LIPID METABOLISM

Abdul Salam M. Sofro

Faculty of Medicine YARSI University &

Research Center for Biotechnology

Gadjah Mada University

Teaching aims

• To highlight utilization and storage of energy in lipid form and understand the energy in lipid form and understand the individual biochemical pathways of lipid metabolism

Scope of lipid metabolismScope of lipid metabolismScope of lipid metabolismScope of lipid metabolism

• Biosynthesis of fatty acids

• Oxydation of fatty acids: ketogenesis

• UFA & Eicosanoids Metabolism• UFA & Eicosanoids Metabolism

• Cholesterol synthesis, transport & excretion

• Lipid transport & storage

• Metabolism of acylglycerols & sphingolipids

IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

• As biomolecule, lipids are important for structure, obtain and storage of energy

• Their characteristics are nonpolar & hidrofobic

• Mostly contain or derived from fatty acids• Mostly contain or derived from fatty acids

• Stored in the form of triacylglycerol �more efficient and quantitativey more important compared with carbohydrate storage as glycogen

• More important functions such as: integrity of alveoli, solubilization of nonpolar compounds, metabolic processes etc.s

Food

Carbohydrate Lipid Protein Others (Nucleic acids,

water, minerals,

vitamins etc.)

Lumen of GI tract Digestion of TAG to:

glycerol & fatty acids

Mucosal cells Re-esterification of TAG from :

glycerol & fatty acids

Lympatic system and

then blood circulation

Organs & tissues

Biosynthesis of fatty acids

Oxydation of fatty acids: ketogenesis

UFA & Eicosanoids Metabolism

Cholesterol synthesis, transport & excretion

Lipid transport & storage

Metabolism of acylglycerols & sphingolipids

Lipid transport

Lipids are a major source of energy during

rest and exercise. Approximately half of

the lipids–stored as triglycerides–that are the lipids–stored as triglycerides–that are

used for energy come from adipose tissue

with the other half from intramuscular

stores. There are several steps in the

mitochondrial oxidation of lipids that begin

with the mobilization of the triglycerides

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(Lipogenesis)

Biosynthesis of fatty acids (cont.)Biosynthesis of fatty acids (cont.)Biosynthesis of fatty acids (cont.)Biosynthesis of fatty acids (cont.)

• Fatty acid synthesis or lipogenesis may vary between individuals

• Highly active extramitochondrial system is responsible for the complete synthesis is responsible for the complete synthesis of palmitate from acetyl-CoA (in the cytosol)

• Another system for fatty acid elongation is also present in liver endoplasmic reticulum

The main pathway for de novo lipogenesis

• Present in many tissues, including liver, kidney, brain, lung, mammary gland, and adipose tissue

• In most mammals, glucose is the primary • In most mammals, glucose is the primary substrate for lipogenesis, but in ruminants acetate.

• Requires cofactors, including NADPH, ATP, Mn2+, biotin & HCO3- (as a source of CO2)

• AcetylAcetylAcetylAcetyl----CoACoACoACoA is the immediate substrate and free palmitatepalmitatepalmitatepalmitate is the end product

Important notes in lipogenesis

• The initial & controlling step in fatty acid synthesis is the production of Malonyl-CoA

Acetyl-CoA Malonyl-CoA

Enz = acetyl-

• Fatty acid synthase complex is a multienzyme polypeptide complex with acyl carrier protein (ACP) as its part containing seven enzyme activities

Enz-biotin-COO- Enz-biotin

ADP + Pi ATP + HCO3-

Enz = acetyl-

CoA carboxylase

• Bicarbonate as a source of CO2 is required in the initial reaction for carboxylation of acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA in the presence of ATP & Acetyl-CoA carboxylase that requires vitamin Biotin.requires vitamin Biotin.

Important notes in lipogenesis (cont.)

• The main source of NADPH for lipogenesis is the Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP)

• Acetyl-CoA is the principal building block of fatty acidsof fatty acids

• Elongation of fatty acid chains occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum

• Chain elongation also occurs in mitochondria but less active and uses acetyl-CoA as acetyl donor (its function is speculative)

Important notes in lipogenesis (cont.)

• Nutritional state regulates lipogenesis �the rate is higher in the well-fed animal whose diet contains a high proportion of carbohydrate (Nutritional state of organism is the main factor regulating the rate of lipogenesis)lipogenesis)

• There is inverse relationship between hepatic lipogenesis & concentration of serum FFA => decreased lipogenesis in increased serum FFA (which is associated with restricted caloric intake, on a high-fat diet or insulin deficiency as in DM)

Important notes in lipogenesis (cont.)

• High fat in the diet causes depression of lipogenesis, or when there is more than 10% of fat in the diet, there is little conversion of dietary carbohydrate to fat

• Insulin stimulate lipogenesis by several • Insulin stimulate lipogenesis by several mechanism � increases glucose transp. into the cell (e.g. in adipose tissue)

• Insulin inhibits lipolysis (lipid degradation) in adipose tissue

• Fatty acid synthase complex & acetyl-CoA carboxylase are adaptive enzymes

Short term & long term mechanisms regulate lipogenesis

• Short term by allosteric & covalent modification of enzymes

• Long term by changes in gene • Long term by changes in gene expression governing rates of enzymes synthesis (FA Synthase Complex & Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase are adaptive enzymes)

Oxidation of Fatty Acids: (& Ketogenesis)

• Oxidized to Acetyl-CoA and synthesized from Acetyl-CoA

Fatty acid.

