Substrate acetyl-CoA Research Articles

SRT1720, SRT2183, SRT1460, and Resveratrol Are Not Direct Activators of SIRT1

Sirtuins catalyze NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylation and are critical regulators of transcription, apoptosis, metabolism, and aging. There are seven human sirtuins (SIRT1-7), and SIRT1 has been implicated as a key mediator of the pathways downstream of calorie restriction that have been shown to delay the onset and reduce the incidence of age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Increasing SIRT1 activity, either by transgenic overexpression of the Sirt1 gene in mice or by pharmacological activation by small molecule activators resveratrol and SRT1720, has shown beneficial effects in rodent models of type 2 diabetes, indicating that SIRT1 may represent an attractive therapeutic target. Herein, we have assessed purported SIRT1 activators by employing biochemical assays utilizing native substrates, including a p53-derived peptide substrate lacking a fluorophore as well as the purified native full-length protein substrates p53 and acetyl-CoA synthetase1. SRT1720, its structurally related compounds SRT2183 and SRT1460, and resveratrol do not lead to apparent activation of SIRT1 with native peptide or full-length protein substrates, whereas they do activate SIRT1 with peptide substrate containing a covalently attached fluorophore. Employing NMR, surface plasmon resonance, and isothermal calorimetry techniques, we provide evidence that these compounds directly interact with fluorophore-containing peptide substrates. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SRT1720 neither lowers plasma glucose nor improves mitochondrial capacity in mice fed a high fat diet. SRT1720, SRT2183, SRT1460, and resveratrol exhibit multiple off-target activities against receptors, enzymes, transporters, and ion channels. Taken together, we conclude that SRT1720, SRT2183, SRT1460, and resveratrol are not direct activators of SIRT1.

Analysis of p300/CBP Histone Acetyltransferase Regulation Using Circular Permutation and Semisynthesis

The histone acetyltransferase (HAT) p300/CBP has been shown to undergo autoacetylation on lysines in an apparent regulatory loop that stimulates HAT activity. Here we have developed a strategy to introduce acetyl-Lys at up to six known modification sites in p300/CBP HAT using a combination of circular permutation and expressed protein ligation. We show that these semisynthetic, circularly permuted acetylated proteins retain high affinity for an acetyl-CoA substrate analogue and that HAT activity correlates positively with degree of acetylation. This study provides novel evidence for control of p300/CBP HAT activity by site-specific autoacetylation and outlines a potentially general strategy for using expressed protein ligation and circular permutation to chemically interrogate internal regions of proteins.

Integrating Horizontal Gene Transfer and Common Descent to Depict Evolution and Contrast It with “Common Design”1

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and common descent interact in space and time. Because events of HGT co-occur with phylogenetic evolution, it is difficult to depict evolutionary patterns graphically. Tree-like representations of life's diversification are useful, but they ignore the significance of HGT in evolutionary history, particularly of unicellular organisms, ancestors of multicellular life. Here we integrate the reticulated-tree model, ring of life, symbiogenesis whole-organism model, and eliminative pattern pluralism to represent evolution. Using Entamoeba histolytica alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (EhADH2), a bifunctional enzyme in the glycolytic pathway of amoeba, we illustrate how EhADH2 could be the product of both horizontally acquired features from ancestral prokaryotes (i.e. aldehyde dehydrogenase [ALDH] and alcohol dehydrogenase [ADH]), and subsequent functional integration of these enzymes into EhADH2, which is now inherited by amoeba via common descent. Natural selection has driven the evolution of EhADH2 active sites, which require specific amino acids (cysteine 252 in the ALDH domain; histidine 754 in the ADH domain), iron- and NAD(+) as cofactors, and the substrates acetyl-CoA for ALDH and acetaldehyde for ADH. Alternative views invoking "common design" (i.e. the non-naturalistic emergence of major taxa independent from ancestry) to explain the interaction between horizontal and vertical evolution are unfounded.

