O ácido araquidônico (AA) é precursor na formação dos eicosanoides, que são mediadores lipídicos com uma série de funções na fisiologia e patologia humana. A maioria dos eicosanoides atuam como mediadores pró-inflamatórios e contribuem para o desenvolvimento e proliferação de tumores. Nesta tese foram avaliados dois mediadores: a 15-deoxi-Δ12,14-PGJ2 (15d- PGJ2) e os ácidos Epoxieicosatrienoicos (EETs), ambos apresentam uma atividade oposta a da maioria dos eicosanoides, ou seja, com uma ação anti-inflamatória e antitumoral. Esses dois mediadores distintos da via do AA foram utilizados nesta tese em dois projetos distintos. Primeiro: A 15d- PGJ2 possui uma atividade antiproliferativa e induziu apoptose para diversos tipos de células tumorais, entretanto, o efeito da15d- PGJ2 em células de cancer da tireoide ainda estava desconhecido. Neste sentido, foram cultivadas in vitro células tumorais da tireoide, da linhagem TPC1, e tratadas com diferentes concentrações de 15d- PGJ2 (0 ate 20 μM), as células tratadas demonstraram uma diminuição na proliferação, e aumento na apoptose, e uma diminuição na liberação e expressão relativa de IL-6. Estes resultados em conjunto sugerem que a 15d- PGJ2 pode ser utilizada como uma nova terapia para o cancer da tireoide. Segundo: Os EETs são metabolizados em seus diois pela epóxi hidrolase solúvel (sEH), para manter a estabilidade dos EETs e a sua atividade antiiflamatoria, foi utilizado um inibidor (TPPU) para sEH em um modelo de periodontite induzida por Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. O tratamento oral com TPPU, assim como o uso de animais sEH Knockout, levou a uma redução na perda óssea acompanhada da diminuição de moléculas osteoclastogenicas como RANK, RANKL e OPG, demonstrando que a inibição farmacológica da sEH pode ter um valor terapêutico na periodontite e doenças inflamatórias que envolvem a reabsorção óssea. / Arachidonic acid (AA) a precursor in the formation of eicosanoids which are lipid mediators with a number of functions in human physiology and pathology. The most of the eicosanoids act as proinflammatory mediators and contribute to the development and proliferation of tumors. In this thesis we evaluated two mediators: 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-PGJ2 (15d- PGJ2) and epoxieicosatrienoic acids (EETs) both act with an opposite activity of most eicosanoids, with an anti-inflammatory and and anti-tumoral action these two distinct mediators from AA pathway were used in this thesis in two different projects. First: 15d- PGJ2, was described that to have an antiproliferative activity and to induce apoptosis in several types of tumor cells however, the effect of 15d- PGJ2 in thyroid cancer cells was unknown in this sense, we tested in vitro cultured thyroid tumor cells, here in TPC1 cells, and treated with different concentrations of 15d- PGJ2 (0 to 20 uM) the treated cells showed a decrease in proliferation and an increase in apoptosis and a decrease in IL-6 release and relative expression. These key results together demonstrate that 15d- PGJ2 can be used as a new therapy for thyroid cancer. Second: The EETs are converted to their diols by soluble epoxy hydrolase (sEH) to maintain the stability of EETs and their anti-inflammatory activity, an inhibitor (TPPU) against was used to sEH in a periodontitis model induced with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. The oral treatment in mice with TPPU and sEH Knockout animals showed bone loss reduction accompanied by a decrease in the osteoclastogenic molecules, like RANK, RANKL and OPG, demonstrating that pharmacological inhibition of sEH may have therapeutic value in periodontitis and inflammatory diseases that involve bone resorption. / Tese (Doutorado)

