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K Reue

Publications and source records attributed to K Reue.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Reduced aortic lesions and elevated high density lipoprotein levels in transgenic mice overexpressing mouse apolipoprotein A-IV.

Transgenic mouse lines carrying several copies of the mouse apo A-IV gene were produced. Lipoprotein composition and function, and aortic lesion development were examined. Apo A-IV levels in the plasma of transgenic mice were elevated threefold compared with nontransgenic littermates on a chow diet, and sixfold in mice fed an atherogenic diet. Plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were similar in transgenic and control mice fed a chow diet. However, with the atherogenic diet, male transgenic mice exhibited significantly higher levels of plasma triglycerides (P < 0.05), total cholesterol (P < 0.01), HDL cholesterol (P < 0.0001), and free fatty acids (P < 0.05), and lower levels of unesterified cholesterol (P < 0.05), than nontransgenic littermates. Expression of the apo A-IV transgene had a protective effect against the formation of diet-induced aortic lesions, with transgenics exhibiting lesion scores of approximately 30% those seen in control mice. HDL-sized lipoproteins isolated from transgenic mice fed the atherogenic diet promoted cholesterol efflux from cholesterol-loaded human monocytes more efficiently than comparable lipoproteins from nontransgenic counterparts. Plasma from transgenics also exhibited higher endogenous cholesterol esterification rates. Taken together, these results suggest that apo A-IV levels influence the metabolism and antiatherogenic properties of HDL.

Animals↗

Complex genetic control of HDL levels in mice in response to an atherogenic diet. Coordinate regulation of HDL levels and bile acid metabolism.

Inbred strains of mice differ in susceptibility to atherogenesis when challenged with a high fat, high cholesterol diet containing 0.5% cholic acid. Studies of recombinant inbred (RI) strains derived from the susceptible strain C57BL/6J (B6) and the resistant strains C3H/HeJ (C3H) and BALB/cJ have revealed an association between fatty streak lesion size and a decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels on the diet. To better understand the genetic factors contributing to HDL metabolism and atherogenesis in response to the diet, we studied mice derived from an intercross between B6 and C3H using a complete linkage map approach. A total of 185 female progeny were typed for 134 genetic markers spanning the mouse genome, resulting in an average interval of about 10 cM between markers. A locus on distal chromosome 1 containing the apolipoprotein AII gene was linked to HDL-cholesterol levels on both the chow and the atherogenic diets, but this locus did not contribute to the decrease in HDL-cholesterol in response to the diet. At least three distinct genetic loci, on chromosomes 3, 5, and 11, exhibited evidence of linkage to a decrease in HDL-cholesterol after a dietary challenge. Since a bile acid (cholic acid) is required for the diet induced changes in HDL levels and for atherogenesis in these strains, we examined cholesterol-7-alpha hydroxylase (C7AH) expression. Whereas B6 mice exhibited a large decrease in C7AH mRNA levels in response to the diet, C3H showed an increase. Among the intercross mice, multiple loci contributed to the regulation of C7AH mRNA levels in response to the diet, the most notable of which coincided with the loci on chromosomes 3, 5, and 11 controlling HDL levels in response to the diet. None of these loci were linked to the C7AH structural gene which we mapped to proximal chromosome 4. These studies reveal coordinate regulation of C7AH expression and HDL levels, and they indicate that the genetic factors controlling HDL levels are more complex than previously suggested by studies of RI strains. Furthermore, we observed that two of the loci for C7AH expression contributed to differences in gallstone formation between these strains.

Animals↗

Evidence for hormone-sensitive lipase mRNA expression in human monocyte/macrophages.

The role of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the hydrolysis of adipose tissue triacylglycerol to provide free fatty acids for energy requirements has been well established. However, the role of HSL in other tissues, including macrophages, is not well understood. The demonstration that HSL is capable of hydrolyzing cholesteryl esters at approximately the same rate as triacylglycerol raised the possibility that HSL activity in macrophages may influence the accumulation of cholesteryl esters in foam cells of atherosclerotic lesions. We and others have previously demonstrated that HSL mRNA is expressed in murine peritoneal macrophages and macrophage cell lines; however, it was previously reported that HSL mRNA is absent in human monocyte-derived macrophages, suggesting that a species difference may exist. To clarify this point, we have further examined the issue of HSL mRNA expression in human macrophages. In the current study, we demonstrate that HSL mRNA is detectable in human monocyte-derived macrophages and in the THP-1 human monocyte cell line using reverse transcription coupled to polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Specific amplification of cDNA derived from mRNA was ensured by using primers that span an intron within the human HSL gene, and the identity of PCR products as HSL was confirmed by hybridization to HSL cDNA and by DNA sequencing. Using a semiquantitative PCR assay, we establish that HSL mRNA levels in monocyte/macrophages are approximately 1/40 the levels in human adipose tissue. These results indicate that further studies addressing the role of HSL in macrophage metabolism and its potential role in development of foam cells in human atherosclerotic lesions are warranted.

