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M Desautels

Publications and source records attributed to M Desautels.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

beta-Adrenergic stimulated lipolysis in pony adipocytes is exclusively via a beta2-subtype and is not affected by lactation.

Catecholamines are important lipolytic agents in horses and ponies but the nature of the adrenergic receptor subtype distribution in their adipocytes is uncertain. A first objective was to identify the beta-adrenergic receptor subtype(s) present in adipocytes from horses and ponies. A second objective was to evaluate if the lipolytic responsiveness of isolated adipocytes to beta-adrenergic agonists is altered during lactation, a condition known to affect markedly maternal fat metabolism. Isoproterenol and salbutamol elicited strong lipolytic responses in adipocytes isolated from horse and pony subcutaneous adipose tissue. There were weak lipolytic responses to norepinephrine, dobutamine and BRL37344. The weak lipolytic response to NE compared to isoproterenol or salbutamol suggests an antilipolytic action from alpha2-adrenergic receptors. The relative order of potency for the beta-adrenergic agonists was isoproterenol>/=salbutamol>>dobutamine=BRL37344. There was expression of beta2-adrenergic receptor mRNA in pony and horse adipose tissues, as estimated by relative RT-PCR, but no expression of mRNAs for beta1- or beta3-adrenergic receptors. Early lactation did not alter the lipolytic responses to beta-adrenergic agonists, nor the expression of beta2-adrenergic receptor mRNA. Thus, these results indicate a dominant if not exclusive presence of beta2-adrenergic receptors in pony and horse adipocytes that is not affected by lactation.

Adipocytes↗

Differentiation-dependent expression of cathepsin D and importance of lysosomal proteolysis in the degradation of UCP1 in brown adipocytes.

The lysosomal protease cathepsin D increased markedly in brown adipocytes during differentiation in primary cultures. Differentiated cells had 20 times the amount of immunoreactive cathepsin D found in preadipocytes. Cathepsin D mRNA, as estimated by relative RT-PCR, was also present in higher amounts in differentiated brown fat cells. Cathepsin D expression was not influenced by repeated exposures of brown adipocytes to norepinephrine (NE). Cathepsin D levels were also unchanged when NE was withdrawn for 48 h after cells had been exposed to NE for 7 days. In contrast, exposure of the cells to NE for 7 days increased their UCP1 content by more than twofold, which returned to basal levels within 48 h of withholding NE. The half-life of UCP1 under basal conditions and in cells chronically exposed to NE was estimated from reductions in [35S]methionine-labelled immunoprecipitable UCP1 over 72 h. UCP1 t1/2 under basal conditions was 3.7+/-0.4 days, which was similar to the half-lives of labelled mitochondrial translation products (3.6+/-0.8 days). The turnover rates of both UCP1 and mitochondrial translation products were reduced by NE. The turnover rate of UCP1 in the presence or absence of NE cannot account solely for the rapid loss of UCP1 from brown adipocytes upon withdrawal of NE. This loss was reduced when cells were incubated with inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI 3-kinase), previously shown to block formation of autophagic vacuoles. Thus, brown adipocytes acquire a large capacity for both uncoupled metabolism and for lysosomal proteolysis during differentiation. Withdrawal of NE, as often occurs in vivo from suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity, would not only terminate thermogenesis but also favor formation of autophagic vacuoles to rapidly reduce the cell content of UCP1-containing mitochondria.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Control of proteolysis by norepinephrine and insulin in brown adipocytes: role of ATP, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and p70 S6K.

