Membrane Sphingomyelin Content Research Articles

Regulation of SREBPs by Sphingomyelin in Adipocytes via a Caveolin and Ras-ERK-MAPK-CREB Signaling Pathway.

Sterol response element binding protein (SREBP) is a key transcription factor in insulin and glucose metabolism. We previously demonstrated that elevated levels of membrane sphingomyelin (SM) were related to peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), which is a known target gene of SREBP-1 in adipocytes. However, the role of SM in SREBP expression in adipocytes remains unknown. In human abdominal adipose tissue from obese women with various concentrations of fasting plasma insulin, SREBP-1 proteins decreased in parallel with increases in membrane SM levels. An inverse correlation was found between the membrane SM content and the levels of SREBP-1c/ERK/Ras/PPARγ/CREB proteins. For the first time, we demonstrate the effects of SM and its signaling pathway in 3T3-F442A adipocytes. These cells were enriched or unenriched with SM in a range of concentrations similar to those observed in obese subjects by adding exogenous natural SMs (having different acyl chain lengths) or by inhibiting neutral sphingomyelinase. SM accumulated in caveolae of the plasma membrane within 24 h and then in the intracellular space. SM enrichment decreased SREBP-1 through the inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) but not JNK or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Ras/Raf-1/MEK1/2 and KSR proteins, which are upstream mediators of ERK, were down-regulated, whereas SREBP-2/caveolin and cholesterol were up-regulated. In SM-unmodulated adipocytes treated with DL-1-Phenyl-2-Palmitoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PPMP), where the ceramide level increased, the expression levels of SREBPs and ERK were modulated in an opposite direction relative to the SM-enriched cells. SM inhibited the insulin-induced expression of SREBP-1. Rosiglitazone, which is an anti-diabetic agent and potent activator of PPARγ, reversed the effects of SM on SREBP-1, PPARγ and CREB. Taken together, these findings provide novel insights indicating that excess membrane SM might be critical for regulating SREBPs in adipocytes via a MAPK-dependent pathway.

Sphingomyelin/cholesterol ratio: an important determinant of glucose transport mediated by GLUT-1 in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Sphingomyelin pathway has been linked with insulin signaling through insulin-dependent GLUT-4 glucose transporter, but a relationship between sphingomyelin and the GLUT-1 transporter responsible for the basal (insulin-independent) glucose transport has not been clearly established. As GLUT-1 is mainly distributed to the cell surface, we explored the effects of changes in membrane sphingomyelin content on glucose transport through GLUT-1. The addition of exogenous sphingomyelin or glutathione (an inhibitor of endogenous sphingomyelinase) to the culture medium increased membrane sphingomyelin and cholesterol contents. Basal glucose uptake was enhanced and positively correlated to sphingomyelin (SM), cholesterol (CL) and SM/CL ratio. The exposure of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to sphingomyelinase (SMase) significantly increased basal glucose uptake, membrane fluidity and decreased membrane sphingomyelin and cholesterol contents 60 min after SMase addition. There was no significant change in the abundance of GLUT-1 at the cell surface. The membrane sphingomyelin and cholesterol contents, fluidity and basal glucose transport returned to baseline levels within 2 h. The basal glucose uptake was negatively correlated with cholesterol contents and positively with SM/CL ratio. The SM/CL ratio might represent an important parameter controlling basal glucose uptake and a mechanism by which insulin resistance might be induced.

