CDP-diacylglycerol Synthase Activity Research Articles

Mitochondrial CDP-diacylglycerol synthase activity is due to the peripheral protein, TAMM41 and not due to the integral membrane protein, CDP-diacylglycerol synthase 1

CDP diacylglycerol synthase (CDS) catalyses the conversion of phosphatidic acid (PA) to CDP-diacylglycerol, an essential intermediate in the synthesis of phosphatidylglycerol, cardiolipin and phosphatidylinositol (PI). CDS activity has been identified in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum of mammalian cells apparently encoded by two highly-related genes, CDS1 and CDS2. Cardiolipin is exclusively synthesised in mitochondria and recent studies in cardiomyocytes suggest that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 (PGC-1α and β) serve as transcriptional regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis and up-regulate the transcription of the CDS1 gene. Here we have examined whether CDS1 is responsible for the mitochondrial CDS activity. We report that differentiation of H9c2 cells with retinoic acid towards cardiomyocytes is accompanied by increased expression of mitochondrial proteins, oxygen consumption, and expression of the PA/PI binding protein, PITPNC1, and CDS1 immunoreactivity. Both CDS1 immunoreactivity and CDS activity were found in mitochondria of H9c2 cells as well as in rat heart, liver and brain mitochondria. However, the CDS1 immunoreactivity was traced to a peripheral p55 cross-reactive mitochondrial protein and the mitochondrial CDS activity was due to a peripheral mitochondrial protein, TAMM41, not an integral membrane protein as expected for CDS1. TAMM41 is the mammalian equivalent of the recently identified yeast protein, Tam41. Knockdown of TAMM41 resulted in decreased mitochondrial CDS activity, decreased cardiolipin levels and a decrease in oxygen consumption. We conclude that the CDS activity present in mitochondria is mainly due to TAMM41, which is required for normal mitochondrial function.

Regulation of phospholipid synthesis in yeast

Phospholipid synthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a complex process that involves regulation by both genetic and biochemical mechanisms. The activity levels of phospholipid synthesis enzymes are controlled by gene expression (e.g., transcription) and by factors (lipids, water-soluble phospholipid precursors and products, and covalent modification of phosphorylation) that modulate catalysis. Phosphatidic acid, whose levels are controlled by the biochemical regulation of key phospholipid synthesis enzymes, plays a central role in the regulation of phospholipid synthesis gene expression.

Extraction and Stabilization of Mammalian CDP-Diacylglycerol Synthase Activity

CDP-diacylglycerol synthase, also known as CTP: phosphatidic acid cytidylyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.41), is thought to be the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of the inositol phospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin. Its role in inositol phospholipid synthesis suggests its potential as a regulator of signal transduction as well. Although the mammalian cDNA for the synthase has recently been cloned, attempts to purify this enzyme from a mammalian source have been unsuccessful due to its lability in detergents. We report here the extraction and stabilization of CDP-diacylglycerol synthase from rat liver. Using a buffer containing 2M KCl, we were able to extract virtually all of the activity from microsomal membranes. This extract was stable indefinitely at −72°C and for at least 24 hrs at 4°C. Incubation at room temperature for 24 hours resulted in the loss of more than half the activity. All detergents tested destroyed the activity. The activity was dependent on both substrates (phosphatidic acid and CTP) as well as on MgCl2, and inhibited by the product, CDP-diacylglycerol. Addition of GTP enhanced the activity approximately 2 fold, and bovine serum albumin increased activity by 6 fold.

Regulation of Phospholipid Biosynthetic Enzymes by the Level of CDP-Diacylglycerol Synthase Activity

Amine-containing phospholipid synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae starts with the conversion of CDP-diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) and serine to phosphatidylserine (PS), whereas phosphatidylinositol (PI) is formed from CDP-DAG and inositol (derived from inositol 1-phosphate). In this study the regulation of PS synthase (encoded by CHO1/PSS), PI synthase (encoded by PIS1), and inositol 1-phosphate synthase (encoded by INO1) activities by the in vivo level of CDP-DAG synthase activity (encoded by CDS1) is described. Reduction in the level of CDP-DAG synthase activity from 10-fold over wild type levels to 10% of wild type levels results in a 7-fold increase in PS synthase activity, which follows a similar change in the CHO1/PSS mRNA level. INO1 mRNA also increases but only after CDP-DAG synthase activity falls below the wild type level. PI synthase activity follows the decrease of the CDP-DAG synthase activity, but there is no parallel change in the level of PIS1 mRNA. These changes in CHO1/PSS and INO1 mRNA levels are mediated by a mechanism not dependent on changes in the expression of the INO2-OPI1 regulatory genes. CDS1 expression is repressed in concert with INO2 expression in response to inositol.

