Controversial Role of Lecithin:Cholesterol Acyltransferase in the Development of Atherosclerosis: New Insights From an LCAT Activator.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Vitali C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7901727 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the esterification of free cholesterol in plasma lipoproteins and plays a critical role in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism. Deficiency leads to accumulation of nascent pre?-HDL due to impaired maturation of HDL particles, whereas enhanced expression is associated with the formation of large, apoE-rich HDL(1) particles. In addition to its function in HDL metabolism, LCAT was believed to be an important driving force behind macrophage reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and, therefore, has been a subject of great interest in cardiovascular research since its discovery in 1962. Although half a century has passed, the importance of LCAT for atheroprotection is still under intense debate. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the insights that have been gained in the past 50 years on the biochemistry of LCAT, the role of LCAT in lipoprotein metabolism and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in animal models, and its impact on cardiovascular disease in humans.
| S-EPMC3413220 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundA case of homozygous familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency with a novel homozygous LCAT missense mutation (replacement of methionine by arginine at position 293 in the amino acid sequence of the LCAT protein) is reported.Methods and resultsThe probable diagnosis was suggested by findings of marked high density lipoprotein (HDL) deficiency, corneal opacification, anemia, and renal insufficiency. The diagnosis was confirmed by two dimensional gel electrophoresis of HDL, the measurement of free and esterified cholesterol, and sequencing of the LCAT gene.ConclusionsIn our view the most important aspects of therapy to prevent the kidney disease that these patients develop is careful control of blood pressure and lifestyle measures to optimize non HDL lipoproteins. In the future replacement therapy by gene transfer or other methods may become available.
| S-EPMC4565181 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency (FLD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by corneal opacity, hemolytic anemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and proteinuria. Two novel lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) mutations[c.278 C>T (p.Pro69Leu); c.950 T>C (p.Met293Thr)] were identified in a 27-year-old man and in a 30-year-old woman, respectively. Both patients manifested corneal opacity, hemolytic anemia, low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and HDL-C and proteinuria. Lipid deposits with vacuolar lucent appearance in glomerular basement membranes were observed in both cases. APOE genotype was also investigated: the first case results ϵ4/ϵ3, the second ϵ2/ϵ2; however, they shared a similar phenotype characterized by the presence of intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) remnant and the absence of lipoprotein-X. In conclusion, our findings suggest that APOE ϵ2/ϵ2 may not be the major determinant gene for the appearance of IDL in FLD patients.
| S-EPMC4421733 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Purpose of reviewWe discuss the latest findings on the biochemistry of lecithin : cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), the effect of LCAT on atherosclerosis, clinical features of LCAT deficiency, and the impact of LCAT on cardiovascular disease from human studies.Recent findingsAlthough there has been much recent progress in the biochemistry of LCAT and its effect on high-density lipoprotein metabolism, its role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is still not fully understood. Studies from various animal models have revealed a complex interaction between LCAT and atherosclerosis that may be modified by diet and by other proteins that modify lipoproteins. Furthermore, the ability of LCAT to lower apoB appears to be the best way to predict its effect on atherosclerosis in animal models. Recent studies on patients with LCAT deficiency have shown a modest but significant increase in incidence of cardiovascular disease consistent with a beneficial effect of LCAT on atherosclerosis. The role of LCAT in the general population, however, has not revealed a consistent association with cardiovascular disease.SummaryRecent research findings from animal and human studies have revealed a potential beneficial role of LCAT in reducing atherosclerosis but additional studies are necessary to better establish the linkage between LCAT and cardiovascular disease.