A metagenômica trouxe novas perspectivas ao estudo de comunidades microbianas no ambiente, permitindo explorar tanto a diversidade taxonômica de microrganismos ainda não-cultivados, como o acesso direto a genes e vias metabólicas. Neste trabalho, foram construídas bibliotecas metagenômicas a partir de amostras de sedimentos de mangue da Baía de Guanabara (RJ), impactadas com hidrocarbonetos de petróleo e metais pesados. Proteobacteria (33,3%), bactérias afiliadas a redutoras-de-sulfato (29,7%) e Firmicutes (20%) representaram os grupos principais nas amostras ambientais, baseado em análises filogenéticas de rDNA 16S, ao passo que isolamentos seletivos utilizando diesel e naftaleno permitiram a recuperação preferencial de delta-Proteobacteria e actinomicetos. Bibliotecas metagenômicas dos sedimentos enriquecidos com óleo diesel, com insertos entre 25 e 35 Kb clonados em fosmídeos, foram triadas para detecção de genes catabólicos de monoxigenases (alkB1) e expressão de epóxido-hidrolases, esterases, lipases e monoxigenases em ensaios de alto desempenho (HTS, high throughput screening). Clones reativos a alkB1 foram detectados, porém não foram funcionais nas condições de HTS testadas. Nas bibliotecas de fosmídeos triadas, vários clones apresentaram atividade enzimática, sendo que dois apresentaram atividade de lipase-esterase com alta seletividade, elevada taxa de conversão de substratos e excesso enantiomérico (ee >99%). Os resultados de HTS comprovaram a eficiência do uso da clonagem direta de DNA ambiental na expressão de vias metabólicas de interesse com potencial de aplicação biotecnológica. / Metagenomics brought a new perspective to the study of microbial communities in the environment, enabling access to the taxonomic diversity of uncultured microorganisms, as well as direct access to genes and metabolic pathways. In the current study, metagenomic libraries were constructed from mangrove sediment samples of the Guanabara Bay (RJ, Brazil), impacted with oil hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Proteobacteria (33.3%), sulfate-reducing affiliated bacteria (29.7%) and Firmicutes (20%) represented the main groups in the environmental samples based upon 16S rDNA phylogenetic analysis, whereas selective isolation using diesel and naphtalene yielded delta-Proteobacteria and actinomycetes. Metagenomic libraries of diesel-enriched sediment samples, with 25 to 35 Kb fosmid inserts, were screened for detecting monooxigenase genes (alkB1) and expression of epoxide hydrolases, esterases, lipases and monooxigenases in high throughput screening (HTS) assays. Clones reactive to the alkB1 probe were detected, but were not functional under the HTS conditions used. Several functional clones were detected in the clone library, and two showed lipase-esterase activity with high rates of substrate conversion and enantiomeric ratio (ee >99%). The results obtained on HTS showed the efficiency of the direct cloning of environmental DNA for the expression of metabolic pathways with potential biotechnological application.

On the chromosomal DNA of the microorganism Achromobacter sp. CCM 4824, which was gained in the Laboratory of enzyme technology MBU AVCR v.v.i., there was identified a gene coding an enzyme capable of hydrolyzation of semi-synthetic β-lactam antibiotics ampicillin and cephalosporin with a D-phenylglycine as a side chain. This enzyme belongs to a group of α-amino acid esterases, which are interesting because of a potential use in kinetically controled synthesis of β-lactam antibiotics. In several aspects α-amino acid esterases might be better than actually used penicillin acylases and that is why these enzymes are subjects of a big interest. The gene for α-amino acid esterase coded by chromosomal DNA was cloned, characterized and heterologously expressed in constructed highly-producing bacterial system Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)JM5. Produced enzyme was purified and its properties important for possible use in the production of semi-synthetic β-lactam antibiotics were determined. Key words: alpha-amino acid ester hydrolase, Achromobacter sp., recombinant expression system, β-lactam antibiotics

Cancer cell esterases are often overexpressed and can have chiral specificities different from that of the corresponding normal cells and can, therefore, be useful targets for activating chemotherapeutic prodrug esters. Prodrug esters are inactive compounds that can be preferentially activated by esterase enzymes. Moreover, cancer cells often exhibit a high level of intrinsic oxidative stress due to an increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decreased expression of some enzymatic antioxidants. Prodrugs designed to induce additional oxidative stress can selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells already exhibiting a high level of intrinsic oxidative stress. This study focused on the in vitro evaluation of four novel prodrug esters: the R- and S- chiral esters of 4-[(nitrooxy)methyl]phenyl N-acetylalaninate (R- and S-NPAA) and