The objective of this study was to evaluate some of the mechanisms by which norepinephrine (NE) and insulin may influence protein degradation in mouse brown adipocytes differentiated in cultures. The effects of NE and insulin, alone or in combination, on three factors known to influence proteolysis (maintenance of cell ATP and 1-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and p70 ribosomal S6-kinase (p70 S6K) activities) were examined. It was proposed that NE affects proteolysis indirectly by decreasing cell ATP from activation of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1)-dependent mitochondrial respiration. This was tested by comparing the effects of NE and fatty acids (which directly activate UCP1) on proteolysis in brown adipocytes, as well as in pre-adipocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which do not express UCP1. An inhibitory effect of insulin on proteolysis is observed in both pre-adipocytes and differentiated cells, whereas NE and exogenously added fatty acids inhibit proteolysis only in brown adipocytes. There is a linear relationship between reductions in cell ATP and proteolysis in response to increasing concentrations of NE or fatty acids. PI 3-kinase activity is required for proteolysis, because two selective inhibitors (wortmannin and LY294002) reduce proteolysis in both pre-adipocytes and differentiated cells. This effect is not additive to that of NE, which suggests they affect the same proteolytic pathway. In contrast to NE, insulin increases PI 3-kinase activity and phosphorylation of p70 S6K. Rapamycin, which prevented insulin-dependent increase in phosphorylation of p70 S6K, increases proteolysis in brown adipocytes and antagonizes the inhibitory effect of insulin on proteolysis, but not the inhibitory effect of NE. Thus, insulin inhibits proteolysis via rapamycin-sensitive activation of p70 S6K, whereas the effect of NE appears largely to be a function of decreasing cell ATP content.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Cdc4p, a contractile ring protein essential for cytokinesis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, interacts with a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase.

The proposed function of Cdc4p, an essential contractile ring protein in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, is that of a myosin essential light chain. However, five conditionally lethal cdc4 alleles exhibit complementation in diploids. Such interallelic complementation is not readily explained if the sole function of Cdc4p is that of a myosin essential light chain. Complementation of cdc4 alleles could occur only if different mutant forms can assemble into an active oligomeric complex or if Cdc4p has more than one essential function. To search for other proteins that may interact with Cdc4p, we performed a two-hybrid screen and identified two such candidates: one similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Vps27p and the other a putative phosphatidylinositol (PI) 4-kinase. Binding of Cdc4p to the latter and to myosin heavy chain (Myo2p) was confirmed by immunosorbent assays. Deletion studies demonstrated interaction between the Cdc4p C-terminal domain and the PI 4-kinase C-terminal domain. Furthermore, interaction was abolished by the Cdc4p C-terminal domain point mutation, Gly107 to Ser. This allele also causes failure of cytokinesis. Ectopic expression of the PI 4-kinase C-terminal domain caused cytokinesis defects that were most extreme in cells carrying the G107S allele. We suggest that Cdc4p plays multiple roles in cytokinesis and that interaction with a PI 4-kinase may be important for contractile ring assembly and/or function.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

Structure of Cdc4p, a contractile ring protein essential for cytokinesis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdc4 protein is required for the formation and function of the contractile ring, presumably acting as a myosin light chain. By using NMR spectroscopy, we demonstrate that purified Cdc4p is a monomeric protein with two structurally independent domains, each exhibiting a fold reminiscent of the EF-hand class of calcium-binding proteins. Although Cdc4p has one potentially functional calcium-binding site, it does not bind calcium in vitro. Three variants of Cdc4p containing single point mutations responsible for temperature-sensitive arrest of the cell cycle at cytokinesis (Gly-19 to Glu, Gly-82 to Asp, and Gly-107 to Ser) were also characterized by NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopy. In each case, the amino acid substitution only leads to small perturbations in the conformation of the protein. Furthermore, thermal unfolding studies indicate that, like wild-type Cdc4p, the three mutant forms are all extremely stable, remaining completely folded at temperatures significantly above those causing failure of cytokinesis in intact cells. Therefore, the altered phenotype must arise directly from a disruption of the function of Cdc4p rather than indirectly through a disruption of its overall structure. Several mutant alleles of Cdc4p also show interallelic complementation in diploid cells. This phenomenon can be explained if Cdcp4 has more than one essential function or, alternatively, if two mutant proteins assemble to form a functional complex. Based on the structure of Cdc4p, possible models for interallelic complementation including interactions with partner proteins and the formation of a myosin complex with Cdc4p fulfilling the role of both an essential and regulatory light chain are proposed.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Differentiation-dependent inhibition of proteolysis by norepinephrine in brown adipocytes.

