Dans les cellules eucaryotes, chaque membrane a une composition lipidique qui lui est propre. La composition des membranes est finement régulée en fonction des conditions environnementales et physiologiques de la plante. Cette homéostasie lipidique est le résultat des processus de synthèse, conversion, dégradation et de trafic des lipides. Si la majorité des enzymes impliqués dans le métabolisme des lipides est identifiée, la majorité des mécanismes de transferts intermembranaires des lipides reste à caractériser. Nous nous concentrons sur l'homéostasie lipidique des chloroplastes et plus particulièrement celle des galactolipides, lipides essentiels des membranes photosynthétiques. Les galactolipides sont synthétisés au niveau de l'enveloppe des chloroplastes. Cependant, une grande partie des galactolipides proviennent de la phosphatidylcholine, elle-même synthétisée dans le réticulum endoplasmique. Cette délocalisation de la voie de synthèse sur deux compartiments souligne l'importance de l’étape de transfert lipidique associé.Des études transcriptomiques ont montré qu'ALA10, une ATPase de type P4, flippase de phospholipides, est surexprimée dans des conditions faisant varier la synthèse des galactolipides, telles que l'inhibition chimique des MGDG synthases par la galvestine-1 ou la carence de phosphate.Le but de cette thèse est de caractériser ALA10 et d'analyser son rôle dans ce trafic lipidique et dans l’homéostasie des galactolipides chloroplastiques.Pour comprendre le rôle d'ALA10, nous avons d'abord étudié sa localisation subcellulaire à l'aide d'une fusion traductionnelle avec la GFP et effectué des analyses lipidiques de différentes lignées exprimant ALA10 à différents niveaux. L’analyse de la composition lipidique indique qu'ALA10 stimule la synthèse des galactolipides et limite la désaturation de la phosphatidylcholine dans le réticulum endoplasmique. Nous avons recherché les partenaires protéiques potentiels d'ALA10 permettant d'expliquer ces effets et utilisé une approche de complémentation de fluorescence bimoléculaire afin d'étudier ces interactions. Nous avons pu déterminer qu'ALA10 interagit avec ALIS1 et ALIS5, deux sous-unités beta potentiellement nécessaires à la localisation et à la fonction d'ALA10, et confirmer leurs colocalisation avec ALA10 à l'aide de fusions GFP/CFP. ALA10 peut être localisée dans le réticulum endoplasmique à proximité des chloroplastes avec ALIS5 ou au niveau de la membrane plasmique avec ALIS1. Nous avons aussi pu déterminer qu'ALA10 interagit avec l’acide gras désaturase, FAD2, et une E3-ubiquitine ligase, PUB11. L''interaction avec FAD2 confirme un lien entre ALA10 et la désaturation de la phosphatidylcholine.Nous avons ensuite étudié l'effet d'ALIS1 et d'ALIS5 sur la fonction d'ALA10 en utilisant des lignées n’exprimant pas ces protéines ou les surexprimant avec ALA10. L'observation en microscopie électronique a révélé que la forme des chloroplastes et leurs relations avec le système endomembranaire sont modifiées en fonction de l'ALIS coexprimée avec ALA10. Les analyses lipidiques effectuées sur les plantes mutantes confirment un effet d’ALA10 sur l’homéostasie des galactolipides et la désaturation de la phosphatidylcholine. Les résultats suggèrent plusieurs fonctions d'ALA10, dépendantes de l’ALIS. Cet effet apparait variable en fonction de la photopériode ou du rythme circadien et indiquent une régulation post traductionnelle d'ALA10. Le rôle de PUB11 dans cette régulation a été exploré.Au final, cette étude révèle que, dans les cellules chlorophylliennes, ALA10, une flippase de phospholipides du réticulum endoplasmique, est impliquée dans la dynamique de désaturation de la phosphatidylcholine. Son activité stimule la synthèse des galactolipides et active la biogénèse des membranes photosynthétiques, probablement, en favorisant les échanges de lipides entre le chloroplaste et le réticulum endoplasmique. / In a eukaryotic cell, each membrane compartment has a specific lipid