Enzymatic preparation of mono-and diacylglycerols:A review

Monoacylglycerols(MAGs) and diacylglycerols(DAGs) are partial glycerides widely used in food industry. They are safe and non-toxic food emulsifiers, especially for MAGs. MAGs account for approximately 75% of the total emulsifiers in food industry worldwide. DAGs are recognized as functional cooking oils, they can suppress body fat accumulation and postprandial serum triacylglycerols(TAGs) level. The traditional production of MAGs and DAGs is based on the chemical method, which requires high reaction temperature usually up to 200–260 ℃. Such high temperature is not suitable for oil containing heat sensitive polyunsaturated fatty acids. Enzymatic approach has been received increasing attentions. Enzymatic production of partial glycerides to replace chemical processes has been in industry, particularly for DAGs production as the products have been claimed as a functional and nutritional oil. Enzyme technology for the processing of oils and fats has been moved to industry step by step and case by case during the last 20 years. More and more applications are particularly moving into bulky oils and fats processing. At the same time, the cost of enzymes as a commercial product is reducing steadily. This review summarized the recent 15 years advances on the the enzymatic preparation of MAGs and DAGs. The critical process parameters under different reaction routes were presented and emphasized. The reaction media not only increased the homogeneity of the reaction system, but also shifted the reaction equilibrium towards the target product generation, and this part was stated in detail. In addition, the patent evaluation was included, and the application of MAGs and DAGs was covered.

The in vitro digestion fates of diacylglycerol under different intestinal conditions:a potential lipid source for lipid indigestion patients

The in vitro digestion models mimicking the gastrointestinal(GI)tract of general population and lipid indigestion patients(with lower levels of bile salts or pancreatic lipase)were selected to investigate whether diacylglycerols(DAGs)are potential good lipid sources for these patients.Linseed oil-based DAG(LD)and linseed oil(LT)were selected.LD-based emulsion((83.74±1.23)%)had higher lipolysis degree than LT-based emulsion((74.47±1.16)%)when monitoring the GI tract of normal population as previously reported.Indigestion conditions seriously decreased the digestive degree of LT-based emulsion((40.23±2.48)%-(66.50±3.70)%)while showed less influence on LD-based emulsion((64.18±2.41)%-(81.85±3.45)%).As opposed to LT-based emulsion,LD-based emulsion exhibited preference for releasing unsaturated fatty acids(especially oleic acid andα-linolenic acid)due to their different glycerolipid compositions.LD-based emulsion showed potential for providing lipids and nutrients(including essential fatty acids)for lipid indigestion patients.

Perspectives on diacylglycerol-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes

Diacylglycerol(DAG)-based edible oils have attracted increasing research interest owing to their healthpromoting properties.Recent animal and human studies showed that an increased 1,2-DAG content in the liver and skeletal muscle may cause insulin resistance.However,earlier studies using animal models or humans reported that dietary DAGs with a 1,2-DAGs to 1,3-D AGs ratio of approximately 3:7 could improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients.This conflict raises the question of whether there is a link between the ingested DAGs and endogenous DAGs during their metabolism.To make a contribution to this field,this review provides an overview of the metabolic pathways of ingested DAGs and biological roles of DAGs(ingested and endogenous)in the change of insulin sensitivity.Accordingly,strategies for further investigations on the metabolism of DAGs are proposed.

Safety Evaluation of Diacylglycerol Microemulsion in Rats/Mice

The objective of the present study was to evaluate potential adverse effects of diacylglycerol microemulsion （DAGM） in rats/mice. Acute safety evaluation was carried out by giving intragastrically with 20 mL 25% DAG kg-1 body weight of DAGM or water with two groups of mice. Chronic safety evaluation with 40 male and 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats was carried out by setting a control group and 3 different dose groups （n=10 male＋10 female） administered with DAGM with 6.7, 10 and 20 mL kg-1 body weight per day. Relevant parameters of liver and kidney function and biochemistry were determined by standard methods at end point. Acute toxicity study revealed the maximum tolerated dose （MTD） of DAGM was 20 mL kg-1 body weight in mice. No death was observed at the dose of 20 mL kg-1 body weight per day. Chronic safety evaluation did not show significant changes on hematological, histopathologic, clinical, and biochemical tests when administered at levels of 6.7, 10 and 20 mL kg-1 body weight per day to rats for 30 d. No significant body weight changes were observed in different dosages in both male and female rats. Our results suggested that acute and chronic adverse effects were not observed in histology and clinical parameters in both mice and rats. The results suggested that DAGM is safe at the experimental levels.

