Function Of Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Research Articles

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein regulates intracellular lipolysis in adipocytes independent of its lipid transfer activity

BackgroundThe triglyceride (TG) transfer activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is essential for lipoprotein assembly in the liver and intestine; however, its function in adipose tissue, which does not assemble lipoproteins, is unknown. Here we have elucidated the function of MTP in adipocytes. Approach and resultsWe demonstrated that MTP is present on lipid droplets in human adipocytes. Adipose-specific MTP deficient (A-Mttp−/−) male and female mice fed an obesogenic diet gained less weight than Mttpf/f mice, had less fat mass, smaller adipocytes and were insulin sensitive. A-Mttp−/− mice showed higher energy expenditure than Mttpf/f mice. During a cold challenge, A-Mttp−/− mice maintained higher body temperature by mobilizing more fatty acids. Biochemical studies indicated that MTP deficiency de-repressed adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) activity and increased TG lipolysis. Both wild type MTP and mutant MTP deficient in TG transfer activity interacted with and inhibited ATGL activity. Thus, the TG transfer activity of MTP is not required for ATGL inhibition. C-terminally truncated ATGL that retains its lipase activity interacted less efficiently than full-length ATGL. ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that adipose-specific MTP deficiency increases ATGL-mediated TG lipolysis and enhances energy expenditure, thereby resisting diet-induced obesity. We speculate that the regulatory function of MTP involving protein-protein interactions might have evolved before the acquisition of TG transfer activity in vertebrates. Adipose-specific inhibition of MTP-ATGL interactions may ameliorate obesity while avoiding the adverse effects associated with inhibition of the lipid transfer activity of MTP.

Generation of hepatoma cell lines deficient in microsomal triglyceride transfer protein

The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is essential for the secretion of apolipoprotein B (apoB)48- and apoB100-containing lipoproteins in the intestine and liver, respectively. Loss of function mutations in MTP cause abetalipoproteinemia. Heterologous cells are used to evaluate the function of MTP in apoB secretion to avoid background MTP activity in liver and intestine-derived cells. However, these systems are not suitable to study the role of MTP in the secretion of apoB100-containing lipoproteins, as expression of a large apoB100 peptide using plasmids is difficult. Here, we report a new cell culture model amenable for studying the role of different MTP mutations on apoB100 secretion. The endogenous MTTP gene was ablated in human hepatoma Huh-7 cells using single guide RNA and RNA-guided clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated sequence 9 ribonucleoprotein complexes. We successfully established three different clones that did not express any detectable MTTP mRNA or MTP protein or activity. These cells were defective in secreting apoB-containing lipoproteins and accumulated lipids. Furthermore, we show that transfection of these cells with plasmids expressing human MTTP cDNA resulted in the expression of MTP protein, restoration of triglyceride transfer activity, and secretion of apoB100. Thus, these new cells can be valuable tools for studying structure-function of MTP, roles of different missense mutations in various lipid transfer activities of MTP, and their ability to support apoB100 secretion, compensatory changes associated with loss of MTP, and in the identification of novel proteins that may require MTP for their synthesis and secretion.

Structure-function analyses of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein missense mutations in abetalipoproteinemia and hypobetalipoproteinemia subjects

We describe two new hypolipidemic patients with very low plasma triglyceride and apolipoprotein B (apoB) levels with plasma lipid profiles similar to abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) patients. In these patients, we identified two previously uncharacterized missense mutations in the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) gene, R46G and D361Y, and studied their functional effects. We also characterized three missense mutations (H297Q, D384A, and G661A) reported earlier in a familial hypobetalipoproteinemia patient. R46G had no effect on MTP expression or function and supported apoB secretion. H297Q, D384A, and G661A mutants also supported apoB secretion similarly to WT MTP. Contrary to these four missense mutations, D361Y was unable to support apoB secretion. Functional analysis revealed that this mutant was unable to bind protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) or transfer lipids. The negative charge at residue 361 was critical for MTP function as D361E was able to support apoB secretion and transfer lipids. D361Y most likely disrupts the tightly packed middle α-helical region of MTP, mitigates PDI binding, abolishes lipid transfer activity, and causes ABL. On the other hand, the hypolipidemia in the other two patients was not due to MTP dysfunction. Thus, in this study of five missense mutations spread throughout MTP's three structural domains found in three hypolipidemic patients, we found that four of the mutations did not affect MTP function. Thus, novel mutations that cause severe hypolipidemia probably exist in other genes in these patients, and their recognition may identify novel proteins involved in the synthesis and/or catabolism of plasma lipoproteins.