Reduction of CDP-diacylglycerol Synthase Activity Results in the Excretion of Inositol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A yeast mutant, cdg1, was isolated on the basis of an inositol excretion phenotype. This mutant exhibited pleiotropic deficiencies in phospholipid biosynthesis, including reduced levels of CDP-diacylglycerol (DAG) synthase activity (Klig, L. S., Homann, M. J., Kohlwein, S. D., Kelley, M. J., Henry, S. A., and Carman, G. M. (1988) J. Bacteriol. 170, 1878-1886). In this study we present evidence that the molecular basis for the inositol excretion phenotype is a G305/A305 point mutation (Cys102 --> Tyr substitution) within the CDS1 gene (encodes CDP-DAG synthase) of this mutant. Expression of CDP-DAG synthase activity from a plasmid-borne copy of the CDS1 gene in the cdg1 mutant was not down-regulated, and this expression also corrected the inositol excretion phenotype. Introduction of the above mutated gene (CDS1*) controlled by its endogenous promoter on a single copy plasmid into a cds1-null background reconstituted a transformant with the cdg1 phenotype, including reduced CDP-DAG synthase activity, elevated phosphatidylserine synthase activity, and inositol excretion into the growth medium. Expression of CDS1* in a single copy in the cdg1 mutant raised CDP-DAG synthase activity from 15 to 30% of derepressed wild-type yeast levels but still did not correct the inositol excretion phenotype. CDP-DAG synthase activity was not regulated in response to precursors of phospholipid biosynthesis in the cdg1 mutant either with or without a trans copy of the CDS1* gene. An open reading frame was identified 5' to the CDS1 locus, YBR0314, which also resulted in inositol excretion when present in trans in multiple copies.

CDP-diacylglycerol synthesis in rat liver mitochondria

CDP-diacylglycerol for polyglycerophosphatide biogenesis can be synthesized within rat liver mitochondria. This membrane-associated enzyme was predominantly located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. GTP had a significant effect in activating the microsomal CDP-diacylglycerol synthase, especially if the microsomes were preincubated with GTP in the presence of phosphatidic acid. This stimulatory effect of GTP on the microsomal enzyme was not detected in the mitochondrial fractions. The enzymes could be solubilized from the membrane fractions using CHAPS, and the detergent-soluble activity partially restored by addition of phospholipids. Mitochondrial and microsomal CDP-diacylglycerol synthase activity could be completely separated by anion-exchange column chromatography. The mitochondrial and microsomal CDP-diacylglycerol synthases appear to be two distinct enzymes with different localization and regulatory characteristics.

28] CDPdiacylglycerol synthase from yeast

This chapter describes the purification and properties of the CDPdiacylglycerol synthase from yeast. CDPdiacylglycerol synthase (CTP:phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase) catalyzes the conversion of phosphatidate to CDPdiacylglycerol. The phospholipid product of the reaction—CDPdiacylglycerol—is the source of the phosphatidyl moiety in the primary (phosphatidylethanolamine methylation) pathway for the synthesis of the major phospholipids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . The main site of CDPdiacylglycerol synthase activity is the mitochondria. About 20% of CDPdiacylglycerol synthase activity is associated with microsomes, which is contributed mainly by plasma membrane-associated activity. The expression of CDPdiacylglycerol synthase is regulated by inositol alone and in combination with serine, ethanolamine, and choline. Mitochondrial-associated CDPdiacylglycerol synthase has been purified to apparent homogeneity. The major purification of the enzyme is achieved by CDPdiacylglycerol-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Binding of the enzyme to the affinity resin occurs because the CDPdiacylglycerol synthase reaction is favored in the reverse direction.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant with a partial defect in the synthesis of CDP-diacylglycerol and altered regulation of phospholipid biosynthesis.

A Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant (cdg1 mutation) was isolated on the basis of an inositol excretion phenotype and exhibited pleiotropic deficiencies in phospholipid biosynthesis. Genetic analysis of the mutant confirmed that the cdg1 mutation represents a new genetic locus and that a defect in a single gene was responsible for the Cdg1 phenotype. CDP-diacylglycerol synthase activity in mutant haploid cells was 25% of the wild-type derepressed level. Biochemical and immunoblot analyses revealed that the defect in CDP-diacylglycerol synthase activity in the cdg1 mutant was due to a reduced level of the CDP-diacylglycerol synthase Mr-56,000 subunit rather than to an alteration in the enzymological properties of the enzyme. This defect resulted in a reduced rate of CDP-diacylglycerol synthesis, an elevated phosphatidate content, and alterations in overall phospholipid synthesis. Unlike wild-type cells, CDP-diacylglycerol synthase was not regulated in response to water-soluble phospholipid precursors. The cdg1 lesion also caused constitutive expression of inositol-1-phosphate synthase and elevated phosphatidylserine synthase. Phosphatidylinositol synthase was not affected in the cdg1 mutant.

Purification and characterization of CDP-diacylglycerol synthase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The membrane-associated phospholipid biosynthetic enzyme CDP-diacylglycerol synthase (CTP:phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.41) was purified 2,300-fold from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The purification procedure included Triton X-100 solubilization of mitochondrial membranes, CDP-diacylglycerol-Sepharose affinity chromatography, and hydroxylapatite chromatography. The procedure resulted in a nearly homogeneous enzyme preparation as determined by native and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Radiation inactivation of mitochondrial associated and purified CDP-diacylglycerol synthase suggested that the molecular weight of the native enzyme was 114,000. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme preparation yielded two subunits with molecular weights of 56,000 and 54,000. Antibodies prepared against the purified enzyme immunoprecipitated CDP-diacylglycerol synthase activity and subunits. CDP-diacylglycerol synthase activity was dependent on magnesium ions and Triton X-100 at pH 6.5. Thio-reactive agents inhibited activity. The activation energy for the reaction was 9 kcal/mol, and the enzyme was thermally labile above 30 degrees C. The Km values for CTP and phosphatidate were 1 and 0.5 mM, respectively, and the Vmax was 4,700 nmol/min/mg. Results of kinetic and isotopic exchange reactions suggested that the enzyme catalyzes a sequential Bi Bi reaction mechanism.

Regulation of CDP-diacylglycerol synthase activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The addition of ethanolamine or choline to inositol-containing growth medium resulted in a reduction of CTP:phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase (CDP-diacylglycerol synthase; EC 2.7.7.41) activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The reduction of activity did not occur in the absence of inositol. CDP-diacylglycerol synthase activity was not regulated in a S. cerevisiae mutant strain (opi1; an inositol biosynthesis regulatory mutant) by the addition of phospholipid precursors to the growth medium.

CDP-diacylglycerol synthase activity in Clostridium perfringens.

CTP:phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase (CDP-diacylglycerol synthase; EC 2.7.7.41) was identified in the cell envelope fraction of the gram-positive anaerobe Clostridium perfringens. The association of this enzyme with the cell envelope fraction of cell extracts was demonstrated by glycerol density gradient centrifugation and by activity sedimenting with the 100,000 x g pellet. The enzyme exhibited a broad pH optimum between pH 6.5 and pH 7.5. Enzyme activity was dependent on magnesium (5 mM) or manganese (1 mM) ions. Activity was also dependent on the addition of the nonionic detergent Triton X-100 (5 mM). The apparent Km values for CTP and phosphatidic acid were 0.18 mM and 0.22 mM, respectively. Thioreactive agents inhibited activity, indicating that a sulfhydryl group is essential for activity. Maximal enzyme activity was observed at 50 degrees C.