Glut-4 is translocated to both caveolae and non-caveolar lipid rafts, but is partially internalized through caveolae in insulin-stimulated adipocytes

Caveolae and non-caveolar lipid rafts are two types of membrane lipid microdomains that play important roles in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes. In order to ascertain their specific functions in this process, caveolae were ablated by caveolin-1 RNA interference. In Cav-1 RNAi adipocytes, neither insulin-stimulated glucose uptake nor Glut-4 （glucose transporter 4） translocation to membrane lipid microdomains was affected by the ablation of caveolae. With a modified sucrose density gradient, caveolae and non-caveolar lipid rafts could be separated. In the wild-type 3T3- L l adipocytes, Glut-4 was found to be translocated into both caveolae and non-caveolar lipid rafts. However, in Cav1 RNAi adipocytes, Glut-4 was localized predominantly in non-caveolar lipid rafts. After the removal of insulin, caveolaelocalized Glut-4 was internalized faster than non-caveolar lipid raft-associated Glut-4. The internalization of Glut-4 from plasma membrane was significantly decreased in Cav-1 RNAi adipocytes. These results suggest that insulin-stimulated Glut-4 translocation and glucose uptake are caveolae-independent events. Caveolae play a role in the internalization of Glut-4 from plasma membrane after the removal of insulin.

Lipid rafts participate in aberrant degradative autophagic-lysosomal pathway of amyloid-beta peptide in Alzheimer's disease

Amyloid-beta peptide is the main component of amyloid plaques, which are found in Alzhei- mer＇s disease. The generation and deposition of amyloid-beta is one of the crucial factors for the onset and progression of Alzheimer＇s disease. Lipid rafts are glycolipid-rich liquid domains of the plasma membrane, where certain types of protein tend to aggregate and intercalate. Lipid rafts are involved in the generation of amyloid-beta oligomers and the formation of amyloid-beta peptides. In this paper, we review the mechanism by which lipid rafts disturb the aberrant deg- radative autophagic-lysosomal pathway of amyloid-beta, which plays an important role in the pathological process of Alzheimer＇s disease. Moreover, we describe this mechanism from the view of the Two-system Theory of fasciology and thus, suggest that lipid rafts may be a new target of Alzheimer＇s disease treatment.

Involvement of Lipid Rafts and Cellular Actin in AcMNPV GP64 Distribution and Virus Budding

GP64 is the major envelope glycoprotein associated with the budded virus (BV) of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and is essential for attachment and budding of BV particles. Confocal microscopy and flotation assays established the presence of lipid raft domains within the plasma membranes of AcMNPV-infected Sf9 cells and suggested the association of GP64 with lipid rafts during infection. GP64 and filamentous actin (F-actin) were found to co-localise at the cell cortex at 24 and 48 hpi and an additional restructuring of F-actin during infection was visualised, resulting in a strongly polarised distribution of both F-actin and GP64 at the cell cortex. Depletion of F-actin, achieved by treatment of Sf9 cells with latrunculin B (LB), resulted in the redistribution of GP64 with significant cytoplasmic aggregation and reduced presence at the plasma membrane. Treatment with LB also resulted in reduced production of BV in Sf9 cells. Analysis of virus gene transcription confirmed this reduction was not due to decreased trafficking of nucleocapsids to the nucleus or to decreased production of infectious progeny nucleocapsids. Reduced BV production due to a lack of GP64 at the plasma membrane of AcMNPV-infected Sf9 cells treated with LB, suggests a key role for F-actin in the egress of BV.

The Stability of Lipid Rafts-Like Micro-Domains Is Dependent on the Available Amount of Cholesterol

Lipid rafts are sterol and sphingolipid rich membrane domains that possibly may play roles in multiple cellular processes. These domains are still the matter of debate and it is still unknown by which mechanism if any and organisms promote their formation. This study centers on the ease of in vitro formation of lipid rafts-like structures as it relates to the relative availability of sphingolipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, and membrane proteins. Following a 12 h incubation period, isolation and extraction of the lipid rafts-like assemblies, the composition of the structures was evaluated using HPLC. Cholesterol and sphingomyelin were detected at 206 nm and phosphatidylcholine was detected at 254 nm. Identification of lactose permease, a typical membrane protein, was done using FTIR. The thermal stability of the produced structures was also determined. Results show that the addition of cholesterol significantly increased both the amount of insoluble lipid rafts-like structures and their stability, and that the availability of a minimum amount of sphingolipid was necessary to produce larger amounts of more stable structures. However, the addition of phospholipids hindered the formation of lipid rafts-like assemblies and those formed were generally less stable.