Pharmacological inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase-1 and insights into postprandial gut peptide secretion

AIM To examine the role that enzyme Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase-1(DGAT1) plays in postprandial gut peptide secretion and signaling.METHODS The standard experimental paradigm utilized to evaluate the incretin response was a lipid challenge.Following a lipid challenge,plasma was collected via cardiac puncture at each time point from a cohort of 5-8 mice per group from baseline at time zero to 10 h.Incretin hormones [glucagon like peptide-1(GLP-1),peptide tyrosine-tyrosine(PYY) and glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide(GIP)] were then quantitated.The impact of pharmacological inhibition of DGAT1 on the incretin effect was evaluated in WT mice.Additionally,a comparison of loss of DGAT1 function either by genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition.To further elucidate the pathways and mechanisms involved in the incretin response to DGAT1 inhibition,other interventions [inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV(sitagliptin),pancreatic lipase(Orlistat),GPR119 knockout mice] were evaluated.RESULTS DGAT1 deficient mice and wildtype C57/BL6J mice werelipid challenged and levels of both active and total GLP-1 in the plasma were increased.This response was further augmented with DGAT1 inhibitor PF-04620110 treated wildtype mice.Furthermore,PF-04620110 was able to dose responsively increase GLP-1 and PYY,but blunt GIP at all doses of PF-04620110 during lipid challenge.Combination treatment of PF-04620110 and Sitagliptin in wildtype mice during a lipid challenge synergistically enhanced postprandial levels of active GLP-1.In contrast,in a combination study with Orlistat,the ability of PF-04620110 to elicit an enhanced incretin response was abrogated.To further explore this observation,GPR119 knockout mice were evaluated.In response to a lipid challenge,GPR119 knockout mice exhibited no increase in active or total GLP-1 and PYY.However,PF-04620110 was able to increase total GLP-1 and PYY in GPR119 knockout mice as compared to vehicle treated wildtype mice.CONCLUSION Collectively,these data provide some insight into the mechanism by which inhibition of DGAT1 enhances intestinal hormone release.

Increased Seizure Susceptibility in a Mouse with Diacylglycerol Kinase <i>β</i>Deficiency

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) is an enzyme that converts diacylglycerol to phosphatidic acid. Several DGK isoforms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of seizure, but the role of DGKβ in seizure is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of DGKβ in seizure using DGKβ knockout (KO) mice. Seizures were more severe in DGKβ KO mice than in wild-type (WT) mice after pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) treatment and after kainic acid treatment, but there were no differences in latency to seizure. The expression levels of DGKβ in the hippocampal CA1, CA3, or DG areas did not differ between PTZ (60 mg/kg) treatment and saline treatment. There were fewer parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the hippocampal CA3 area in DGKβ KO mice than in control WT mice, which might partly account for the increased seizure susceptibility displayed by DGKβ KO mice. These results suggest that DGKβ may play a pivotal role in the development of the relevant interneurons, and that on inherent deficiency of DGKβ increases the animal’s sensitivity to seizure-inducing stimuli.