Abstract 192: Characterization of Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Missense Mutations Found in Abetalipoproteinemia and Hybobetalipoproteinemia Subjects

We describe two new hypolipidemic patients with very low plasma triglyceride and apolipoprotein B (apoB) levels and lipid malabsorption with plasma lipid profiles similar to abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) patients. In these patients, we identified two previously uncharacterized missense mutations in the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) gene, R46G and D361Y, and studied their effects on function. We also characterized three missense mutations (H297Q, D384A, and G661A) reported earlier in a familial hypobetalipoproteinemia patient. R46G had no effect on MTP expression or function and supported apoB secretion. Similarly, H297Q, D384A, and G661A mutants supported apoB secretion similarly to WT MTP. Contrary to these four missense mutations, D361Y was unable to support apoB secretion. Functional analysis revealed that this mutant was unable to bind protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) or transfer lipids. The negative charge at residue 361 was critical for MTP function as D361E was able to support apoB secretion and transfer lipids. D361Y most likely disrupts the tightly packed middle α-helical region of MTP, mitigates PDI binding, abolishes lipid transfer activity, and causes ABL. On the other hand, the hypolipidemia in the other two patients was not due to MTP dysfunction. Thus, in this study of five missense mutations spread throughout MTP’s three structural domains found in three hypolipidemic patients, we found that four of the mutations did not affect MTP function. Thus, there probably exist novel mutations in other genes that cause severe hypolipidemia and their recognition may identify novel proteins involved in the synthesis and/or catabolism of plasma lipoproteins.

Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein (MTP) Associates with Cytosolic Lipid Droplets in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Lipid droplets are intracellular energy storage organelles composed of a hydrophobic core of neutral lipid, surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipid and a diverse array of proteins. The function of the vast majority of these proteins with regard to the formation and/or turnover of lipid droplets is unknown. Our laboratory was the first to report that microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), a lipid transfer protein essential for the assembly of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, was expressed in adipose tissue of humans and mice. In addition, our studies suggested that MTP was associated with lipid droplets in both brown and white fat. Our observations led us to hypothesize that MTP plays a key role in lipid droplet formation and/or turnover. The objective of these studies was to gain insight into the function of MTP in adipocytes. Using molecular, biochemical, and morphologic approaches we have shown: 1) MTP protein levels increase nearly five-fold as 3T3-L1 cells differentiate into adipocytes. 2) As 3T3-L1 cells undergo differentiation, MTP moves from the juxtanuclear region of the cell to the surface of lipid droplets. MTP and perilipin 2, a major lipid droplet surface protein, are found on the same droplets; however, MTP does not co-localize with perilipin 2. 3) Inhibition of MTP activity has no effect on the movement of triglyceride out of the cell either as a lipid complex or via lipolysis. 4) MTP is found associated with lipid droplets within hepatocytes from human fatty livers, suggesting that association of MTP with lipid droplets is not restricted to adipocytes. In summary, our data demonstrate that MTP is a lipid droplet-associated protein. Its location on the surface of the droplet in adipocytes and hepatocytes, coupled with its known function as a lipid transfer protein and its increased expression during adipocyte differentiation suggest a role in lipid droplet biology.