A tale of two functions: enzymatic activity and translational repression by carboxyltransferase

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase catalyzes the first committed step in fatty acid synthesis. Escherichia coli acetyl-CoA carboxylase is composed of biotin carboxylase, carboxyltransferase and biotin carboxyl carrier protein functions. The accA and accD genes that code for the α- and β-subunits, respectively, are not in an operon, yet yield an α2β2 carboxyltransferase. Here, we report that carboxyltransferase regulates its own translation by binding the mRNA encoding its subunits. This interaction is mediated by a zinc finger on the β-subunit; mutation of the four cysteines to alanine diminished nucleic acid binding and catalytic activity. Carboxyltransferase binds the coding regions of both subunit mRNAs and inhibits translation, an inhibition that is relieved by the substrate acetyl-CoA. mRNA binding reciprocally inhibits catalytic activity. Preferential binding of carboxyltransferase to RNA in situ was shown using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. We propose an unusual regulatory mechanism by which carboxyltransferase acts as a ‘dimmer switch’ to regulate protein production and catalytic activity, while sensing the metabolic state of the cell through acetyl-CoA concentration.

The effects of apelin treatment on skeletal muscle mitochondrial content

Adipose tissue is recognized as a key player in the regulation of whole body metabolism. Apelin, is a recently identified adipokine that when given to mice results in increases in skeletal muscle uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) content. Similarly, acute apelin treatment has been shown to increase the activity of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a reputed mediator of skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis. Given these findings, we sought to determine the effects of apelin on skeletal muscle mitochondrial content. Male Wistar rats were given daily intraperitoneal injections of apelin-13 (100 nmol/kg) for 2 wk. We made the novel observation that the activities of citrate synthase, cytochrome c oxidase, and beta-hydroxyacyl coA dehydrogenase (betaHAD) were increased in triceps but not heart and soleus muscles from apelin-treated rats. When confirming these results we found that both nuclear and mitochondrial-encoded subunits of the respiratory chain were increased in triceps from apelin-treated rats. Similarly, apelin treatment increased the protein content of components of the mitochondrial import and assembly pathway. The increases in mitochondrial marker proteins were associated with increases in proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1beta) but not PGC-1alpha or Pgc-1-related co-activator (PRC) mRNA expression. Chronic and acute apelin treatment did not increase the protein content and/or phosphorylation status of AMPK and its downstream substrate acetyl-CoA carboxylase. These findings are the first to demonstrate that apelin treatment can induce skeletal muscle mitochondrial content. Given the lack of an effect of apelin on AMPK signaling and PGC-1alpha mRNA expression, these results suggest that apelin increases skeletal muscle mitochondrial content through a mechanism that is distinct from that of more robust physiological stressors.

Crystal Structures of Human SIRT3 Displaying Substrate-induced Conformational Changes

SIRT3 is a major mitochondrial NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylase playing important roles in regulating mitochondrial metabolism and energy production and has been linked to the beneficial effects of exercise and caloric restriction. SIRT3 is emerging as a potential therapeutic target to treat metabolic and neurological diseases. We report the first sets of crystal structures of human SIRT3, an apo-structure with no substrate, a structure with a peptide containing acetyl lysine of its natural substrate acetyl-CoA synthetase 2, a reaction intermediate structure trapped by a thioacetyl peptide, and a structure with the dethioacetylated peptide bound. These structures provide insights into the conformational changes induced by the two substrates required for the reaction, the acetylated substrate peptide and NAD(+). In addition, the binding study by isothermal titration calorimetry suggests that the acetylated peptide is the first substrate to bind to SIRT3, before NAD(+). These structures and biophysical studies provide key insight into the structural and functional relationship of the SIRT3 deacetylation activity.