Diacylglycerol-enriched Oil from Hydrolysis of Soybean Oil with Rhizopus Oryzae Lipase Against High-fat Diet-induced Obesity in Mice

The present work aimed to investigate the impact of intake of diacylglycerol(DAG) from soybean oil on the reduction of fat accumulation and the long-term effects of dietary intake of DAG and triacylglycerol(TAG) with similar fatty acid compositions on the development of obesity. Kuming mice were used to compare the effects of low-dose TAG(2.5 g/kg BW), low-dose DAG(2.5 g/kg BW), high-dose TAG(10 g/kg BW), and high-dose DAG(10 g/kg BW) on the induced obesity. The results showed that the body weight and serum triglyceride concentration decreased significantly in both DAG-treated groups compared with the TAG-treated groups(P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). However, the plasma glucose concentration was significantly lower in the DAG-treated groups than the TAG-treated groups(P < 0.05); the weight and morphology of the liver and kidney in DAG-treated groups were similar to those in the control group, there were no significant differences within each group. The present results indicated the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects of dietary DAG oil in mice and its potential use as a functional food for humans.

Characterization of a broad substrates specificity acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 from the green tide alga Ulva prolifera

Triacylglycerols(triglycerides,TAGs)are the major carbon and energy storage forms in various organisms,and important components of cellular membranes and signaling molecules;they have essential functions in multiple physiological processes and stress regulation.Acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase(DGAT)catalyzes the final and only committed acylation step in the synthesis of TAGs in eukaryotes.The present work identified and isolated a novel gene,UpDGAT1,from the green tide alga Ulva prolifera.The activity of UpDGAT1 was confirmed by heterologous expression in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae TAG-deficient quadruple mutant.Results of thin-layer chromatography and BODIPY staining indicated that UpDGAT1 was able to restore TAG synthesis and lipid body formation in the yeast.Lipid analysis of yeast cells revealed that UpDGAT1 showed broad substrate specificity,accepting saturated as well as mono-and polyunsaturated acyl-CoAs as substrates.High salinity and high temperature stresses increased UpDGAT1 expression and TAG accumulation in U.prolifera.The present study provides clues to the functions of UpDGAT1 in TAG accumulation in,and stress adaptation of,U.prolifera.

Comparison of Oxidative Stability of Monogalactosyl Diacylglycerol, Digalactosyl Diacylglycerol, and Triacylglycerol Containing Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Oxidative stability of three different lipid classes, namely, monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG) from spinach and edible brown seaweed (Akamoku) and triacylglycerol (TAG) of linseed oil was compared. Analysis of oxygen consumption and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition demonstrated that spinach DGDG had the highest oxidative stability, followed by Akamoku DGDG, Akamoku MGDG, spinach MGDG, and linseed TAG. These results disagree with the order of oxidative stability expected from the average number of bis-allylic positions of each lipid. Additionally, DGDG constituents of both spinach and Akamoku showed higher oxidative stability than their MGDG constituents. The unusual oxidative stability of MGDG and DGDG could be conferred by the protection of bis-allylic positions of the PUFA against oxidative attack by the galactosyl moiety of the GL.

Lipase Catalyzed Methanolysis of Tri-(12-Hydroxy Stearoyl)-Glycerol in Organic Solvents

Castor oil is the source of numerous products and is the only commercial source of the fatty acid ricinoleate, 12-hydroxy-oleate. Hydrogenated castor oil is similarly useful as the source of 12-hydroxy-stearic acid, best known as a component of lithium grease. Mono- and diacylglycerols are derived from castor oil and are useful in development of lubricants and emulsifiers for cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food use. Acylglycerols derived from hydrogenated castor oil may be similarly useful, albeit with different physical and chemical properties. We have evaluated the use of immobilized lipases to generate acylglycerols, using organic solvents to modulate the action of lipase to produce mono- and diacylglycerols, using tri-(12-hydroxy stearoyl)-glycerol as a model for hydrogenated castor oil. The presence of an alkylated oxygen in the solvent appears to be an important factor in supporting lipase activity, with diisopropyl ether providing the best yield of di-(12-hydroxy stearoyl)-glycerol.

Research progress on unusual acetyl triacylglycerol

Acetyl triacylglycerol (acetyl-TAG) containing acetyl at sn-3 position is rare in nature. It is optically active asymmetric TAG with low viscosity, having improved cold temperature property and low calorific content compared to regular TAGs. It gains increasingly attentions due to its potential applications. Metabolic engineering of plant or microorganism for production of acetyl-TAG is currently attractive. Here we summarize the researches on acetyl-TAG, with emphasis on gene discovery, protein analysis and its potential applications. Comprehensive understanding of current development in acetyl-TAG biosynthesis pathway may contribute to the increase of production and more applications.