composition, regulated according to physiological and environmental conditions. This lipid homeostasis results from coordination of lipid synthesis, conversion, degradation and trafficking. Whereas most enzymes involved in lipid metabolism are now identified, most steps of lipid transport remain to be characterized. We focus on the chloroplast lipid homeostasis, particularly on galactolipid homeostasis, essential lipids of photosynthetic membranes. This lipids are synthetized within the chloroplast's envelope. However, a majority of galactolipids derived from phosphatidylcholine which is synthetized in the endoplasmic reticulum. The delocalization of this synthesis pathway underline the importance of the associated lipid trafficking.Transcriptomic studies have highlighted that ALA10 is overexpressed in condition modifying the galactolipids synthesis such as the chemical inhibition of MGDG synthesis by the galvestine-1, or during phosphate starvation.The aim of this thesis is to characterize ALA10, analyzing its role concerning this lipid trafficking and the chloroplastic galactolipid homeostasis.To understand ALA10's role, we firstly have used GFP fusion to determine its subcellular localization and analyzed lipid composition of different plant lines expressing ALA10 at different levels. Lipid analysis show that ALA10 boosts galactolipid synthesis and limits endoplasmic reticulum located phosphatidylcholine desaturation. We searched ALA10's potential partners in order to explain this effects and studied their interaction using a bimolecular fluorescence complementation approach. We determined that ALA10 interacts with ALIS1 and ALIS5, two beta subunit potentially necessary for ALA10's localization and function, and confirmed the colocalization of these proteins with ALA10 using GFP/CFP fusions. ALA10 with ALIS5 can localize within the endoplasmic reticulum in close proximity to chloroplast, or near the plasma membrane with ALIS1. We have also determined that ALA10 interacts with a fatty acid desaturase, FAD2 and with an E3-ubiquitine ligase PUB11. FAD2 interaction confirms the link between ALA10 and phosphatidylcholine desaturation.Then we have studied the ALIS1 and ALIS5 effect on ALA10 function using KO lines for these proteins or overexpressor lines in conjunction with ALA10 overexpression. Electron microscopy observation revealed that the chloroplast morphology and their relations with endomembrane system are modified depending of the ALIS expressed with ALA10. Lipid analysis on KO lines confirms an impact of ALA10 on galactolipids homeostasis as well as in phosphatidylcholine desaturation. This effect appears to be variable depending of the photoperiod or the circadian rhythm indicating a post traductional regulation of ALA10. The role of PUB11 in this regulation have been studied.Finally this study reveal that, in chlorophyll cells, the endoplasmic reticulum phospholipid flippase ALA10 is involved in the desaturation process of phosphatidylcholine. Its activity stimulates galactolipid synthesis and activates biogenesis of photosynthetic membranes, probably by promoting lipids exchange between chloroplasts and endoplasmic reticulum.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第21372号 / 工博第4531号 / 新制||工||1706(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科合成・生物化学専攻 / (主査)教授 梅田 眞郷, 教授 浜地 格, 教授 秋吉 一成 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