A visible wavelength spectrophotometric assay suitable for high-throughput screening of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase catalyzes the first physiologically irreversible step in biosynthesis of isoprenoids and sterols from acetyl-CoA. Inhibition of enzyme activity by β-lactone-containing natural products correlates with substantial diminution of sterol synthesis, identifying HMG-CoA synthase as a potential drug target and suggesting that identification of effective inhibitors would be valuable. A visible wavelength spectrophotometric assay for HMG-CoA synthase has been developed. The assay uses dithiobisnitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) to detect coenzyme A (CoASH) release on acetylation of enzyme by the substrate acetyl-CoA, which precedes condensation with acetoacetyl-CoA to form the HMG-CoA product. The assay method takes advantage of the stability of recombinant enzyme in the absence of a reducing agent. It can be scaled down to a 60 μl volume to allow the use of 384-well microplates, facilitating high-throughput screening of compound libraries. Enzyme activity measured in the microplate assay is comparable to values measured by using conventional scale spectrophotometric assays with the DTNB method (412 nm) for CoASH production or by monitoring the use of a second substrate, acetoacetyl-CoA (300 nm). The high-throughput assay method has been successfully used to screen a library of more than 100,000 drug-like compounds and has identified both reversible and irreversible inhibitors of the human enzyme.

A continuous microplate assay for sirtuins and nicotinamide-producing enzymes

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent protein deacetylases (sirtuins) and other enzymes that produce nicotinamide are integral to many cellular processes. Yet current activity measurements involve expensive and time-consuming assays. Here we present a spectroscopic assay that circumvents many issues of previous methods. This assay permits continuous product monitoring over time, allows determination of steady-state kinetic parameters, and is readily adaptable to high-throughput screening. The methodology uses an enzyme-coupled system in which nicotinamide is converted to nicotinic acid and ammonia by nicotinamidase. The ammonia is transferred to α-ketoglutarate via glutamate dehydrogenase, yielding glutamate and the oxidation of NAD(P)H to NAD(P)+, which is measured spectrophotometrically at 340nm. Using this continuous assay with sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) and the ADP-ribosyl cyclase CD38, the resulting steady-state kinetic parameters are in excellent agreement with values obtained by other published methods. Importantly, this assay permitted determination of kcat and Km values with the native acetylated substrate acetyl-CoA synthetase-1; measurement of Sirt1, Sirt2, and Sirt3 activities from mammalian cell extracts; and determination of IC50 values of various Sirt1 inhibitors. This assay is applicable to any nicotinamide-forming enzyme and will be an important tool to address many outstanding questions surrounding their regulation.

Functional Analysis of Long-chain Acyl-CoA Synthetase 1 in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

ACSL1 (acyl-CoA synthetase 1), the major acyl-CoA synthetase of adipocytes, has been proposed to function in adipocytes as mediating free fatty acid influx, esterification, and storage as triglyceride. To test this hypothesis, ACSL1 was stably silenced (knockdown (kd)) in 3T3-L1 cells, differentiated into adipocytes, and evaluated for changes in lipid metabolism. Surprisingly, ACSL1-silenced adipocytes exhibited no significant changes in basal or insulin-stimulated long-chain fatty acid uptake, lipid droplet size, or tri-, di-, or monoacylglycerol levels when compared with a control adipocyte line. However, ACSL1 kd adipocytes displayed a 7-fold increase in basal and a approximately 15% increase in forskolin-stimulated fatty acid efflux without any change in glycerol release, indicating a role for the protein in fatty acid reesterification following lipolysis. Consistent with this proposition, ACSL1 kd cells exhibited a decrease in activation and phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and its primary substrate acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Moreover, ACSL1 kd adipocytes displayed an increase in phosphorylated protein kinase C and phosphorylated JNK, attenuated insulin signaling, and a decrease in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. These findings identify a primary role of ACSL1 in adipocytes not in control of lipid influx, as previously considered, but in lipid efflux and fatty acid-induced insulin resistance.

AMP-activated protein kinase가 셀레늄으로 처리된 3T3-L1 지방세포의 분화과정 억제에 관한 연구

Selenium was investigated using human origin preadipocytes to see whether it possesses preventive or therapeutic effects for obesity. Unveiling the potential of selenium in the reduction of adipogenesis can help predict the therapeutic capabilities of selenium in obesity. In the present study, the molecular mechanism of the inhibition of adipogenesis by selenium was explored to unravel the involvement of the AMP-activated protein kinase. There is emerging evidence that AMPK, a sensor of cellular energy status, is a possible molecular target of controlling adipocyte differentiation on the basis of discovery that AMPK is responsible for the major metabolic responses to exercise, and integration of nutritional and hormonal signals to modulate feeding behavior or energy expenditure in the hypothalamus. Treatment of selenium resulted in inhibition of the adipocyte differentiation process and induction of mature apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We hypothesized that selenium may exert anti-adipogenic potential though modulating AMPK. We have found that selenium significantly activated AMPK and phosphorylated its substrate acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC-serine??) during the inhibitory process of adipocytes. Also, the inhibition process of adipocyte differentiation by selenium was comparable to either reveratrol or a synthetic AMPK activator, AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside). To evaluate the involvement of AMPK in anti-lipogensis, we applied AICAR and Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, to 3T3-L1-adipocytes and found that AMPK is required for the adipocyte differentiation blocking process. These results suggest that selenium has a potential to control adipogenesis and that this effect is mediated by AMPK, an essential kinase for both inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and apoptosis of mature adipocytes.

It's no go for protein when it's all go

It's no go for protein when it's all go

Low salt concentrations activate AMP-activated protein kinase in mouse macula densa cells

The energy-sensing kinase AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is associated with the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter NKCC2 in the kidney and phosphorylates it on a regulatory site in vitro. To identify a potential role for AMPK in salt sensing at the macula densa, we have used the murine macula densa cell line MMDD1. In this cell line, AMPK was rapidly activated by isosmolar low-salt conditions. In contrast to the known salt-sensing pathway in the macula densa, AMPK activation occurred in the presence of either low sodium or low chloride and was unaffected by inhibition of NKCC2 with bumetanide. Assays using recombinant AMPK demonstrated activation of an upstream kinase by isosmolar low salt. The specific calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase kinase inhibitor STO-609 failed to suppress AMPK activation, suggesting that it was not part of the signal pathway. AMPK activation was associated with increased phosphorylation of the specific substrate acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) at Ser(79), as well as increased NKCC2 phosphorylation at Ser(126). AMPK activation due to low salt concentrations was inhibited by an adenovirus construct encoding a kinase dead mutant of AMPK, leading to reduced ACC Ser(79) and NKCC2 Ser(126) phosphorylation. This work demonstrates that AMPK activation in macula densa-like cells occurs via isosmolar changes in sodium or chloride concentration, leading to phosphorylation of ACC and NKCC2. Phosphorylation of these substrates in vivo is predicted to increase intracellular chloride and so reduce the effect of salt restriction on tubuloglomerular feedback and renin secretion.

Abstract 1915: Simvastatin Regulates Insulin Signaling in Endothelial Cells via Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