Abstract 547: A Novel Abetalipoproteinemia Missense Mutation Highlights the Importance of N-terminal β-barrel in Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Function

Background: The use of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitors is limited to severe hyperlipidemias due to associated hepatosteatosis. Comprehensive knowledge about the structure-function of MTP might help design new molecules that avoid steatosis. Characterization of mutations in MTP causing abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) have revealed that the central α-helical and C-terminal β-sheet domains are important for protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) binding and lipid transfer activity. Our aim was to identify and characterize ABL mutations in the N-terminal region to understand the function of this domain. Methods and Results: We identified a novel missense mutation (D169V) in a 4-month old Turkish male with severe signs of ABL. To study the effect of this mutation on MTP function, we created mutants via site directed mutagenesis. Although D169V was expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum and interacted with apoB17, it was unable to bind PDI, transfer lipids, and support apoB secretion. Computational modeling suggested that D169 could form an internal salt bridge with K187 and K189. Mutagenesis of these lysines to leucines abolished PDI heterodimerization, lipid transfer, and apoB secretion, without affecting apoB binding. Further, mutants with preserved charges (D169E, K187R, K189R) rescued these activities. Conclusions: D169V is detrimental because it disrupts an internal salt bridge leading to loss of PDI binding and lipid transfer activities; however, it does not affect apoB-binding. We propose that future inhibitors should avoid this region of the N-terminal domain.

Intestinal lipid absorption and lipoprotein formation

To summarize the evidence for the presence of two lipid absorption pathways and their regulation. Lipid absorption involves hydrolysis of dietary fat in the lumen of the intestine, followed by the uptake of hydrolyzed products by enterocytes. Lipids are resynthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum and are either secreted with chylomicrons and HDLs or stored as cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Lipids in the droplets are hydrolyzed and are secreted at a later time. Secretion of lipids by the chylomicron and HDL pathways are dependent on microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and ATP-binding cassette family A protein 1, respectively, and are regulated independently. Gene-ablation studies showed that MTP function and chylomicron assembly is essential for the absorption of triglycerides. Ablation of MTP abolishes triglyceride absorption and results in massive triglyceride accumulation in enterocytes. Although the majority of phospholipid, cholesterol, and vitamin E are absorbed through the chylomicron pathway, a significant amount of these lipids are also absorbed via the HDL pathway. Chylomicron assembly and secretion is increased by the enhanced availability of fatty acids, whereas the HDL pathway is upregulated by liver X receptor agonists. Triglycerides are exclusively transported with chylomicrons and this process is critically dependent on MTP. In addition to chylomicrons, absorption of phospholipids, free cholesterol, retinol, and vitamin E also involves HDLs. These two pathways are complementary and are regulated independently. They may be targeted to lower lipid absorption in order to control hyperlipidemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome, steatosis, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and other disorders.

New approaches to target microsomal triglyceride transfer protein

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), a chaperone for the biosynthesis of apolipoprotein B lipoproteins and CD1d, is a therapeutic candidate to decrease plasma lipids and to diminish inflammation. MTP inhibition increases plasma transaminases and tissue lipids, and therefore new approaches are needed to avoid them. Inositol requiring enzyme1beta has been identified as a novel intestine-specific regulator of MTP. A new function of MTP in cholesterol ester biosynthesis has been reported. The importance of the phospholipid transfer activity of MTP in the lipidation of apolipoprotein B and CD1d has been indicated. Diurnal variations in MTP expression and its induction by food availability have been observed. On the basis of these and other findings, we propose that upregulation of inositol requiring enzyme 1beta, a combined reduction of cellular free cholesterol or triglyceride or both and MTP activity, specific inhibition of phospholipid or triglyceride transfer activities, and targeting of apolipoprotein B-MTP protein-protein interactions might be pursued to avoid some of the side effects associated with the inhibition of triglyceride transfer activity of MTP. We further speculate that short-lived MTP antagonists may be useful in controlling plasma and tissue lipids and in avoiding steatosis. We have highlighted the importance of addressing the causal relationship between MTP inhibition and aberrant elevations in plasma liver enzymes. The proposed approaches may show that MTP targeting is a viable approach to lower plasma lipids.

