimal perturbations of general metabolic functions occurred since the rate of RNA, protein, and initial DNA synthesis were unaffected by Lovastatin, as evidenced by [3H]uridine, [3H]leucine, and initial [3H]thymidine incorporation. Finally, while the Lovastatin-induced synchronization was overcome by mevalonic acid, addition of squalene or cholesterol-ethanol had no such effect. Thus, Lovastatin appears to prevent formation of an early intermediate in the cholesterol pathway that is essential for progression of cells through early G1 phase.

Animals↗

Genetics of isoprenoid biosynthesis in Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens.

The genes coding for all the enzymes involved in the conversion of acetyl-CoA to farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) in the zeaxanthin-producing bacterium Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens were cloned and characterized. Two genes encoding enzymes catalysing the condensation of two acetyl-CoA molecules to acetoacetyl-CoA were found. The six enzymes involved in the conversion of acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl-CoA to isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) are grouped in an operon, designated the mevalonate operon. The gene encoding the enzyme catalysing two consecutive condensations, IPP and DMAPP to geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and IPP and GPP to FPP, is not clustered with any other gene encoding an enzyme of the isoprenoid pathway. Genes encoding enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of poly-hydroxyalkanoate and non-carotenoid isoprenoids found in P. zeaxanthinifaciens are also presented.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗

Specific inhibition of desmosterol synthesis by ML--236B in mouse LM cells grown in suspension in a lipid-free medium.

The suspended growth of LM cells in a lipid-free chemically defined medium was almost completely inhibited in the presence of 0.1 microgram/ml of ML-236B, a potent competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis in mammalian cells. This inhibition was effectively counteracted by adding a small amount of either mevalonate or cholesterol (dispersed in delipidated calf serum) to culture medium. The synthesis of desmosterol, the end product of sterol biosynthesis in LM cells, from [14C]acetate in cultured cells was highly sensitive to ML-236B, being inhibited 35 and 60% at its concentrations of 0.1 and 1 ng/ml, respectively, while the incorporation of [3H]mevalonate into desmosterol was not affected by ML-236B at concentrations up to 0.1 microgram/ml. Synthesis of fatty acids, phospholipids, triglycerides and macromolecules like DNA, RNA and protein were not suppressed by 10 microgram/ml of ML-236B. Desmosterol content of LM cells was reduced by treatment with ML-236B. These results indicate that ML-236B inhibited cell growth via specific interference in the pathway of sterol biosynthesis, presumably on the step catalyzed by HMG-CoA reductase.

Animals↗

Effects of rosuvastatin on nitric oxide-dependent function in aorta and corpus cavernosum of diabetic mice: relationship to cholesterol biosynthesis pathway inhibition and lipid lowering.

Elevated plasma lipids contribute to neurovascular dysfunction in diabetes. Statins have lipid-lowering properties and can modulate endothelial nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. The aim was to assess the impact of these factors on autonomic nitrergic nerve and endothelial function. Thus, the effects of diabetes and treatment with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin (RSV) were examined on corpus cavernosum and aorta from streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice in a 4-week prevention study and a 2-week intervention study, following 4 weeks of untreated diabetes. Cotreatment with mevalonate was used to assess the dependence of RSV's effects on HMG-CoA reductase blockade. Diabetes caused a 25% reduction in NO-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine for aorta and cavernosum. Relaxations of cavernosum were in the nondiabetic range following prevention or reversal treatment. The aortic deficit was completely prevented and 60% reversed by RSV. Maximum NO-dependent nonadrenergic, noncholinergic nerve-mediated relaxations of cavernosum were reduced 25-33% by diabetes. RSV treatment prevented 75% and reversed 71% of this diabetic deficit. Cotreatment with mevalonate inhibited the beneficial actions of RSV on aorta and cavernosum. Total plasma cholesterol was unaltered by diabetes or treatment. Thus, RSV corrected defective NO-mediated nerve and vascular function in diabetic mice independent of cholesterol lowering but via effects dependent on cholesterol biosynthesis pathway inhibition.

Acetylcholine↗

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced production of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and its regulation by pioglitazone and cerivastatin in a nonmalignant human hepatocyte cell line.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is an important mediator of atherosclerosis and liver fibrosis in insulin resistance. Circulating levels of PAI-1 are elevated in obese individuals, and PAI-1 messenger RNA is significantly higher in the livers of obese type 2 diabetic individuals than in nonobese type 2 diabetic individuals. To address the mechanism underlying the up-regulation of hepatic PAI-1 in obesity, we tested the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), an important link between obesity and insulin resistance, on PAI-1 production in the nonmalignant human hepatocyte cell line, THLE-5b. Incubation of THLE-5b cells with TNF-alpha stimulated PAI-1 production via protein kinase C-, mitogen-activated protein kinase-, protein tyrosine kinase-, and nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent pathways. A thiazolidinedione, pioglitazone, reduced TNF-alpha-induced PAI-1 production by 32%, via protein kinase C- and nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent pathways. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor cerivastatin inhibited TNF-alpha-induced PAI-1 production by 59%, which was reversed by coincubation with mevalonic acid. In conclusion, obesity and TNF-alpha up-regulation of PAI-1 expression in human hepatocytes may contribute to the impairment of the fibrinolytic system, leading to the development of atherosclerosis and liver fibrosis in insulin-resistant individuals. A thiazolidinedione and a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor may thus be candidate drugs to inhibit obesity-associated hepatic PAI-1 production.

