acyl-CoA:cholesterol Acyltransferase Activity Research Articles

Reversible translocation of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) between the endoplasmic reticulum and vesicular structures.

The enzyme acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is normally localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where it can esterify cholesterol for storage in lipid droplets and/or the formation of lipoproteins. Here, we report that ACAT can translocate from the ER into vesicular structures in response to different ACAT inhibitors. The translocation was fast (within minutes), reversible and occurred in different cell types. Interestingly, oleic acid was able to fasten the re-translocation from vesicles back into the reticular ER network. The process of ACAT translocation could also be induced by cyclodextrins, cholesterol, lanosterol (but not 4-cholestene-3 one), 25-hydroxycholesterol, and by certain stress stimuli such as hyperosmolarity (sucrose treatment), temperature change, or high-density cultivation. In vitro esterification showed that ACAT remains fully active after it has been translocated to vesicles in response to hyperosmotic sucrose treatment of the cells. The translocation process was not accompanied by changes in the electrophoretic mobility of ACAT, even after chemical crosslinking. Interestingly, the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide showed a stimulating effect on ACAT activity and prevented the translocation of ACAT from the ER into vesicles.

Efektivitas Ekstrak Daun Annona Muricata Terhadap Penurunan Kolesterol Total Pada Lansia Dengan Hiperkolesterolemia Di Panti Werdha Mojopahit Mojokerto

The elderly experience a decrease in function, especially in the function of blood circulation. Blood circulation diseases and hormonal metabolism disorders experienced by the elderly include hypercholesterolemia. Hypercholesterolemia is a disorder of fat metabolism that triggers an increase in total blood cholesterol levels, namely> 200 mg/dl. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of A. muricata leaf extract in decreasing total cholesterol levels in the elderly with hypercholesterolemia. Quantitative research method, using a quasi-experimental type with a group pretest-posttest design, with a sample size of 20 elderly. The sampling technique used purposive sampling, was carried out for a week consuming three times a day. The paired t-test showed a value of 8.73 and a p-value of 0.001. This study's results indicated a significant difference between the average cholesterol levels in the pre-test and post-test administration of Annona Muricata leaf extract. Compounds contained in soursop leaves, namely flavonoids, by reducing the activity of HMG-koa reductase (enzyme β-Hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-CoA) can reduce the activity of ACAT (enzyme acyl-Coa cholesterol acyltransferase), and reduce the absorption activity of cholesterol in the liver. Digestive tract. Saponin compounds in soursop leave lower cholesterol by binding to cholesterol in the intestinal lumen, thereby preventing the reabsorption of cholesterol. Saponins can bind with bile acids, which in turn will reduce the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids and cause an increase in the process of excretion of cholesterol.

The extract of Ilex kudingcha inhibits atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice by suppressing cholesterol accumulation in macrophages.

It was previously reported that oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, triterpenoid compounds occurring in Ilex kudingcha, ameliorate hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice. In the present study, we investigated whether I. kudingcha extract exerts similar inhibitory effects on cholesterol accumulation in human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) and atherogenesis in apoE-deficient mice. I. kudingcha extract significantly inhibited cholesterol ester (CE) accumulation induced by acetylated LDL (acetyl-LDL) in HMDMs; however, it generated no effect on cell viability in HMDMs. I. kudingcha extract also suppressed CE accumulation in acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT)-overexpressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, thereby indicating that it inhibits ACAT activity. Furthermore, the oral administration of I. kudingcha extract to apoE-deficient mice significantly decreased the levels of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, sLOX-1, as well as the regions of atherosclerotic lesions in the mice. Our study reveals crucial new-found evidence that I. kudingcha extract significantly inhibits ACAT activity and suppresses atherogenesis.