In Bakterien werden Phospholipide auf der cytoplasmatischen Seite der Plasmamembran synthetisiert. Damit ein gleichmäßiges Wachstum und somit die Stabilität biogener Membranen, d.h. Membranen, an bzw. in denen Lipidsynthese stattfindet, gewährleistet ist, muss zumindestens die Hälfte neu synthetisierter Lipide auf die entgegengesetzte Membranhälfte gelangen. Aus früheren Untersuchungen ist bereits bekannt, dass dieser transversale Phospholipidaustausch, auch als Flip-Flop bezeichnet, sehr schnell, kopfgruppenunabhängig und möglicherweise proteinabhängig ist. Dennoch sind die genauen Mechanismen dieser Prozesse noch weitgehend unverstanden. Um die oben erwähnten grundlegenden Phospholipidtransportprozesse zwischen beiden Membranhälften genauer untersuchen zu können, wandten wir einen neuartigen, sogenannten stopped-flow BSA back-extraction Assay an. Mit Hilfe dieses Assays, waren wir in der Lage, die transversale Bewegung und die Verteilung von kurzkettigen, fluoreszenzmarkierten Phospholipidanaloga über beide Membranhälften in ex vivo-Membranen zu charakterisieren. Der stopped-flow BSA back-extraction Assay basiert auf der Technik der stopped-flow-Spektroskopie und der Tatsache, dass BSA in der Lage ist, kurzkettige, fluoreszenzmarkierte Lipidanaloga aus der äußeren Leaflet von (biologischen) Membranen zu extrahieren. Wir entschieden uns für invertierte Membranvesikel der Plasmamembran (IIMV) vom E.coli Wildtypstamm MG1655 als Untersuchungsobjekt, einerseits, weil diese Vesikel nur eine Membran besitzen und zum Anderen, weil IIMV sich sehr gut als Modell für den Flip-Flop von Phospholipiden nutzen lassen. Wir beobachteten, dass kurzkettige, fluoreszenzmarkierte Analoga der beiden am häufigsten in E.coli vorkommenden Phospholipide, Phosphatidylethanolamin (PE) und Phosphatidylglycerol (PG), sehr schnell, d.h. mit Halbwertzeiten von weniger als drei Minuten, über die Membran von IIMV verteilten. Weiterhin verhielten sich kurzkettige, fluoreszenzmarkierte Analoga von den E.coli-fremden Phospholipiden, Phosphatidylcholin (PC) und Phosphatidylserin (PS), ähnlich wie die Analoga von PE und PG. Überraschenderweise, fanden wir heraus, dass alle oben genannten Phospholipidanaloga im Gleichgewichtszustand nicht gleichmässig über beide Membranhälften verteilt waren. Inwiefern Proteine an dieser transversalen Bewegung der Phospholipidanaloga beteiligt sind, sollten Messungen des Flip-Flop von Analoga an unbehandelten und mit Proteinase K inkubierten Vesikeln zeigen, die aus einem Detergenzextrakt von IIMV rekonstituiert wurden. Zunächst konnten wir zeigen, dass die schnelle Bewegung der Phospholipidanaloga über die Membran von rekonstituierten, nicht mit Proteinase K behandelten Vesikeln (Proteoliposomen) erhalten blieb. Nach Inkubation mit Proteinase K wurde jedoch der Flip-Flop von PE- und PG-Analoga vollständig inhibiert. Untersuchungen an rekonstituierten Serien von Proteoliposomen mit ansteigendem bakteriellen Proteingehalt zeigten, dass in Proteoliposomen ohne bakterielle Proteine kein Flip-Flop stattfand und somit nur 50% der fluoreszenten Analoga extrahiert wurden. In Proteoliposomen, die bakterielle Proteine enthielten, stieg das Ausmass der Extrahierbarkeit der untersuchten Analoga mit steigendem Proteingehalt. Diese Daten zeigten sehr deutlich, dass die transversale Bewegung von Phospholipiden über die innere Membran von E.coli durch Proteine vermittelt wird. Schlussfolgernd aus unseren Analysen konnten wir zeigen, dass die transversale Bewegung von Phospholipidanaloga über die Membran von IIMV sehr schnell, proteinabhängig, bidirektional und kopfgruppenunbhängig ist. Zur Identifizierung der molekularen Grundlagen der proteinvermittelten, schnellen Transversalbewegung von Phospholipiden über IIMV-Membranen, nutzen wir Ionenaustauschchromatografie. Zur unserer Überraschung mussten wir feststellen, dass in keiner der rekonstituierten Fraktionen eine nennenswerte Anreicherung der Flippaseaktivität auftrat. Möglicherweise sind mehrere Proteine, mit unterschiedlichen Nettoladungen, oder aber auch Untereinheiten, die sich nicht durch Anionenaustauscher trennen liessen, am Flip-Flop von Phospholipiden beteiligt. Weitergehende Analysen mit anderen Proteinfraktionierungsmethoden sind notwendig, um den oder die Flippasekomplex(e) zu identifizieren. / In the plasma membrane of bacteria, phospholipids are synthesized on the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane. To ensure balanced growth and thus, stability of biogenic membranes, half of the newly synthesized lipids must move