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Human acyl-CoA dehydrogenase-9 plays a novel role in the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids.

Unsaturated fatty acids play an important role in the prevention of human diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and neurodegeneration. However, their oxidation in vivo by acyl-CoA dehydrogenases (ACADs) that catalyze the first step of each cycle of mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation is not entirely understood. Recently, a novel ACAD (ACAD-9) of unknown function that is highly homologous to human very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase was identified by large-scale random sequencing. To characterize its enzymatic role, we have expressed ACAD-9 in Escherichia coli, purified it, and determined its pattern of substrate utilization. The N terminus of the mature form of the enzyme was identified by in vitro mitochondrial import studies of precursor protein. A 37-amino acid leader peptide was cleaved sequentially by two mitochondrial peptidases to yield a predicted molecular mass of 65 kDa for the mature subunit. Submitochondrial fractionation studies found native ACAD-9 to be associated with the mitochondrial membrane. Gel filtration analysis indicated that, like very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, ACAD-9 is a dimer, in contrast to the other known ACADs, which are tetramers. Purified mature ACAD-9 had maximal activity with long-chain unsaturated acyl-CoAs as substrates (C16:1-, C18:1-, C18:2-, C22:6-CoA). These results suggest a previously unrecognized role for ACAD-9 in the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids. Because of the substrate specificity and abundance of ACAD-9 in brain, we speculate that it may play a role in the turnover of lipid membrane unsaturated fatty acids that are essential for membrane integrity and structure.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase, Long-Chain↗

Growth of group IV mycobacteria on medium containing various saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

Seventy-one strains of 15 species of rapidly growing mycobacteria were studied for their susceptibilities to fatty acids with 2 to 20 carbons by the agar dilution method at pH 7.0. Most mycobacteria other than potential pathogens (Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonei) were resistant to saturated fatty acids, except for lauric acid (C12:0) (MIC, 6.25 to 25 micrograms/ml) and capric acid (C10:0) (MIC, 50 to 100 micrograms#ml). M. fortuitum and M. chelonei were substantially insusceptible to these fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids with 16 to 20 carbons, except for C20:5, were highly toxic to group IV mycobacteria other than M. fortuitum, M. chelonei, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Mycobacterium phlei, these being highly resistant to all the unsaturated acids, except for C16:1, C18:3, and C20:5. Introduction of double bonds to C16 to C20 fatty acids caused a marked increase in their activities that depended on the increase in the number of double bonds, at least up to three or four. M. fortuitum and M. chelonei were more resistant to the unsaturated fatty acids (particularly to C20:3 and C20:4) than the other group IV mycobacteria.

Culture Media↗

[Significance of evening primrose oil in the problem of the nutritional value of poly-unsaturated fatty acids].

The essential nutritional value of the polyunsaturated fatty acids can, in the light of present-day knowledge, be considered valid in all respects as regards the n-6 family which derives from linoleic acid. On the other hand, the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 family deriving from linolenic acid to not possess essential requisites as, for instance, they are ineffective for healing skin lesions caused by deficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids taken in with the diet have a two-fold function: 1) plastic, insofar as they are necessary for the biosynthesis of the phospholipids; 2) regulatory, as precursors of prostanoids or eicosanoids (prostaglandins, thromboxanes, prostacyclins). The process of desaturation-lengthening that leads to the formation of these compounds is, however, limited by the activity of desaturase, which is in poor enough supply, especially in certain tissues, under physiological conditions and is almost non-existent in certain pathologies such as diabetes, alcoholism, anaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. The recent use of vegetable oils such as those obtained from the seeds of Evening Primrose, is of particular interest owing to the presence of gamma-linolenic acid, the product of the activity of desaturase. In the light of this unusual property, the recent nutritional-therapeutic results obtained by using this vegetable oil are described.

Fatty Acid Desaturases↗

Selective loss of mitochondrial genome can be caused by certain unsaturated fatty acids.