Abstract 363: Lysosomal Lipid Accumulation and Dysregulation of Downstream Cholesterol Homeostasis in Human Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells

Background and Hypothesis: Previously we reported that ≥ 50% of the foam cells in human coronary artery atherosclerosis are smooth muscle cell (SMC) derived, and that the rate-limiting cholesterol exporter, ATP-binding cassette transporter protein A1 (ABCA1), has reduced expression in SMCs compared to leukocytes in the intima. Upregulation of ABCA1 expression is dependent on normal flux of lipoprotein-derived cholesterol out of lysosomes and the subsequent generation of 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC). Excess lipoprotein-derived cholesterol is also converted to cholesteryl esters (CE) through the actions of acyl-coA cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). Processes by which macrophages store lipoprotein-derived cholesterol in cytosolic and lysosomal compartments are well described, whereas less is known about SMCs. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that preferential SMC foam cell formation and the observed derangement in ABCA1 expression are associated with increased lysosomal sequestration of atherogenic lipids. Methods and Results: Human aortic SMCs and human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMMs) were loaded with aggregated LDL (agLDL) for 24 hrs, followed by a 24 hr equilibration without lipids to allow processing of lipoproteins. Data are presented as mean±SEM. In response to agLDL, CE content (nmol/mg protein) measured by LC/MS/MS increased from 2.2±1.3 to 277.0±18.2 in HMMs, and 3.5±5.3 to 46.8±14.5 in SMCs (n=9). Confocal microscopy indicated elevated lysosomal lipid accumulation in SMCs compared to HMMs. Levels of 27-OHC (ng/mg protein) as measured by LC/MS/MS increased from 80.9±9.5 to 281.4±22.7 (3.5-fold) in HMMs, and 0.7±0.2 to 1.5±0.3 (1.4-fold) in SMCs (n=9). ACAT activity, measured by the incorporation of 14 C-labelled oleate (pmol/mg protein), increased from 21.0±1.7 to 678.1±110.9 (32.2-fold) in HMMs, and 55.6±3.3 to 133.7±15.2 (2.4-fold) in SMCs (n=16). By Western blot, fold change in ABCA1 with exposure to agLDL was 2.3±0.3 in HMMs and 1.3±0.2 in SMCs (n=7-10). Conclusions: Accumulation of atherogenic lipids in the lysosomes of SMCs provides a potential mechanism for the reduced ABCA1 expression and preferential formation of foam cells by arterial SMCs.

Chlamydia trachomatis growth depends on eukaryotic cholesterol esterification and is affected by Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibition.

Chlamydia trachomatis is auxotrophic for a variety of essential metabolites. Inhibitors that interrupt host cell catabolism may inhibit chlamydial growth and reveal Chlamydia metabolite requirements. We used the known indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)-inhibitor 4-phenyl imidazole (4-PI) to reverse Interferon (IFN)-γ-induced chlamydial growth inhibition. However, at elevated inhibitor concentrations chlamydial growth was arrested even in the absence of IFN-γ. Since 4-PI is known to interfere with cholesterol metabolism, the effect of cholesterol add-back was tested. Chlamydia growth was restored in the presence of cholesterol in serum-containing, but not serum-free medium suggesting that cholesterol and other serum components are required for growth recovery. When serum factors were tested, either cholesteryl linoleate or the combination of cholesterol and linoleic acid restored chlamydial growth. However, growth was not restored when either cholesterol or linoleic acid were added alone, suggesting that the production of cholesteryl esters from cholesterol and fatty acids was affected by 4-PI treatment. In eukaryotic cells, the enzyme Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) catalyzes the production of cholesteryl esters. When HeLa cells were treated with the ACAT-specific inhibitor 4-hydroxycinnamicacid amide C. trachomatis growth was interrupted, but was restored by the addition of cholesteryl linoleate, suggesting that ACAT activity is necessary for intracellular Chlamydia growth.

Deciphering Molecular Mechanism Underlying Hypolipidemic Activity of Echinocystic Acid

Our previous study showed that a triterpene mixture, consisting of echinocystic acid (EA) and oleanolic acid (OA) at a ratio of 4 : 1, dose-dependently ameliorated the hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with high fat/high cholesterol diets. This study was aimed at exploring the mechanisms underlying antihyperlipidemic effect of EA. Molecular docking simulation of EA was performed using Molegro Virtual Docker (version: 4.3.0) to investigate the potential targets related to lipid metabolism. Based on the molecular docking information, isotope labeling method or spectrophotometry was applied to examine the effect of EA on the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) in rat liver microsomes. Our results revealed a strong affinity of EA towards ACAT and DGAT in molecular docking analysis, while low binding affinity existed between EA and HMG-CoA reductase as well as between EA and cholesteryl ester transfer protein. Consistent with the results of molecular docking, in vitro enzyme activity assays showed that EA inhibited ACAT and DGAT, with IC50 values of 103 and 139 μM, respectively, and exhibited no significant effect on HMG-CoA reductase activity. The present findings suggest that EA may exert hypolipidemic effect by inhibiting the activity of ACAT and DGAT.