the R- and S- chiral esters of 4-[(nitrooxy)methyl]naphth-1-yl N-acetylalaninate (R- and S-NQM), which are activated, to varying extents, by oxidized protein hydrolase (OPH, EC 3.4.19.1) yielding a quinone methide (QM) intermediate capable of depleting glutathione (GSH), a key intracellular antioxidant. OPH is a serine esterase/protease that is overexpressed in some human tumors and cancer cell lines.Methods: To evaluate the chiral ester prodrugs, we monitored cellular GSH depletion, cellular protein carbonyl levels (an oxidative stress biomarker) and cell viability in tumorigenic and nontumorigenic prostate cancer cell lines.Results: We found that the prodrugs were activated by OPH and subsequently depleted GSH. The S-chiral ester of NPAA (S-NPAA) was two-fold more effective than the R-chiral ester (R-NPAA) in depleting GSH, increasing oxidative stress, inducing apoptosis, and decreasing cell viability in tumorigenic prostate LNCaP cells but had little effect on non-tumorigenic RWPE-1 cells. In addition, we found that that S-NPAA induced apoptosis and decreased cell viability in tumorigenic DU145 and PC3 prostate cell lines. Similar results were found in a COS-7 model that overexpressed active human OPH (COS-7-OPH).Conclusions: Our results suggest that prostate tumors overexpressing OPH and/or exhibiting a high level of intrinsic oxidative stress may be susceptible to QM generating prodrug esters that are targeted to OPH with little effect on non-tumorigenic prostate cells.

In 1990, the classification of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) was introduced by the scientist Bernard Henrissat. According to sequence similarity, these enzymes were separated into families with conserved structures and reaction mechanisms. One interesting class of CAZymes is the group of glycoside hydrolases (GHs) containing more than 138000 modules divided into 131 families as of February 2013. One of the most versatile and the largest of these GH families, containing enzymes with numerous biomass-deconstructing activities, is glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5). However, for large and diverse families like the GH5 family, another layer of classification is required to get a better understanding of the evolution of diverse enzyme activities. In Paper I, a new subfamily classification of GH5 is presented in order to sort the family members into distinct groups with predictive power. In total, 51 subfamilies were defined. Despite the fact that several hundred GH5 enzymes have been characterized, 20 subfamilies lacking biochemically characterized enzymes and 38 subfamilies without structural data were identified. These highlighted subfamilies contain interesting targets for future investigation. The GH5 family includes endo-β-mannanases catalyzing the hydrolysis of the β-1,4-linked backbone of mannan polysaccharides, which are common hemicelluloses found as storage and structural polymers in plant cell walls. Mannans are commonly utilized as raw biomaterials in food, feed, paper, textile and cosmetic industries, and mannanases are often applied for modifying and controlling the property of mannan polysaccharides in such applications. The overwhelming majority of characterized mannanases are from microbial origin. The situation for plant mannanases is quite different, as the catalytic properties for only a handful have been determined. Paper II describes the first characterization of a heterologously expressed Arabidopsis β-mannanase. / År 1990 introducerade forskaren Bernard Henrissat en klassificering av kolhydrataktiva enzymer (CAZymer), enligt vilken enzymerna - baserat på sekvenslikhet - delades in i familjer med konserverade strukturer och reaktionsmekanismer. En intressant CAZym-klass är glykosidhydrolaserna (GH), en klass som i februari 2013 innehöll fler än 138000 katalytiska moduler indelade i 131 olika familjer. En av de största och mest varierade av GH-familjerna är glykosidhydrolasfamilj 5 (GH5), vilken innehåller en mångfald av identifierade enzymaktiviteter relevanta för nedbrytning av biomassa. För stora och diversifierade familjer som GH5 krävs det dock ytterligare en klassificeringsnivå för att bättre förstå evolutionen och uppkomsten av de många förekommande enzymaktiviteterna. I manuskript I presenteras en ny uppdelning av GH5 enzymer i subfamiljer med syfte att dela upp familjemedlemmarna i distinkta grupper som representerar olika funktioner. Utifrån denna klassificering kan sedan ett enzyms funktion förutsägas baserat på vilken subfamilj det tillhör. Totalt definierades 51 subfamiljer. Trots att hundratals GH5 enzymer har karaktäristerats så visade det sig att 20 av subfamiljerna helt saknar biokemiskt karaktäriserade enzymer och 38 av dem saknar publicerade proteinstrukturer. Dessa subfamiljer är särskilt intressanta för framtida studier. GH5-familjen inkluderar endo-β-mannanaser som katalyserar hydrolysen av den β-1,4-länkade huvudkedjan i mannanpolysackarider. Dessa växtpolymerer som ingår i hemicellulosagruppen är vanligt förekommande i cellväggarna, där de fungerar som energilagringsmolekyler eller har en strukturell funktion. Mannaner används ofta som råmaterial för industriell livs- och djurfodersproduktion, papper, textilier och kosmetika. I dessa processer behövs ofta mannanaser för modifiering och kontroll av egenskaperna hos dessa polysackarider. Den överväldigande majoriteten av alla karaktäriserade mannanaser kommer från mikroorganismer. Endast för ett fåtal växtmannanaser har de katalytiska egenskaperna analyserats. Manuskript II beskriver den första karaktäriseringen av ett heterologt uttryckt β-mannanas från Arabidopsis. / <p>QC 20130506</p>

Over the course of more than ten years, there has been a significant increase in the approach employed to inhibit the function of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). The phenomenon of upregulating soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) has been found to result in a decrease in the ratio of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) to dihydroeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) in the body. This has garnered significant attention due to the diverse biological functions attributed to EETs, including the regulation of vasodilation, neuroprotection, increased fibrinolysis, calcium ion influx, and anti-inflammatory effects. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in developing and discovering sEH inhibitors through chemical syntheses and natural extracts, with the aim of increasing the availability of these anti-inflammatory molecules by reducing their hydrolysis. A comprehensive examination of this project was conducted to explore the inhibitory effects of YMSV, a tetrapeptide derived from the castor bean (Ricinus communis), on sEH, as well as to elucidate its underlying mechanism of action. YMSV was determined to function as a mixed-competitive inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), and the interaction between the peptide and the protein resulted in the disruption of the secondary structural composition of sEH. Furthermore, the hydrogen bond interactions between YMSV and the Asp 333 residue in the active region of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) were demonstrated using molecular docking investigations. However, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) research revealed that nonpolar, hydrophobic, and bulky amino acids are favored at the N- and C- terminals of peptides for sEH inhibition. The results of this study indicate that peptides obtained from dietary sources possess unique characteristics as inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), displaying significant potency. Consequently, these peptides have promise for further development as therapeutic medicines targeting inflammation and depression in the future.

No description available.

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a widely conserved amidase in eukaryotes, best known for inactivating the signal of N-acylethanolamine (NAE) lipid mediators. In the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, FAAH-mediated hydrolysis of NAEs has been associated with numerous biological processes. Recently, the phylogenetic distribution of FAAH into two major branches (group I and II FAAHs) across angiosperms outside of Arabidopsis (and in other Brassicaceae), suggests a previously unrecognized complexity of this enzyme. Although A. thaliana has long been used to assess biological questions for plants, in this case it will fall short in understanding the significance of multiple FAAHs in other plant systems. Thus, in this study, I examined the role (s) of six FAAH isoforms in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and two FAAHs in the legume Medicago truncatula.

