Contribution of D4-F to ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2010 Sep;56(3):309-19. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0b013e3181edaf69.

Abstract

Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) plays a crucial role in apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) binding activity and promotes cellular cholesterol efflux. ApoA-I mimetic peptide D4-F has reported to have the similar ability as apoA-I. However, the detailed mechanisms of ABCA1 regulation by D4-F are not understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of D4-F on ABCA1 expression and ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux and examined the role of Cdc42/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway on the regulation of ABCA1 by D4-F in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells. Results showed that D4-F stabilized ABCA1 protein and enhanced ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux but had no effect on ABCA1 messenger RNA expression. We also revealed that D4-F enhanced cAMP level and PKA activity and ABCA1 serine phosphorylation. Short interfering RNA of PKA led to reduction of ABCA1 serine phosphorylation and ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux compensated by D4-F. PKA-specific activation by PKA agonist enhanced the upregulation of ABCA1 serine phosphorylation and ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux by D4-F. However, ABCA1 expression did not change by treatment with PKA agonist or PKA-short interfering RNA. We found that secramine B of Cdc42 inhibitor reduced the cAMP level compensated by D4-F. These results provide evidence that D4-F enhances ABCA1 serine phosphorylation and ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux through Cdc42/cAMP/PKA pathway in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / biosynthesis*
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / pharmacology*
  • Biological Transport
  • Cell Line
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Foam Cells / drug effects*
  • Foam Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Phosphorylation
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Time Factors
  • Up-Regulation
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • ABCA1 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • D-4F peptide
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Serine
  • Cholesterol
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein