Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate Acyltransferase Activity Research Articles

Purification of peroxisomal acyl-CoA: dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase from human placenta

The peroxisomal enzyme acyl-CoA:dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase (DHAPAT) was extracted from human placental membranes using CHAPS as a detergent in the presence of 1 M KCl. Prior to assay dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine was added to the sample as eluted from the various columns in order to stabilize the protein for subsequent enzyme activity measurements at 37°C. The enzyme was purified from the placental membrane using octyl-Sepharose CL-4B chromatography, Hydroxyapatite HTP chromatography, CM-Sepharose CL-6B, PBE 94 chromatofocusing and TSK G3000 SW size exclusion chromatography. A final purification of more than 8000-fold with respect to the placental membranes was achieved with a final yield of about 5%. Upon chromatofocusing the peak of activity eluted at a pH of 5.1–5.3 indicating a low isoelectric point. A native M r of 60–80 kDa was calculated from HPLC size exclusion chromatography. SDS-PAGE of the final purified fraction showed one major band with a M r of 65 kDa. These results suggest that DHAPAT is a monomeric protein. A polyclonal antiserum raised against the purified fraction was prepared in rabbits. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed complete precipitation of DHAPAT activity in fractions prepared from human placenta, liver and skin fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitation was also used to determine the residual amount of DHAPAT protein in liver from a patient with the Zellweger syndrome. A value of about 10% was found, which closely corresponds to the residual amount of enzyme activity.

Resistance to erucic acid as a selectable marker for peroxisomal activity: isolation of revertants of an infantile Refsum disease cell line.

A system based on the ability of cells to oxidize very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) was developed to select in vitro normal human fibroblasts from fibroblasts of patients suffering from peroxisomal disorders with multienzymatic deficiencies: Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, infantile Refsum disease (IRD). Cells treated with various concentrations of erucic acid (C22:1 n-9) revealed an enhanced toxicity of this fatty acid for the fibroblasts of patients compared with normal cells. This differential toxicity is correlated with variable accumulations of C22:1 n-9 and the absence of beta-oxidation products in the mutants. Revertants from clonal IRD cell lines were isolated in the selective medium at frequencies ranging from 3 x 10(-7) to 4 x 10(-6) depending on the line. After six weeks of growth in the absence of selective pressure, the variants exhibited a resistance level to C22:1 n-9 identical to that of normal cells. Furthermore, beta-oxidation of VLCFA is re-established in these selected cells as well as dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activity. Immunoblot experiments also demonstrated a restored pattern of acyl-CoA oxidase molecular forms. Last, immunofluorescence studies revealed the presence of cytoplasmic structures that were absent in the original IRD cells. Thus, both the deficiencies in metabolic pathways and paucity of the organelle are at least partially corrected in the selected clones.

Genetic and biochemical heterogeneity in patients with the rhizomelic form of chondrodysplasia punctata--a complementation study.

The genetic relationship between 10 patients with clinical manifestations of rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) was studied by complementation analysis after somatic cell fusion. Biochemically, 9 out of the 10 patients were characterized by a partial deficiency of acyl-CoA: dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) and an impairment of plasmalogen biosynthesis, phytanate catabolism and the maturation of peroxisomal 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase; 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase was strongly reduced in the peroxisomes of these patients. Fusion of fibroblasts from these 9 patients with Zellweger fibroblasts resulted in complementation as indicated by the restoration of DHAP-AT activity, plasmalogen biosynthesis, and punctate fluorescence after staining with a monoclonal antibody to peroxisomal thiolase. No complementation was observed after fusion of different combinations of the 9 RCDP cell lines, suggesting that they belong to a single complementation group. The tenth patient was characterized biochemically by a deficiency of DHAP-AT and an impairment of plasmalogen biosynthesis. However, maturation and localization of peroxisomal thiolase were normal. Fusion of fibroblasts from this patient with fibroblasts from the other 9 patients resulted in complementation as indicated by the restoration of plasmalogen biosynthesis. We conclude that mutations in at least two different genes can lead to the clinical phenotype of RCDP.

Mutants in a macrophage-like cell line are defective in plasmalogen biosynthesis, but contain functional peroxisomes.

