Saturation Of Phospholipid Fatty Acids Research Articles

Phospholipids and protein adaptation of Pseudomonas sp. to the xenoestrogen tributyltin chloride (TBT).

A tributyltin (TBT)-resistant strain of Pseudomonas sp. isolated from an overworked car filter was tested for its adaptation to TBT. The isolate was checked for organotin degradation ability, as well as membrane lipid and cellular protein composition in the presence of TBT. The phospholipid profiles of bacteria, grown with and without increased amounts of TBT, were characterized using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry. The strain reacted to the biocide by changing the composition of its phospholipids. TBT induced a twofold decline in the amounts of many molecular species of phosphatidylglycerol and an increase in the levels of phosphatidic acid (by 58 %) and phosphatidylethanolamine (by 70 %). An increase in the degree of saturation of phospholipid fatty acids of TBT exposed Pseudomonas sp. was observed. These changes in the phospholipid composition and concentration reflect the mechanisms which support optimal lipid ordering in the presence of toxic xenobiotic. In the presence of TBT the abundances of 16 proteins, including TonB-dependent receptors, porins and peroxidases were modified, which could indicate a contribution of some enzymes to TBT resistance.

Effects of temperature and nutrient availability on plasma membrane lipid composition in Scots pine roots during growth initiation.

We studied the effects of root zone temperature (RZT) and nutrient availability on free sterols and phospholipids in the plasma membrane (PM) and on PM-ATPase activity in roots of 1-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings during growth initiation in the spring. Seedlings were grown for 6 weeks in hydroponic cultures with low (0.5 mM N; LN) or high (3 mM N; HN) nutrient availability. The root zone was subjected to slow warming (SW) and fast warming (FW) treatments while maintaining similar air temperatures in both treatments. Decreases in the amount of phospholipids and in the phospholipid/free sterol ratio, an increase in the degree of saturation of phospholipid fatty acids and changes in free sterol composition were observed during root growth initiation. Changes in lipid composition of the PM associated with the cold deacclimation process were detected at RZTs above 9 degrees C. Nutrient availability affected the lipid composition of the PM only when RZT was increased slowly. When RZT increased from 4 to 6 degrees C in the SW treatment, the degree of saturation of phospholipid fatty acids decreased, especially in HN seedlings. The sitosterol/stigmasterol ratio remained higher in HN seedlings than in LN seedlings. After an RZT of 9 degrees C had been reached in the SW treatment, HN caused increases in the saturation of phospholipid fatty acids and root PM-ATPase activity, and a decrease in the phospholipid/free sterol ratio. Possible effects of changes in PM lipid composition on root growth and PM-ATPase activity are discussed.

Imbalance of plasma membrane ion leak and pump relationship as a new aetiological basis of certain disease states.

The basis for life is the ability of the cell to maintain ion gradients across biological membranes. Such gradients are created by specific membrane-bound ion pumps [adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases)]. According to physicochemical rules passive forces equilibrate (dissipate) ion gradients. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio of the membrane and the degree of saturation of phospholipid fatty acids are important factors for membrane molecular order and herewith a determinant of the degree of non-specific membrane leakiness. Other operative principles, i.e. specific ion channels can be opened and closed according to mechanisms that are specific to the cell. Certain compounds called ionophores can be integrated in the plasma membrane and permit specific inorganic ions to pass. Irrespective of which mechanism ions leak across the plasma membrane the homeostasis may be kept by increasing ion pumping (ATPase activity) in an attempt to restore the physiological ion gradient. The energy source for this work seems to be glycolytically derived ATP formation. Thus an increase in ion pumping is reflected by increased ATP hydrolysis and rate of glycolysis. This can be measured as an accumulation of breakdown products of ATP and end-products of anaerobic glycolysis (lactate). In certain disease entities, the balance between ATP formation and ion pumping may be disordered resulting in a decrease in inter alia (i.a.) cellular energy charge, and an increase in lactate formation and catabolites of adenylates. Cardiac syndrome X is proposed to be due to an excessive leakage of potassium ions, leading to electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, abnormal Tl-scintigraphy of the heart and anginal pain (induced by adenosine). Cocksackie B3 infections, a common agent in myocarditis might also induce an ionophore-like effect. Moreover, Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the formation of extracellular amyloid deposits in the brain of patients. Perturbation of cellular membranes by the amyloid peptide during the development of Alzheimer's disease is one of several mechanisms proposed to account for the toxicity of this peptide on neuronal membranes. We have studied the effects of the peptide and fragments thereof on 45Ca2+-uptake in human erythrocytes and the energetic consequences. Treatment of erythrocytes with the beta 1-40 peptide, results in qualitatively similar nucleotide pattern and decrease of energy charge as the treatment with Ca2+-ionophore A23187. Finally, in recent studies we have revealed and published in this journal that a rare condition, Tarui's disease or glycogenosis type VII, primarily associated with a defect M-subunit of phosphofructokinase, demonstrates as a cophenomenon an increased leak of Ca2+ into erythrocytes.