Statins exert pleiotropic effects upon the cardiovascular system, but the role of statins in modulation of insulin signaling remains incompletely defined. In these studies, we explore the effects of simvastatin on insulin pathways in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC), and propose a novel mechanism linking these pathways that involves AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Treatment of BAEC with 100 nM insulin promotes the rapid phosphorylation of Akt (3.8±0.2-fold increase; n=4; p<0.01), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β, 2.7±0.5-fold increase; n=4; p<0.01), as well as that of critical substrates in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis including mTOR (2.8±0.2-fold increase; n=4; p<0.02) and p70S6K (3.2±0.5-fold increase; n=4; p<0.02). However, in cells pretreated with simvastatin (10 μM for 24 hr), these insulin-dependent phosphorylations are significantly attenuated (62±10%, 48±12%, 53±9%, and 58±13% reduction in the phosphorylation of Akt, GSK3β, mTOR, and p70S6K, respectively; p<0.02; n=4). Given our findings on the modulation of these key metabolic enzymes by simvastatin, we explored the effects of insulin and simvastatin on AMPK. We found that insulin promotes a rapid (within minutes) and robust increase in phosphorylation of both AMPK and its substrate acetyl CoA carboxylase (2.5±0.4-fold increase; n=4; p<0.01). Importantly, transfection of BAEC with siRNA targeting AMPK results in enhanced insulin-dependent phosphorylation of Akt (57±9% enhancement compared to cells transfected with control siRNA; n=4; p<0.015), as well as significant increases in phosphorylation of GSK3β, mTOR, and p70S6K (55±12% enhancement; n=4; p<0.02), indicating a key regulatory role for AMPK in insulin-dependent metabolic signaling. Importantly, in cells transfected with AMPK siRNA, simvastatin treatment no longer attenuates insulin signaling to these substrates, suggesting that AMPK is required for the regulation of insulin pathways by statins. Taken together, these results establish that simvastatin modulates critical insulin responses in endothelial cells, and provide new insights into the roles of AMPK in linking insulin- and statin-regulated metabolic signaling pathways in the vascular wall.

Up‐regulation of the non‐ neurogenic cholinergic system in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Despite the intense interest in the effect of acetylcholine in the vascular system, no evidence has been provided suggesting that endothelial cells are directly innervated by cholinergic neurons. The present study was designed to test whether or not the rat aorta contain the biochemical apparatus needed to synthesize, transport, store and degrade acetylcholine, and if so, whether or not differences in the expression of these components exist between preparations from normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Gene expressions were quantified by real‐time PCR. The mRNA expression for the neuronal choline acetyltransferase (which synthesizes acetylcholine from the substrates acetyl CoA and choline), vesicular acetylcholine transporter (which specializes in the trafficking of acetylcholine) and acetylcholine esterase (which breakdowns acetylcholine) were expressed in the aorta of both WKY and SHR. The expression of these enzymes was significantly higher in the latter. These data suggest that acetylcholine synthesis is not limited to the cholinergic nerves, but that the cholinergic transmitter is released directly from the aorta in an autocrine fashion to modulate local blood flow. The enhanced vascular synthesis of acetylcholine in the hypertensive rat may reflect a compensatory response to correct for endothelial dysfunction. This work is funded by the RGC – HKU.

Limited Mitochondrial Permeabilization Is an Early Manifestation of Palmitate-induced Lipotoxicity in Pancreatic β-Cells

Involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore in early stages of lipotoxic stress in the pancreatic beta-cell lines MIN6 and INS-1 was the focus of this study. Both long term (indirect) and acute (direct) effects of fatty acid (FA) application on beta-cell susceptibility to Ca(2+)-induced MPT induction were examined using both permeabilized and intact beta-cells. Long term exposure to moderate (i.e. below cytotoxic) levels of the saturated FA palmitate sensitized beta-cell mitochondria to MPT induced by Ca(2+). Long term exposure to palmitate was significantly a more efficient inducer of MPT than the unsaturated FA oleate, although upon acute application both caused similar MPT activation. Application of antioxidants, inhibitors of the ceramide pathway, or modifiers of membrane fluidity did not protect beta-cell mitochondria from FA exposure. However, significant protection was provided by co-application of the unsaturated FA oleate in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent manner. Characterization of MPT pore opening in response to moderate palmitate treatment revealed the opening of a unique form of MPT in beta-cells as it encompassed features of both low and high conductance MPT states. Specifically, this MPT showed solute selectivity, characteristic of a low conductance MPT; however, it affected mitochondrial respiration and membrane potential in a way typical of a high conductance MPT. Activation of the full-size/high conductance form of MPT required application of high levels of FA that reduced growth and initiated apoptosis. These findings suggest that in the beta-cell, MPTs can act as both initiators of cell death and as versatile modulators of cell metabolism, depending on the mode of the MPT pore induced.