Adipose Tissue↗

Naturally occurring mutations in mice affecting lipid transport and metabolism.

Naturally occurring mutations in the mouse provide a unique resource for identifying genes and characterizing proteins involved in lipid metabolism. Spontaneous mouse mutations have been described that affect various aspects of lipid metabolism, including cellular cholesterol homeostasis, fatty acid metabolism, serum lipoprotein levels, serum and tissue lipase activities, and lipid composition of tissues such as liver, nerve, kidney, and adrenal gland. Here we briefly describe the phenotypes and genetics of several mutants with blood and tissue lipid abnormalities, and then provide a more in-depth discussion of two mutations, fatty liver dystrophy (fld) and combined lipase deficiency (cld). Mice homozygous for the fld mutation exhibit fatty liver and hypertriglyceridemia during neonatal development, and a peripheral neuropathy that progresses throughout the lifetime of the animal. Combined lipase deficiency is characterized by a nearly complete absence of lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activity resulting in neonatal lethality. Although the underlying genes for these two disorders have yet to be identified, candidates that have been implicated through the molecular and biochemical characterization of the mutants are discussed.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of the gene for mouse hormone-sensitive lipase.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is the rate-limiting enzyme in hydrolysis of triglycerides in adipose tissue and of cholesteryl esters in steroidogenic tissues and macrophages. The gene encoding mouse HSL has been isolated and characterized from two overlapping lambda clones. The gene spans approximately 10.4 kb and comprises 9 exons interrupted by 8 introns. The deduced amino acid sequence specifies a protein of 759 amino acids with a Mr of 83,297 in the absence of posttranslational modifications. The known functional domains of the HSL protein are encoded by discrete exons, with the putative catalytic site (Ser423) encoded by exon 6, and the basal and regulatory phosphorylation sites (Ser557 and Ser559) encoded by exon 8. In addition, a putative lipid binding domain occurs in exon 9. The mouse protein shows 94% identity with the previously determined rat sequence and 85% identity with the recently determined human sequence. Interestingly, despite the high degree of similarity, the three species diverge significantly for a stretch of 16 amino acid residues upstream of the phosphorylation sites. In addition, an error was discovered in the carboxyl-terminal portion of the previously reported rat sequence, which produced a frame shift and premature termination of the coding sequence. The corrected rat sequence alters the identity of 12 amino acid residues and extends the protein an additional 11 residues. We have also examined the mouse HSL gene and 5' flanking region for nucleotide sequences that may modulate HSL gene transcription. Using primer extension, we identified a major transcription initiation site 593 nucleotides upstream of the protein coding sequence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular characterization of human hepatic lipase deficiency. In vitro expression of two naturally occurring mutations.

Individuals with hepatic lipase (HL) deficiency are often characterized by elevated levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and may be subject to premature atherosclerosis. Missense mutations in the HL gene have been identified in two affected families: substitutions of serine for phenylalanine at amino acid 267 and threonine for methionine at amino acid 383 (S267F and T383M, respectively). To confirm the role of S267F and T383M, respectively). To confirm the role of mutations separately into human HL cDNA by site-directed mutagenesis, and the resulting constructs were independently expressed in COS cells. HL activity and mass were measured and compared with wild-type HL transfectants to determine the effect of these mutations on lipase activity and secretion. Although similar amounts of HL protein were detected intracellularly after transfection with the wild-type and mutant constructs, S267F and T383M HL activity levels were markedly decreased: in S267F, no HL activity was detected, and activity levels in T383M were 38% of wild-type HL. Heparin-induced secretion of the two HL mutants was also severely affected: no detectable activity could be measured in the media of S267F, although some inactive mass (12% of wild-type HL) was secreted; mutant T383M secreted 4% and 20% of wild-type activity and mass, respectively. These results indicate that the single amino acid substitution present in HL S267F is sufficient to render the enzyme completely nonfunctional; in contrast, the T383M mutant retains partial activity but is poorly secreted. Thus, these defects appear capable of accounting for the HL-deficient phenotypes exhibited by individuals carrying the T383M and S267F mutations.