We have used a fluorescence-activated cytotoxicity protocol, 9-(1'-pyrene)nonanol (P9OH)/UV selection (Morand, O. H., Allen, L.-A. H., Zoeller, R. A., and Raetz, C. R. H. (1990) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1034, 132-141), to isolate a series of plasmalogen-deficient mutants in a murine, macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.7. Three of these mutants, RAW.7, RAW.12, and RAW.108, displayed varying degrees of plasmalogen deficiency (48, 17, and 14% of wild-type levels, respectively), and all three mutants were deficient in peroxisomal dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) acyltransferase activity (5% of wild-type). Unlike previously described Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutants, the RAW mutants contained intact, functional, peroxisomes and normal levels of alkyl-DHAP synthase activity, a peroxisomal, membrane-bound enzyme. In RAW.7 and RAW.108 cells, the loss of peroxisomal DHAP acyltransferase is the primary lesion. RAW.12 displayed not only a deficiency in the DHAP acyltransferase activity, but also displayed a second lesion in the biosynthetic pathway, a deficiency in delta 1'-desaturase activity (plasmanylethanolamine desaturase, EC 1.14.99.19), the final step in plasmenylethanolamine biosynthesis. The deficiencies expressed in the mutants represent unique lesions in plasmalogen biosynthesis. Since the RAW cell line is a macrophage-like responsive cell line, these mutants can be used to examine the role of plasmalogens in cellular functions such as arachidonic acid metabolism, prostaglandin synthesis, protein secretion, and signal transduction.

Studies of dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase in rat small intestine. Subcellular localization and effect of partially hydrogenated fish oil and clofibrate.

The subcellular localization of dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAPAT) activity in rat small intestine was investigated by Nycodenz-gradient centrifugation. We found that DHAPAT had a predominant peroxisomal distribution, with a separate enzyme activity located in the microsomal fraction, the same distribution as found in rat liver. The effect of feeding rats on a diet with 20% (w/w) partially hydrogenated fish oil (PHFO) or 0.3% clofibrate on the activity of DHAPAT in rat small intestine and liver was studied. Both 20% PHFO and 0.3% clofibrate gave a 1.8-fold stimulation of the specific activities of DHAPAT in peroxisomes of the small intestine, whereas in the liver 20% PHFO gave a 1.4-fold stimulation and 0.3% clofibrate a 1.6-fold stimulation of the total DHAPAT activities in the postnuclear supernatant. The specific activities of DHAPAT in liver were not affected.

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors perturb fatty acid metabolism and induce peroxisomes in keratinocytes.

Topical lovastatin stimulates epidermal fatty acid synthesis in vivo; therefore, studies were undertaken to examine the effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on fatty acid metabolism in cultured keratinocytes. When exposed to fluindostatin or lovastatin for greater than or equal to 24 h, keratinocytes in serum-free media accumulated nile red-fluorescent lipid droplets. By 72 h, the triacylglycerol and phospholipid content were increased 2.5- and 1.3-fold, respectively. Reductase inhibitors (1-10 microM) increased fatty acid synthesis approximately 1.5-fold; increased synthesis was noted only after greater than 15 h exposure and was distributed among phospholipids and triacylglycerols. Oxidation of [14C]palmitate to CO2 was decreased greater than 50% in inhibitor-treated cultures, and label accumulated in triacylglycerols. Inhibitor-treated keratinocytes exhibited increased numbers of peroxisomes, using diaminobenzidene ultracytochemistry. Peroxisomal hyperplasia was also demonstrated by increased catalase activity (1.5- to 2.5-fold), increased dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activity (1.4-fold) and increased peroxisomal (KCN-insensitive) fatty acid oxidation (1.4-fold) in inhibitor-treated cultures. Thus HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors increase fatty acid synthesis, induce triacylglycol and phospholipid accumulation, and induce peroxisomes in cultured keratinocytes. Coincubations with either low density lipoproteins or 25-hydroxycholesterol prevented both the peroxisomal hyperplasia and increased fatty acid synthesis, suggesting that these effects of reductase inhibitors may be linked to their effects on the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway.

10] Dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase

Publisher Summary Dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAPAT) catalyzes the transfer of the fatty acid moiety from long-chain acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) to the free hydroxyl group of dihydroxyacetone phosphate. This reaction initiates the synthesis of the ether-linked glycerolipids and the more common glycerol ester lipids. DHAPAT is an integral membrane-bound protein located on the luminal side of animal cell peroxisomes. Its enzyme activity is measured as the amount of lipophilic (at low pH) radioactivity formed from [ 32 P]DHAP in the presence of palmitoyl-CoA and enzyme. The purification of DHAPAT can be divided into three processes: (1) isolation of peroxisomes, (2) solubilization of the peroxisomal membranes, and (3) chromatographic purification of DHAPAT. The solubilized DHAPAT is purified to near homogeneity by a multistep regimen of both low-pressure and high-pressure column chromatography. A number of genetic diseases involving peroxisomal disorders are prenatally or postnatally diagnosed by the decreased activity of DHAPAT in aminocytes, chorionic villi, leukocytes, or in cultured skin fibroblasts obtained from the patients.

Complementation in Zellweger syndrome: biochemical analysis of newly generated peroxisomes.

The Zellweger syndrome is characterized by a defect which results in the abnormal biogenesis of peroxisomes. As a consequence, metabolic activities associated with peroxisomes such as the oxidation of very long chain fatty acids, the synthesis of plasmalogens, and the catabolism of phytanic and pipecolic acids are impaired. Since this disorder is genetically heterogeneous and several complementation groups are known, we were able to study the normalization of peroxisomal activity during the process of complementation. The restoration of catalase and dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activities peaked within 3-4 days postfusion while the oxidation of lignoceric acid was much delayed (7-8 days). Electron microscopy indicated that by 6 days following hybridization, peroxisome structure and density in heterokaryons was comparable to normal control cells. The heterogenous biochemical response during peroxisome normalization could be due to several factors including a possible requirement for restoration of peroxisomal structural integrity for maximum activation of certain metabolic pathways.

Factors influencing the latency of the peroxisomal enzyme dihydroxyacetone-phosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) in permeabilized human skin fibroblasts

In selectively permeabilized fibroblasts suspended in a medium mimicking the composition of the cytosol the peroxisomal enzyme dihydroxyacetone-phosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) wasfound to exhibit about 80% latency (Wolvetang, E.J., Tager, J.M. and Wanders, R.J.A. (1990) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1035, 6–11). We investigated which components of the cytosol mimicking medium are important for latency of DHAP-AT and unmasking of latent DHAP-AT activity by ATP. We show that the latency of DHAP-AT is critically dependent upon the presence of reduced glutathione in the medium and that the in vivo prevailing GSH/GSSG ratio is sufficient to maintain DHAP-AT latency. Although thiol-groups in the peroxisomal membrane seem to be essential for the integrity of peroxisomes in selectively permeabilized fibroblasts no latency of DHAP-AT is observed in buffered sucrose media or in cell homogenates, irrespective of the presence of GSH in the medium used. We suggest that during homogenization irreversible damage is inflicted upon the peroxisomal membrane and/or that more factors than at present investigated are involved in maintaining peroxisomal integrity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that cations play a role in the stimulatory effect of ATP on latent DHAP-AT activity while a proton gradient is not directly involved in the stimulatory effect of ATP on latent DHAP-AT activity.

Postnatal Development and Isolation of Peroxisomes from Brain

We analyzed the postnatal peroxisome development in rat brain by measuring the enzyme activities of catalase and acyl-CoA oxidase and beta-oxidation of [1-14C]lignoceric acid. These enzyme activities were higher between 10 and 16 days of postnatal life and then decreased. We developed and compared two different methods for isolation of enriched peroxisomes from 10-day-old rat brain by using a combination of differential and density gradient centrifugation techniques. Peroxisomes in Percoll (self-generating gradient) banded at a density of 1.036 +/- 0.012 g/ml and in Nycodenz continuous gradient at 1.125 +/- 0.014 g/ml. Acyl-CoA oxidase, D-amino acid oxidase, L-pipecolic acid oxidase, and dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activities and activities for the oxidation of very long chain fatty acid (lignoceric acid) were almost exclusively associated with catalase activity (a marker enzyme for peroxisomes) in the gradient. The postnatal increase in peroxisomal activity with the onset of myelination and the presence of enzyme for the biosynthesis of plasmalogens and oxidation of very long chain fatty acid (both predominant constituents of myelin) suggest that brain peroxisomes may play an important role in the assembly and turnover of myelin.

Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata: Biochemical studies of peroxisomes isolated from cultured skin fibroblasts

Peroxisomes isolated from cultured skin fibroblasts of two patients with rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) and two controls were compared for biochemical studies. These experiments provided the following results: (1) peroxisomes isolated from RCDP-cultured skin fibroblasts had the same density (1.175 g/ml) as control peroxisomes; (2) dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activity, the first enzyme in the synthesis of plasmalogens, was deficient (0.5% of control) in RCDP peroxisomes and this activity was not observed in any other region of the gradient; (3) the rate of activation (lignoceroyl-CoA ligase) and oxidation of lignoceric acid was normal in RCDP peroxisomes; and (4) peroxisomes from RCDP contained 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase in the unprocessed form (44-kDa protein), whereas control peroxisomes had both processed (41-kDa protein) and unprocessed forms of 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase. The presence of both processed and unprocessed 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase in control peroxisomes and the unprocessed form in RCDP peroxisomes suggests that processing of 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase takes place in peroxisomes. Although the specific activity and percentage of activity of 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase in RCDP peroxisomes was only 22–26% of control, the normal oxidation of lignoceric acid in RCDP peroxisomes indicates that unprocessed 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase is active. The remaining peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase activity in RCDP was observed in a protein fraction (peroxisome ghosts) lighter than peroxisomes. The normal oxidation of fatty acids in peroxisomes and the absence of such activity in peroxisome ghosts ( d = 1.12 g/ml) containing peroxisomal proteins in RCDP suggest that RCDP has only one population of functional peroxisomes ( d = 1.175 g/ml).

Normal Peroxisomal Function and Absent Skeletal Manifestations in Conradi-Hünermann Syndrome

We describe a child with the classic cutaneous and ocular manifestations of Conradi-Hünermann syndrome in whom repeated roentgenographic studies during the first 2 years of life revealed no evidence of epiphyseal stippling. The findings in this case and others from the literature suggest that skeletal changes may be absent or show limited expression in patients with this condition and that chondrodysplasia punctata should not be considered an invariable feature of Conradi-Hünermann syndrome. Studies of peroxisomal function in our patient failed to confirm two previous reports of a significant reduction in activity of the peroxisomal enzyme dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase in this disorder.

Maternal Clofibrate Administration Amplifies Fetal Peroxisomes

To study the effects of peroxisome proliferators on fetal biogenesis, 400 mg/kg oral clofibrate was administered to pregnant mice beginning at d 6 of gestation. Maternal/fetal tissues from three separate experiments were harvested between gestational d 13 and 19 and maternal/fetal tissues were assayed for peroxisomal matrix, membrane-associated, and integral membrane proteins. By comparison to control pregnancies that received vehicle only, clofibrate produced a 4- to 5-fold increase in the levels of peroxisomal membrane protein 70, a 1.5- to 2-fold increase of dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) sp act, and a 1.2- to 1.8-fold increase of catalase sp act in fetal liver of 19 d gestation. Fetal liver endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes were also amplified as visualized by electron microscopy. Clofibrate exhibited maximal effects on maternal tissues by 6 d of oral treatment with increases in peroxisomal membrane protein 70 occurring most clearly in maternal liver; DHAP-AT activity was increased in maternal liver, kidney, and brain but not in lung. Slight increases in DHAP-AT activities were evident in fetal brain, lung, and placenta as compared with the greater increases in liver and kidney. There was a general increase in peroxisomal proteins between 13 and 19 gestational d in all fetal tissues except placenta, and the effect of clofibrate was evident by gestational d 13 in lung and placenta. Minimal changes in the activities of acid phosphatase (lysosomal enzyme) or glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (microsomal enzyme) were observed in maternal or fetal tissues although the latter enzyme was increased 10-30% by clofibrate in maternal brain, fetal lung, and placenta.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acyl-CoA oxidase, peroxisomal thiolase and dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase: Aberrant subcellular localization in Zellweger syndrome

We have studied the presence and subcellular localization of peroxisomal 3-oxoacylcoenzyme A thiolase, acylcoenzyme A oxidase and acyl-CoA: dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase (DHAPAT) in fibroblasts from control subjects and patients with an inherited deficiency of peroxisomes (Zellweger syndrome), using immunofluorescence spectroscopy and density gradient centrifugation techniques. The results show that Zellweger cells contain unprocessed thiolase and unprocessed acyl-CoA oxidase which are associated with structures containing a peroxisomal integral membrane protein of 69 kDa and having a density much lower than that of normal peroxisomes. The residual DHAPAT activity present in Zellweger cells is also contained in these structures. We conclude that these structures represent defectively assembled peroxisomes which may still be capable of importing some peroxisomal proteins.