| S-EPMC2910390 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is responsible for cholesterol esterification in plasma. Mutations of LCAT gene cause familial LCAT deficiency, a metabolic disorder characterized by hypoalphalipoproteinemia. Apolipoprotein B (apoB) is the main protein component of very-low-density lipoproteins and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Mutations of APOB gene cause familial hypobetalipoproteinemia, a codominant disorder characterized by low plasma levels of LDL cholesterol and apoB.This was a genetic and biochemical analysis of an Italian kindred with hypobetalipoproteinemia whose proband presented with hypoalphalipoproteinemia and severe chronic kidney disease.Plasma lipids and apolipoproteins, cholesterol esterification, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclass distribution were analyzed. LCAT and APOB genes were sequenced.The proband had severe impairment of plasma cholesterol esterification and high pre?-HDL content. He was heterozygote for the novel LCAT P406L variant, as were two other family members. The proband's wife and children presented with familial hypobetalipoproteinemia and were heterozygotes for the novel apoB H1401R variant. Cholesterol esterification rate of apoB H1401R carriers was reduced, likely attributable to the low amount of circulating LDL. After renal transplantation, proband's lipid profile, HDL subclass distribution, and plasma cholesterol esterification were almost at normal levels, suggesting a mild contribution of the LCAT P406L variant to his pretransplantation severe hypoalphalipoproteinemia and impairment of plasma cholesterol esterification.LCAT P406L variant had a mild effect on lipid profile, HDL subclass distribution, and plasma cholesterol esterification. ApoB H1401R variant was identified as possible cause of familial hypobetalipoproteinemia and resulted in a reduction of cholesterol esterification rate.
| S-EPMC3361081 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) catalyzes plasma cholesteryl ester formation and is defective in familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency (FLD), an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by low high-density lipoprotein, anemia, and renal disease. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which compound A [3-(5-(ethylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio)pyrazine-2-carbonitrile], a small heterocyclic amine, activates LCAT. The effect of compound A on LCAT was tested in human plasma and with recombinant LCAT. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance were used to determine compound A adduct formation with LCAT. Molecular modeling was performed to gain insight into the effects of compound A on LCAT structure and activity. Compound A increased LCAT activity in a subset (three of nine) of LCAT mutations to levels comparable to FLD heterozygotes. The site-directed mutation LCAT-Cys31Gly prevented activation by compound A. Substitution of Cys31 with charged residues (Glu, Arg, and Lys) decreased LCAT activity, whereas bulky hydrophobic groups (Trp, Leu, Phe, and Met) increased activity up to 3-fold (P < 0.005). Mass spectrometry of a tryptic digestion of LCAT incubated with compound A revealed a +103.017 m/z adduct on Cys31, consistent with the addition of a single hydrophobic cyanopyrazine ring. Molecular modeling identified potential interactions of compound A near Cys31 and structural changes correlating with enhanced activity. Functional groups important for LCAT activation by compound A were identified by testing compound A derivatives. Finally, sulfhydryl-reactive ?-lactams were developed as a new class of LCAT activators. In conclusion, compound A activates LCAT, including some FLD mutations, by forming a hydrophobic adduct with Cys31, thus providing a mechanistic rationale for the design of future LCAT activators.
| S-EPMC5510151 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT; phosphatidylcholine-sterol acyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.43) is a glycoprotein which is responsible for the formation of cholesteryl ester in plasma. The carbohydrate content has been estimated to be approx. 25% of the total LCAT mass, and four potential N-linked glycosylation sites have been predicted at residues 20, 84, 272 and 384 of the LCAT protein sequence. In the present study, we have examined which of these sites are utilized and how the N-glycosylation affects the secretion and function of the enzyme. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed to eliminate the glycosylation consensus sequence at each of the four potential sites, and the mutant proteins were expressed in COS cells. The amount of each mutant LCAT secreted was similar to that of the wild-type enzyme but the molecular mass was decreased by 3-4 kDa. The specific activity of each mutant LCAT was significantly different from the wild-type; however, the magnitude and direction of the change depended on the glycosylation site mutagenized. Loss of carbohydrate at position 20, 84 or 272 resulted in a decrease in the specific activity of the mutant enzymes by 18%, 82%, and 62% respectively. In contrast, the mutant protein without glycosylation at position 384 displayed a 2-fold increase in enzyme activity. In addition, a quadruple mutant was constructed such that all four potential glycosylation sites were eliminated. The amount of the unglycosylated LCAT secreted into the culture medium was less than 10% of the wild-type level and the specific activity of this enzyme was decreased to 5% of that of the wild type. The results demonstrate that all four potential N-glycosylation sites in LCAT are used and the presence of carbohydrate at each site has diverse effects on the enzyme activity.