Emodin suppresses LPS-induced proinflammatory responses and nuclear factor-B activation by disruption of lipid rafts and TLR-4 recruitment in endothelial cells

Emodin [1,3,8-Trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone] has been reported to exhibit vascular anti-inflammatory properties.However,the relevant anti-inflammatory mechanisms are not well understood.The present study was design to explore the molecular target(s) of emodin

Apatinib induces apoptosis of breast cancer cells by redistribution of Fas into lipid rafts

Apatinib,an oral anti-angiogenic agent,has been shown to have anti-cancer effects for several cancer cell types.However,little is known about the direct anti-tumor activity of apatinib for breast cancer cells.Herein,the direct effect of apatinib on breast cancer cells and its mechanism of action were assessed.Cell viability was measured with a Cell Counting Kit-8.Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry.The expression of caspase-8 and the cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase were assessed by Western blotting analysis.Lipid rafts and Fas distribution were determined by immunofluorescence microscopy.Apatinib suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.Furthermore,apatinib enhanced the aggregation of lipid rafts and the redistribution of Fas into lipid rafts.Pretreatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin,a cholesterol-sequestering agent,significantly reversed Fas redistribution and apatinib-induced apoptosis.In conclusion,these results demonstrated that apatinib induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells partially through recruitment of Fas into lipid rafts.

Lipid Rafts Identified on Synaptic Vesicles from Rat Brain

For a long time, lipid rafts have been thought to participate in regulating neurotransmitter release. However, the existence of lipid rafts on synaptic vesicles （SVs） and the mechanism by which exocytosisrelative proteins distribute on this structure have not been fully investigated. There is also much controversial data concerning rafts on SVs and synaptic vesicle proteins which makes the results difficult to interpret. This study systematically analyzed the existence and properties of lipid rafts on purified SVs by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, cholesterol depletion, and temperature variation. The data reveals that typical lipid rafts on SVs are both cholesterol dependent and temperature sensitive. Previous confusing results may have been caused by improper treatment or side effects of particular reagent. We also screened the lateral distribution of major exocytosis-related SV proteins and found that only the synaptobrevin （syb） and synaptotagmin （syt） produce detectable association with lipid rafts in 1% Triton X-100.

Toy model that explains the regulation of cholesterol on lipid rafts

Cholesterol,as a common lipid on mammalian cell membranes,plays an important role in the formation of lipid rafts.Recent experiments suggest that the strength of cholesterol's regulation on lipid rafts can be affected by the length of the unsaturated phospholipid acyl chain on the membrane.In order to understand this observation,a simplified toy model containing three different molecules is proposed in this paper,where the tail length of phospholipids is considered.This model shows the regulation of membrane cholesterol on the phase separation of the lipid mixture and the formation of nano-domains,and also suggests that the configuration entropy of phospholipid tails is an essential factor.

The Functional Roles of Lipid Rafts in T Cell Activation,Immune Diseases and HIV Infection and Prevention

The first appearance of lipid rafts, or lipid rafts-like structure, was occasionally observed by cryo-electronic microscopy in 1980s as cavity, such as caveolae. However, the fully understanding of lipid raft was attributed by the studies of T cell activation, virus entry/budding, and other membrane events. During the interaction of T cell and antigen presenting cell, a highly organized structure is formed at the interface of the two cells, where cholesterol and sphingolipids are enriched, and form a liquid ordered phase that facilitates the signaling proteins on and off. Lipid rafts are also involved in virus entry and assembly. In this review, we will discuss cholesterolsphingolipid floating microdomain, the lipid raft as a unique compartment of the plasma membrane, with biological functions that ensure correct intracellular traffic of proteins and lipids, such as protein-protein interactions by concentrating certain proteins in these microdomains, while excluding others. We also discuss the disruption of lipid rafts is related to different diseases and aging, and we especially exploit the lipid rafts as pharmaceutical targets for anti-virus and anti-inflammation, particularly a new approach to control HIV infection for AIDS prevention and protection by inhibition or disruption of lipid rafts. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology.

