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Most animal–microbe symbiotic interactions must be advantageous to the host and provide nutritional benefits to the endosymbiont. When the host provides nutrients, it can gain the capacity to control the interaction, promote self-growth, and increase its fitness. Chlorella-like green algae engage in symbiotic relationships with certain protozoans, a partnership that significantly impacts the physiology of both organisms. Consequently, it is often challenging to grow axenic Chlorella cultures after isolation from the host because they are nutrient fastidious and often susceptible to virus infection. We hypothesize that the establishment of a symbiotic relationship resulted in natural selection for nutritional and metabolic traits that differentiate symbiotic algae from their free-living counterparts. Here, we compare metabolic capabilities of 5 symbiotic and 4 free-living Chlorella strains by determining growth levels on combinations of nitrogen and carbon sources. Data analysis by hierarchical clustering revealed clear separation of the symbiotic and free-living Chlorella into two distinct clades. Symbiotic algae did not grow on nitrate but did grow on two symbiont-specific amino acids (Asn and Ser) on which the free-living strains did not grow. The use of these amino acids was exclusively affected by the presence/absence of Ca 2 + in the medium, and the differences were magnified if galactose was provided rather than sucrose or glucose. In addition, Chlorella variabilis NC64A genomic and differential expression analysis confirmed the presence of abundant amino acid transporter protein motifs, some of which were expressed constitutively both axenically and within the host. Significantly, all 5 symbiotic strains exhibited similar physiological phenotypes even though they were isolated as symbionts from different host organisms. Such similarities indicate a parallel coevolution of shared metabolic pathways across multiple independent symbiotic events. Collectively, our results suggest that physiological changes drive the Chlorella symbiotic phenotype and contribute to their natural fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saccharomyces cerevisiae uses multiple biosynthetic pathways for the synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine. One route involves the synthesis of phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) in the endoplasmic reticulum(ER), the transport of this lipid to endosomes, and decarboxylation by PtdSer decarboxylase 2 (Psd2p) to produce phosphatidylethanolamine. Several proteins and protein motifs are known to be required for PtdSer transport to occur, namely the Sec14p homolog PstB2p/Pdr17p; a PtdIns 4-kinase, Stt4p; and a C2 domain of Psd2p. The focus of this work is on defining the protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions of these components. PstB2p interacts with a protein encoded by the uncharacterized gene YPL272C, which we name Pbi1p (PstB2p-interacting 1). PstB2p, Psd2, and Pbi1p were shown to be lipid-binding proteins specific for phosphatidic acid. Pbi1p also interacts with the ER-localized Scs2p, a binding determinant for several peripheral ER proteins. A complex between Psd2p and PstB2p was also detected, and this interaction was facilitated by a cryptic C2 domain at the extreme N terminus of Psd2p (C2-1) as well the previously characterized C2 domain of Psd2p (C2-2). The predicted N-terminal helical region of PstB2p was necessary and sufficient for promoting the interaction with both Psd2p and Pbi1p. Taken together, these results support a model for PtdSer transport involving the docking of a PtdSer donor membrane with an acceptor via specific protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions. Specifically, our model predicts that this process involves an acceptor membrane complex containing the C2 domains of Psd2p, PstB2p, and Pbi1p that ligate to Scs2p and phosphatidic acid present in the donor membrane, forming a zone of apposition that facilitates PtdSer transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The transbilayer movement of phospholipids plays an essential role in establishing and maintaining the asymmetric distribution of lipids in biological membranes. The P4-ATPase family has been implicated as the major transporters of the aminoglycerophospholipids in both surface and endomembrane systems. Historically, fluorescent lipid analogs have been used to monitor the lipid transport activity of the P4-ATPases. Recent