An HPTLC method for quantification of cholesteryl esters from human plasma and rat liver microsomes

ABSTRACTCholesteryl oleate present as a neutral lipid in low‐density lipoprotein has been speculated to be a biomarker for atherosclerosis. Methods which are at hand for the quantification of cholesteryl oleate are either costly or entail the use of radioactive compounds. Charring of TLC plates has been used to identify cholesteryl esters for a long time but has never been applied to quantification of cholesteryl esters in biological matrices. Here, we report a novel method based on planar chromatography for the analysis of the products of the acyl CoA–cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) assay, viz. cholesteryl esters. Using silica gel 60 F254 as stationary phase, compounds were spotted on the plate and run using a solvent system comprising n‐hexane–diethyl ether–glacial acetic acid (90:10:1, v/v/v). The plates were developed by dipping in anisaldehyde–sulfuric acid reagent and were scanned at 546 nm for quantification. The developed method shows good linear relationship in the concentration range of 100–500 ng/band with a correlation coefficient (r) value of 0.9996. The method was validated for accuracy, precision and robustness. Percentage recovery of the method was found to be in the range 96.88–103.01% with intra‐ and inter‐day precision analysis yielding <2% relative standard deviation at nominal concentrations for analysis. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be 6.45 and 19.54 ng, respectively. The method was validated for robustness by making deliberate changes in mobile phase composition, volume and temperature of analysis, and the standard deviations of peak areas for these intentional changes were found to be 1.07, 1.02 and 1.30 respectively. The method was applied to the estimation of cholesteryl esters in plasma samples from patients diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia. No interferences were found from the biological matrices used in the assay. The proposed method could be of immense potential for estimation of cholesteryl oleate as a marker of ACAT activity, for screening of ACAT inhibitors in drug discovery process and in the prognosis of atherosclerosis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Manzamine A, a marine-derived alkaloid, inhibits accumulation of cholesterol ester in macrophages and suppresses hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in vivo

The formation of foam cells in macrophages plays an essential role in the progression of early atherosclerotic lesions and therefore its prevention is considered to be a promising target for the treatment of atherosclerosis. We found that an extract of the marine sponge Acanthostrongylophora ingens inhibited the foam cell formation induced by acetylated low-density lipoprotein (AcLDL) in human monocyte-derived macrophages, as measured based on the accumulation of cholesterol ester (CE). Bioassay-guided purification of inhibitors from the extract afforded manzamines. Manzamine A was the most potent inhibitor of foam cell formation, and also suppressed CE formation in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT)-1 or ACAT-2. In addition, manzamine A inhibited ACAT activity. Next, we orally administered manzamine A to apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice for 80days, and found that total cholesterol, free cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in serum were significantly reduced and the area of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic sinus was also substantially diminished. These findings clearly suggest that manzamine A suppresses hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice by inhibiting ACAT and is therefore a promising lead compound in the prevention or treatment of atherosclerosis. Although manzamine A has been reported to show several biological activities, this is the first report of a suppressive effect of manzamine A on atherosclerosis in vivo.

