Abnormal energy regulation may contribute to onset and progression of chronic metabolic conditions such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, which cause approximately 60% of the world's mortality [rev. in (1). Our lab is interested in how long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) reach nuclei, bind peroxisomal proliferator receptor alpha (PPARa), and initiate transcription for energy metabolism or storage. We hypothesize that liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) transfers and channels LCFAs to nuclei, binding to and initiating PPARa transcriptional activity. Using purified L-FABP and PPARa, L-FABP overexpressed L- cells, L-FABP null mice, and cultured hepatocytes from L-FABP null mice, we propose to:
Aim 1. Determine if the phenotype of L-FABP null mice is consistent with abnormal PPARa regulation. L-FABP null mice share many PPARa null mouse features (inhibition of LCFA oxidation, hypertriglyceridemia, sex/age-dependent obesity). L-FABP null mice exhibit upregulation of SCP-2/SCP-x, the converse of upregulation of L-FABP in SCP-2/SCP-x null mice. We have bred SCP-x, SCP-2/SCP-x, and L-FABP/SCP- 2/SCP-x null mice to clarify the in vivo role of LCFA/LCFA-CoA binding proteins in PPARa regulation.
Aim 2. Examine the role of L-FABP in targeting LCFAs to the nucleus for interaction with PPARa. L-FABP enhances saturated LCFA targeting to nuclei. We will use novel fluorescent polyunsaturated (n-3, n-5) and branched-chain (phytanic acid) LCFAs, fluorescent-L-FABP (EYFP-, Cy3-, Cy5-) and immunogold EM, to show if: (i) L-FABP cotransports bound LCFAs into nuclei;(ii) LCFAs enhance L-FABP distribution into nuclei;(iii) nuclear targeting of LCFAs depend on relative binding affinities of L-FABP and PPARa.
Aim 3. Resolve molecular interactions of L-FABP with PPARa. Physical and immunological techniques show that L-FABP binds PPARa in vitro. We will examine ligand specificity, conformational responsiveness, and co-activator or co-repressor binding, using: (i) purified proteins in vitro;(ii) FRET between EYFP-L- FABP/ECFP-PPARa or Cy3-L-FABP/Cy5-PPARa in living cells;(iii) immunogold EM;and (iv) fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in living cells (L-cells, primary cultured hepatocytes).
Aim 4. Determine the mechanism of L-FABP-mediated LCFA transfer to PPARa. We will determine if LCFA transfers from L-FABP to PPARa by direct molecular interactions or by LCFA diffusion. These findings will contribute to our basic understanding of how different types of fatty acids may activate a nuclear receptor, and thereby induce transcription of genes directing their energy metabolism and storage. Differences in this nuclear receptor/fatty acid energy regulation could contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemic conditions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK041402-23
Application #
7848898
Study Section
Cellular Aspects of Diabetes and Obesity Study Section (CADO)
Program Officer
Laughlin, Maren R
Project Start
1995-06-01
Project End
2012-05-31
Budget Start
2010-06-01
Budget End
2012-05-31
Support Year
23
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$342,676
Indirect Cost
Name
Texas Agrilife Research
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
847205713
City
College Station
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77843
Milligan, Sherrelle; Martin, Gregory G; Landrock, Danilo et al. (2018) Ablating both Fabp1 and Scp2/Scpx (TKO) induces hepatic phospholipid and cholesterol accumulation in high fat-fed mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 1863:323-338
Martin, Gregory G; Seeger, Drew R; McIntosh, Avery L et al. (2018) Scp-2/Scp-x ablation in Fabp1 null mice differentially impacts hepatic endocannabinoid level depending on dietary fat. Arch Biochem Biophys 650:93-102
Martin, Gregory G; Landrock, Danilo; Chung, Sarah et al. (2017) Fabp1 gene ablation inhibits high-fat diet-induced increase in brain endocannabinoids. J Neurochem 140:294-306
Storey, Stephen M; Huang, Huan; McIntosh, Avery L et al. (2017) Impact of Fabp1/Scp-2/Scp-x gene ablation (TKO) on hepatic phytol metabolism in mice. J Lipid Res 58:1153-1165
McIntosh, Avery L; Storey, Stephen M; Huang, Huan et al. (2017) Sex-dependent impact of Scp-2/Scp-x gene ablation on hepatic phytol metabolism. Arch Biochem Biophys 635:17-26
Landrock, Danilo; Milligan, Sherrelle; Martin, Gregory G et al. (2017) Effect of Fabp1/Scp-2/Scp-x Ablation on Whole Body and Hepatic Phenotype of Phytol-Fed Male Mice. Lipids 52:385-397
Huang, Huan; McIntosh, Avery L; Martin, Gregory G et al. (2016) FABP1: A Novel Hepatic Endocannabinoid and Cannabinoid Binding Protein. Biochemistry 55:5243-55
Huang, Huan; McIntosh, Avery L; Landrock, Kerstin K et al. (2015) Human FABP1 T94A variant enhances cholesterol uptake. Biochim Biophys Acta 1851:946-55
Martin, Gregory G; Landrock, Danilo; Landrock, Kerstin K et al. (2015) Relative contributions of L-FABP, SCP-2/SCP-x, or both to hepatic biliary phenotype of female mice. Arch Biochem Biophys 588:25-32
Klipsic, Devon; Landrock, Danilo; Martin, Gregory G et al. (2015) Impact of SCP-2/SCP-x gene ablation and dietary cholesterol on hepatic lipid accumulation. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 309:G387-99

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