Various unsaturated fatty acids had different effectiveness for maintaining the continued replication of functional mitochondria in an unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (KD115). Certain isomers of octadecenoic acid (i.e., cis-9) and eicosatrienoic acid (i.e.,cis-8,11,14) permitted continued replication of mitochondria and provided cultures that contained only 4 to 5% cells that formed petite colonies. On the other hand, cultures grown with cis-12- or cis-13-octadecenoic acid or cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid, produced a 12- to 16-fold greater frequency of petite mutants (50-60%) after 8 to 10 generations of growth. The production of the petite mutants occurred despite adequate incorporation of these unsaturated fatty acids into cellular phospholipids and an apparently normal ability to undergo the initial steps in the induction of cellular respiration. The evidence suggests that some cellular processes necessary for continued mitochondrial replication depend on the structural features of the fatty acyl chains as well as the overall content of unsaturated fatty acids in membrane phospholipids. Impairment of that process by certain inadequate fatty acids or by an inadequate supply of a suitable fatty acid leads to a permanent loss of the mitochondrial genome from the cells of subsequent generations.

Fatty Acids, Unsaturated↗

Acidic phospholipids, unsaturated fatty acids, and limited proteolysis mimic the effect of calmodulin on the purified erythrocyte Ca2+ - ATPase.

The purified Ca2+-pumping ATPase of human erythrocyte membranes (Niggli, V., Adunyah, E. S., Penniston, J. T., and Carafoli, E. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 395-401) can be stimulated, in the absence of calmodulin, by other treatments. 1. A variety of acidic phospholipids (phosphatidylserine, cardiolipin, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidic acid) stimulate the Vmax and decrease the Km (Ca2+) of the isolated enzyme to the same extent as calmodulin. Unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acid) have the same effect as phospholipids but at lower concentrations. Neutral phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidylethanolamine) have no effect on the enzyme. The minimal proportion of acidic phospholipids in the environment of the enzyme necessary for full stimulation is about 40%. 2. The isolated enzyme, after reconstitution in phosphatidylcholine liposomes in the absence of calmodulin, can be activated by limited proteolysis. The trypsinized enzyme has the same high Vmax and high affinity for Ca2+ of the enzyme in the presence of calmodulin.

Calcium-Binding Proteins↗

The enzymic and non-enzymic degradation of colneleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid ether intermediate in the lipoxygenase pathway of linoleic acid oxidation in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers.

Colneleic acid is an unsaturated ether fatty acid derived from linoleic acid via a lipoxygenase-mediated enzyme pathway. It is degraded (a) by an enzyme in potato tubers which is heat-labile and non-dialysable and (b) by a model system containing catalytic amounts of Fe(2+) ions. Both enzyme- and Fe(2+)-catalysed systems have similar properties with respect to pH optima (pH5.0-5.5), oxygen requirement (0.6-0.7 mol of O(2) consumed/mol of ether degraded), inhibitors and reaction products. An unstable product breaks down to C(8) and C(9) carbonyl fragments. Both systems are inhibited by low concentrations of antioxidants (e.g. 5mum-butylated hydroxytoluene) and some chelating agents (e.g. 5mum-diethyldithio-carbamate). The model system is strongly inhibited by metal ions, particularly Cu(2+) and Fe(3+), at 20mum. Hydrogen peroxide and haemoproteins do not substitute for the enzyme or Fe(2+) ions but the non-haem iron protein, ferredoxin, does catalyse the degradation.

Antimetabolites↗

Saturated fatty acids, but not unsaturated fatty acids, induce the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 mediated through Toll-like receptor 4.

