The absorption of dietary cholesterol and fat from the intestine are important modifiers of plasma cholesterol level, adiposity, and risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. However, the genes that regulate these processes are largely unknown. We used an intercross between two inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6J and castaneus (CASA/Rk), to map a locus on chromosome 14 in linkage with plasma plant sterol levels, a surrogate measure of cholesterol absorption from the intestine. Construction and studies in a congenic strain that covers the distal end of this locus, designated 14DKK, confirmed the effect of this interval on plasma plant sterol levels and cholesterol absorption from the intestine. Moreover, further studies in 14DKK congenics disclosed that the 14DKK interval also modifies the absorption of fat and body-weight in response to high fat diet. The 14DKK interval does not harbor genes that are known to be directly involved in sterol or fat metabolism, suggesting the effect of novel genes. The main goal of this proposal is to identify these genes and clarify the mechanisms involved. This goal will be achieved through studies in two major aims.
One aim will focus on testing the functional effect of candidate genes in the 14DKK interval through gene-knockdown in intestinal cell cultures.
The second aim will clarify the mechanisms whereby the 14DKK interval modifies the absorption of fat from the intestine through studies on fatty acid metabolism in our congenics. Identification of causative genes in the 14DKK interval will increase our understanding on the molecular events that control the processes of cholesterol and fat absorption, may lead to the development of genetic markers to identify individuals with increased absorption of cholesterol and fat, and identify new therapeutic targets for hypercholesterolemia, overweight and obesity.

Public Health Relevance

The discovery of genes that control the processes of dietary cholesterol and dietary fat absorption from the intestine will increase our understanding of these processes at the molecular level, may lead to the development of genetic markers to identify individuals with increased absorption of dietary cholesterol and fat, and identify new targets for therapy of hypercholesterolemia, overweight and obesity.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL092991-02
Application #
8013943
Study Section
Clinical and Integrative Gastrointestinal Pathobiology Study Section (CIGP)
Program Officer
Ershow, Abby
Project Start
2010-02-01
Project End
2013-11-30
Budget Start
2010-12-01
Budget End
2011-11-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$392,500
Indirect Cost
Name
Cleveland Clinic Lerner
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
135781701
City
Cleveland
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44195
Altemus, Jessica B; Patel, Shailendra B; Sehayek, Ephraim (2014) Liver-specific induction of Abcg5 and Abcg8 stimulates reverse cholesterol transport in response to ezetimibe treatment. Metabolism 63:1334-41
Meller, Nahum; Morgan, Michelle E; Wong, Winifred Ps et al. (2013) Targeting of Acyl-CoA synthetase 5 decreases jejunal fatty acid activation with no effect on dietary long-chain fatty acid absorption. Lipids Health Dis 12:88
Wong, Winifred P S; Altemus, Jessica B; Hester, James F et al. (2013) Cathepsin B is a novel gender-dependent determinant of cholesterol absorption from the intestine. J Lipid Res 54:816-22