La phospholipase A2 liée aux lipoprotéines (Lp-PLA2) est une biomarqueur de plusieurs maladies inflammatoires et une niveau sérique élevé est associé à l’instabilité de la plaque artérioscléreuse. Comme son nom l’indique, la Lp-PLA2 est liée aux lipoprotéines plasmatiques (LDL et HDL) et son rôle est de prévenir l’accumulation de phospholipides oxidés a la surface des lipoprotéines. Toutefois, les produits de dégradation des phospholipides oxidés par la Lp-PLA2 - le lysophosphatidyl choline par les acides gras oxidés peuvent aussi promouvoir l’inflammation. Mieux comprendre le métabolisme de la Lp-PLA2 pourrait nous permettre de mieux apprécier son rôle dans la formation d’une plaque artérioscléreuse instable, car des études antérieures ont démontré une forte expression de la Lp-PLA2 dans la plaque. De plus, il existe une forte corrélation entre les niveaux et l’activité plasmatiques de la Lp-PLA2 et la maladie coronarienne, les accidents cérébraux-vasculaires et la mortalité cardiaque. L’inhibition de la Lp-PLA2 avec une petite molécule, le darapladib, n’a pas démontré de bénéfice sur les évènements cardiovasculaires dans deux études cliniques. Cette thèse présentera d’abord une revue de la littérature sur la Lp-PLA2 et les maladies cardiovasculaires et les deuxième et troisième chapitres, une étude clinique réalisée sur des patients avec un syndrome coronarien aigu. / Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a biomarker of several inflammatory diseases and syndromes. An elevated Lp-PLA2 level is associated with unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Bound to plasma lipoproteins (LDL and HDL), Lp-PLA2 prevents the formation of biologically active oxidized phospholipids on their surface such as oxidized phosphatidylcholine (oxPC). Nevertheless, the products of Lp-PLA2 action, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) are both known to aggravate inflammation. Thus, understanding the metabolism of Lp-PLA2 could help us better understand its role in plaque formation, as studies have shown high expression of Lp-PLA2 and LPCs in unstable plaques. Moreover, studies showed correlation between increased Lp-PLA2 mass and activity and increased risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and death. The inhibition of Lp-PLA2 with a small molecule, Darapladib, has not demonstrated benefit in reduction of cardiovascular events in two clinical studies. Here, the first chapter will focus on Lp-PLA2 and cardiovascular disease in man, highlighting the latest updates in the literature. The second and third chapters will introduce experimental work on Lp-PLA2 in the setting of acute coronary syndrome.

Le cycle glycérolipides/acides gras libres (GL/FFA) est une voie métabolique clé qui relie le métabolisme du glucose et des acides gras et il est composé de deux processus métaboliques appelés lipogenèse et lipolyse. Le cycle GL/FFA, en particulier la lipolyse des triglycérides, génère diverses molécules de signalisation pour réguler la sécrétion d'insuline dans les cellules bêta pancréatiques et la thermogenèse non-frissonnante dans les adipocytes. Actuellement, les lipides provenant spécifiquement de la lipolyse impliqués dans ce processus sont mal connus. L’hydrolyse des triglycérides dans les cellules β est réalisée par les actions successives de la triglycéride lipase adipocytaire pour produire le diacylglycérol, ensuite par la lipase hormono-sensible pour produire le monoacylglycérol (MAG) et enfin par la MAG lipase (MAGL) qui relâche du glycerol et des acides gras. Dans les cellules bêta, la MAGL classique est très peu exprimée et cette étude a démontré que l’hydrolyse de MAG dans les cellules β est principalement réalisée par l'α/β-Hydrolase Domain-6 (ABHD6) nouvellement identifiée. L’inhibition d’ABHD6 par son inhibiteur spécifique WWL70, conduit à une accumulation des 1-MAG à longues chaines saturées à l'intérieur des cellules, accompagnée d’une augmentation de la sécrétion d'insuline stimulée par le glucose (GSIS). Baisser les niveaux de MAG en surexprimant ABHD6 dans la lignée cellulaire bêta INS832/13 réduit la GSIS, tandis qu’une augmentation des niveaux de MAG par le « knockdown » d’ABHD6 améliore la GSIS. L'exposition aiguë des monoacylglycérols exogènes stimule la sécrétion d'insuline de manière dose-dépendante et restaure la GSIS supprimée par un inhibiteur de lipases appelé orlistat. En outre, les souris avec une inactivation du gène ABHD6 dans tous les tissus (ABHD6-KO) et celles avec une inactivation du gène ABHD6 spécifiquement dans la cellule β présentent une GSIS stimulée, et leurs îlots montrent une augmentation de la production de monoacylglycérol et de la sécrétion d'insuline en réponse au glucose. L’inhibition d’ABHD6 chez les souris diabétiques (modèle induit par de faibles doses de streptozotocine) restaure la GSIS et améliore la tolérance au glucose. De plus, les résultats montrent que les MAGs non seulement améliorent la GSIS, mais potentialisent également la sécrétion d’insuline induite par les acides gras libres ainsi que la sécrétion d’insuline induite par divers agents et hormones, sans altération de l'oxydation et l'utilisation du glucose ainsi que l'oxydation des acides gras. Nous avons démontré que le MAG se lie à la protéine d’amorçage des vésicules appelée Munc13-1 et l’active, induisant ainsi l’exocytose de l'insuline. Sur la base de ces observations, nous proposons que le 1-MAG à chaines saturées agit comme facteur de couplage métabolique pour réguler la sécrétion d'insuline et que ABHD6 est un modulateur négatif de la sécrétion d'insuline. En plus de son rôle dans les cellules bêta, ABHD6 est également fortement exprimé dans les adipocytes et son niveau est augmenté avec l'obésité. Les souris dépourvues globalement d’ABHD6 et nourris avec une diète riche en gras (HFD) montrent une faible diminution de la prise alimentaire, une diminution du gain de poids corporel et de la glycémie à jeun et une amélioration de la tolérance au glucose et de la sensibilité à l'insuline et ont une activité locomotrice accrue. En outre, les souris ABHD6-KO affichent une augmentation de la dépense énergétique et de la thermogenèse induite par le froid. En conformité avec ceci, ces souris présentent des niveaux élevés d’UCP1 dans les adipocytes blancs et bruns, indiquant le brunissement des adipocytes blancs. Le phénotype de brunissement est reproduit dans les souris soit en les traitant de manière chronique avec WWL70 (inhibiteur d’ABHD6) ou des oligonucléotides anti-sense ciblant l’ABHD6. Les tissus adipeux blanc et brun isolés de souris ABHD6-KO montrent des niveaux très élevés de 1-MAG, mais pas de 2-MAG. L'augmentation des niveaux de MAG soit par administration exogène in vitro de 1-MAG ou par inhibition ou délétion génétique d’ABHD6 provoque le brunissement des adipocytes blancs. Une autre évidence indique que les 1-MAGs sont capables de transactiver PPARα et PPARγ et que l'effet de brunissement induit par WWL70 ou le MAG exogène est aboli par les antagonistes de PPARα et PPARγ. L’administration in vivo de l’antagoniste de PPARα GW6471 à des souris ABHD6-KO inverse partiellement les effets causés par l’inactivation du gène ABHD6 sur le gain de poids corporel, et abolit l’augmentation de la thermogenèse, le brunissement du tissu adipeux blanc et l'oxydation des acides gras dans le tissu adipeux brun. L’ensemble de ces observations indique que ABHD6 régule non seulement l’homéostasie de l'insuline et du glucose, mais aussi l'homéostasie énergétique et la fonction des tissus adipeux. Ainsi, 1-MAG agit non seulement comme un facteur de couplage métabolique pour réguler la sécrétion d'insuline en activant Munc13-1 dans les cellules bêta, mais régule aussi le brunissement des adipocytes blancs et améliore la fonction de la graisse brune par l'activation de PPARα et PPARγ. Ces résultats indiquent que ABHD6 est une cible prometteuse pour le développement de thérapies contre l'obésité, le diabète de type 2 et le syndrome métabolique. / The glycerolipid/ free fatty acid (GL/FFA) cycle is a key metabolic pathway that links glucose and fatty acid metabolism and it consists of lipogenesis and lipolysis. GL/FFA cycling, especially in its lipolysis arm, generates various lipid signaling molecules to regulate insulin secretion in pancreatic ß-cells and non-shivering thermogenesis in adipocytes. Currently, the