Results from our previous studies demonstrated that activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (Tlr4), the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor, is sufficient to induce nuclear factor kappaB activation and expression of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in macrophages. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) acylated in lipid A moiety of LPS are essential for biological activities of LPS. Thus, we determined whether these fatty acids modulate LPS-induced signaling pathways and COX-2 expression in monocyte/macrophage cells (RAW 264.7). Results show that SFAs, but not unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), induce nuclear factor kappaB activation and expression of COX-2 and other inflammatory markers. This induction is inhibited by a dominant-negative Tlr4. UFAs inhibit COX-2 expression induced by SFAs, constitutively active Tlr4, or LPS. However, UFAs fail to inhibit COX-2 expression induced by activation of signaling components downstream of Tlr4. Together, these results suggest that both SFA-induced COX-2 expression and its inhibition by UFAs are mediated through a common signaling pathway derived from Tlr4. These results represent a novel mechanism by which fatty acids modulate signaling pathways and target gene expression. Furthermore, these results suggest a possibility that propensity of monocyte/macrophage activation is modulated through Tlr4 by different types of free fatty acids, which in turn can be altered by kinds of dietary fat consumed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus to unsaturated fatty acids.

Some unsaturated fatty acids were found to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Their effectiveness was related both to the degree of unsaturation and to the configuration of the molecule about the double bonds. Both linoleic acid and linolenic acid increased the proportion of plasmid-negative bacteria in a growing culture of bacteria containing a penicillinase plasmid. This was not due to a 'curing' effect of the fatty acids but was the result of greater sensitivity of the growth of bacteria containing penicillinase plasmid to inhibition by the unsaturated fatty acids. The presence of a plasmid conferring resistance to tetracycline, however, did not make the bacterium more sensitive to inhibition by linoleic or linolenic acids.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗

Genetic and biochemical characterization of a mutation (fatA) that allows trans unsaturated fatty acids to replace the essential cis unsaturated fatty acids of Escherichia coli.

Unsaturated fatty acid auxotrophs of Escherichia coli are able to use only unsaturated fatty acids of the cis configuration as the required growth supplement. A mutation in the fatA gene allows such auxotrophs to utilize unsaturated fatty acids with a trans double bond as well as fatty acids having a cis double bond. The fatA gene was mapped to min 69 near argG, and the allele studied (fatA1) was found to be dominant over the wild-type gene. fatA1 mutant strains grew at similar rates when supplemented with elaidate (trans-9-octadecenoate) or oleate (cis-9-octadecenoate). The fat+ strain, however, lysed when supplemented with the trans fatty acid. Physiological characterization of the fatA mutant strain was undertaken. The mutation appeared not to be involved with long-chain fatty acid transport. Introduction of lesions in known fatty acid transport genes abolished trans fatty acid utilization in the fatA mutant strain. Also, growth characteristics of the fat+ and the fatA1 mutant strains on elaidate as the sole carbon source were identical, which indicated comparables rate of fatty acid accumulation. The mutation appeared to be involved with recognition of the trans configuration after uptake into the cell. The levels of trans fatty acid incorporation into the phospholipids of the fat+ and the fatA strains differed considerably, with the mutant incorporating much higher levels. No significant accumulation of elaidate into nonphospholipid cellular components was observed. The fatA mutation did not appear to be involved with the cellular metabolic state, as cyclic AMP had no effect on the ability of the strains to utilize trans fatty acids.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Arachidonic acid and other unsaturated fatty acids alter membrane potential in PC12 and bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

The action of arachidonic acid and other fatty acids on membrane potential in PC12 and bovine chromaffin cells was investigated using a membrane potential-sensitive fluorescent dye. Arachidonic acid (1-40 microM) provoked dose-dependent membrane hyperpolarization, thereby reducing hyperpolarization induced by the K(+)-selective ionophore valinomycin. Other cis-unsaturated fatty acids, but not lipoxygenase products or the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid, also affected membrane potential. Tetraethylammonium blocked the arachidonic acid-induced hyperpolarization. These data suggest that cis-unsaturated fatty acids alter membrane potential in PC12 and bovine chromaffin cells by modulating K+ conductances. Valinomycin-generated hyperpolarization had no effect on agonist-induced Ca2+ influx into bovine chromaffin cells, whereas preincubation with arachidonic acid and other cis-unsaturated fatty acids blocked Ca2+ influx and secretion. We propose a model where internally generated fatty acids act as a feedback to desensitize the stimulated cell via inhibition of receptor-dependent Ca2+ influx and induction of membrane hyperpolarization.

