No abstract

The peroxisome represents a ubiquitous single membrane-bound key organelle that executes various metabolic pathways such as fatty acid degradation by ␣-and ␤-oxidation, ether-phospholipid biosynthesis, metabolism of reactive oxygen species, and detoxification of glyoxylate in mammals. To fulfil this vast array of metabolic functions, peroxisomes accommodate ϳ50 different enzymes at least as identified until now. Interest in peroxisomes has been fueled by the discovery of a group of genetic diseases in humans, which are caused by either a defect in peroxisome biogenesis or the deficient activity of a distinct peroxisomal enzyme or transporter. Although this research has greatly improved our understanding of peroxisomes and their role in mammalian metabolism, deeper insight into biochemistry and functions of peroxisomes is required to expand our knowledge of this low abundance but vital organelle. In this work, we used classical subcellular fractionation in combination with MS-based proteomics methodologies to characterize the proteome of mouse kidney peroxisomes. We could identify virtually all known components involved in peroxisomal metabolism and biogenesis. Moreover through protein localization studies by using a quantitative MS screen combined with statistical analyses, we identified 15 new peroxisomal candidates. Of these, we further investigated five candidates by immunocytochemistry, which confirmed their localization in peroxisomes. As a result of this joint effort, we believe to have compiled the so far most comprehensive protein catalogue of mammalian peroxisomes.

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), lipid alterations are present early during disease progression. As some of these alterations point towards a peroxisomal dysfunction, we investigated peroxisomes in human postmortem brains obtained from the cohort-based, longitudinal Vienna-Transdanube Aging (VITA) study. Based on the neuropathological Braak staging for AD on one hemisphere, the patients were grouped into three cohorts of increasing severity (stages I–II, III–IV, and V–VI, respectively). Lipid analyses of cortical regions from the other hemisphere revealed accumulation of C22:0 and very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA, C24:0 and C26:0), all substrates for peroxisomal β-oxidation, in cases with stages V–VI pathology compared with those modestly affected (stages I–II). Conversely, the level of plasmalogens, which need intact peroxisomes for their biosynthesis, was decreased in severely affected tissues, in agreement with a peroxisomal dysfunction. In addition, the peroxisomal volume density was increased in the soma of neurons in gyrus frontalis at advanced AD stages. Confocal laser microscopy demonstrated a loss of peroxisomes in neuronal processes with abnormally phosphorylated tau protein, implicating impaired trafficking as the cause of altered peroxisomal distribution. Besides the original Braak staging, the study design allowed a direct correlation between the biochemical findings and the amount of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and neuritic plaques, quantified in adjacent tissue sections. Interestingly, the decrease in plasmalogens and the increase in VLCFA and peroxisomal volume density in neuronal somata all showed a stronger association with NFT than with neuritic plaques. These results indicate substantial peroxisome-related alterations in AD, which may contribute to the progression of AD pathology.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00401-011-0836-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: ABCD1 is a peroxisomal ABC transporter whose dysfunction causes X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). Results: ␤-Oxidation of C26:0 and C22:0 acyl-CoA esters is impaired in X-ALD. ABCD3 accounts for residual ␤-oxidation activity in X-ALD fibroblasts. Conclusion: ABCD1 mediates very long-chain acyl-CoA ester ␤-oxidation without need for additional re-esterification by an acyl-CoA synthetase. Significance: Our study provides proof of deficient acyl-CoA ester ␤-oxidation in X-ALD.

Because α-synuclein (Snca) has a role in brain lipid metabolism, we determined the impact that the loss of α-synuclein had on brain arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) metabolism in vivo using Snca -/-mice. We measured [1-14 C]20:4n-6 incorporation and turnover kinetics in brain phospholipids using an established steady-state kinetic model. Liver was used as a negative control and no changes were observed between groups. In Snca -/-brains, there was a marked reduction in 20:4n-6-CoA mass and in microsomal acyl-CoA synthetases (Acsl) activity toward 20:4n-6. Microsomal Acsl activity was completely restored after the addition of exogenous wt mouse or human α-synuclein, but not by A30P, E46K, and A53T forms of α-synuclein. Acsl and acyl-CoA hydrolase expression was not different between groups. The incorporation and turnover of 20:4n-6 into brain phospholipid pools was markedly reduced. The dilution coefficient lambda, which indicates 20:4n-6 recycling between the acyl-CoA pool and brain phospholipids, was increased 3.3-fold, indicating more 20:4n-6 was entering the 20:4n-6-CoA pool from the plasma relative to that being recycled from the phospholipids. This is consistent with the reduction in Acsl activity observed in the Snca -/-mice. Using titration microcalorimetry, we determined that α-synuclein bound free 20:4n-6 (K d of 3.7 μM), but did not bind 20:4n-6-CoA. These data suggest α-synuclein is involved in substrate presentation to Acsl rather than product removal. In summary, our data demonstrate that α-synuclein has a major role in brain 20:4n-6 metabolism through its modulation of endoplasmic reticulum localized acyl-CoA synthetase activity, although mutants forms of α-synuclein fail to restore this activity. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript α-Synuclein is a 140 amino acid soluble protein that is highly expressed in the central nervous system (1,2) and is abundant in presynaptic terminals of neurons (1,(3)(4)(5). α-Synuclein is also found in other regions of neurons, in astrocytes, and in oligodendroglia (6-11). Overexpression of and mutations in α-synuclein are associated with early onset Parkinson's disease (12)(13)(14)(15) and other neurodegenerative diseases (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Despite this association with neurodegenerative diseases, the physiological function of this protein remains unclear.Several lines of evidence suggest that α-synuclein can influence brain lipid metabolism. It has structural similarities to class A2 apolipoproteins (21,22) and to fatty acid binding proteins (23), suggesting that α-synuclein may alter intracellular lipid trafficking, the regulation of lipid metabolism, and may act to stabilize lipid membranes. α-Synuclein binds to small phospholipid vesicles (22,24,25) and to brain vesicles (26). Consistent with this binding, the lack of α-synuclein decreases the resting/reserve pool of synaptic vesicles (27,28). Although the direct binding of fatty acids is controversial (23,29), recent studies indicate a strong potential for an important ...