The objective was to evaluate whether norepinephrine (NE) and other hormonal factors have direct effects on protein degradation in brown fat cells. NE inhibited proteolysis by 35-45% in mouse brown adipocytes differentiated in culture. Insulin also inhibited protein degradation but significantly less than NE, whereas glucagon and leptin had no effect. The inhibitory effect of NE was partially antagonized by propranolol but not by prazosin, and dose-response curves with BRL-37344 (a beta(3)-agonist), isoproterenol (a beta(1)/beta(2)-agonist) and dobutamide (a beta(1)-agonist) were consistent with the involvement of a beta(3)-adrenergic receptor. Furthermore, forskolin mimicked the effects of NE, whereas additions of A-23187 or phorbol esters had no effect, alone or in combination with NE or forskolin. Thus inhibition of proteolysis by NE likely involves a beta(3)-adrenergic receptor-mediated increase in cAMP. In contrast, NE, BRL-37344, and dobutamide had no effect on proteolysis in preadipocytes. Inhibition of proteolysis by NE was due at least in part to inhibition of autophagy. Thus inhibition of proteolysis by NE and insulin in mature brown adipocytes is likely an important process contributing to brown fat growth and atrophy under many physiological or pathological conditions.

Adenine↗

Effects of ethanol consumption on brown adipose tissue thermogenic capacity in mice.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of ethanol consumption on brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenic capacity in mice. Mice offered only ethanol (10%; v/v) for 10 days as drinking fluid had significant reductions in total energy and fluid intakes relative to mice given water, but net weight gains were similar. BAT thermogenic capacity was reduced in mice drinking ethanol, as shown by decreases in tissue protein and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and in the uncoupling protein content of isolated mitochondria. Ethanol consumption differed greatly between mice offered a choice between ethanol and water for 25 days after a 10-day habituation period, with only ethanol as the drinking solution. Total energy intake of mice that continue to consume the most ethanol voluntarily (up to 25% of total fluid intake) was significantly reduced but carcass fat was increased, relative to mice consuming less or no ethanol. Brown fat thermogenic capacity was not significantly affected by the degree of ethanol consumption. Basal and norepinephrine-stimulated rates of oxygen uptake of isolated brown adipocytes were not affected by ethanol. Thus, changes in the animal capacity for energy expenditure in brown adipose tissue does not appear an important factor to explain the effects of ethanol consumption on fat deposition in mice.

Adipocytes↗

Comparison of trophic effects of norepinephrine, insulin, and IGF-1 in mouse brown adipocytes.

The objective of this work was to evaluate whether insulin, like norepinephrine (NE), exerts direct growth effects in brown adipocytes, as assessed by changes in rates of protein labeling with [35S]methionine. Mouse brown adipocytes isolated by tissue collagenase digestion were incubated for up to 24 h with or without NE in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with albumin, calf serum, and antibiotics. There was a 40% cell loss and a 50% decrease in cell content of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity over 24 h. Both cell recovery and SDH content significantly improved in the presence of NE. In addition, NE increased [35S]methionine incorporation into proteins in both cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments. These effects of NE were inhibited by propranolol. Both insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors were detected in brown adipocytes, with insulin receptors in much greater concentration. Increased protein labeling was observed when brown adipocytes were incubated for 4 h with 0.2-5 nM insulin in the absence of serum. This effect was small (30% stimulation) compared with the 200-350% increase observed with NE, and 5 nM IGF-1 had no effect. These results indicate direct trophic actions of both NE and insulin in mouse brown adipocytes, with the effects of NE an order of magnitude greater than those of insulin.

Adipocytes↗

Expressed alpha 1-adrenoceptors in adult rat brown adipocytes are primarily of alpha 1A subtype.