Base Sequence↗

Expression of hormone-sensitive lipase mRNA in macrophages.

Macrophages contain a neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase that can be activated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Immunological studies strongly suggest that hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is probably responsible for the cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity in macrophages; however, due to the very low level of expression in macrophages, it has been difficult to determine whether the macrophage cholesteryl ester hydrolase and adipose HSL are, in fact, products of the same gene. We have used the sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to demonstrate expression of HSL mRNA in resident and thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages, as well as in the P388D1 mouse macrophage cell line. PCR was performed using oligonucleotide primer sequences present on adjacent exons of the mouse HSL gene to allow discrimination between products derived from HSL mRNA or genomic DNA sequences; specificity of the PCR was demonstrated by the absence of a product in liver, which does not express HSL mRNA. Northern blot analysis of poly (A)+ RNA from peritoneal macrophages with a mouse adipose HSL cDNA probe demonstrated a low abundance of mRNA of 3.2 kb, identical in size to HSL mRNA in adipose tissue. These findings, together with the results of previous studies demonstrating similarities between HSL and macrophage neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase, strongly support the conclusion that both are products of a single gene. The development of a PCR assay for HSL mRNA may allow further study of the regulation of neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase expression in macrophages and foam cells, and its potential role in atherogenesis.

Adipose Tissue↗

Genetic variation in mouse apolipoprotein A-IV expression is determined pre- and post-transcriptionally.

Among inbred mouse strains there is a striking genetic variation in the levels of apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) mRNA in the liver, although intestinal mRNA levels vary only twofold in these strains. In the present study we have characterized the apoA-IV expression phenotypes in strains C57BL/6J and 129/J, and investigated the molecular basis for the genetic variation. We report that the two strains differ eight- to tenfold both in the levels of apoA-IV mRNA and in the rate of apoA-IV protein synthesis in liver. Presumably due to the increased synthetic rate, strain 129 exhibits a threefold higher concentration of apoA-IV protein in the circulation. mRNA synthesis and turnover studies indicate that both transcriptional and post-transcriptional events contribute to the genetic variation in steady state apoA-IV mRNA levels. An analysis of the levels of apoA-IV mRNA derived from 129 and C57BL/6 alleles in F1 mice indicates that the genetic control of apoA-IV mRNA levels involves both cis-acting elements linked to the apoA-IV gene, and genetically distinct trans-acting factors.

Animals↗

Genetic variation in mouse apolipoprotein A-IV due to insertion and deletion in a region of tandem repeats.

We have detected three unique apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) charge isoforms in strains of commensal mice. The cDNA sequences for one representative of each isoform (Mus domestesticus strains C57BL/6J and 129/J and Mus castaneus) revealed a polymorphism within a series of four imperfect repeats encoding the sequence Glu-Gln-Ala/Val-Gln. Insertions or deletions of 12 nucleotides within this repetitive region have given rise to three genotypes characterized by three (129), four (C57BL/6), or five (M. castaneus) copies of the repeat unit. To ascertain the extent of this variation among other species of the Mus genus, we sequenced this region of apoA-IV cDNAs from eight additional M. domesticus inbred strains and from five wild-derived Mus species. All eight additional M. domesticus strains examined had four repeat units, as found in C57BL/6. Among wild-derived mice, however, one species (Mus spretus) had three repeats, two species (Mus cookii and Mus cervicolor) had four repeats, and two species (Mus hortulanus and Mus minutoides) had five repeats. A lack of correlation between the number of repeat units and the phylogeny of Mus species indicates that independent mutations may have occurred throughout the evolution of specific mouse lineages. We suggest that the repetitive nature of the polymorphic sequence may predispose this region to slippage errors during DNA replication, resulting in frequent deletion/insertion mutations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

cDNA cloning of carboxyl ester lipase from human pancreas reveals a unique proline-rich repeat unit.