evidence now demonstrates that lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine (lyso-PtdEtn) and lyso-phosphatidylcholine (lyso-PtdCho) are bona fide biological substrates transported by the yeast plasma membrane ATPases, Dnf1p and Dnf2p, in consort with a second protein Lem3p. Subsequent to transport, the lysophospholipids are acylated by the enzyme Ale1p to produce PtdEtn and PtdCho. The transport of the lysophospholipids occurs at rates sufficient to support all the PtdEtn and PtdCho synthesis required for rapid cell growth. The lysophospholipid transporters also utilize the anti-neoplastic and anti-parasitic ether lipid substrates related to edelfosine. The identification of biological substrates for the plasma membrane ATPases coupled with the power of yeast genetics now provides new tools to dissect the structure and function of the aminoglycerophospholipid transporters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The cycle of deacylation and reacylation of phospholipids plays a critical role in regulating availability of arachidonic acid for eicosanoid production. The major yeast lysophospholipid acyltransferase, Ale1p, is related to mammalian membranebound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) proteins. We expressed four human MBOATs in yeast strains lacking Ale1p and studied their acyl-CoA and lysophospholipid specificities using novel mass spectrometry-based enzyme assays. MBOAT1 is a lysophosphatidylserine (lyso-PS) acyltransferase with preference for oleoyl-CoA. MBOAT2 also prefers oleoyl-CoA, using lysophosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidylethanolamine as acyl acceptors. MBOAT5 prefers lysophosphatidylcholine and lyso-PS to incorporate linoleoyl and arachidonoyl chains. MBOAT7 is a lysophosphatidylinositol acyltransferase with remarkable specificity for arachidonoyl-CoA. MBOAT5 and MBOAT7 are particularly susceptible to inhibition by thimerosal. Human neutrophils express mRNA for these four enzymes, and neutrophil microsomes incorporate arachidonoyl chains into phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, PS, and phosphatidylethanolamine in a thimerosal-sensitive manner. These results strongly implicate MBOAT5 and MBOAT7 in arachidonate recycling, thus regulating free arachidonic acid levels and leukotriene synthesis in neutrophils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We recently described a new route for the synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) from exogenous lyso-PtdEtn, which we have termed the exogenous lysolipid metabolism (ELM) pathway. The ELM pathway for lyso-PtdEtn requires the action of plasma membrane P-type ATPases Dnflp and Dnf2p and their requisite β-subunit, Lem3p, for the active uptake of lyso-PtdEtn. In addition, the acyl-CoA-dependent acyltransferase, Ale1p, mediates the acylation of the imported lysolipid to form PtdEtn. We now report that these components of the lyso-PtdEtn ELM pathway are also active with lyso-1-acyl-2-hydrox-yl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PtdCho) as a substrate. Lyso-PtdCho supports the growth of a choline auxotrophic pem1Δ pem2Δ strain. Uptake of radiolabeled lyso-PtdCho was impaired by the dnf2Δ and lem3Δ mutations. Introduction of a lem3Δ mutation into a pem1Δ pem2Δ background impaired the ability of the resulting strain to grow with lyso-PtdCho as the sole precursor of PtdCho. After import of lyso-PtdCho, the recently characterized lyso-PtdEtn acyltransferase, Aleip, functioned as the sole lyso-PtdCho acyltransferase in yeast. Apem1Δ pem2Δ ale1Δ strain grew with lyso-PtdCho as a substrate but showed a profound reduction in PtdCho content when lyso-PtdCho was the only precursor of PtdCho. Aleip acylates lyso-PtdCho with a preference for monounsaturated acyl- CoA species, and the specific LPCAT activity of Aleip in yeast membranes is >50-fold higher than the basal rate of de novo aminoglycerophospholipid biosynthesis from phosphatidylserine synthase activity. In addition to lyso-PtdCho, lyso-PtdEtn, and lyso-phosphatidic acid, Aleip was also active with lysophos-phatidylserine, lysophosphatidyiglycerol, and lysophosphatidyli-nositol as substrates. These results establish a new pathway for the net synthesis of PtdCho in yeast and provide new tools for the study of PtdCho synthesis, transport, and remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We recently demonstrated that yeast actively import lysophosphatidylethanolamine (lyso-PtdEtn) through the action of plasma membrane P-type ATPases and