Lipid phosphorylation by a diacylglycerol kinase suppresses ABA biosynthesis to regulate plant stress responses

Lipid phosphorylation by diacylglycerol kinase(DGK)that produces phosphatidic acid(PA)plays important roles in various biological processes,including stress responses,but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.Here,we show that DGK5 and its lipid product PA suppress ABA biosynthesis by interacting withABA-DEFICIENT2(ABA2),a key ABA biosynthesis enzyme,to negatively modulate plant responseto abiotic stress tested in Arabidopsis thaliana.Loss of DGK5 function rendered plants less damaged,whereas overexpression(OE)of DGK5 enhanced plant damage to water and salt stress.The dgk5 mutant plants exhibited decreased total cellular and nuclear levels of PA with increased levels of diacylglycerol,whereas DGK5-OE plants displayed the opposite effect.Interestingly,we found that both DGK5 and PA bind to the ABA-synthesizing enzyme ABA2 and suppress its enzymatic activity.Consistently,the dgk5 mutant plants exhibited increased levels of ABA,while DGK5-OE plants showed reduced ABA levels.In addition,we showed that both DGK5 and ABA2 are detected in and outside the nuclei,and loss of DGK5 function decreased the nuclear association of ABA2.We found that both DGK5 activity and PA promote nuclear association of ABA2.Taken together,these results indicate that both DGK5 and PA interact with ABA2 to inhibit its enzymatic activity and promote its nuclear sequestration,thereby sup-pressing ABA production in response to abiotic stress.Our study reveals a sophisticated mechanism by which DGK5 and PA regulate plant stress responses.

Multiomics analysis reveals metabolic subtypes and identifies diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKA) as a potential therapeutic target for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background:Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(iCCA)is a highly heteroge-neous and lethal hepatobiliary tumor with few therapeutic strategies.The metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells plays an essential role in the develop-ment of tumors,while the metabolic molecular classification of iCCA is largely unknown.Here,we performed an integrated multiomics analysis and metabolic classification to depict differences in metabolic characteristics of iCCA patients,hoping to provide a novel perspective to understand and treat iCCA.Methods:We performed integrated multiomics analysis in 116 iCCA samples,including whole-exome sequencing,bulk RNA-sequencing and proteome anal-ysis.Based on the non-negative matrix factorization method and the protein abundance of metabolic genes in human genome-scale metabolic models,the metabolic subtype of iCCA was determined.Survival and prognostic gene analy-ses were used to compare overall survival(OS)differences between metabolic subtypes.Cell proliferation analysis,5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine(EdU)assay,colony formation assay,RNA-sequencing and Western blotting were performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of diacylglycerol kinaseα(DGKA)in iCCA cells.Results:Three metabolic subtypes(S1-S3)with subtype-specific biomarkers of iCCA were identified.These metabolic subtypes presented with distinct prog-noses,metabolic features,immune microenvironments,and genetic alterations.The S2 subtype with the worst survival showed the activation of some special metabolic processes,immune-suppressed microenvironment and Kirsten ratsar-coma viral oncogene homolog(KRAS)/AT-rich interactive domain 1A(ARID1A)mutations.Among the S2 subtype-specific upregulated proteins,DGKA was further identified as a potential drug target for iCCA,which promoted cell proliferation by enhancing phosphatidic acid(PA)metabolism and activating mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling.Conclusion:Viamultiomics analyses,we identified three metabolic subtypes of iCCA,revealing that the S2 subtype exhibited the poorest survival outcomes.We further identified DGKA as a potential target for the S2 subtype.