Single virus tracking of Ebola virus entry through lipid rafts in living host cells

Ebola virus(EBOV)is one of the most pathogenic viruses in humans which can cause a lethal hemorrhagic fever.Understanding the cellular entry mechanisms of EBOV can promote the development of new therapeutic strategies to control virus replication and spread.It has been known that EBOV virions bind to factors expressed at the host cell surface.Subsequently,the virions are internalized by a macropinocytosis-like process,followed by being trafficked through early and late endosomes.Recent researches indicate that the entry of EBOV into cells requires integrated and functional lipid rafts.Whilst lipid rafts have been hypothesized to play a role in virus entry,there is a current lack of supporting data.One major technical hurdle is the lack of effective approaches for observing viral entry.To provide evidence on the involvement of lipid rafts in the entry process of EBOV,we generated the fluorescently labeled Ebola virus like particles(VLPs),and utilized single-particle tracking(SPT)to visualize the entry of fluorescent Ebola VLPs in live cells and the interaction of Ebola VLPs with lipid rafts.In this study,we demonstrate the compartmentalization of Ebola VLPs in lipid rafts during entry process,and inform the essential function of lipid rafts for the entry of Ebola virus.As such,our study provides evidence to show that the raft integrity is critical for Ebola virus pathogenesis and that lipid rafts can serve as potential targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

The differential protein and lipid compositions of noncaveolar lipid microdomains and caveolae

Morphologically, caveolae and lipid rafts are two different membrane structures. They are often reported to share similar lipid and protein compositions, and are considered to be two subtypes of membrane lipid microdomains. By modifying sucrose density gradient flotation centrifugation, which is used to isolate lipid microdomains, we were able to separate caveolae and noncaveolar lipid microdomains into two distinct fractions. The caveolar membranes are membrane vesicles of 100-nm diameter, enriched with caveolin-1 and flotillin-1. The noncaveolar lipid microdomains are amorphous membranes and most likely the coalescence of heterogeneous lipid rafts. They are depleted of caveo- lin-1 and are more enriched with cholesterol and sphingolipids than the caveolae. Many membrane proteins, such as insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor （membrane receptor）, aquaporin-1 （membrane transporter）, Thy-1 and N- cadherin （glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein and membrane glycoprotein）, are specifically as- sociated with noncaveolar lipid microdomains, but not with caveolae. These results indicate that the lipid and protein compositions of caveolae differ from those of noncaveolar lipid microdomains. The difference in their protein compo- sitions implies that these two membrane microdomains may have different cellular functions.

Designing the lipid raft marker protein for synaptic vesicles

Lipid rafts are cholesterol-enriched microdomains and implicated in many essential physiological ac-tivities such as the neurotransmitter release.Many studies have been carried out on the function of rafts inthe plasma membranes,whereas little is known about the information of such microdomains in subcellularcompartments especially synaptic vesicles(SVs).In the well-studied plasma membranes,several proteinshave been recognized as raft markers,which are used to label or trace rafts.But the raft marker proteinon SVs has not been identified yet.Although some SV proteins,including VAMP and CPE,have beenfound in raft fractions,they cannot be used as markers due to their low abundance in rafts.In this work,we designed several chimera proteins and tested their characteristics for using as SV raft makers.First,we detected whether they located in SVs,and then the chimeras exhibiting the better localization in SVswere further examined for their enrichment in raft using detergent treatment and gradient density floatationanalysis.Our results indicate that one of the chimeric proteins is primarily located in SVs and distributedin raft microdomains,which strongly suggests that it could be served as a raft marker for SVs.

Interaction of hyperlipidemia and reactive oxygen species:Insights from the lipid-raft platform

Reactive oxygen species(ROS) and oxidative stress are closely associated with the development of atherosclerosis,and the most important regulator of ROS production in endothelial cells is NADPH oxidase.Activation of NADPH oxidase requires the assembly of multiple subunits into lipid rafts,which include specific lipid components,including free cholesterol and specific proteins.Disorders of lipid metabolism such as hyperlipidemia affect the cellular lipid components included in rafts,resulting in modification of cellular reactions that produce ROS.In the similar manner,several pathways associating ROS production are affected by the presence of lipid disorder through raft compartments.In this manuscript,we review the pathophysiological implications of hyperlipidemia and lipid rafts in the production of ROS.