Apolipoprotein A-I Helsinki promotes intracellular acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) protein accumulation

Reverse cholesterol transport is a process of high antiatherogenic relevance in which apolipoprotein AI (apoA-I) plays an important role. The interaction of apoA-I with peripheral cells produces through mechanisms that are still poorly understood the mobilization of intracellular cholesterol depots toward plasma membrane. In macrophages, these mechanisms seem to be related to the modulation of the activity of acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), the enzyme responsible for the intracellular cholesterol ester biosynthesis that is stored in lipid droplets. The activation of ACAT and the accumulation of lipid droplets play a key role in the transformation of macrophages into foam cells, leading to the formation of atheroma or atherosclerotic plaque. ApoA-I Helsinki (or ∆K107) is a natural apoA-I variant with a lysine deletion in the central protein region, carriers of which have increased atherosclerosis risk. We herein show that treatment of cultured RAW macrophages or CHOK1 cells with ∆K107, but not with wild-type apoA-I or a variant containing a similar deletion at the C-terminal region (∆K226), lead to a marked increase (more than 10 times) in the intracellular ACAT1 protein level as detected by western blot analysis. However, we could only detect a slight increase in cholesteryl ester produced by ∆K107 mainly when Chol loading was supplied by low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Although a similar choline-phospholipid efflux is evoked by these apoA-I variants, the change in phosphatidylcholine/sphyngomyelin distribution produced by wild-type apoA-I is not observed with either ∆K107 or ∆K226.

Tomatidine, a Tomato Sapogenol, Ameliorates Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis in ApoE-Deficient Mice by Inhibiting Acyl-CoA:cholesterol Acyl-transferase (ACAT)

It was previously revealed that esculeoside A, a new glycoalkaloid, and esculeogenin A, a new aglycon of esculeoside A, contained in ripe tomato ameliorate atherosclerosis in apoE-deficent mice. This study examined whether tomatidine, the aglycone of tomatine, which is a major tomato glycoalkaloid, also shows similar inhibitory effects on cholesterol ester (CE) accumulation in human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM) and atherogenesis in apoE-deficient mice. Tomatidine significantly inhibited the CE accumulation induced by acetylated LDL in HMDM in a dose-dependent manner. Tomatidine also inhibited CE formation in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT)-1 or ACAT-2, suggesting that tomatidine suppresses both ACAT-1 and ACAT-2 activities. Furthermore, the oral administration of tomatidine to apoE-deficient mice significantly reduced levels of serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and areas of atherosclerotic lesions. The study provides the first evidence that tomatidine significantly suppresses the activity of ACAT and leads to reduction of atherogenesis.

Cholesterol esterification by ACAT2 is essential for efficient intestinal cholesterol absorption: evidence from thoracic lymph duct cannulation

The hypothesis tested in this study was that cholesterol esterification by ACAT2 would increase cholesterol absorption efficiency by providing cholesteryl ester (CE) for incorporation into chylomicrons. The assumption was that absorption would be proportional to Acat2 gene dosage. Male ACAT2⁺/⁺, ACAT2⁺/⁻, and ACAT2⁻/⁻ mice were fed a diet containing 20% of energy as palm oil with 0.2% (w/w) cholesterol. Cholesterol absorption efficiency was measured by fecal dual-isotope and thoracic lymph duct cannulation (TLDC) methods using [³H]sitosterol and [¹⁴C]cholesterol tracers. Excellent agreement among individual mice was found for cholesterol absorption measured by both techniques. Cholesterol absorption efficiency in ACAT2⁻/⁻ mice was 16% compared with 46-47% in ACAT2⁺/⁺ and ACAT2⁺/⁻ mice. Chylomicrons from ACAT2⁺/⁺ and ACAT2⁺/⁻ mice carried ∼80% of total sterol mass as CE, whereas ACAT2⁻/⁻ chylomicrons carried >90% of sterol mass in the unesterified form. The total percentage of chylomicron mass as CE was reduced from 12% in the presence of ACAT2 to ∼1% in ACAT2⁻/⁻ mice. Altogether, the data demonstrate that ACAT2 increases cholesterol absorption efficiency by providing CE for chylomicron transport, but one copy of the Acat2 gene, providing ∼50% of ACAT2 mRNA and enzyme activity, was as effective as two copies in promoting cholesterol absorption.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of the novel acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor KY-455 in rabbits and hamsters.

The hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of N-(4,6-dimethyl-1-pentylindolin-7-yl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (CAS 178469-71-1, KY-455), a novel acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, were examined in hyperlipidemic rabbits and normolipidemic hamsters. KY-455 inhibited rabbit intestinal, hepatic, macrophage and adrenal ACAT with IC50 values of 0.4, 0.9, 2.9 and 4.1 micromol/l, respectively. KY-455 also inhibited rabbit plasma and LDL-peroxidation (IC50: 0.4 and 1.7 micromol/l, respectively). In rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet, treatment with KY-455 (30 mg/kg/day) for 8 days markedly lowered serum esterified, free, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and hepatic esterified cholesterol levels. KY-455 tended to inhibit ex vivo hepatic ACAT activity 5 h after the final administration. KY-455 also inhibited ex vivo peroxidation of plasma lipids 1 and 5 h after the final administration in rabbits. In normolipidemic hamsters fed a regular diet, treatment with KY-455 (30 mg/kg, twice a day) for 4 days significantly reduced serum esterified, free and LDL-cholesterol, and hepatic esterified and free cholesterol levels. A single administration of KY-455 (30 mg/kg) significantly inhibited ex vivo hepatic ACAT activity in hamsters. In conclusion, KY-455 showed in vitro inhibitory effects on LDL-peroxidation and macrophage ACAT activity at similar concentrations, and in vivo hypolipidemic and ex vivo antioxidative effects at the same dose. Long-term administration of KY-455 is expected to prevent the progress of atherosclerosis by lowering plasma lipid levels, inhibiting both LDL-oxidation and accumulation of cholesterol in macrophages.

Study on the hypochlolesterolemic and antioxidative effects of tyramine derivatives from the root bark ofLycium cheneseMiller

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypocholesterolemic effect and potential of tyramine derivatives from Lycii Cortex Radicis (LCR), the root bark of lycium (Lycium chenese Miller) in reducing lipid peroxidation. The activities of enzymes, hepatic 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) and LDL oxidation were measured in vitro and animal experiments were also performed by feeding LCR extracts to rats. The test compounds employed for in vitro study were trans-N-p-coumaroyltyramine (CT) and trans-N-feruloyltyramine (FT), LCR components, N-(p-coumaroyl)serotonin (CS) and N-feruloylserotonin (FS) from safflower seeds, ferulic acid (FA) and 10-gingerol. It was observed that FT and FS at the concentration of 1.2 mg/mL inhibited liver microsomal HMG CoA reductase activity by ~40%, but no inhibition of activity was seen in the cases of CT, CS, FA and 10-gingerol. Whereas, ACAT activity was inhibited ~50% by FT and CT, 34-43% by FS and CS and ~80% by 10-gingerol at the concentration of 1 mg/mL. A significant delay in LDL oxidation was induced by CT, FT, and 10-gingerol. For the animal experiment, five groups of Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed high fat diets containing no test material (HF-control), 1 and 2% of LCR ethanol extract (LCR1 and LCR2), and 1% of extracts from safflower seed (Saf) and ginger (Gin). The results indicated that total cholesterol level was significantly lower in Saf, LCR2 and Gin groups, and HDL cholesterol level was lower only in Gin group when compared with HF-control group; while there was no difference in the serum triglyceride levels among the five experimental groups. The level of liver cholesterol was significantly lower in LCR1 and LCR2 groups than HF-control. Serum levels of TBARS were significantly lower only in LCR2 group when compared with HF-control group. From the observed results, we concluded that LCR can be utilized as a hypocholesterolemic ingredient in combination with ginger, especially for functional foods.

Triterpenic Acids Present in Hawthorn Lower Plasma Cholesterol by Inhibiting Intestinal ACAT Activity in Hamsters

Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) is an edible fruit used in traditional Chinese medicine to lower plasma lipids. This study explored lipid-lowering compounds and underlying mechanisms of action of hawthorn. Hawthorn powder extracts inhibited acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity in Caco-2 cells. The inhibitory activity was positively associated with triterpenic acid (i.e., oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA)) contents in the extracts. Cholesterol lowering effects of hawthorn and its potential additive effect in combination with plant sterol esters (PSE) were further studied in hamsters. Animals were fed a semi-synthetic diet containing 0.08% (w/w) cholesterol (control) or the same diet supplemented with (i) 0.37% hawthorn dichloromethane extract, (ii) 0.24% PSE, (iii) hawthorn dichloromethane extract (0.37%) plus PSE (0.24%) or (iv) OA/UA mixture (0.01%) for 4 weeks. Compared to the control diet, hawthorn, PSE, hawthorn plus PSE and OA/UA significantly lowered plasma non-HDL (VLDL + LDL) cholesterol concentrations by 8%, 9%, 21% and 6% and decreased hepatic cholesterol ester content by 9%, 23%, 46% and 22%, respectively. The cholesterol lowering effects of these ingredients were conversely associated with their capacities in increasing fecal neutral sterol excretion. In conclusion, OA and UA are responsible for the cholesterol lowering effect of hawthorn by inhibiting intestinal ACAT activity. In addition, hawthorn and particularly its bioactive compounds (OA and UA) enhanced the cholesterol lowering effect of plant sterols.