α2 but Not α1 AMP-activated Protein Kinase Mediates Oxidative Stress-induced Inhibition of Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Phagocytosis of Photoreceptor Outer Segments

Oxidative stress causes retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell dysfunction and is a major risk factor leading to the development of dry-type age-related macular degeneration. Taking pharmacological and genetic approaches, we address the mechanisms by which sublethal oxidative stress inhibits RPE cell phagocytosis. Sublethal oxidative stress dose-dependently inhibited RPE cell phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) and activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as determined by increased Thr172 and Ser79 phosphorylation of AMPKalpha and its substrate acetyl-CoA carboxylase, respectively. Similar to oxidative stress, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), a pharmacological activator of AMPK, inhibited RPE cell phagocytosis of POS in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of RPE cell phagocytosis by AICAR was fully reversed by blockade of AICAR translocation into cells by dipyridamole or inhibition of AICAR conversion to ZMP by adenosine kinase inhibitor 5-iodotubercidin. In agreement, AICAR-induced activation of AMPK was abolished by preincubation with dipyridamole or 5-iodotubercidin. Knock-out experiments further revealed that alpha2 but not alpha1 AMPK was involved in RPE cell phagocytosis and that activation of alpha2 AMPK contributed to the inhibition of RPE cell phagocytosis by oxidative stress. Inhibition of RPE cell phagocytosis by activation of alpha2 AMPK was associated with a dramatic increase in acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation. In comparison, AMPK had no role in oxidative stress-induced breakdown of RPE barrier function. Taken together, reduction in POS load under oxidative stress might direct RPE cells to a self-protected status. Thus, activating AMPK could have therapeutic potential in treating dry macular degeneration.

A pivotal role for endogenous TGF-β-activated kinase-1 in the LKB1/AMP-activated protein kinase energy-sensor pathway

TGF-beta-activated kinase-1 (TAK1), also known as MAPKK kinase-7 (MAP3K7), is a candidate effector of multiple circuits in cardiac biology and disease. Here, we show that inhibition of TAK1 in mice by a cardiac-specific dominant-negative mutation evokes electrophysiological and biochemical properties reminiscent of human Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, arising from mutations in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), most notably, accelerated atrioventricular conduction and impaired AMPK activation. To test conclusively the biochemical connection from TAK1 to AMPK suggested by this phenotype, we disrupted TAK1 in mouse embryos and embryonic fibroblasts by Cre-mediated recombination. In TAK1-null embryos, the activating phosphorylation of AMPK at T172 was blocked, accompanied by defective AMPK activity. However, loss of endogenous TAK1 causes midgestation lethality, with defective yolk sac and intraembryonic vasculature. To preclude confounding lethal defects, we acutely ablated floxed TAK1 in culture by viral delivery of Cre. In culture, endogenous TAK1 was activated by oligomycin, the antidiabetic drug metformin, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), and ischemia, well established triggers of AMPK activity. Loss of TAK1 in culture blocked T172 phosphorylation induced by all three agents, interfered with AMPK activation, impaired phosphorylation of the endogenous AMPK substrate acetyl CoA carboxylase, and also interfered with activation of the AMPK kinase LKB1. Thus, by disrupting the endogenous TAK1 locus, we prove a pivotal role for TAK1 in the LKB1/AMPK signaling axis, an essential governor of cell metabolism.

Crystal Structures of Murine Carnitine Acetyltransferase in Ternary Complexes with Its Substrates

Carnitine acyltransferases catalyze the reversible exchange of acyl groups between coenzyme A (CoA) and carnitine. They have important roles in many cellular processes, especially the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids in the mitochondria for energy production, and are attractive targets for drug discovery against diabetes and obesity. To help define in molecular detail the catalytic mechanism of these enzymes, we report here the high resolution crystal structure of wild-type murine carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT) in a ternary complex with its substrates acetyl-CoA and carnitine, and the structure of the S554A/M564G double mutant in a ternary complex with the substrates CoA and hexanoylcarnitine. Detailed analyses suggest that these structures may be good mimics for the Michaelis complexes for the forward and reverse reactions of the enzyme, representing the first time that such complexes of CrAT have been studied in molecular detail. The structural information provides significant new insights into the catalytic mechanism of CrAT and possibly carnitine acyltransferases in general.