to the opposing leaflet. It is known that this phospholipid transmembrane movement (flip-flop) is rapid, head-group independent and possibly protein mediated. However, the exact mechanism of this process remains elusive. To investigate these fundamental transbilayer phospholipid transport processes in biogenic membranes, a novel stopped-flow BSA back-exchange assay was utilized to characterize the transmembrane movement and transbilayer distribution of fluorescent labeled, short-chain phospholipid analogues in ex vivo membranes. This approach is based on stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy, and the fact that BSA is able to extract fluorescent labeled, short-chain phospholipid analogues from the outer leaflet of (bio)membranes. We chose isolated inverted inner membrane vesicles (IIMV) derived from E.coli wild type MG1655, both for their simple membrane organization and for their suitability as a simple model organism for phospholipid flip-flop. We observed that fluorescent-labeled, short-chain analogues of the major phospholipids in E.coli, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG), rapidly redistributed across the IIMV bilayer with half-times of less than three minutes. Furthermore, fluorescent, short-chain phospholipid analogues of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylserine (PS), which are not naturally occurring phospholipids in E.coli membranes, behaved similar to the PE and PG analogues. To analyze the relevance of proteins for the transmembrane movement of fluorescent analogues, we measured flip-flop of phospholipid analogues in reconstituted and/or untreated and proteinase K treated vesicles generated from protein detergent extracts of IIMV. The amount of extractable fluorescent phospholipids analogues correlated with the amount of protein reconstituted into the proteoliposomes, strongly indicating, that protein concentrations below 100 µg/ml were not sufficient to equip every vesicle with proteins that facilitate the transmembrane movement of the fluorescent analogues. We found that the rapid transbilayer movement of phospholipid analogues across the membrane was maintained in untreated reconstituted vesicles. However, the flip-flop of fluorescent PG and PE analogues was eliminated in proteinase K treated vesicles. In conclusion, our analysis showed that the transmembrane movement of the phospholipid analogues across the membrane of IIMV was protein-mediated, very rapid, bi-directional and head-group independent. To identify the molecular basis of the protein-mediated, rapid transmembrane movement of phospholipids across IIMV membranes, we used ion exchange chromatography (IEC) to separate the IIMV proteins. To our surprise, we did not observe an enhanced flip-flop activity in any of the fractions, indicating that at least two proteins with possibly opposite net charges or several subunits, which were not separable by AEC, are involved. Further analysis using different protein separation techniques will be necessary to identify the putative flippase complex.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(薬科学) / 甲第20305号 / 薬科博第74号 / 新制||薬科||8(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院薬学研究科薬科学専攻 / (主査)教授 中山 和久, 教授 竹島 浩, 教授 根岸 学 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM

In eukaryotischen Zellen sind die Lipidspezies häufig asymmetrisch zwischen den Hälften der Plasmamembran verteilt. Insbesondere Phosphatidylserin (PS) weist oft eine ausgeprägte transversale Asymmetrie auf, da es fast ausschliesslich auf die innere Hälfte der Plasmamembran beschränkt ist. In den letzten Jahren wurden mehrere Proteine diskutiert, die Lipide zwischen den Membranhälften transportieren und möglicherweise die transversale Lipidasymmetrie sowie damit verbundene Zelleigenschaften beeinflussen. Im Mittelpunkt der vorliegenden Promotion steht der Auswärtstransport fluoreszierender (C6-NBD-) Lipid-Analoga und endogener Lipide durch das Multidrug Resistance 1 P-Glycoprotein (MDR1 Pgp), das der ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter Superfamilie angehört. Interessanter Weise wird für MDR1 Pgp eine ungewöhnlich breite Substratspezifität angenommen. Das anionische Lipid PS war hier von besonderem Interesse, obgleich es in vorhergehenden Arbeiten nicht als MDR1 Pgp Substrat betrachtet wurde. Der Auswärtstransport von Phosphatidylcholin-, Phosphatidylethanolamin-, Glucosylceramid- und Sphingomyelin-Analoga durch MDR1 Pgp konnte in einer humanen Magenkarzinomlinie (EPG85-257), die MDR1 überexprimiert, mittels Fluoreszenzspektroskopie bestätigt werden. Zudem legt die verringerte Akkumulation von Diacylglycerol- und Ceramid-Analoga den Transport dieser Lipidspezies durch MDR1 Pgp nahe. Im Anschluß an die intrazelluläre Markierung mit C6-NBD-PS mittels eines neuen Verfahrens konnte der signifikant erhöhte Auswärtstransport dieses Analogons in MDR1 überexprimierenden Zellen durch Verwendung spezifischer Inhibitoren MDR1 Pgp zugeschrieben werden. In flusscytometrischen Versuchen war die Exponierung von endogenem PS auf der äusseren Membranhälfte von MDR1 überexprimierenden Zellen signifikant höher als in Kontrollzellen. Verringerung der PS-Exponierung durch einen Inhibitor von MDR1 Pgp deutet auf den Transport von endogenem PS durch MDR1 Pgp hin. Zusätzlich wurde hier der Transport von C6-NBD-PS in vier weiteren Zellinien mit verschiedener Spezies- und Gewebezugehörigkeit charakterisiert, die unterschiedliche Mengen an MDR1 Pgp synthetisieren. Wie Experimente in einer BCRP überexprimierenden EPG85-257-Sublinie nahelegen, ist ausser MDR1 Pgp möglicherweise ebenfalls der ABC Halb-Transporter Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) am Transport von C6-NBD-PS und an der verstärkten Exponierung von endogenem PS beteiligt. / In eukaryotic cells, the lipid species are frequently distributed asymmetrically between the plasma membrane leaflets. Phosphatidylserine (PS), in particular, often exhibits a distinct transverse asymmetry, being restricted almost exclusively to the inner leaflet. In the past years, several proteins were suggested to transport lipids between the leaflets of a membrane, and to potentially influence transverse lipid asymmetry and related cell properties. This thesis focuses on outward transport of fluorescent (C6-NBD-) lipid analogs and endogenous lipids by the Multidrug Resistance 1 P-Glycoprotein (MDR1 Pgp), a member of the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. Interestingly, MDR1 Pgp has been suggested to exhibit an unusually broad substrate specificity. Here, the anionic PS was of particular concern, although previously reported not to be an MDR1 Pgp substrate. In a human gastric carcinoma cell line (EPG85-257) overexpressing MDR1, outward transport of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, glucosylceramide and sphingomyelin analogs via MDR1 Pgp was confirmed using fluorescence spectroscopy. In addition, decreased accumulation of analogs of diacylglycerol and ceramide suggest MDR1 Pgp mediated transport of these lipid species. Upon intracellular labelling with C6-NBD-PS using a novel approach, significantly increased outward transport of this analog in MDR1 overexpressing cells could be attributed to MDR1 Pgp by employing specific inhibitors. In a flow cytometry setup, the exposure of endogenous PS on the outer plasma membrane leaflet was significantly elevated in MDR1 overexpressing cells compared to controls. Reduction of PS exposure by an MDR1 Pgp inhibitor suggests transport of endogenous PS by MDR1 Pgp. Transport of C6-NBD-PS was furthermore characterized here in four additional cell lines of different species and tissue origin with varying synthesis levels of MDR1 Pgp. Besides MDR1 Pgp, the ABC half-size transporter Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) is possibly also involved in transport of C6-NBD-PS and in increased exposure of endogenous PS, as found in a BCRP overexpressing EPG85-257 subline.

