The yeast O-acyltransferase Gup1p interferes in lipid metabolism with direct consequences on the sphingolipid-sterol-ordered domains integrity/assembly

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2008 Nov;1778(11):2648-53. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.08.011. Epub 2008 Aug 22.

Abstract

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Gup1p is a membrane-bound O-acyltransferase. Previous works involved GUP1 in a wide range of crucial processes for cell preservation and functioning. These include cytoskeleton polarization and secretory/endocytic pathway, GPI-anchor remodelling, wall composition and integrity, and membrane lipids, with a reduction in phospholipids and an increase in acylglycerols. DRM fractions were found in considerably lower amounts in gup1Delta than in wt strain. Additionally, the proteins presumably associated with lipid micro domains, Gas1p and Pma1p, were present in much smaller amounts in the mutant DRMs. Pma1p is also found in minor quantities in the whole cells extracts of the gup1Delta mutant. Accordingly, H(+)-ATPase activity was reduced in about 40%. Deletion of GUP1 resulted in higher sensibility to specific sphingolipid biosynthesis inhibitors and a notorious resistance to ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors. Furthermore, the majority of mutant cells displayed an even (less punctuated) sterol distribution. The present work presents improvements to DRMs extraction methodology and filipin-sterol staining, provides evidence supporting that Gup1p is involved in lipid metabolism and shows the direct consequences of its absence on the plasma membrane sphingolipid-sterol-ordered domains integrity/assembly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Gene Deletion
  • Lipid Metabolism* / drug effects
  • Membrane Microdomains / drug effects
  • Membrane Microdomains / enzymology*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / growth & development
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sphingolipids / metabolism*
  • Sterols / metabolism*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Gup1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Sphingolipids
  • Sterols
  • Acyltransferases