Slow heating of barley aleurone layers to heat‐shock temperature preserves heat‐shock‐sensitive cellular properties

In barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Himalaya) aleurone layers, heat shock causes the selective suppression of α-amylase synthesis by destabilizing this secretory protein's mRNA. The lamellar stacks of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which serve as the site of α-amylase mRNA translation, are dissociated by heat shock, suggesting that heat-shock-induced changes in ER may be important in selectively targeting α-amylase mRNAs for destabilization. We have found that samples maintained at heat-shock temperature (40°C) for 18 h recover the ability to synthesize α-amylase and that the ER membranes in these samples contain membrane phospholipids with enhanced levels of fatty acid saturation. This present study investigated whether gradual warming to 40°C over 3-6 h (ramping) would preserve α-amylase synthesis by permitting ER membrane phospholipid retailoring during the gradual temperature increase. Analyses by sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that α-amylase synthesis was markedly increased in ramped samples. Furthermore, northern hybridization analyses and transmission electron microscopy showed that these samples had increased α-amylase mRNA levels and stacks of ER lamellae, respectively. Gas chromatographic analyses of ER membrane phospholipids indicated that the fatty acids of ramped samples were more saturated than their heat-shocked counterparts. These data indicate that heat-induced increases in aleurone ER membrane phospholipid fatty acid saturation may be important in maintaining secretory protein expression at normally nonpermissive heat-shock temperatures.

Effects of paclobutrazol and chilling temperatures on lipids, antioxidants and ATPase activity of plasma membrane isolated from green bell pepper fruits

The effects of paclobutrazol treatment on plasma membrane lipid composition and ATPase activity of bell pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum) subjected to chilling temperatures were assessed. Application of the growth regulator paclobutrazol affected plant growth and fruit morphology. The plants were more compact and the fruits were less elongated than control fruits. There was about 60% more plasma membrane on a fresh weight basis from treated fruits. At harvest there was no difference in sterol to phospholipid ratio, or in phospholipid fatty acid composition of control compared with paclobutrazol treated fruit. However, plasma membrane ATPase acitivity of treated fruit was two times higher than that of control fruit. After storage at chilling temperature (2°C), the control fruit developed more chilling iniury, and had greater weight loss and a higher rate of K+ leakage than paclobulrazol treated fruit. Plasma membrane phospholipid content decreased and saturation of phospholipid fatty acids was higher than in control fruit. These two changes were largely absent in plasma membrane from treated fruit. At harvest antioxidant levels in the plasma membrane of paclobutrazol treated peppers were higher than in those of controls and changed little during storage, whereas levels in control fruit plasma membrane decreased 66%. ATPase activity increased and then decreased in control fruit held at low temperature, whereas in treated fruit activity was constant. The protective effect of paclobutrazol against chilling injury of pepper fruit may result from a combination of its effect on fruit morphology, and protection of the lipids against oxidative stress.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Phospholipids from Different Sources with Combined Fluorescence and Ultraviolet Detection

An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) system was developed for the separation of major phospholipid classes, i.e., phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine. Phospholipids were detected with ultraviolet absorption at 205 nm and subsequent fluorescence detection. Fluorescence of the phospholipids (excitation, 340 nm; emission, 460 nm) was achieved by postcolumn formation of mixed micelles with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. For ultraviolet absorption there were great differences depending on the saturation of phospholipid fatty acids but for fluorescence the sensitivity was almost identical for all phospholipids except phosphatidylinositol and lysophosphatidylcholine. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine showed nearly no ultraviolet but good fluorescence response. Ultraviolet to fluorescence ratio was characteristic for different phospholipids and for identical phospholipids from different sources. Quantification of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine with HPLC using N-monomethylphosphatidylethanolamine (dioleoyl) as an internal standard gave the same results as phospholipid phosphorus quantification after thin-layer chromatography.

263 A NEW HPLC TECHNIQUE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF SURFACTANT PHOSPHOLIPID COMPOSITION AND SATURATION

An isocratic HPLC system for the separation of all major phospholipid species was developed using ultraviolet (UV) absorption (205 nm) and subsequent fluorescence (FL) detection with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. For FL the sensitivity was almost identical for all phospholipids except phosphatidylinositol and lysophosphatidylcholine, but for UV absorption there were great differences depending on the saturation of phospholipid fatty acids. Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine showed nearly no UV but good FL response. UV to FL ratio was characteristic for phosphatidylcholines with different fatty acid saturation. Quantitation of phospholipids with HPLC using Monomethylphosphatidylethanolamine(dioleoyl) as an internal standard gave the same results as phospholipid phosphorus quantification after thin-layer chromatography. Analysis of surfactant preparations from sputum of cystic fibrosis patients show a significant decrease in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol, and an increase in sphingomyelin and phosphatidylethanolamine. The UV to FL ratio of phosphatidylcholine was increased in cystic fibrosis, indicating a decreased saturation of bronchial phosphatidylcholine in these patients.

Early selective effects of gentamicin on renal brush-border membrane Na-Pi cotransport and Na-H exchange

Gentamicin nephrotoxicity is associated with impairments in proximal tubular function. This study determined whether gentamicin administration to the rat, before a reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), causes early and selective alterations in renal cortical brush-border membrane (BBM) enzyme and transport activity, lipid composition, and fluidity. Three days of gentamicin administration caused significant decreases in the Vmax of alkaline phosphatase, the Vmax of sodium gradient-dependent phosphate transport (Na-Pi cotransport), and the Vmax of pH gradient-dependent sodium transport (Na-H exchange). Gentamicin did not affect BBM-bound maltase or leucine aminopeptidase activities and sodium gradient-dependent glucose or proline transport activities. Gentamicin also caused a significant decrease in BBM sphingomyelin, significant increases in BBM phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol, a significant decrease in the phospholipid fatty acid saturation index, and a significant increase in BBM fluidity, i.e., decrease in the fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene. These BBM functional and compositional effects of gentamicin were independent of endogenous parathyroid hormone activity. We conclude that gentamicin causes early and specific alterations in BBM enzyme and transport activity and also lipid composition, which may play an important role in the progression of renal cell injury.