Acyl-coenzyme A: Cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor Avasimibe affect survival and proliferation of glioma tumor cell lines

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor in adults and one of its hallmarks is resistance to apoptosis. Acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is an intracellular membrane-bound enzyme that uses cholesterol and long chain fatty acyl-CoA as substrates to produce cholesteryl esters. The presence of cholesteryl esters in glioblastoma may be related to vascular and/or cell neoplastic proliferation in the tumor mass, two prerequisites for tumor cell growth. ACAT activity has been detected in glioblastoma cell homogenates. The present study is the first report on the effect of Avasimibe, a specific inhibitor of ACAT, on glioma cell lines (U87, A172, and GL261). Our results showed that Avasimibe inhibited ACAT-1 expression and cholesterol ester synthesis in glioma cell lines. Moreover, Avasimibe inhibited the growth of the cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis as a result of caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation. Also, Our findings provide proof of principle that targeting ACAT-1 with the inhibitor Avasimibe could be an efficient therapy in the treatment of glioblastoma.

Signaling through cholesterol esterification: a new pathway for the cholecystokinin 2 receptor involved in cell growth and invasion

Several studies indicate that cholesterol esterification is deregulated in cancers. The present study aimed to characterize the role of cholesterol esterification in proliferation and invasion of two tumor cells expressing an activated cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK2R). A significant increase in cholesterol esterification and activity of Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) was measured in tumor cells expressing a constitutively activated oncogenic mutant of the CCK2R (CCK2R-E151A cells) compared with nontumor cells expressing the wild-type CCK2R (CCK2R-WT cells). Inhibition of cholesteryl ester formation and ACAT activity by Sah58-035, an inhibitor of ACAT, decreased by 34% and 73% CCK2R-E151A cell growth and invasion. Sustained activation of CCK2R-WT cells by gastrin increased cholesteryl ester production while addition of cholesteryl oleate to the culture medium of CCK2R-WT cells increased cell proliferation and invasion to a level close to that of CCK2R-E151A cells. In U87 glioma cells, a model of autocrine growth stimulation of the CCK2R, inhibition of cholesterol esterification and ACAT activity by Sah58-035 and two selective antagonists of the CCK2R significantly reduced cell proliferation and invasion. In both models, cholesteryl ester formation was found dependent on protein kinase zeta/ extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (PKCzeta/ERK1/2) activation. These results show that signaling through ACAT/cholesterol esterification is a novel pathway for the CCK2R that contributes to tumor cell proliferation and invasion.

Role of Cholesterol Pathways in Norovirus Replication

Norwalk virus (NV) is a prototype strain of the noroviruses (family Caliciviridae) that have emerged as major causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. I have developed NV replicon systems using reporter proteins such as a neomycin-resistant protein (NV replicon-bearing cells) and a green fluorescent protein (pNV-GFP) and demonstrated that these systems were excellent tools to study virus replication in cell culture. In the present study, I first performed DNA microarray analysis of the replicon-bearing cells to identify cellular factors associated with NV replication. The analysis demonstrated that genes in lipid (cholesterol) or carbohydrate metabolic pathways were significantly (P < 0.001) changed by the gene ontology analysis. Among genes in the cholesterol pathways, I found that mRNA levels of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase, squalene epoxidase, and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), ACAT2, small heterodimer partner, and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-related proteins were significantly changed in the cells. I also found that the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis using statins (an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) significantly increased the levels of NV proteins and RNA, whereas inhibitors of ACAT significantly reduced the replication of NV in replicon-bearing cells. Up- or downregulation of virus replication with these agents significantly correlated with the mRNA level of LDLR in replicon-bearing cells. Finally, I found that the expression of LDLR promoted NV replication in trans by transfection study with pNV-GFP. I conclude that the cholesterol pathways such as LDLR expression and ACAT activity may be crucial in the replication of noroviruses in cells, which may provide potential therapeutic targets for viral infection.