Effect of 3- and 4-thia-substituted fatty acids on glycerolipid metabolism and mitochondrial β-oxidation in rat liver

Treatment of normolipidemic rats by alkylthiopropionic acid (CETTD), resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in total dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAPAT) activity, in extent comparable to that of 3-thiadicarboxylic acid (BCMTD) and alkylthioacetic acid (CMTTD). Thus, in CETTD- and CMTTD-treated rats, the specific DHAPAT activity increased in the microsomal, peroxisomal and mitochondrial fractions. In contrast, repeated administration of the peroxisome proliferator, BCMTD, decreased the specific DHAPAT activity both in the peroxisomal fraction and in purified peroxisomes. A three-fold increase in specific activity was, however, revealed in the mitochondrial fraction. Whether the variation of the DHAPAT activity in the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions among the feeding groups can be explained by increased number of enlarged and small peroxisomes sedimenting in the fractions, are to be considered. Subcellular fractionation studies confirmed previous findings that rat liver glycerophosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) was located both in mitochondria and the microsomal fraction. BCMTD was considerably more potent than CMTTD in stimulating the microsomal and mitochondrial GPAT activities. Administration of CETTD marginally affected the isoenzymes of GPAT. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) activity was increased by 35% in BCMTD and CMTTD treated rats, but by administration of CETTD the enzyme activity was decreased by more than 80%. The acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity was marginally affected in animals treated with BCMTD, CMTTD and CETTD. Thus, the results indicate that the initial steps in the synthesis of triacylglycerols and ether glycerolipids as well as the last step in triacylglycerol synthesis could not be identified as mediating the fat accumulation or the lowering of triacylglycerol content in liver of CETTD, or BCMTD and CMTTD treated rats. On the other hand, CMTTD increased the palmitoyl-CoA oxidation in mitochondria, and CETTD considerably inhibited the activity. Therefore, it is conceivable that the development of fatty liver with CETTD is mostly due to inhibition of mitochondrial β-oxidation.

Latency of the peroxisomal enzyme acyl-coA:dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase in digitonin-permeabilized fibroblasts: the effect of ATP and ATPase inhibitors

We have studied the activity of acyl-CoA:dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) in fibroblasts treated with low concentrations of digitonin so that the cytoplasmic compartment was freely accessible to the substrates of DHAP-AT while intracellular membranes remained intact. DHAP-AT activity exhibited 70 % latency under these conditions. This latency could be overcome by addition of ATP, resulting in a four-fold stimulation of DHAP-AT activity. Virtually no stimulatory effect of ATP on DHAP-AT activity was observed in sonicated fibroblasts or when a non-hydrolyzable ATP analogue was used. Furthermore the stimulatory effect of ATP was prevented in part by DCCD, N-ethylmaleimide and high concentrations of oligomycin; bafilomycin had no effect. This pattern of inhibitor sensitivity is similar to that of the ATPase activity in peroxisomal fractions from rat liver. We conclude that peroxisomes in situ exhibit structure linked latency and that ATP is required for the transport of at least one of the substrates of DHAP-AT.

Congenital rubella syndrome associated with calcific epiphyseal stippling and peroxisomal dysfunction

An infant girl had the clinical and immunologic findings of congenital rubella syndrome but also had arthrogryposis multiplex and calcific epiphyseal stippling. Spastic quadriparesis developed, and both physical and behavioral development were slow. Increased spasticity of the legs at 5 1/2 years was related not to progressive rubella encephalomyelopathy but to spinal cord compression by abnormal cartilaginous tissue. The presence of a peroxisomal disorder was demonstrated by a greatly increased level of phytanic acid and slightly increased levels of hexacosanoate in serum and by reduced activity of peroxisomal dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase and a slightly increased ratio of cytosolic to peroxisomal catalase activity in cultured fibroblasts. A reduction in the number and size of peroxisomes was demonstrated in cultured fibroblasts, and a needle biopsy specimen of the liver also showed the peroxisomes to have a smaller diameter than usual. We recommend that any child with epiphyseal stippling be assessed for peroxisomal disease and that the potential for spinal cord compression by dysplastic bone or cartilage be recognized. The association of peroxisomal dysfunction with congenital rubella has not been described previously. The interaction between rubella virus infection and peroxisomal function may need further investigation.

Dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase and alkyldihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase activities in rat liver subcellular fractions and human skin fibroblasts

Dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) and alkyldihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase (DHAP-synthase) activities were examined in subcellular fractions of rat liver. The results indicate that at least 80% of DHAP-AT (assays carried out at pH 5.4) activity in rat liver is in peroxisomes, and the remaining activity is mitochondrial. In contrast to DHAP-AT, DHAP-synthase was detected in all subcellular fractions analyzed but the activity in peroxisomes was 208-fold and 42-fold greater compared to mitochondria and microsomes, respectively. We estimate that at least 70% of the DHAP-synthase activity in rat liver is in peroxisomes. DHAP-AT and DHAP-synthase activities were also examined in homogenates of skin fibroblasts from patients with inherited defects in peroxisomal structure and/or function. Both the enzyme activities were deficient in Zellweger syndrome whereas the activities were only partially deficient in infantile Refsum's disease. Greater reduction in DHAP-synthase activity, but only a partial reduction in DHAP-AT activity was observed in rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata. However, both DHAP-AT and DHAP-synthase activities were either normal or near normal in Refsum's disease or X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. The results reported suggest that various peroxisomal disease states can be identified based on DHAP-AT and DHAP-synthase activities in skin fibroblasts of patients.

Rat liver dihydroxyacetone-phosphate acyltransferase: Enzyme characteristics and localization studies

Peroxisomes were isolated from rat liver by pelleting a light mitochondrial (L) fraction over a 30% (w/v) Metrizamide layer. Peroxisomes were recovered as a loose pellet from the bottom of the tube and the purity of the peroxisomal fraction was calculated to be about 90%. The characteristics of dihydroxyacetone-phosphate acyltransferase (DHAP-AT) in the light mitochondrial fraction and the purified peroxisomal fraction were compared. The behaviour of the enzyme in the two fractions was very similar, except for the effect of sodium fluoride, which stimulated the activity in the L fraction 5–10-fold and in the peroxisomal fraction only 1.6-fold. This difference could be explained by the action of fluoride-sensitive acid phosphatases present in the L fraction that dephosphorylate palmitoyl-coenzyme A, a substrate for DHAP-AT. The localizations of DHAP-AT and alkyldihydroxyacetone-phosphate synthase in the rat liver peroxisomal membrane were studied. It is shown that in intact peroxisomes, DHAP-AT and alkyl-DHAP synthase are resistant to proteolytic inactivation by trypsin, as is fatty acid β-oxidation activity, which served as a marker for the intactness of the peroxisomal membrane. Catalase was found not to be a suitable marker to assess peroxisome intactness in view of its relative insensitivity to trypsin. In 1-lauroyllysophosphatidylcholine-per-meabilized peroxisomes, DHAP-AT, alkyl-DHAP synthase and β-oxidation activities were rapidly inactivated by trypsin. It is concluded that in rat liver peroxisomes, at least the active sites of the integral membrane proteins DHAP-AT and alkyl-DHAP synthase are localized exclusively at the inner surface of the peroxisomal membrane.

Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata: Clinical, pathologic, and biochemical findings in two patients

The clinical, pathologic, and biochemical features of rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata are described in two patients. Although both patients had clinical and radiologic similarities, one patient survived for only 13 days and the other is still alive at 8 years. The most prominent pathologic feature was the marked degenerative change in the chondrocytes from resting cartilage. Fibroblast alkyldihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase activity was markedly reduced in both patients (approximately 10% of control mean); in contrast, dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activity was only moderately reduced (50% of control mean). Alkyl and alk-l-enyl ether (plasmalogens) levels were very low in brain and liver. The accumulation of phytanic acid observed in plasma or liver was paralleled by a reduced ability of the patients' fibroblasts to oxidize phytanic acid. Our data indicate that the genetic defect in rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata results in abnormalities in two apparently unrelated pathways (i.e., phytanic acid oxidation and ether lipid biosynthesis.