Decreased caveolae in AGPAT2 lacking adipocytes is independent of changes in cholesterol or sphingolipid levels: A whole cell and plasma membrane lipidomic analysis of adipogenesis

Background Adipocytes from lipodystrophic Agpat2−/− mice have impaired adipogenesis and fewer caveolae. Herein, we examined whether these defects are associated with changes in lipid composition or abnormal levels of caveolae-associated proteins. Lipidome changes were quantified in differentiated Agpat2−/− adipocytes to identify lipids with potential adipogenic roles. Methods Agpat2−/− and wild type brown preadipocytes were differentiated in vitro. Plasma membrane was purified by ultracentrifugation. Number of caveolae and caveolae-associated proteins, as well as sterol, sphingolipid, and phospholipid lipidome were determined across differentiation. Results Differentiated Agpat2−/− adipocytes had decreased caveolae number but conserved insulin signaling. Caveolin-1 and cavin-1 levels were equivalent between Agpat2−/− and wild type adipocytes. No differences in PM cholesterol and sphingolipids abundance were detected between genotypes. Levels of phosphatidylserine at day 10 of differentiation were increased in Agpat2−/− adipocytes. Wild type adipocytes had increased whole cell triglyceride, diacylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and trihexosyl ceramide, and decreased 24,25-dihydrolanosterol and sitosterol, as a result of adipogenic differentiation. By contrast, adipogenesis did not modify whole cell neutral lipids but increased lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and trihexosyl ceramide levels in Agpat2−/− adipocytes. Unexpectedly, adipogenesis decreased PM levels of main phospholipids in both genotypes. Conclusion In Agpat2−/− adipocytes, decreased caveolae is not associated with changes in PM cholesterol nor sphingolipid levels; however, increased PM phosphatidylserine content may be implicated. Abnormal lipid composition is associated with the adipogenic abnormalities of Agpat2 −/− adipocytes but does not prevent insulin signaling.