Increased membrane sphingomyelin and arachidonic acid in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Background:Cell membrane composition and fluidity are altered in hypertension. Previous reports suggest arachidonic acid, a metabolically active fatty acid, is increased in the membranes of hypertensive animals compared to control. This increase in unsaturated fatty acids does not explain the observed reduction in fluidity in hypertensive rats, suggesting some other factors affecting fluidity may be present. It has been suggested that the metabolism of sphingomyelin is altered in genetic hypertension. We hypothesized that membrane sphingomyelin content is increased in hypertensive animals. Procedures:Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (n = 8) were compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats (n = 8). Erythrocyte membranes were prepared and the lipids extracted and separated. Fatty acid methyl esters were produced, identified, and quantified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; membrane lipid content was also assessed. Results:The concentration of sphingomyelin was higher in the membrane of the hypertensive rats (45.7 ± 6 v 22.4 ± 2 μg/mg of protein) compared to control. The previously observed increase in membrane arachidonic acid content was observed in hypertensive animals when compared to control (130 ± 32 v 40 ± 3 μg/mg of protein). However, this difference was confined to the phosphatidylinositol (18 ± 4 v 6.5 ± 1.5 μg/mg of protein) and free fatty acid (2.1 ± 0.4 v 0.6 ± 0.1 μg/mg of protein) fractions. Conclusion:We hypothesize that reports of reduced membrane fluidity observed in hypertension may be due to an increase in the proportion of sphingomyelin in the cell membrane.

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis increases erythrocyte membrane fluidity and unsaturated fatty acid content

Changes in the lipid composition of the membrane affect its fluidity and function. These variables are altered in various forms of hypertension. Our hypothesis was that the rapid increase in blood pressure (BP) caused by inhibition of nitric oxide production would lead to alterations in membrane fluidity similar to those observed in genetic hypertension. We used N ω-nitro l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and vehicle-treated (3 weeks) Wistar-Kyoto rats to study the effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on membrane fluidity and lipid composition. Erythrocyte membrane fluidity was measured by fluorescence anisotropy. Membrane lipids were separated using Sep-Pak and thin-layer chromatography. Fatty acid methyl esters were produced and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. N ω-nitro l-arginine methyl ester treatment increased BP and erythrocyte membrane fluidity. The phospholipid and unsaturated fatty acid levels in the membranes from the L-NAME–treated rats were consistent with the increase in fluidity (ie, more unsaturated fatty acid, in particular, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid) and a reduction in membrane sphingomyelin content. Fatty acid analysis of individual lipid groups suggested the changes in membrane fatty acid composition may be asymmetric, with the majority of the changes occurring in the outer leaflet. Inhibition of NOS results in changes in membrane composition that may explain the concurrent changes in fluidity. The increased membrane fluidity observed here contrasts with the reduced fluidity observed in genetic hypertension or unchanged fluidity in secondary hypertension. The effects could be related to NOS inhibition or may be a direct effect of L-NAME.

Taurocholate induces preferential release of phosphatidylcholine from rat liver canalicular vesicles.

Biliary phospholipid secretion involves predominant segregation of canalicular phosphatidylcholine into bile. We tested the hypothesis that micellar concentrations of the major physiologic bile salt taurocholate can preferentially solubilize phosphatidylcholine from the canalicular rat liver plasma membrane. Subcellular fractions from rat liver and kidney were isolated with standardized procedures, incubated in vitro with taurocholate or 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-propane-1-sulphonate (CHAPS) and released phospholipids determined after centrifugation. After incubation of canalicular (cLPM) and basolateral (blLPM) rat liver plasma membrane vesicles with 6 and 8 mM taurocholate, the proportion of phosphatidylcholine released was about two-fold higher as compared with its relative contribution to the overall lipid composition of the membranes. Quantitatively, this taurocholate-induced preferential phosphatidylcholine release was about four-fold higher in cLPM (117 nmol) as compared with blLPM (28 nmol). Comparison of membranes from different organs showed that increased sphingomyelin content reduced taurocholate-induced phosphatidylcholine release. Furthermore, phosphatidylcholine release from cLPM did not fit an inverse exponential relationship between membrane sphingomyelin content and phosphatidylcholine release from different starting material, indicating that cLPM is especially prone to taurocholate-induced phosphatidylcholine release. In contrast, in rat liver microsomes and kidney brush border membranes, taurocholate released phospholipids in proportion of their membrane contents, indicating an unspecific membrane solubilizing effect only. Similarly, CHAPS had an unselective lipid solubilizing effects in cLPM and blLPM. These results support the concept that the very last step of canalicular phospholipid secretion is mediated in vivo by bile salt-induced vesiculation of phosphatidylcholine-enriched microdomains from the outer leaflet of cLPM.