rapidly acylate it to form PtdEtn. The predominant lyso-PtdEtn acyltransferase (LPEAT) activity present in cellular extracts is acyl-CoA dependent, but the identity of the gene encoding this activity was unknown. We now demonstrate that a previously uncharacterized open reading frame, YOR175C, encodes the major acyl-CoA-dependent LPEAT activity in yeast and henceforth refer to it as ALE1 (acyltransferase for lyso-PtdEtn). Ale1p is an integral membrane protein and is highly enriched in the mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane. It is a member of the membrane-bound O-acyltransferase family and possesses a dibasic motif at its C terminus that is likely responsible for Golgi retrieval and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum. An ale1Δ strain retains only trace amounts of acyl-CoA-dependent LPEAT activity, and strains lacking the capacity for PtdEtn synthesis via the phosphatidylserine decarboxylase and Kennedy pathways show a stringent requirement for both exogenous lyso-PtdEtn and a functional ALE1 gene for viability. Ale1p catalytic activity has a pH optimum between pH 7 and 7.5 and a strong preference for unsaturated acyl-CoA substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) is synthesized by multiple pathways located in different subcellular compartments in yeast. Strains defective in the synthesis of PtdEtn via phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) synthase/decarboxylase are auxotrophic for ethanolamine, which must be transported into the cell and converted to phospholipid by the cytidinediphosphate-ethanolamine-dependent Kennedy pathway. We now demonstrate that yeast strains with psd1Δ psd2Δ mutations, devoid of PtdSer decarboxylases, import and acylate exogenous 1-acyl-2- hydroxyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (lyso-PtdEtn). Lyso-PtdEtn supports growth and replaces the mitochondrial pool of PtdEtn much more efficiently than and independently of PtdEtn derived from the Kennedy pathway. Deletion of both the PtdSer decarboxylase and Kennedy pathways yields a strain that is a stringent lyso-PtdEtn auxotroph. Evidence for the specific uptake of lyso-PtdEtn by yeast comes from analysis of strains harboring deletions of the aminophospholipid translocating P-type ATPases (APLTs), Elimination of the APLTs, Dnf1p and Dnf2p, or their noncatalytic β-subunit, Lem3p, blocked the import of radiolabeled lyso-PtdEtn and resulted in growth inhibition of lyso-PtdEtn auxotrophs. In cell extracts, lyso-PtdEtn is rapidly converted to PtdEtn by an acyl-CoA-dependent acyl- transferase. These results now provide 1) an assay for APLT function based on an auxotrophic phenotype, 2) direct demonstration of APLT action on a physiologically relevant substrate, and 3) a genetic screen aimed at finding additional components that mediate the internalization, trafficking, and acylation of exogenous lyso-phospholipids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione (GSH) transport is vital for maintenance of intracellular and extracellular redox balance. Only a few human proteins have been identified as transporters of GSH, glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and/or GSH conjugates (GS-X). Human epithelial MDA 1586, A549, H1975, H460, HN4, and H157 cell lines were exposed to 2',5'-dihydroxychalcone, which induces a GSH efflux response. A real-time gene superarray for 84 proteins found in families that have a known role in GSH, GSSG, and/or GS-X transport was employed to help identify potential GSH transporters. ABCG2 was identified as the only gene in the array that closely corresponded with the magnitude of 2',5'-dihydroxychalcone (2',5'-DHC)-induced GSH efflux. The role of human ABCG2 as a novel GSH transporter was verified in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae galactose-inducible gene expression system. Yeast expressing human ABCG2 had 2.5-fold more extracellular GSH compared with those not expressing ABCG2. GSH efflux in ABCG2-expressing yeast was abolished by the ABCG2 substrate methotrexate (10 µM), indicating competitive inhibition. In contrast, 2',5'-DHC treatment of ABCG2-expressing yeast increased extracellular GSH levels in a dose-dependent manner with a maximum 3.5- fold increase in GSH after 24 h. In addition, suppression of ABCG2 with short hairpin RNA or ABCG2 overexpression in human epithelial cells decreased or increased extracellular GSH levels, respectively. Our data indicate that ABCG2 is a novel GSH transporter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]