Traditional Chinese Medicine improves dysfunction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein on abnormalities in lipid metabolism in ethanol-fed rats

We report the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on alcohol-induced fatty liver in rats. TCM consists of Astragalus membranaceus, Morus alba, Crataegus pinnatifida, Alisma oriental, Salvia miltiorrhiza and Pueraria lobata. The rats were separated randomly into five groups; the CD group (n=10), which was fed a control diet for 10 weeks, the ED group (n=10), which was fed an isocaloric liquid diet containing ethanol for 10 weeks and given daily oral doses of TCM (0.222 g/kg/day; TCM222, 0.667 g/kg/day; TCM667, and 2.000 g/kg/day; TCM2000, n=10, respectively) over the last four weeks of the study. The ED group developed fatty livers, as determined by their lipid profiles and liver histological findings. Compared with the control group, liver/body weight, plasma triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), liver TG and TC, plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartic aminotransferase (AST) significantly increased in the ED group. Also, free fatty acids (FFA) levels increased in both plasma and liver during the administration of ethanol. On the other hand, when rats were administrated with TCM, their liver/body weight, plasma TG, TC and FFA, liver TG, TC and FFA, plasma ALT and AST decreased significantly and the degree of hepatic lipid droplets was markedly improved compared with those in the ED group. Proper function of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) is essential for the regulation of hepatic fatty acid metabolism. Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is essential for the secretion of triglycerides from the liver. mRNAs for PPARalpha and MTP were reduced in the livers of ethanol-fed rats. TCM restored the mRNA levels of PPARalpha and MTP, and prevented development of fatty livers in ethanol-fed rats. Impairment of PPARalpha and MTP function during ethanol consumption contributes to the development of alcohol-induced fatty liver, which can be overcome by TCM.

CD1d function is regulated by microsomal triglyceride transfer protein.

CD1d is a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related molecule that functions in glycolipid antigen presentation to distinct subsets of T cells that express natural killer receptors and an invariant T-cell receptor-alpha chain (invariant NKT cells). The acquisition of glycolipid antigens by CD1d occurs, in part, in endosomes through the function of resident lipid transfer proteins, namely saposins. Here we show that microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), a protein that resides in the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and is essential for lipidation of apolipoprotein B, associates with CD1d in hepatocytes. Hepatocytes from animals in which Mttp (the gene encoding MTP) has been conditionally deleted, and IECs in which Mttp gene products have been silenced, are unable to activate invariant NKT cells. Conditional deletion of the Mttp gene in hepatocytes is associated with a redistribution of CD1d expression, and Mttp-deleted mice are resistant to immunopathologies associated with invariant NKT cell-mediated hepatitis and colitis. These studies indicate that the CD1d-regulating function of MTP in the endoplasmic reticulum is complementary to that of the saposins in endosomes in vivo.

The Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic Roles of Protein-disulfide Isomerase in Apolipoprotein B Secretion

Secretion of apolipoprotein B (apoB) from mammalian cells requires the presence of functional microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP). We previously reported that co-expressing the human intestinal form of apoB, B48, with both subunits of human MTP in oleate-treated Sf21 cells led to a dramatic induction of B48 secretion. Deletion mutagenesis studies showed that the cysteine-enriched amino terminus of apoB was necessary for the MTP responsiveness (Gretch, D. G., Sturley, S. L., Wang, L., Dunning, A., Grunwald, K. A. A., Wetterau, J. R., Yao, Z., Talmud, P., and Attie, A. D. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 8682-8691). We therefore hypothesized that the small subunit of MTP, protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI), plays a role in apoB secretion by facilitating correct disulfide bond formation. To determine whether the enzymatic activities of PDI are important for MTP-stimulated apoB secretion, the wild type PDI subunit was replaced with an active site mutant, mPDI (Cys36 --> Ser/Cys380 --> Ser), lacking both disulfide shuffling and redox activities. MTP containing mPDI was fully functional in promoting apoB and triglyceride secretion. Therefore, the shufflase and redox activities of PDI are not necessary for the function of MTP. Since PDI exists in large molar excess over the other subunit of MTP, the role of free PDI (independent of the MTP complex) was investigated. PDI or mPDI was co-expressed with B48 and B17, a fragment encompassing the amino-terminal 17% of apoB. Mutant PDI significantly and specifically reduced the accumulation of the B17 and B48 both intracellularly and in the culture medium. The reduction was partially eliminated by the protease inhibitor N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal, consistent with rapid co- or post-translational degradation of apoB in the presence of mPDI. Treating the cells with oleate reversed the effect of mPDI on B48 secretion in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on B17. 1) the role of PDI in the MTP complex involves functions other than its known enzymatic activities; 2) one or both of the enzymatic activities of free PDI is/are important for the MTP-independent steps of apoB secretion; 3) oleate can affect apoB secretion at high physiological concentrations and compensate for the insufficiency of PDI activities.