Die peroxisomalen ABC-Transporter Pxa1p und Pxa2p sind Halbtransporter. Genetische Studien ergaben Hinweise, dass sie zur Bildung aktiver Transporter heterodimerisieren und am Import von langkettigen Fettsäuren in die Peroxisomen von S. cerevisiae beteiligt sind. Es wurden epitopmarkierte Varianten der Proteine als Komplex isoliert. Damit wurde gezeigt, dass Pxa1p und Pxa2p ein stabiles Heterodimer bilden. Zur Charakterisierung der ATP Bindeeigenschaften wurden die Transporter mit 8-azido-[alpha-32P]-ATP inkubiert und kovalent verknüpft. Dabei konnte gezeigt werden, dass Pxa1p und Pxa2p eine unsymmetrische Bindung des ATP Analogons aufweisen. Pxa2p bindet deutlich mehr azido-ATP als Pxa1p, bei sehr ähnlichen Dissoziationskonstanten. Die reduzierte ATP Bindung von Pxa1p spiegelt sich durch degenerierte Sequenzmotive der an der ATP Bindung beteiligten Sequenzen wieder. Die isolierten ABC-Transporter wurden für ATPase Messungen eingesetzt. Sie zeigten eine basale ATPase Aktivität, die durch Zugabe langkettiger Coenzym A aktivierter Fettsäuren, wie Oleoyl-CoA und Palmitoyl-CoA stimulierbar war. Eine Lysin Mutation im Walker A Motiv von Pxa1p hatte keine Funktionalitätseinbuße zur Folge. Dieselbe Mutation bei Pxa2p führte im Wachstumstest auf Festmedium mit Ölsäure als Kohlenstoffquelle zu einem deutlich verlangsamten Wachstum. Diese Ergebnisse korrespondieren mit der beobachteten unsymmetrischen ATP Bindung von Pxa1p und Pxa2p, da bei dem schwächer bindenden Pxa1p die Mutation wirkungslos blieb. Keine Übereinstimmung war bei den ATPase Aktivitätsmessungen der aufgereinigten Mutanten zu verzeichnen. Beide Mutanten zeigten eine unbeeinträchtigte ATPase Aktivität. Die ABC-Transporter wurden in Proteoliposomen eingebaut und für Transportmessungen mit einem Spin-Label markierten Oleoyl-CoA verwendet. Die Transportmessungen zeigten einen ATP abhängigen Transport, woraus geschlossen wurde, dass Pxa1p-Pxa2p tatsächlich Coenzym A Ester langkettiger Fettsäuren transportiert. / The peroxisomal ABC-transporters Pxa1p and Pxa2p are half transporters. Previous genetic investigations have demonstrated that Pxa1p and Pxa2p have to dimerise in order to build a functional transporter, which is very likely involved in the import of long chain fatty acids into peroxisomes of S. cerevisiae. In this work, tagged versions of the proteins were purified as a complex. This proved for the building of a stable hetero dimer. For characterisation of the ATP binding properties, the transporters were incubated and cross linked with 8-azido-[alpha-32P]-ATP. This revealed an asymmetric binding of the ATP analogue. Pxa2p binds much more azido-ATP, than Pxa1p, while the dissociation constants are rather similar. The poorer ATP binding of Pxa1p is reflected by degenerated sequence motifs in the nucleotide binding fold. The purified ABC-transporters have been used for ATPase assays. They showed a basal ATPase activity, which could be stimulated by addition of long chain fatty acid CoAs, like oleoyl-CoA and palmitoyl-CoA. Mutants with a lysine mutation in the walker A motive of Pxa1p led to no functional impairment, while the corresponding lysine mutation in Pxa2p led to reduced growth on agar plates with oleic acid as sole carbon source. The result corresponds with the ATP binding properties of Pxa1p. Because of the poorer ATP binding, even in the wild type protein, the mutation was not supposed to have a big influence. No accordance was found in respect to the ATPase measurements of the isolated mutant proteins. Both mutants revealed unaffected ATPase activity. The purified ABC-transporters were reconstituted in proteoliposomes and used for translocation assays of a spin-labelled oleoyl-CoA derivative. The measurements revealed an ATP dependent transport of the oleoyl-CoA analogue. This led to the conclusion, that Pxa1p-Pxa2p is indeed the transporter of long chain acetyl CoA esters, which were transported in an ATP dependent manner.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第23952号 / 農博第2501号 / 新制||農||1091(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R4||N5387(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 栗原 達夫, 教授 小川 順, 教授 阪井 康能 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