Restoration of TNF-alpha-induced ceramide generation and apoptosis in resistant human leukemia KG1a cells by the P-glycoprotein blocker PSC833.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) is a cytokine with antitumor activity against several cellular models. TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis seems to be mediated by a signaling pathway termed 'sphingomyelin-ceramide' pathway, which consists of the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin and the production of its breakdown product ceramide. Our study shows that KG1a cells, which are inherently resistant to TNF-alpha and do not produce ceramide upon cytokine stimulation, can be sensitized by the use of the P-glycoprotein inhibitor PSC833. Coincubation with 1 microM of this cyclosporin derivative restored the apoptotic potential of 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha. This effect was associated with the restoration of ceramide generation (315%) and activation of neutral, but not acid sphingomyelinase activity (143%). Furthermore, we demonstrate that treatment of KG1a cells with 1 microM PSC833 led to a threefold increase in inner plasma membrane sphingomyelin content and basal neutral sphingomyelinase activity. These results support the hypothesis whereby resistance to TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis of certain leukemic cells is linked to the disposability of the sphingomyelin pool. These data also suggest a role for P-glycoprotein in sphingomyelin transverse plasma membrane asymmetry.

Hyperinsulinemia is related to erythrocyte phospholipid composition and membrane fluidity changes in obese nondiabetic women.

It has been suggested that changes in the properties of cell membranes are involved in an altered insulin action. However, the influence of changes in the distribution of phospholipid classes has not been explored. We investigated 69 obese nondiabetic normoglycemic women (17 patients with impaired glucose tolerance) with varying degrees of insulin sensitivity to determine the phospholipid composition and fluid state of their erythrocyte plasma membranes. The fasting plasma insulin, the homeostasis model analysis of insulin resistance (HOMA), and the integrated area under the insulin curve (AUC-I) after an oral glucose challenge were used as markers of insulin resistance. Results were divided into normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance. There was a positive correlation in NGT group between the membrane sphingomyelin (SM) content and the fasting plasma insulin (r = 0.523; P < 0.0001), HOMA value (r = 0.483; P < 0.0005), and AUC-I (r = 0.352; P < 0.05) and negative correlations between membrane fluidity determined with two fluorescent probes and plasma fasting insulin (r = 0.320; r = -0.365; P < 0.05) and HOMA value (r = 0.321; r = -0.382; P < 0.05). There were also correlations between SM and the three markers of insulin resistance in the impaired glucose tolerance group. There was no correlation between insulin resistance and other membrane components. Stepwise multiple regression analysis in the NGT group confirmed that the membrane SM content was an independent predictor of plasma fasting insulin, HOMA values, and AUC-I variations. Sphingomyelin could be one of the membrane parameters contributing to insulin resistance.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Activates the Sphingomyelin Signal Transduction Pathway in a Cell-Free System

The mechanism of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha signaling is unknown. TNF-alpha signaling may involve sphingomyelin hydrolysis to ceramide by a sphingomyelinase and stimulation of a ceramide-activated protein kinase. In a cell-free system, TNF-alpha induced a rapid reduction in membrane sphingomyelin content and a quantitative elevation in ceramide concentrations. Ceramide-activated protein kinase activity also increased. Kinase activation was mimicked by addition of sphingomyelinase but not by phospholipases A2, C, or D. Reconstitution of this cascade in a cell-free system demonstrates tight coupling to the receptor, suggesting this is a signal transduction pathway for TNF-alpha.

Alterations in the phospholipid composition and morphology of ovine erythrocytes after intravenous inoculation of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Summary Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis produces a sphingomyelin-specific phospholipase D exotoxin that is a major determinant in the pathogenesis of caseous lymphadenitis. The effect of this exotoxin on erythrocytes was assessed during experimentally induced infection of sheep. Blood was drawn at timed intervals, and the phospholipid composition of erythrocytes was determined by use of high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of membrane extracts. Erythrocyte morphology was determined by use of transmission electron microscopy. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) decreases in erythrocyte membrane sphingomyelin content and significant (P ≤ 0.05) increases in phosphatidylglycerol content were observed 30 minutes after iv inoculation of C pseudotuberculosis. The concentration of other phospholipids remained unchanged. Initially, spherostomatocytes were formed that later became pitted at the cell surface. These pits or invaginations appeared as numerous vacuoles at the periphery of thin-sectioned cells. Pitting became progressively worse, leading to an extensive scalloped cell surface. Alterations in the phospholipid composition and morphology of ovine erythrocytes may contribute to pathophysiologic findings in sheep with acute infection induced by C pseudotuberculosis.