The main objective of this study was to characterize the alpha 1-adrenoceptors expressed in adult rat brown adipocytes. For this purpose, membrane fractions were prepared from brown adipose tissue as well as from isolated brown adipocytes. The following are major findings: (i) BAT membranes were considerably enriched in alpha 1-adrenoceptors (specific [3H]prazosin binding, Bmax, 79.49 +/- 16.77 fmol/mg protein; KD, 0.24 +/- 0.04 nM); (ii) among the cells that comprise brown adipose tissue, brown adipocytes were enriched in alpha 1-adrenoceptors; (iii) > 95% of total alpha 1-adrenoceptors were resistant to inactivation by 20 microM chloroethylclonidine, which readily and essentially completely inactivated alpha 1B-adrenoceptors in rat liver membranes; (iv) brown adipose tissue membrane alpha 1-adrenoceptors showed high affinity towards 5-methyl urapidil (KD 7.23 +/- 2.49 nM) and WB 4101 (KD 0.66 +/- 0.30 nM) and low affinity towards BMY 7378 (KD 0.34 +/- 0.03 microM); essentially similar affinities for these drugs were seen for membranes prepared from brown adipocytes; and (v) EBDA/LIGAND analysis of 5-methyl urapidil, WB 4101, and BMY 7378 competition curves revealed the presence of a single binding site for these drugs. Recent work has documented that 5-methyl urapidil and WB 4101 interact with high affinity with alpha 1A-adrenoceptors, while BMY 7378 interacts with high affinity with alpha 1D-adrenoceptors. Taken together, these findings are consistent with the view that alpha 1-adrenoceptors expressed in adult rat BAT are mainly of the alpha 1A subtype.

Adipocytes↗

Alcohol dehydrogenase activity in mouse brown adipose tissue.

The present work provides evidence for the occurrence of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in very minute concentration in mice brown adipose tissue (BAT). Mice consuming 10% ethanol for 10 days showed significantly lowered enzyme activity in brown fat while liver ADH activity was increased but not significantly. Measurements of basal and norepinephrine stimulated oxygen consumption of isolated brown adipocytes indicated that the presence of ADH in BAT of mice is unlikely to play any role in ethanol oxidation.

Adipocytes↗

Dissociation of thermogenic and trophic actions of norepinephrine in brown adipocytes of Richardson ground squirrels.

Richardson ground squirrels are hibernators with seasonal changes in the thermogenic capacity of brown adipose tissue (BAT). The objective of this work was to evaluate whether norepinephrine (NE) acts both as a thermogenic and a growth factor in BAT. Brown adipocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion of axillary BAT and kept in a tissue culture incubator in methionine-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with albumin, antibiotics, and calf serum with or without NE for up to 24 h. For short-term incubations (<6 h), calf serum was omitted. Freshly isolated brown adipocytes responded to NE with 10- to 20-fold increases in rates of oxygen uptake. This ability to respond calorigenically to NE was maintained over a 24-h period. However, no significant increase in [35S]methionine incorporation into cellular proteins was observed when brown adipocytes were incubated for 1-6 or 24 h with NE. When labeled cell proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and visualized by autoradiography, no selective change in protein labeling, particularly in the uncoupling protein (32 kDa) region was observed. Likewise, [35S]methionine incorporation into immunoprecipitable uncoupling protein was not affected by the presence of NE. These results suggest a dissociation between the thermogenic and growth effects of NE in BAT of Richardson ground squirrels.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Hemin inhibits protein synthesis and degradation in isolated brown adipose tissue mitochondria.