Animals↗

Modulation of immunogenic keratitis in rabbits by topical administration of poly-unsaturated fatty acids.

Several unsaturated fatty acids are precursors of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Depending on their precursor, these prostaglandins and leukotrienes have different biological characteristics. The effects of topically administered fatty acids on an experimentally provoked inflammatory keratitis were studied in rabbits. Intrastromal injection with human serum albumin induced in the cornea a ring-shaped infiltration with leukocytes, corneal edema and neovascularization. Arachidonic, gamma-linolenic, dihomo-gamma-linolenic (DHGL), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and columbinic acid were given as eye drops in a suspension in hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 0.5% three times daily during the experiment. EPA, DHGL, columbinic, and gamma-linolenic, but not arachidonic acid, showed a significant inhibition of either leukocyte infiltration, edema or neovascularization. The inhibitory effects of these fatty acids may be caused by topical inhibition of the formation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes in the arachidonic acid cascade in the rabbit cornea.

Administration, Topical↗

Relationship between essential fatty acid requirements of aquatic animals and the capacity for bioconversion of linolenic acid to highly unsaturated fatty acids.

1. [1-14C]linolenic acid was injected into the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdnerii, ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis, eel, Anguilla japonica, red sea bream, Chrysophrys major, rockfish, Sebastiscus marmoratus, globefish, Fugu rubripes rubripes and prawn, Penaeus japonicus (molting stage D"1-D2), and the bioconversion of linolenic acid (18:3 omega 3) to highly unsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic (20:5 omega 3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6 omega 3) acids was investigated. 2. Linolenic acid was converted to 20:5 omega 3 and 22:6 omega 3 intensively in the rainbow trout, moderately in the ayu, eel and prawn, but slightly in the red sea bream, rockfish and globefish. 3. These results were discussed in relation to the essential fatty acid requirements of the aquatic animals.

Animals↗

Downregulation of saturated fatty acid and upregulation of unsaturated fatty acid by 13-cis-retinoic acid in human prostate cancer cells.

Retinoids play a major role in regulation of epithelial cell growth and cellular differentiation, but their mechanism(s) of action are still unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) on cytotoxicity, growth properties, morphology, neutral lipids, phospholipids and fatty acids in cultured human prostate cancer cell lines. The results of these experiments suggest that 13-cis-RA (10 microM) inhibits the DNA synthesis and nude mice tumorigenicity by 2- to 3-fold, compared to control. Electron microscopy revealed more differentiated phenotypes after 13-cis-RA treatment. There was a significant increase in phosphatidylcholine and decrease in sphingomyelin in 13-cis-RA treated cells compared to control. The saturated fatty acids significantly decreased whereas unsaturated fatty acids were increased after 13-cis-RA treatment in prostate cancer cells. This study demonstrates for the first time that retinoic acid mediated downregulation of saturated fatty acids and upregulation of unsaturated fatty acid in human prostate cancer cells.

Animals↗

Regulation of transcription of genes required for fatty acid transport and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli by FadR.

Fatty acid biosynthesis and fatty acid degradation in Escherichia coli are co-ordinately regulated at the level of transcription by the product of the fadR gene, FadR. In the present work we investigate FadR interaction with the fabA and fadL promoters. The FadR-responsive operator within fabA, OA, was localized to a region -47 to -31 base pairs relative to the start of transcription using DNase I protection studies. The promoter and untranslated leader within fadL had two binding sites for FadR, OL1 at -25 to -9 and OL2 at -1 to +16 relative to the start of transcription. The binding affinity of FadR for OA and OL1 or OL2 was lower than that for the single site within fadB (OB) as measured using protein-DNA gel retention assays. Overall, these experiments demonstrated that the affinity of FadR binding for DNA containing the fadB, fadL and fabA promoters was OB > OL1, OL2 > OA. We could not distinguish separate binding affinities for OL1 or OL2. We demonstrated repression of fadL transcription and activation of fabA transcription in vitro using run-off transcription assays containing purified FadR and RNA polymerase.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