Cell Line↗

Lipophilic HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor has an anti-inflammatory effect: reduction of MRNA levels for interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, cyclooxygenase-2, and p22phox by regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) in primary endothelial cells.

We examined the effects of four 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (pravastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, and cerivastatin) on the production and expression of inflammatory cytokines and on enzyme expression involving prostaglandin and superoxide production in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). All HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors significantly reduced interleukin-1beta and -6 mRNA expression and their protein levels in the culture medium, and also inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression and their protein levels. And these drugs induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) and PPARgamma mRNA expression and their protein levels in HUVEC and hepatocyte. Moreover, the mRNA levels of p22phox, a 22-kD subunit and the protein levels of p47phox, a 47-kD subunit of nicotine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, was decreased by treatment with either simvastatin, fluvastatin or cerivastatin, and this effect was reversed by mevalonate, geranylgeraniol, farnesol, and cholesterol. The changes induced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors might be due to regulation of cellular cholesterol content level, cellular cholesterol metabolic pathway, and cellular PPARalpha activity, which was related with inflammation. This unique anti-inflammatory effect in addition to its hypolipidemic action, may be beneficial in preventing the vascular complications that are induced by hyperlipidemia.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Cell-cycle-dependent, differential prenylation of proteins.

Isoprenylated proteins related to cell growth have been detected during proliferation. Since cholesterogenesis (isoprenoid synthesis) is mandatory for cell proliferation, the observation of a temporally coordinated protein prenylation during the cell division cycle might constitute obligatory processes in the signalling pathway for initiating DNA replication and/or in maintaining the growing state. We have found such a definitive cell-cycle-phase-dependent pattern of prenylation for various classes of cytosolic and nuclear matrix proteins in synchronized HepG2 cells. Characteristic [3H]mevalonate incorporation began to increase during mid-to-late G1, just after cholesterol synthesis reached its apex, and peaked just prior to or coincident with mid S. Incorporation then declined subsequent to S (during G2) as cells approached mitosis. Prior to the rise in mevalonate incorporation into proteins, during early-to-mid G1, steady-state [14C]acetate incorporation into chromatographically resolved cholesterogenic lipid intermediates displayed a maximum only into cholesterol. However, during the late-G1/S interval, a singular peak of 14C incorporation was found for the farnesyl moiety (farnesol/nerolidol plus farnesyl diphosphate). Except for the farnesyl moiety, none of the other polyisoprenoids detected by our procedures showed any fluctuation in 14C incorporation subsequent to mid G1. These results support the proposal that subsequent to peak cholesterol synthesis in early-to-mid G1, the generation of a cholesterol-pathway-dependent set of post-translationally modified, polyisoprenylated proteins could constitute an obligatory step leading to the duplication of the cellular genome, thereby impelling transit through the cell cycle. The well known high flux through cholesterogenesis in tumors, which manifests an intrinsic lack of sensitivity to feedback inhibition and operates continuously, is consonant with this proposal.

Alkylation↗

The biosynthetic incorporation of the intact leucine skeleton into sterol by the trypanosomatid Leishmania mexicana.

The amino acid leucine is efficiently used by the trypanosomatid Leishmania mexicana for sterol biosynthesis. The incubation of [2-(13)C]leucine with L. mexicana promastigotes in the presence of ketoconazole gave 14alpha-methylergosta-8,24(24(1))-3beta-ol as the major sterol, which was shown by mass spectrometry to contain up to six atoms of (13)C per molecule. (13)C NMR analysis of the 14alpha-methylergosta-8,24(24(1))-3beta-ol revealed that it was labeled in only six positions: C-2, C-6, C-11, C-12, C-16, and C-23. This established that the leucine skeleton is incorporated intact into the isoprenoid pathway leading to sterol; it is not converted first to acetyl-CoA, as in animals and plants, with utilization of the acetyl-CoA to regenerate 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA). An inhibitor of HMG-CoA synthase (L-659,699) blocked the incorporation of [1-(14)C]acetate into sterol but had no inhibitory effect on [U-(14)C]leucine incorporation. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin inhibited promastigote growth and [U-(14)C]leucine incorporation into sterol. The addition of unlabeled mevalonic acid (MVA) overcame the lovastatin inhibition of growth and also diluted the incorporation of [1-(14)C]leucine into sterol. These results are compatible with two routes by which the leucine skeleton may enter intact into the isoprenoid pathway. The catabolism of leucine could generate HMG-CoA that is then directly reduced to MVA for incorporation into sterol. Alternatively, a compound produced as an intermediate in leucine breakdown to HMG-CoA (e.g. dimethylcrotonyl-CoA) could be directly reduced to produce an isoprene alcohol followed by phosphorylation to enter the isoprenoid pathway post-MVA.