The primary objectives of this work were to evaluate the effects of hemin on protein synthesis and degradation in isolated brown adipose tissue (BAT) mitochondria. Exposure of mice to a cold environment (4 degrees C) caused a significant increase in 5'-aminolevulinate synthase (ALV synthase) activity in BAT coincident with an increase in the tissue mitochondrial protein content. Hemin caused significant inhibition of protein synthesis and of ATP-stimulated proteolysis in isolated BAT mitochondria. These effects were specific, as protoporphyrin IX, a precursor of heme, increased protein synthesis and had no effect on ATP-stimulated degradation of mitochondrial translation products. The end products of degradation of proteins synthesized within isolated mitochondria were amino acids released to the outside of the organelles. Hemin appeared to inhibit an early step of the degradation pathway, as it caused a significant reduction in labelled methionine release from the organelles but no accumulation of peptides. Hemin caused significant inhibition of ATP-stimulated hydrolysis of labelled casein by soluble mitochondrial fractions, while addition of protoporphyrin IX was much less effective. In contrast, protease activity associated with mitochondrial membranes was almost equally sensitive to inhibition by hemin and protoporphyrin IX. These results suggest that heme may play a role in BAT mitochondriogenesis by its action on protein synthesis and degradation within the organelles.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗

Role of mast cell histamine in brown adipose tissue thermogenic response to VMH stimulation.

Electrical stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamic area in rats caused a significant but transient increase in interscapular brown adipose tissue temperature. This response was markedly reduced by cimetidine, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist, but not by pyrilamine, an H1-receptor antagonist. Histamine is present in substantial amounts within mast cells in brown adipose tissue as injections of compound 48/80, which cause degranulation of connective tissue mast cells, reduced the tissue histamine content by > 85%. In contrast, histamine content in brown adipose tissue was not affected by loss of sympathetic neural input (with 6-hydroxydopamine) or sensory neural input (with capsaicin). Neither cimetidine nor histamine had any effect on basal and norepinephrine-stimulated rates of O2 consumption by isolated brown adipocytes. These results indicate that histamine released from mast cells acting on H2-receptors may play an important but indirect role in the thermogenic response of brown adipose tissue to stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamic area.

Adipocytes↗

Changes in brown adipose tissue composition during fasting and refeeding of diet-induced obese mice.

The objective of this work was to evaluate how obesity would influence the changes in brown fat (BAT) thermogenic capacity during fasting-refeeding. Mice fed either chow or chow + high-fat supplement for 6 wk had body weights of 34 +/- 1 and 43 +/- 1 g, respectively. They were fasted for 48 h followed by ad libitum refeeding for up to 5 days. Loss of carcass fat was similar between food-deprived mice previously fed chow or chow + high-fat supplement. However, even after a 48-h fast, obese mice still had a carcass fat content much greater than that of chow-fed mice. Brown fat atrophy caused by food deprivation was characterized by reductions in tissue weight, fat, mitochondrial proteins and uncoupling protein (UCP), without change in tissue DNA. Obesity did not alter the rate or extent of brown fat atrophy. Upon refeeding 48-h-fasted lean and obese mice, there was recovery of BAT thermogenic capacity that was similar between the two groups. In chow-fed mice, an intact neural input was essential for recovery of BAT thermogenic capacity during refeeding. These results indicate that food deprivation triggers an immediate adaptive response in mice previously fed chow or chow + a high-fat supplement and that reduction in brown fat thermogenic capacity during fasting and its recovery during refeeding appear little affected by the size of the animal energy reserves.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Nucleotide requirement and effects of fatty acids on protein synthesis and degradation in brown adipose tissue mitochondria.

The objective of this work was to evaluate whether changes in respiratory status of isolated brown-fat mitochondria influence synthesis and degradation of proteins within the organelles. Mitochondrial protein synthesis is subject to regulation, as a 24-h fast in mice reduced [35S]methionine incorporation without affecting the stability of the newly synthesized proteins. Proteins synthesized in isolated mitochondria were labile and degraded in a process stimulated by ATP. ATP hydrolysis was required within the organelle, as ATP-stimulated protein breakdown was inhibited by atractyloside, an inhibitor of adenine nucleotide transport, and by arsenate and vanadate, which inhibit ATPases. Additions of ATP and ADP were equally effective at reducing mitochondrial oxygen consumption. However, ATP added exogenously was better at supporting protein synthesis and degradation than ATP generated by oxidative phosphorylation when mitochondria were incubated with ADP, substrates, and Pi. GDP also reduced oxygen consumption and stimulated degradation of mitochondrial translation products. Addition of fatty acids in the presence or absence of carnitine-CoA increased mitochondrial respiration but had no effect on protein synthesis or degradation. Addition of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (mCCP) had no effect on ATP-stimulated protein degradation. These results indicate that synthesis and stability of mitochondrial translation products are not significantly influenced by changes in the activity of the uncoupling protein brought about by additions of adenine nucleotides and fatty acids.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Specific decrease of mitochondrial thermogenic capacity in brown adipose tissue of obese SHR/N-cp rats.