Membrane lipid raft organization during cotton fiber development

Background:Cotton fiber is a single-celled seed trichome that originates from the ovule epidermis.It is an excellent model for studying cell elongation.Along with the elongation of cotton fiber cell,the plasma membrane is also extremely expanded.Despite progress in understanding cotton fiber cell elongation,knowledge regarding the relationship of plasma membrane in cotton fiber cell development remains elusive.Methods:The plasma membrane of cotton fiber cells was marked with a low toxic fluorescent dye,di-4-ANEPPDHQ,at different stages of development.Fluorescence images were obtained using a confocal laser scanning microscopy.Subsequently,we investigated the relationship between lipid raft activity and cotton fiber development by calculating generalized polarization(GP values)and dual-channel ratio imaging.Results:We demonstrated that the optimum dyeing conditions were treatment with 3μmol·L-1 di-4-ANEPPDHQ for 5 min at room temperature,and the optimal fluorescence images were obtained with 488 nm excitation and500–580 nm and 620–720 nm dual channel emission.First,we examined lipid raft organization in the course of fiber development.The GP values were high in the fiber elongation stage(5–10 DPA,days past anthesis)and relatively low in the initial(0 DPA),secondary cell wall synthesis(20 DPA),and stable synthesis(30 DPA)stages.The GP value peaked in the 10 DPA fiber,and the value in 30 DPA fiber was the lowest.Furthermore,we examined the differences in lipid raft activity in fiber cells between the short fiber cotton mutant,Li-1,and its wild-type.The GP values of the Li-1 mutant fiber were lower than those of the wild type fiber at the elongation stage,and the GP values of 10 DPA fibers were lower than those of 5 DPA fibers in the Li-1 mutant.Conclusions:We established a system for examining membrane lipid raft activity in cotton fiber cells.We verified that lipid raft activity exhibited a low-high-low change regularity during the development of cotton fiber cell,and the pattern was disrupted in the short lint fiber Li-1 mutant,suggesting that membrane lipid order and lipid raft activity are closely linked to fiber cell development.

Linking Lipid Metabolism with Cell Transformation and Tumor Progression

Carbohydrates,lipids,and proteins are the three major nutrients required by the human body.The lipids,comprising triglycerides,phospholipids,and sterols,provide energy and essential fatty acids for the body,and are required for the growth and maintenance of human cells and tissues.A variety of lipid molecules and their intermediates are involved in cell signaling and inflammation,and have been reported to promote tumor transformation and progression.Fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes are also involved in the lipid metabolism of tumors.Dyslipidemia is closely related to many solid tumors,and may both play a role in both tumorigenesis and be a consequence of tumor development.Therefore,abnormal lipid metabolism is strongly associated with tumor transformation and progression.This review discusses the signaling pathways,related genes,enzymes,and inflammatory cell factors involved in tumor lipid metabolism,as well as the roles of dyslipidemia in tumor transformation and progression.We believe the information provided will serve as valuable reference highlighting molecules that can be targeted to improve the treatment of tumors.

SARS coronavirus entry into host cells through a novel clathrin- and caveolae-independent endocytic pathway

While severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus （SARS-CoV）~as initially thought to enter cells through direct fusion with the plasma membrane, more recent evidence suggests that yirus entry may also involve endocytosis. We have found that SARS-CoV enters cells viapH- and receptor-dependent endocytosis. Treatment of cells with either SARS-COV spike protein or spike-bearing pseudoviruses resulted in the translocation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 （ACE2）, the functional receptor of SARS-CoV, from the cell surface to endosomes. In addition, the spike-bearing pseudoviruses and early endosome antigen 1 were found to colocalize in endosomes. Further analyses using specific endocytic path- way inhibitors and dominant-negative Epsl5 as well as caveolin-1 colocalization study suggested that virus entry was mediated by a clathrin- and caveolae-independent mechanism. Moreover, cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich lipid raft microdomains in the plasma membrane, which have been shown to act as platforms for many physiological signaling pathways, were shown to be involved in virus entry. Endocytic entry of SARS-CoV may expand the cellular range of SARS-CoV infection, and our findings here contribute to the understanding of SARS-CoV pathogenesis, providing new information for anti-viral drug research.