Commentary: A nearly forgotten class of anti-inflammatory lipid molecules in central nervous system

Lipids are the major components of cells in the central nervous system(CNS) and are essential for the brain development and homeostasis. Several studies have demonstrated that impaired lipid metabolism is closely related to neurological diseases among the elderly^(1). Lipidomics can serve us well in identifying and quantifying lipid molecules in cells, tissues, and organisms at the system level. However, finding out biologically meaningful lipids from the massive lipidomics data is not straightforward.

Optopharmacological control of TRPC channels by coumarin-caged lipids is associated with a phototoxic membrane effect

Photouncaging of second messengers has been successfully employed to gain mechanistic insight of cellular signaling pathways. One of the most enigmatic processes of ion channel regulation is lipid recognition and lipid-gating of TRPC channels, which represents pivotal mechanisms of cellular Ca^(2+) homeostasis. Recently, optopharmacological tools including caged lipid mediators became available, enabling an unprecedented level of temporal and spatial control of the activating lipid species within a cellular environment. Here we tested a commonly used caged ligand approach for suitability to investigate TRPC signaling at the level of membrane conductance and cellular Ca^(2+) handling. We report a specific photouncaging artifact that is triggered by the cage structure coumarin at UV illumination. Electrophysiological characterization identified a light-dependent membrane effect of coumarin. UV light(340 nm) as used for photouncaging, initiated a membrane conductance specifically in the presence of coumarin as low as 30 μmol L^(-1) concentrations. This conductance masked the TRPC3 conductance evoked by photouncaging, while TRPC-mediated cellular Ca^(2+) responses were largely preserved. The observed light-induced membrane effects of the released caging moiety may well interfere with certain cellular functions, and prompt caution in using coumarin-caged second messengers in cellular studies.

Biosynthesis of Triacylglycerol Molecules with a Tailored PUFA Profile in Industrial Microalgae

The composition of polyun saturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in triacylglycerols (TAGs) is key to health ben efits and for oil applications, yet the underlying genetic mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, by in si Iico, ex vivo, and in vivo profili ng of type-2 diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGAT2s) in Nannochloropsis oceanica we revealed two novel PUFA-preferring enzymes that discriminate individual PUFA species in TAG assembly, with NoDGAT2J for linoleic acid (LA) and NoDGAT2K for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The LA and EPA composition of TAG molecules is mediated in vivo via the functional partitioning between NoDGAT2J and 2K, both of which are localized in the chloroplast envelope. By modulating transcript abundance of the DGAT2s, an N. oceanica strain bank was created, where proportions of LA and EPA in TAG vary by 18.7-fold (between 0.21% and 3.92% dry weight) and 34.7-fold (between 0.09% and 3.12% dry weight), respective!y. These findings lay the foundation for producing designer TAG molecules with tailored health benefits or for biofuel applications in industrial microalgae and higher-plant crops.

Producing Designer Oils in Industrial Microalgae by Rational Modulation of Co-evolving Type-2 Diacylglycerol Acyltransferases

Microalgal oils, depending on their degree of unsaturation, can be utilized as either nutritional supplements or fuels; thus, a feedstock with genetically designed and tunable degree of unsaturation is desirable to maximize process efficiency and product versatility. Systematic profiling of ex vivo （in yeast）, in vitro, and in vivo activities of type-2 diacylglycerol acyltransferases in Nannochloropsis oceanica （NoDGAT2s or NoDGTTs）, via reverse genetics, revealed that NoDGAT2A prefers saturated fatty acids （SFAs）, NoDGAT2D prefers monounsaturated fatty acids （MUFAs）, and NoDGAT2C exhibits the strongest activity toward polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFAs）. As NoDGAT2A, 2C, and 2D originated from the green alga, red alga, and eukaryotic host ancestral participants of secondary endosymbiosis, respectively, a mecha- nistic model of oleaginousness was unveiled, in which the indigenous and adopted NoDGAT2s formulated functional complementarity and specific transcript abundance ratio that underlie a rigid SFA：MUFA：PUFA hierarchy in triacylglycerol （TAG）. By rationally modulating the ratio of NoDGAT2A＇：2C^D transcripts, a bank of N. oceanica strains optimized for nutritional supplement or fuel production with a wide range of degree of unsaturation were created, in which proportion of SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs in TAG varied by 1.3-, 3.7-, and 11.2-fold, respectively. This established a novel strategy to simultaneously improve productivity and quality of oils from industrial microalgae.