| S-EPMC1134544 | biostudies-other
Project description:Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) has been shown to play a role in the depletion of lipid oxidation products, but this has so far not been studied in humans. In this study, we investigated processes and parameters relevant to lipid oxidation in carriers of functional LCAT mutations.In 4 carriers of 2 mutant LCAT alleles, 63 heterozygotes, and 63 family controls, we measured activities of LCAT, paraoxonase 1, and platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase; levels of lysophosphatidylcholine molecular species, arachidonic and linoleic acids, and their oxidized derivatives; immunodetectable oxidized phospholipids on apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing and apo(a)-containing lipoproteins; IgM and IgG autoantibodies to malondialdehyde-low-density lipoprotein and IgG and IgM apoB-immune complexes; and the antioxidant capacity of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In individuals with LCAT mutations, plasma LCAT activity, HDL cholesterol, apoA-I, arachidonic acid, and its oxidized derivatives, oxidized phospholipids on apo(a)-containing lipoproteins, HDL-associated platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase activity, and the antioxidative capacity of HDL were gene-dose-dependently decreased. Oxidized phospholipids on apoB-containing lipoproteins was increased in heterozygotes (17%; P<0.001) but not in carriers of 2 defective LCAT alleles.Carriers of LCAT mutations present with significant reductions in LCAT activity, HDL cholesterol, apoA-I, platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase activity, and antioxidative potential of HDL, but this is not associated with parameters of increased lipid peroxidation; we did not observe significant changes in the oxidation products of arachidonic acid and linoleic acid, immunoreactive oxidized phospholipids on apo(a)-containing lipoproteins, and IgM and IgG autoantibodies against malondialdehyde-low-density lipoprotein. These data indicate that plasma LCAT activity, HDL-associated platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase activity, and HDL cholesterol may not influence the levels of plasma lipid oxidation products.
| S-EPMC3610418 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The product of transesterification of phospholipid acyl chains and unesterified cholesterol (UC) by the enzyme lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is cholesteryl ester (CE). Activation of LCAT by apolipoprotein (apo) A-I on nascent (discoidal) high-density lipoproteins (HDL) is essential for formation of mature (spheroidal) HDL during the antiatherogenic process of reverse cholesterol transport. Here we report all-atom and coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of HDL particles that have major implications for mechanisms of LCAT activation. Both the all-atom and CG simulations provide support for a model in which the helix 5/5 domains of apoA-I create an amphipathic "presentation tunnel" that exposes methyl ends of acyl chains at the bilayer center to solvent. Further, CG simulations show that UC also becomes inserted with high efficiency into the amphipathic presentation tunnel with its hydroxyl moiety (UC-OH) exposed to solvent; these results are consistent with trajectory analyses of the all-atom simulations showing that UC is being concentrated in the vicinity of the presentation tunnel. Finally, consistent with known product inhibition of CE-rich HDL by CE, CG simulations of CE-rich spheroidal HDL indicate partial blockage of the amphipathic presentation tunnel by CE. These results lead us to propose the following working hypothesis. After attachment of LCAT to discoidal HDL, the helix 5/5 domains in apoA-I form amphipathic presentation tunnels for migration of hydrophobic acyl chains and amphipathic UC from the bilayer to the phospholipase A2-like and esterification active sites of LCAT, respectively. This hypothesis is currently being tested by site-directed mutagenesis.
| S-EPMC2814595 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Lysosomal phospholipase A2 (LPLA2) and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) belong to a structurally uncharacterized family of key lipid-metabolizing enzymes responsible for lung surfactant catabolism and for reverse cholesterol transport, respectively. Whereas LPLA2 is predicted to underlie the development of drug-induced phospholipidosis, somatic mutations in LCAT cause fish eye disease and familial LCAT deficiency. Here we describe several high-resolution crystal structures of human LPLA2 and a low-resolution structure of LCAT that confirms its close structural relationship to LPLA2. Insertions in the ?/? hydrolase core of LPLA2 form domains that are responsible for membrane interaction and binding the acyl chains and head groups of phospholipid substrates. The LCAT structure suggests the molecular basis underlying human disease for most of the known LCAT missense mutations, and paves the way for rational development of new therapeutics to treat LCAT deficiency, atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndrome.
| S-EPMC4397983 | biostudies-literature