lipolysis-derived lipid signals involved in this process are uncertain. Triglyceride hydrolysis in mammalian cells is accomplished by the sequential actions of adipose triglyceride lipase to produce diacylglycerol, by hormone sensitive lipase to produce monoacylglycerol (MAG) and by MAG lipase (MAGL) that releases free fatty acid and glycerol. Our work shows that in pancreatic ß-cell, the classical MAGL is poorly expressed and that MAG hydrolysis is mainly conducted by the newly identified α/β-Hydrolase Domain-6 (ABHD6). Inhibition of ABHD6 by its specific inhibitor WWL70, leads to long-chain saturated 1-MAG accumulation inside the cells, accompanied by enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Decreasing the MAG levels by overexpression of ABHD6 in the ß-cell line INS832/13 reduces GSIS, while increasing MAG levels by ABHD6 knockdown enhances GSIS. Acute exposure of INS832/13 cells to various MAG species dose-dependently stimulates insulin secretion and restores GSIS suppressed by the pan-lipase inhibitor orlistat. Also, various biochemical and pharmacological experiments show that saturated 1-MAG levels species rather than unsaturated or 2-MAG species best correlate with insulin secretion. Furthermore, whole-body and β-cell-specific ABHD6-KO mice exhibit enhanced GSIS in vivo, and their isolated islets show elevated MAG production and GSIS. Inhibition of ABHD6 in low dose streptozotocin diabetic mice restores GSIS and improves glucose tolerance. Results further show that ABHD6-accessible MAGs not only enhance GSIS, but also potentiate fatty acid and non-fuel-induced insulin secretion without alteration in glucose oxidation and utilization as well as fatty acid oxidation. We have identified that MAG binds and activates the vesicle priming protein Munc13-1, thereby inducing insulin exocytosis. Based on all these observations, we propose that lipolysis-derived saturated 1-MAG acts as a metabolic coupling factor to regulate insulin secretion and ABHD6 is a negative modulator of insulin secretion. Besides its role in ß-cells, ABHD6 is also highly expressed in adipocytes and its level is increased with obesity. Mice globally lacking ABHD6 on high fat diet (HFD) show modestly reduced food intake, decreased body weight gain, insulinemia and fasting glycemia and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity and enhanced locomotor activity. In addition, ABHD6-KO mice display increased energy expenditure and cold-induced thermogenesis. In accordance with this, these mice show elevated UCP1 level in white and brown adipocytes, indicating browning of white adipocytes. The browning phenotype is reproduced in the mice either chronically treated with the ABHD6 inhibitor WWL70 or an antisense oligonucleotides targeting ABHD6. White and brown adipose tissues isolated from whole body ABHD6 KO mice show greatly elevated levels of 1-MAG, but not 2-MAG. Increasing MAG levels by either exogenous administration of 1-MAG or ABHD6 inhibition or genetic deletion induces browning of white adipocytes in a cell-autonomous manner. Further evidence indicates that 1-MAGs can transactivate PPARα and PPARγ and the browning effect induced by WWL70 or exogenous MAG is abolished by PPARα and PPARγ antagonists. In vivo administration of the PPARα antagonist GW6471 to ABHD6 KO mice partially reversed the ABHD6-KO effects on body weight gain, and abolishes the enhanced thermogenesis, white adipose browning and fatty acid oxidation in brown adipose tissue. All these observations indicate that ABHD6 regulates not only insulin and glucose homeostasis but also energy homeostasis and adipose tissue function. Thus, ABHD6-accessible 1-MAG not only acts as a metabolic coupling factor to regulate fuel and non-fuel induced insulin secretion by activating Munc13-1 in beta cells, but also regulates glucose, insulin and energy homeostasis. The latter effects are mediated at least in part via browning of white adipocytes and enhanced brown fat function through the activation of PPARα and PPARγ. Collectively these findings suggest that ABHD6 is a promising target for developing therapeutics against obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.