We report the isolation and nucleotide sequence of the cDNA for carboxyl ester lipase (CEL) from human pancreas. CEL was purified from human pancreas and microsequence analysis was performed on the amino-terminal and internal peptides. Peptide sequence was used to design oligonucleotide probes for screening a human pancreas cDNA library. Partial length cDNAs for CEL were isolated from the library, and the 5' portion of the cDNA was obtained using the anchored polymerase chain reaction. The deduced amino acid sequence indicates that mature CEL contains 722 amino acids and is synthesized with a 20 amino acid leader peptide. The amino acid sequence is rich in proline (12.2%), with 68% of the proline residues occurring within the final 25% of protein length. This is due to the occurrence of a series of proline-rich tandem repeat units near the carboxyl terminus, and accounts for the previously observed species variation in CEL size and amino acid composition. The primary sequence of CEL shows strong similarity to members of the serine esterase family, including the identical G-E-S-A-G motif at the putative active site. A striking homology also occurs between CEL and acetylcholinesterase and cholinesterase, essential enzymes of the nervous system. Proteins with cholesteryl esterase activity have been detected in extra-pancreatic tissues including liver, intestine, kidney, aorta, macrophage, and in the milk of some species (human, gorilla, cat, dog), but not others (rat, cow). To clarify the structural relationships between these various esterases and CEL, we used the CEL cDNA to study expression in pancreas and liver. CEL mRNA was abundant in pancreas of human and rat, with the human CEL mRNA approximately 300 nucleotides larger than that from rat. CEL mRNA was not detected in human adult or fetal liver, nor in rat liver. These results indicate that CEL is not synthesized in significant amounts in liver, and suggest that the cholesterol esterase activity that has been described in liver may be due to a distinct enzyme, or may be derived from pancreas, as has been proposed for the cholesterol esterase activity in intestine.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phenotypic characterization of the Ath-1 gene controlling high density lipoprotein levels and susceptibility to atherosclerosis.

The Ath-1 gene determines the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) lipid in response to a high fat diet challenge as well as susceptibility to diet-induced atherosclerosis in mice (Paigen et al. 1987. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 84: 3763-3767). As yet, the identity of the Ath-1 gene and how it acts to affect HDL levels are completely unknown. In an effort to clarify the nature of the gene, we have examined HDL phenotypes in strains carrying either the susceptible or resistant alleles. When challenged with a high fat diet, the susceptible strain C57BL/6 exhibited a marked decrease in the levels of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the major protein of HDL, whereas the resistant strains C3H and BALB/c maintained high levels of both. Separation of HDL subfractions by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis revealed that the decrease was particularly striking among the larger HDL species. The rates of synthesis of apoA-I in liver and intestine were similar in the strains and were unaffected by the high fat diet. Although the rates of synthesis of apoA-II and the levels of apoA-II mRNA were decreased in response to the high fat diet, similar decreases were observed in both the susceptible and resistant strains. We conclude that the Ath-1 gene results in a rapid decrease in both HDL lipid and HDL apolipoprotein levels in the susceptible strain in response to the high fat diet and that this is mediated primarily at the level of HDL catabolism.

Alleles↗

cis-acting determinants of basal and lipid-regulated apolipoprotein A-IV expression in mice.

The levels of apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) mRNA are regulated by dietary lipid in the liver of both the mouse and rat. Thirteen different inbred mouse strains were fed a high lipid diet, and the effect on apoA-IV liver mRNA levels was examined. It was found that each strain responded in one of two ways. Mice of four strains had higher liver apoA-IV mRNA levels as compared with syngeneic mice fed a normal chow diet. Mice of the other nine strains had decreased liver apoA-IV mRNA levels as compared with syngeneic mice fed a normal chow diet. Using F1 hybrids between mice from BALB/c, C3H, and C57BL/6 and between 129 and C57BL/6, as well as recombinant inbred strains derived from a cross between BALB/c and C57BL/6, we have shown that both the normal level of liver apoA-IV mRNA in the chow-fed mice and the lipid-dependent regulation of apoA-IV mRNA levels are controlled by cis-acting genetic elements. The apoA-IV mRNA levels in mice fed a normal diet varied dramatically among strains, with the largest difference (90-fold) being between the 129/J inbred strain and the C57BL/6J strain. In addition, we have examined the expression of apoA-IV during mouse development. ApoA-IV mRNA is expressed early in mouse liver (16 days postcoitum), whereas others have shown previously that rat liver apoA-IV mRNA is undetectable until 14 days after birth. ApoA-IV mRNA levels in the intestine and apoA-I mRNA levels in the liver and intestine, by contrast, mirror the pattern seen in the rat.

Animals↗