Disruption of the Arabidopsis Defense Regulator Genes SAG101, EDS1, and PAD4 Confers Enhanced Freezing Tolerance

In Arabidopsis, three lipase-like regulators, SAG101, EDS1, and PAD4, act downstream of resistance protein-associated defense signaling. Although the roles of SAG101, EDS1, and PAD4 in biotic stress have been extensively studied, little is known about their functions in plant responses to abiotic stresses. Here, we show that SAG101, EDS1, and PAD4 are involved in the regulation of freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis. With or without cold acclimation, the sag101, edsl, and pad4 single mutants, as well as their double mutants, exhibited similarly enhanced tolerance to freezing temperatures. Upon cold exposure, the sag101, edsl, and pad4 mutants showed increased transcript levels of C-REPEAT/DRE BINDING FACTORs and their regulons compared with the wild type. Moreover, freezing-induced cell death and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide were ameliorated in sag101, edsl, and pad4 mutants. The sag101, edsl, and pad4 mutants had much lower salicylic acid （SA） and diacylglycerol （DAG） contents than the wild type, and exogenous application of SA and DAG compromised the freezing tolerance of the mutants. Furthermore, SA suppressed the cold-induced expression of DGATs and DGKs in the wild-type leaves. These findings indicate that SAG101, EDS1, and PAD4 are involved in the freezing response in Arabidopsis, at least in part, by modulating the homeostasis of SA and DAG.

Thermal stability of oxygen evolution in photosystem Ⅱ core complex in the presence of digalactosyl diacylglycerol

The influence of digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), one of the photosynthetic membrane lipids, on heat inactivation of the process of oxygen evolution has been studied in vitro in photosystem Ⅱ(PS Ⅱ) core complex. It was found that the temperature of semi-inactivation of oxygen evolution in the complex increased from 40.0 to about 43.0℃ in the presence of DGDG with 5-min heat treatment in the dark. Furthermore, when PS Ⅱ core complex was incubated for 5 min at 45.0℃, the oxygen evolution in the complex was completely lost, whilst the DGDG-complexed PS Ⅱ core complex still retained a 16% of activity (100% for 25.0℃). In addition, a 1-h incubation at 38.0℃ inactivated absolutely the oxygen evolution for the PS Ⅱ core complex. By contrast, there remained about 20% of activity (zero time for 100%) for the complex in the presence of DGDG under the same condition. These results indicate a new role of DGDG in the protection of PS Ⅱ core complex against the deleterious effects of temperature. It was

Association between diacylglycerol kinase kappa variants and hypospadias susceptibility in a Han Chinese population

Previous genome-wide association studies have identified variants in the diacylglycerol kinase kappa （DGKtO gene associated with hypospadias in populations of European descent. However, no variants of DGKKwere confirmed to be associated with hypospadias in a recent Han Chinese study population, likely due to the limited number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） included in the analysis. In this study, we aimed to address the inconsistent results and evaluate the association between DGKK and hypospadias in the Han Chinese population through a more comprehensive analysis of DGKK variants. We conducted association analyses for 17 SNPs in or downstream of DGKKwith hypospadias among 322 cases （58 mild, 113 moderate, 128 severe, and 23 unknown） and 1008 controls. Five SNPs （rs2211122, rs4554617, rs7058226, rs7063116, and rs5915254） in DGKK were significantly associated with hypospadias （P 〈 0.05）, with odds ratios （ORs） of 1.64-1.76. When only mild and moderate cases were compared to controls, 10 SNPs in DGKKwere significant （P〈 0.05）, with ORs of 1.56-2.13. No significant SNP was observed when only severe cases were compared to controls. This study successfully implicated DGKK variants in hypospadias risk among a Han Chinese population, especially for mild/moderate cases. Severe forms of hyposDadias are likely due to other genetic factors.