Is there a single malonyl‐CoA pool in the heart for regulation of carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐I and fatty acid chain elongation

In non-lipogenic tissues malonyl-CoA serves two functions: 1) regulation of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation via inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-I), and 2) providing two-carbon units for fatty acid chain elongation. In the presence of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC-2) substrates acetyl-CoA, ATP-Mg2+, and bicarbonate isolated rat heart mitochondria synthesize malonyl-CoA that results in inhibition of CPT-I. Furthermore, addition of palmitoyl-CoA and NADPH/NADH to isolated intact rat heart mitochondria catalyze the incorporation of radioactive malonyl-CoA into lipid soluble products suggesting an outer mitochondrial membrane localization of the long-chain fatty acid elongation pathway. These data suggest that malonyl-CoA formed by mitochondrial ACC-2 is available for both, regulation of fatty acid oxidation and for fatty acid chain elongation. The finding with perfused heart that stable isotope labeled palmitate is chain-elongated to stearate without prior chain shortening by β-oxidation and isotope dilution as judged from the near identical isotope enrichment of palmitoyl- and stearoylcarnitine is in support of this. These data and the exclusive outer mitochondrial membrane localization of CPT-I suggests that mitochondria catalyze long-chain fatty acid elongation also in vivo. Our data raise the question about metabolic channeling of malonyl-CoA between ACC-2, CPT-I, and fatty acid chain elongation and how these processes are regulated. Supported by: DK-066107, POI AG15885, and VA Med. Res. Serv.

Peroxisomal and Mitochondrial Oxidation of Fatty Acids in the Heart, Assessed from the 13C Labeling of Malonyl-CoA and the Acetyl Moiety of Citrate

We previously showed that a fraction of the acetyls used to synthesize malonyl-CoA in rat heart derives from partial peroxisomal oxidation of very long and long-chain fatty acids. The 13C labeling ratio (malonyl-CoA)/(acetyl moiety of citrate) was >1.0 with 13C-fatty acids, which yields [13C]acetyl-CoA in both mitochondria and peroxisomes and < 1.0 with substrates, which yields [13C]acetyl-CoA only in mitochondria. In this study, we tested the influence of 13C-fatty acid concentration and chain length on the labeling of acetyl-CoA formed in mitochondria and/or peroxisomes. Hearts were perfused with increasing concentrations of labeled docosanoate, oleate, octanoate, hexanoate, butyrate, acetate, or dodecanedioate. In contrast to the liver, peroxisomal oxidation of 1-13C-fatty acids in heart does not form [1-13C]acetate. With [1-13C]docosanoate and [1,12-13C2]dodecanedioate, malonyl-CoA enrichment plateaued at 11 and 9%, respectively, with no detectable labeling of the acetyl moiety of citrate. Thus, in the intact rat heart, docosanoate and dodecanedioate appear to be oxidized only in peroxisomes. With [1-13C]oleate or [1-13C]octanoate, the labeling ratio >1 indicates the partial peroxisomal oxidation of oleate and octanoate. In contrast, with [3-13C]octanoate, [1-13C]hexanoate, [1-13C]butyrate, or [1,2-13C2]acetate, the labeling ratio was <0.7 at all concentrations. Therefore, in rat heart, (i) n-fatty acids shorter than 8 carbons do not undergo peroxisomal oxidation, (ii) octanoate undergoes only one cycle of peroxisomal beta-oxidation, (iii) there is no detectable transfer to the mitochondria of acetyl-CoA from the cytosol or the peroxisomes, and (iv) the capacity of C2-C18 fatty acids to generate mitochondrial acetyl-CoA decreases with chain length.