Novel Indoline-Based Acyl-CoA:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Inhibitor with Antiperoxidative Activity: Improvement of Physicochemical Properties and Biological Activities by Introduction of Carboxylic Acid

A series of novel indoline derivatives with an ionizable moiety were synthesized to find a bioavailable acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor with antiperoxidative activity. [7-(2,2-Dimethylpropanamido)-4,6-dimethyl-1-octylindolin-5-yl]acetic acid hemisulfate (2, pactimibe sulfate) with low lipophilicity and high water solubility showed good oral absorption and inhibitory activity against foam cell formation in THP-1 cells exposed to acetyl-LDL after differentiation (IC50: 0.3 microM) and an antiperoxidative effect in LDL of hypercholesterolemic rabbits (IC50: 1.0 microM). 2 inhibited macrophage, hepatic, and intestinal ACAT activity (IC50: 1.9, 0.7, and 0.7 microM, respectively). Maximal plasma concentration after oral administration of 2 at 10 mg/kg was 0.9 microg/mL in rats, 3.0 microg/mL in rabbits, and 11.2 microg/mL in dogs. Repeated administration of 2 lowered plasma LDL/VLDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rabbits at 1 mg/kg/day, rats and dogs at 3 mg/kg/day, and in normocholesterolemic hamsters at 3 mg/kg/day. 2 is a promising candidate for antihyperlipidemic and antiatherosclerotic drugs.

Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Enhances Cellular Cholesteryl Esterification by Relieving Product Inhibition

Cholesteryl ester synthesis by the acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase enzymes ACAT1 and ACAT2 is, in part, a cellular homeostatic mechanism to avoid toxicity associated with high free cholesterol levels. In hepatocytes and enterocytes, cholesteryl esters are secreted as part of apoB lipoproteins, the assembly of which is critically dependent on microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP). Conditional genetic ablation of MTP reduces cholesteryl esters and enhances free cholesterol in the liver and intestine without diminishing ACAT1 and ACAT2 mRNA levels. As expected, increases in hepatic free cholesterol are associated with decreases in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and increases in ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 mRNA levels. Chemical inhibition of MTP also decreases esterification of cholesterol in Caco-2 and HepG2 cells. Conversely, coexpression of MTP and apoB in AC29 cells stably transfected with ACAT1 and ACAT2 increases cholesteryl ester synthesis. Liver and enterocyte microsomes from MTP-deficient animals synthesize lesser amounts of cholesteryl esters in vitro, but addition of purified MTP and low density lipoprotein corrects this deficiency. Enrichment of microsomes with cholesteryl esters also inhibits cholesterol ester synthesis. Thus, MTP enhances cellular cholesterol esterification by removing cholesteryl esters from their site of synthesis and depositing them into nascent apoB lipoproteins. Therefore, MTP plays a novel role in regulating cholesteryl ester biosynthesis in cells that produce lipoproteins. We speculate that non-lipoprotein-producing cells may use different mechanisms to alleviate product inhibition and modulate cholesteryl ester biosynthesis.

Metabolic consequences of dehydroepiandrosterone in lean and obese adult Zucker rats.

Several previously reported studies have shown that in rodents exogenously administered dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can cause numerous metabolic changes. In the present study some additional metabolic effects of DHEA are presented using old lean and obese Zucker rats. With this experimental model most of the effects were found to occur in the obese rat. These included decreases in serum insulin and cholesterol as well as a decrease in hepatic acyl-CoA cholesterol-acyl transferase activity. In both lean and obese rats an increase in hepatic long-chain fatty acyl-CoA hydrolase was found. This increase in activity may partially explain DHEA's effect on decreasing body weight in rodents.