A 30-Amino Acid Truncation of the Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Large Subunit Disrupts Its Interaction with Protein Disulfide-isomerase and Causes Abetalipoproteinemia

The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is a heterodimer composed of the multifunctional enzyme, protein disulfide-isomerase, and a unique large, 97 kDa, subunit. It is found as a soluble protein within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum of liver and intestine and is required for the assembly of very low density lipoproteins and chylomicrons. Mutations in MTP which result in an absence of MTP function have been shown to cause abetalipoproteinemia. Here, the gene encoding the MTP 97-kDa subunit of an abetalipoproteinemic subject, which we have previously demonstrated lacks MTP activity and protein (Wetterau, J. R., Aggerbeck, L. P., Bouma, M.-E., Eisenberg, C., Munck, A., Hermier, M., Schmitz, J., Gay, G., Rader, D. J., and Gregg, R. E. (1992) Science 258, 999-1001), was isolated and sequenced. A nonsense mutation, which predicts the truncation of the protein by 30 amino acids, was identified. To investigate if this apparently subtle change in MTP could explain the observed absence of MTP, protein disulfide-isomerase was co-expressed with either the normal or mutant MTP 97-kDa subunit in Sf9 insect cells using a baculovirus expression system. Although there were high levels of expression of both the normal and mutant forms of the MTP 97-kDa subunit, only the normal subunit was able to form a stable, soluble complex with protein disulfide-isomerase. These results indicate that the carboxyl-terminal 30 amino acids of the MTP 97-kDa subunit plays an important role in its interaction with protein disulfide-isomerase.

The 17th Annual Meeting of the European Lipoprotein Club

The European Lipoprotein Club met September 12-15, 1994, in Tutzing, Germany. There were 92 participants from 12 European countries and the United States. Dr John Wetterau of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute opened the meeting with a State of the Art Lecture entitled “The Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein: Characterization and Role in the Assembly of VLDL and Chylomicrons.” The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is a soluble lipid transfer protein found in the lumen of microsomes of liver and intestine. This heterodimer is composed of the multifunctional protein disulfide isomerase and a unique large subunit of molecular weight 97 000. In vitro, MTP catalyzes the transport of triglyceride, cholesteryl ester, and a variety of phospholipids between membranes. When one compares the fractional transfer rates, MTP appears to selectively bind and transport hydrophobic neutral lipid. However, the assays used to characterize MTP have at least 100-fold more phospholipid than neutral lipid, so in these assays, MTP actually transports more phospholipid than neutral lipid. Abetalipoproteinemia is an autosomal recessive disease in which the subjects have a defect in the assembly and secretion of VLDL and chylomicrons. Recent studies by Dr Wetterau of abetalipoproteinemic subjects showed that MTP activity and the unique large subunit were absent in all four unrelated subjects studied. Frame shift, nonsense, and point mutations that explain the absence of MTP were found in these four subjects. These studies indicated that an absence of MTP function causes abetalipoproteinemia and that MTP is required for the assembly of apoB–containing lipoproteins. Hela cells normally do not synthesize and secrete apoB–containing lipoproteins. When Hela cells were stably transfected with MTP, they were able to efficiently synthesize and secrete apoB-53 particles with a buoyant density of HDL or LDL. Both the level of apoB secretion and the density of the particles formed were regulated …