Identification of calnexin as a diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 interacting protein

PLoS One. 2019 Jan 7;14(1):e0210396. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210396. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Triacylglycerol synthesis is catalyzed by acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2). DGAT2 is an integral membrane protein that is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and interacts with lipid droplets. Using BioId, a method to detect proximal and interacting proteins, we identified calnexin as a DGAT2-interacting protein. Co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays confirmed this finding. We found that calnexin-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts had reduced intracellular triacylglycerol levels and fewer large lipid droplets (>1.0 μm2 area). Despite the alterations in triacylglycerol metabolism, in vitro DGAT2 activity, localization and protein stability were not affected by the absence of calnexin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / cytology
  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Calnexin / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Triglycerides / metabolism

Substances

  • Triglycerides
  • Calnexin
  • DGAT2 protein, mouse
  • Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase

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