Animals↗

Roles of endogenously synthesized sterols in the endocytic pathway.

The effect(s) of endogenously synthesized cholesterol (endo-CHOL) on the endosomal system in mammalian cells has not been examined. Here we treated Chinese hamster ovary cell lines with lovastatin (a hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor) and mevalonate (a precursor for isoprenoids) to block endo-CHOL synthesis and then examined its effects on the fate of cholesterol liberated from low density lipoprotein (LDL-CHOL). The results showed that blocking endo-CHOL synthesis for 2 h or longer does not impair the hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters but partially impairs the transport of LDL-CHOL to the plasma membrane. Blocking endo-CHOL synthesis for 2 h or longer also alters the localization patterns of the late endosomes/lysosomes and retards their motility, as monitored by time-lapse microscopy. LDL-CHOL overcomes the effect of blocking endo-CHOL synthesis on endosomal localization patterns and on endosomal motility. Overexpressing Rab9, a key late endosomal small GTPase, relieves the endosomal cholesterol accumulation in Niemann-Pick type C1 cells but does not revert the reduced endosomal motility caused by blocking endo-CHOL synthesis. Our results suggested that endo-CHOL contributes to the cholesterol content of late endosomes and controls its motility, in a manner independent of NPC1. These results also supported the concept that endosomal motility plays an important role in controlling cholesterol trafficking activities.

Animals↗

The non-mevalonate isoprenoid biosynthesis of plants as a test system for new herbicides and drugs against pathogenic bacteria and the malaria parasite.

Higher plants and several photosynthetic algae contain the plastidic 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate/2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate pathway (DOXP/MEP pathway) for isoprenoid biosynthesis. The first four enzymes and their genes are known of this novel pathway. All of the ca. 10 enzymes of this isoprenoid pathway are potential targets for new classes of herbicides. Since the DOXP/MEP pathway also occurs in several pathogenic bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, all inhibitors and potential herbicides of the DOXP/MEP pathway in plants are also potential drugs against pathogenic bacteria and the malaria parasite. Plants with their easily to handle DOXP/MEP-pathway are thus very suitable test-systems also for new drugs against pathogenic bacteria and the malaria parasite as no particular security measures are required. In fact, the antibiotic herbicide fosmidomycin specifically inhibited not only the DOXP reductoisomerase in plants, but also that in bacteria and in the parasite P. falciparum, and cures malaria-infected mice. This is the first successful application of a herbicide of the novel isoprenoid pathway as a possible drug against malaria.

Animals↗

[The key enzyme of cholesterol synthesis pathway: HMG-CoA reductase and disease].

In eukaryotes, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase is a key enzyme that catalyses the synthesis of a precusor of cholesterol as well as non-sterol isoprenoids, mevalonate. The regulation of the enzyme activity occurs at the transcription, post-transcription, translation and protein degradation levels. Cholesterol contributes to the generation and development of atherosclerosis while non-sterol isoprenoids play a role in regulation of cell proliferation, signal transduction and generation of cancers. At present, the enzyme is the target of several drugs effective against atherosclerosis.

Cholesterol↗

Increased acetylation of H3K14 in the genomic regions that encode trained immunity enzymes in lysophosphatidylcholine-activated human aortic endothelial cells - Novel qualification markers for chronic disease risk factors and conditional DAMPs.

To test our hypothesis that proatherogenic lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) upregulates trained immunity pathways (TIPs) in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), we conducted an intensive analyses on our RNA-Seq data and histone 3 lysine 14 acetylation (H3K14ac)-CHIP-Seq data, both performed on HAEC treated with LPC. Our analysis revealed that: 1) LPC induces upregulation of three TIPs including glycolysis enzymes (GE), mevalonate enzymes (ME), and acetyl-CoA generating enzymes (ACE); 2) LPC induces upregulation of 29% of 31 histone acetyltransferases, three of which acetylate H3K14; 3) LPC induces H3K14 acetylation (H3K14ac) in the genomic DNA that encodes LPC-induced TIP genes (79%) in comparison to that of in LPC-induced effector genes (43%) including ICAM-1; 4) TIP pathways are significantly different from that of EC activation effectors including adhesion molecule ICAM-1; 5) reactive oxygen species generating enzyme NOX2 deficiency decreases, but antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 deficiency increases, the expressions of a few TIP genes and EC activation effector genes; and 6) LPC induced TIP genes(81%) favor inter-chromosomal long-range interactions (CLRI, trans-chromatin interaction) while LPC induced effector genes (65%) favor intra-chromosomal CLRIs (cis-chromatin interaction). Our findings demonstrated that proatherogenic lipids upregulate TIPs in HAECs, which are a new category of qualification markers for chronic disease risk factors and conditional DAMPs and potential mechanisms for acute inflammation transition to chronic ones. These novel insights may lead to identifications of new cardiovascular risk factors in upregulating TIPs in cardiovascular cells and novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of metabolic cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and cancers. (total words: 245).

Acetylation↗