The metabolic properties of brown adipose tissue (BAT), liver, and skeletal muscles were compared in lean and obese diabetic SHR/N-cp rats (a new model of type II diabetes) to test whether the severe insulin resistance of obese animals is specifically associated with a thermogenic defect in BAT. The respiratory response of brown adipocytes to norepinephrine and to agents bypassing the adenylate cyclase complex (dibutyryl cyclic AMP and palmitate) was decreased by two-thirds in obese rats, thereby indicating the presence of a major postreceptor defect. Significantly, total BAT cytochrome oxidase activity, uncoupling protein content, and mitochondrial guanosine 5'-diphosphate binding (3 indexes of BAT thermogenic capacity) were also decreased by two-thirds. The specific activities of these parameters expressed per total BAT mitochondrial protein were not altered either. This indicates that the total number of mitochondria per cell is decreased in BAT of obese rats. In contrast, total tissue cytochrome oxidase activity, protein content, and DNA content all increased by two to three times in the liver of obese SHR/N-cp rats, but these parameters remained unchanged in skeletal muscles (vastus lateralis and soleus). Such a remarkable liver hypertrophy may have occurred as a consequence of the persistent hyperphagia-hyperinsulinemia of obese rats that induced a hyperplasia and/or a hepatocyte polyploidization. This observation together with the fact that daily energy expenditure associated with food intake was markedly increased in obese rats (representing as much as 25% of the total energy expenditure) strongly suggests that the liver plays a major role in energy balance in these animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Norepinephrine does not stimulate protein and UCP synthesis in brown adipocytes of golden Syrian hamsters.

Hamster brown adipocytes were incubated for up to 24 h with or without norepinephrine (NE) in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin, calf serum, and antibiotics. Brown fat cells were viable for 24 h as defined by their ability to respond to NE by a 10-fold increase in oxygen consumption. However, prolonged exposure of the cells to NE led to a decline in NE-stimulated rates of O2 consumption, which was not the result of loss of cell thermogenic capacity. Brown fat cells incubated for 24 h with or without NE showed no significant change in succinate dehydrogenase activity or uncoupling protein (UCP) content. However, cell recovery after 24 h was significantly reduced in the absence of NE. In brown adipocytes isolated from rat, NE increased [35S]methionine incorporation into cell proteins and UCP. In contrast, [35S]methionine incorporation in hamster brown adipocyte proteins and UCP was greater than in rat brown fat cells and was not increased by NE. These results indicate that although NE may be required for cell survival, it does not stimulate protein and UCP synthesis in hamster brown fat cells.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

ATP-stimulated protease activity in brown fat mitochondria: response to a 24-h fast in mice.

Brown fat mitochondria have [3H]casein-hydrolyzing activity at pH 8.0 associated with both membrane and soluble fractions. An ATP-stimulated proteolytic activity inhibited by vanadate and N-ethylmaleimide was found in the soluble fraction. Membrane-associated proteolytic activity was inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and trypsin inhibitor, suggesting that it is a serine protease. A 24-h fast in mice caused a significant loss of mitochondrial proteins from the tissue, but had no effect on protease activity of isolated mitochondria with or without ATP. The ATP-stimulated release of amino acids or peptides from isolated mitochondria, as measured with fluorescamine, was not influenced by food deprivation. Thus, brown fat mitochondria possess an ATP-stimulated proteolytic pathway that does not appear to be involved in the bulk removal of mitochondrial proteins from brown fat of fasting mice.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