Endocytic regulation of TGF-β signaling

Transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） signaling is tightly regulated to ensure its proper physiological functions in different cells and tissues. Like other cell surface receptors, TGF-β receptors are internalized into the cell, and this process plays an important regulatory role in TGF-β signaling. It is well documented that TGF-β receptors are endocytosed via clathrin-coated vesicles as TGF-β endocytosis can be blocked by potassium depletion and the GTPasedeficient dynamin K44A mutant. TGF-β receptors may also enter cells via cholesterol-rich membrane microdomain lipid rafts/caveolae and are found in caveolin-l-positive vesicles. Although receptor endocytosis is not essential for TGF-β signaling, clathrin-mediated endocytosis has been shown to promote TGF-β-induced Smad activation and transcriptional responses. Lipid rafts/caveolae are widely regarded as signaling centers for G protein-coupled recep- tors and tyrosine kinase receptors, but they are indicated to facilitate the degradation of TGF-β receptors and there- fore turnoff of TGF-β signaling. This review summarizes current understanding of TGF-β receptor endocytosis, the possible mechanisms underlying this process, and the role of endocytosis in modulation of TGF-β signaling.

Supramolecular organization of the sperm plasma membrane during maturation and capacitation

Aim： In the present study, a variety of high resolution microscopy techniques were used to visualize the organization and motion of lipids and proteins in the sperm＇s plasma membrane. We have addressed questions such as the presence of diffusion barriers, confinement of molecules to specific surface domains, polarized diffusion and the role of cholesterol in regulating lipid rafts and signal transduction during capacitation. Methods： Atomic force microscopy identified a novel region （EqSS） within the equatorial segment of bovine, porcine and ovine spermatozoa that was enriched in constitutively phosphorylated proteins. The EqSS was assembled during epididymal maturation. Fluorescence imaging techniques were then used to follow molecular diffusion on the sperm head. Results： Single lipid molecules were freely exchangeable throughout the plasma membrane and showed no evidence for confinement within domains. Large lipid aggregates, however, did not cross over the boundary between the post-acrosome and equatorial segment suggesting the presence of a molecular filter between these two domains. Conclusion： A small reduction in membrane cholesterol enlarges or increases lipid rafts concomitant with phosphorylation of intracellular proteins. Excessive removal of cholesterol, however, disorganizes rafts with a cessation of phosphorylation. These techniques are forcing a revision of long-held views on how lipids and proteins in sperm membranes are assembled into larger complexes that mediate recognition and fusion with the egg. （Asian JAndrol 2007 July; 9： 438-444）

An annual topic highlight: Alcohol and liver, 2011

An annual topic highlight: Alcohol and Liver, 2011, covers the important and new aspects of pathogenesis of alcoholic liver diseases (ALD). It includes broad topics ranging from the exacerbation of ALD by infectious (viral) agents (hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus) to the influence of alcohol on liver fibrogenesis, lipid rafts, autophagy and other aspects. This issue is recommended for both basic scientists and clinicians who are involved in alcoholic liver research.

Real-time detection of LMP1/LMP1 interaction in MβCD-induced apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells using FRET method

Latent mermbrane protein 1(LMP1)is known as an oncoprotein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)cells,which is considered to have a strong association with growth,invasion and metastasis of NPC cells through lipid rafts.Met hy-A-cyclodextrin(M3CD)can disrupt lipid rafts through cholesterol depletion.In this study,we revealed that MICD induced apoptosis in two kinds of NPC cells including CNE1 cells,a LMP1 negative nasopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cell line,and CNE1-LMP1 cells,a LMP1-positive nasopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cell line.Furthermore,the impact of MBCD on LMP1 was investigated by fuorescence resonance energy transfer(FRET)method in NPC cells.Synchronized tempo spatial and spectral detection of LMP1/LMP1 interaction were performed using fluorescence microscope and spectrograph.FRET efficiency indicated that LMP1/LMP1 interaction gradully enhanced after M9CD treatment.MTT assays showed that M8CD caused strong cytotoxicity in CNE1 cells,but cauused relatively weaker cytotoxicity in CNE1-LMP1 cells,which indicated that LMP1 may regulate sensitivity of NPC cells to MBCD.Then,detection of cleaved caspase-3 in two kinds of NPC cells indicated that LMP1 may inhibit activation of caspase 3.These results strongly suggested that MBCD can induce apoptosis of NPC cells,but enhancing of LMP1/LMP1 interaction may likely resist apoptosis through inhibiting cleavage of caspase-3.