Changes in ovine erythrocyte morphology due to sphingomyelin degradation by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis phospholipase D

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis produces a sphingomyelin-specific phospholipase D exotoxin that is a major determinant in the pathogenesis of caseous lymphadenitis. We assessed the changes induced in the morphology and sphingomyelin concentration of ovine erythrocytes after incubation with broth culture filtrates or purified exotoxin. Sphingomyelin was hydrolysed nearly in parallel with shape change. Morphologically, spherostomatocytes were seen initially, and later these contained numerous vacuoles at the periphery. Vacuoles seen in thin sections with transmission electron microscopy appeared as pits with scanning electron microscopy. Pitting became progressively worse with time, leading to extensive scalloping of the membrane surface. Chemically, significant decreases ( P ⩽ 0.05) in erythrocyte membrane sphingomyelin content and significant increases ( P ⩽ 0.05) in the content of glycerophospholipids (i.e. phosphatidylglycerol) were observed in erythrocytes incubated with broth culture filtrates or purified exotoxin. These alterations may contribute to the pathophysiology of acute infections induced by C. pseudotuberculosis.

Depletion of plasma-membrane sphingomyelin rapidly alters the distribution of cholesterol between plasma membranes and intracellular cholesterol pools in cultured fibroblasts

This study examines the relationship between cellular sphingomyelin content and the distribution of unesterified cholesterol between the plasma-membrane pool and the putative intracellular regulatory pool. The sphingomyelin content of cultured human skin fibroblasts was reduced by treatment of intact cells with extracellularly added neutral sphingomyelinase, and subsequent changes in the activities of cholesterol-metabolizing enzymes were determined. Exposure of fibroblasts to 0.1 unit of sphingomyelinase/ml for 60 min led to the depletion of more than 90% of the cellular sphingomyelin, as determined from total lipid extracts. In a time-course study, it was found that within 10 min of the addition of sphingomyelinase to cells, a dramatic increase in acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activity could be observed, whether measured from the appearance of plasma membrane-derived [3H]cholesterol or exogenously added [14C]oleic acid, in cellular cholesteryl esters. In addition, the cholesteryl ester mass was significantly higher in sphingomyelin-depleted fibroblasts at 3 h after exposure to sphingomyelinase compared with that in untreated fibroblasts [7.1 +/- 0.4 nmol of cholesterol/mg equivalents of esterified cholesterol compared with 4.2 +/- 0.1 nmol of cholesterol/mg equivalents of cholesteryl ester in control cells (P less than 0.05)]. The sphingomyelin-depleted cells also showed a reduction in the rate of endogenous synthesis of cholesterol, as measured by incorporation of sodium [14C]acetate into [14C]cholesterol. These results are consistent with a rapid movement of cholesterol from sphingomyelin-depleted plasma membranes to the putative intracellular regulatory pool of cholesterol. This mass movement of cholesterol away from the plasma membranes presumably resulted from a decreased capacity of the plasma membranes to solubilize cholesterol, since sphingomyelin-depleted cells also had a decreased capacity to incorporate nanomolar amounts of [3H]cholesterol from the extracellular medium, as compared with control cells. These findings confirm previous assumptions that the membrane sphingomyelin content is an important determinant of the overall distribution of cholesterol within intact cells.

Phospholipase D activity of Vibrio damsela cytolysin and its interaction with sheep erythrocytes.

Exposure of sheep erythrocytes to sublytic amounts of Vibrio damsela cytolysin markedly reduced their membrane sphingomyelin content and their sensitivity to lysis by the sphingomyelin-dependent cytolysins staphylococcal sphingomyelinase C (beta-toxin) and helianthin. The toxin was found to be a phospholipase D active against sphingomyelin.