Glycosphingolipid (GSL) metabolism is a complex process involving proteins and enzymes at distinct locations within the cell. Mammalian GSLs are typically based on glucose or galactose, forming glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and galactosylceramide (GalCer). Most GSLs are derived from GlcCer, which is synthesized on the cytosolic leaflet of the Golgi, while all subsequent GSLs are synthesized on the lumenal side. We have utilized both pharamacological and genetic manipulation approaches to selectively regulate GSL metabolism and better understand its mechanistic details. We have developed analogues of GlcCer and GalCer by substituting the fatty acid moiety with an adamanatane frame. The resulting adamantylGSLs are more water-soluble than their natural counterparts. These analogues selectively interfere with GSL metabolism at particular points within the metabolic pathway. At 40 µM, adaGlcCer prevents synthesis of all GSLs downstream of GlcCer, while also elevating GlcCer levels, by inhibiting lactosylceramide (LacCer) synthase and glucocerebrosidase, respectively. AdaGalCer specifically reduces synthesis of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and downstream globo-series GSLs. AdaGalCer also increases Gaucher disease N370S glucocerebrosidase expression, lysosomal localization and activity. AdaGSLs, therefore, have potential as novel therapeutic agents in diseases characterized by GSL anomalies and as tools to study the effects of GSL modulation. Two predominant theories have been developed to explain how GlcCer accesses the Golgi lumen: one involving direct translocation from the cytosolic-to-lumenal leaflet of the Golgi by the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1, MDR1), and the other involving retrograde transport of GlcCer by FAPP2 to the ER, followed by entry into the vesicular transport system for Golgi lumenal access. To examine the in vivo involvement of P-gp in GSL metabolism, we generated a knockout model by crossbreeding the Fabry disease mouse with the P-gp knockout mouse. HPLC analyses of tissue Gb3 levels revealed a tissue-specific reduction in MDR1/Fabry mice. TLC analyses, however, did not show such reduction. In addition, we performed a gene knockdown study using siRNA against P-gp and FAPP2. Results show these siRNA to have distinct effects on GSL levels that are cell-type specific. These results give rise to the prospect of unique therapeutic approaches by targeting P-gp or FAPP2 for synthesis inhibition of particular GSL pathways.

Heteropolymeric O antigen (O-Ag)-capped lipopolysaccharide is the principal constituent of the Gram-negative bacterial cell surface. It is assembled via the integral inner membrane (IM) Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathway. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Wzx translocates lipid-linked anionic O-Ag subunits from the cytoplasmic to the periplasmic leaflets of the IM, where Wzy polymerizes the subunits to lengths regulated by Wzz1/2. The Wzx and Wzy IM topologies were mapped using random C-terminal-truncation fusions to PhoALacZα, which displays PhoA/LacZ activity dependent upon its subcellular localization. Twelve transmembrane segments (TMS) containing charged residues were identified for Wzx. Fourteen TMS, two sizeable cytoplasmic loops (CL), and two large periplasmic loops (PL3 and PL5 of comparable size) were characterized for Wzy. Despite Wzy PL3–PL5 sequence homology, these loops were distinguished by respective cationic and anionic charge properties. Site-directed mutagenesis identified functionally-essential Arg residues in both loops. These results led to the proposition of a “catch-and-release” mechanism for Wzy function. The abovementioned Arg residues and intra-Wzy PL3–PL5 sequence homology were conserved among phylogenetically diverse Wzy homologues, indicating widespread potential for the proposed mechanism. Unexpectedly, Wzy CL6 mutations disrupted Wzz1-mediated regulation of shorter O-Ag chains, providing the first evidence for direct Wzy–Wzz interaction. Mutagenesis studies identified functionally-important charged and aromatic TMS residues localized to either the interior vestibule or TMS bundles in a 3D homology model constructed for Wzx. Substrate-binding or energy-coupling roles were proposed for these residues, respectively. The Wzx interior was found to be cationic, consistent with translocation of anionic O-Ag subunits. To test these hypotheses, Wzx was overexpressed, purified, and reconstituted in proteoliposomes loaded with I−. Common transport coupling ions were introduced to “open” the protein and allow detection of I− flux via reconstituted Wzx. Extraliposomal changes in H+ induced I− flux, while Na+ addition had no effect, suggesting H+-dependent Wzx gating. Putative energy-coupling residue mutants demonstrated defective H+-dependent halide flux. Wzx also mediated H+ uptake as detected through fluorescence shifts from proteoliposomes loaded with pH-sensitive dye. Consequently, Wzx was proposed to function via H+-coupled antiport. In summary, this research has contributed structural and functional knowledge leading to novel mechanistic understandings for O-Ag biosynthesis in bacteria. / Bookmarks within the document have been provided for ease of access to a particular section in the body of the thesis. Each entry in the Table of Contents, List of Tables, and List of Figures has been "linked" to its respective position and as such can be clicked for direct access to the entry. Similarly, each in-text Figure or Table reference has been "linked" to its respective figure/table for direct access to the entry. / 1.) Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship doctoral award, 2.) CIHR Michael Smith Foreign Study Award, 3.) Cystic Fibrosis Canada (CFC) doctoral studentship, 4.) University of Guelph Dean's Tri-Council Scholarship, 5.) Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology, 6.) Operating grants to Dr. Joseph S. Lam from CIHR (MOP-14687) and CFC

Glycosphingolipid (GSL) metabolism is a complex process involving proteins and enzymes at distinct locations within the cell. Mammalian GSLs are typically based on glucose or galactose, forming glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and galactosylceramide (GalCer). Most GSLs are derived from GlcCer, which is synthesized on the cytosolic leaflet of the Golgi, while all subsequent GSLs are synthesized on the lumenal side. We have utilized both pharamacological and genetic manipulation approaches to selectively regulate GSL metabolism and better understand its mechanistic details. We have developed analogues of GlcCer and GalCer by substituting the fatty acid moiety with an adamanatane frame. The resulting adamantylGSLs are more water-soluble than their natural counterparts. These analogues selectively interfere with GSL metabolism at particular points within the metabolic pathway. At 40 µM, adaGlcCer prevents synthesis of all GSLs downstream of GlcCer, while also elevating GlcCer levels, by inhibiting lactosylceramide (LacCer) synthase and glucocerebrosidase, respectively. AdaGalCer specifically reduces synthesis of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and downstream globo-series GSLs. AdaGalCer also increases Gaucher disease N370S glucocerebrosidase expression, lysosomal localization and activity. AdaGSLs, therefore, have potential as novel therapeutic agents in diseases characterized by GSL anomalies and as tools to study the effects of GSL modulation. Two predominant theories have been developed to explain how GlcCer accesses the Golgi lumen: one involving direct translocation from the cytosolic-to-lumenal leaflet of the Golgi by the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1, MDR1), and the other involving retrograde transport of GlcCer by FAPP2 to the ER, followed by entry into the vesicular transport system for Golgi lumenal access. To examine the in vivo involvement of P-gp in GSL metabolism, we generated a knockout model by crossbreeding the Fabry disease mouse with the P-gp knockout mouse. HPLC analyses of tissue Gb3 levels revealed a tissue-specific reduction in MDR1/Fabry mice. TLC analyses, however, did not show such reduction. In addition, we performed a gene knockdown study using siRNA against P-gp and FAPP2. Results show these siRNA to have distinct effects on GSL levels that are cell-type specific. These results give rise to the prospect of unique therapeutic approaches by targeting P-gp or FAPP2 for synthesis inhibition of particular GSL pathways.