Acetyl-CoA

• Starting material of one process is identical to the product of the other and the chemical stages involved are comparable, the fatty acid (FA) oxidation is not the simple reverse of FA biosynthesis. It is entirely different process taking place in a separate cell compartment => oxidation in mitochondria, synthesis in cytosol.

Oxidation of Fatty Acids: KetogenesisOxidation of Fatty Acids: KetogenesisOxidation of Fatty Acids: KetogenesisOxidation of Fatty Acids: Ketogenesis

• Increased in starvation & DM leading to ketone body production by the liver (ketosis) � when produced in excess over long periods, as in DM, cause ketoacidosis

Biomedical importance:

periods, as in DM, cause ketoacidosis (ultimately fatal)

• Gluconeogenesis is dependent upon fatty acid (FA) oxidation � any impairment in this FA oxidation leads to hypoglycemia. This occurs in various states of carnitine deficiency or deficiency of essential enzymes in FA oxidation

Oxidation of fatty acids Oxidation of fatty acids Oxidation of fatty acids Oxidation of fatty acids

• Occurs in mitochondria

• Origin of FA : blood & cells, transported in blood as “free fatty acids” (FFA = unesterified state)unesterified state)

• In plasma FFA of longer chain FA are combined with albumin and in the cell they are attached to a FA binding protein (protein Z).

• Shorter-chain FA are more water soluble and exist as the un-ionized acid or as a FA anion

• FA are activated before being

Oxidation of fatty acids (cont.)Oxidation of fatty acids (cont.)Oxidation of fatty acids (cont.)Oxidation of fatty acids (cont.)

• FA are activated before being catabolized � in the presence of ATP & CoA, acyl-CoA synthetase (thiokinase) catalyzes the conversion of FFA to “active fatty acid” or acyl-CoA:

FA + ATP + CoA � Acyl-CoA + PPi + AMP

• Long chain FA penetrate the inner mitochondrial membrane as carnitine derivatives

Acetyl-CoA Acetylcarnitine Carnitine acetyl

• Activation of lower FA & their oxidation within mitochondria may occur independently of carnitine

Acetyl-CoA + carnitine

Acetylcarnitine + CoA

.

Carnitine acetyl

transferase

Long-chain FA (Acyl-CoA cannot pass through the inner mitochondrial through the inner mitochondrial membrane, but its metabolic product, acylcarnitine, can

Role of carnitine in the transport of long-chain FA through the inner mitochondrial membrane

Transport of fatty acids from the cytoplasm to the inner mitochondrial space for oxidation. Following

activation to a fatty-CoA, the CoA is exchanged for carnitine by carnitine-palmitoyltransferase I. The

fatty-carnitine is then transported to the inside of the mitochondrion where a reversal exchange takes

place through the action of carnitine-palmitoyltransferase II. Once inside the mitochondrion the fatty-CoA

is a substrate for the b-oxidation machinery.

Types of FA oxidation Types of FA oxidation Types of FA oxidation Types of FA oxidation

• Alfa Oxidation : the removal of one carbon at a time from the carboxyl end of themolecule (have been detected in brain tissue => it does not require CoA intermediate and does not generate high intermediate and does not generate high energy-P

• Beta Oxidation : two carbon atoms are cleaved at a time from acyl-CoA molecules, starting at the carboxyl end to produce acetyl-CoA => produce a large quantity of ATP. It is the main FA oxidation

Types of FA oxidation (cont.)Types of FA oxidation (cont.)Types of FA oxidation (cont.)Types of FA oxidation (cont.)

• Omega Oxidation : normally a very minor pathway and is brought about by hydroxylase enzymes involving cytochrome P450 in endoplasmic reticulum � – CH3 group is converted to a H2OH group that subsequently converted to a H2OH group that subsequently is oxidized to -COOH thus forming dicarboxylic acid. This is usually β-oxidized to adipic (C6) and suberic (C8) acids which are excreted in the urine

• Oxidation of unsaturated FA occurs by a modified β-oxidation pathway

108

16

24

146

146 x 51.6* = 7533.6 kJ

Comparison of FA oxidation & FA Comparison of FA oxidation & FA Comparison of FA oxidation & FA Comparison of FA oxidation & FA biosynthesis (lipogenesis)biosynthesis (lipogenesis)biosynthesis (lipogenesis)biosynthesis (lipogenesis)

• Oxidation:Oxidation:Oxidation:Oxidation:

* location mitochondria

* uses NAD+ & FAD

• Lipogenesis:Lipogenesis:Lipogenesis:Lipogenesis:

* location cytosol

* uses NADP+ as coenzymes & * uses NAD+ & FAD

as coenzymes

* generates ATP

* involving acyl-CoA derivatives

coenzymes & requires ATP + bicarbonate ion

* involving acyl derivatives bound to the multienzyme complex

KetogenesisKetogenesisKetogenesisKetogenesis

• Ketogenesis is the generation of ketone bodies (acetoacetate, D(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate = β-OH-butyrate & acetone)acetone)

• Occurs when there is a high rate of FA oxidation in the liver

• The enzyme system is in mitochondriamitochondriamitochondriamitochondria, with FFA precursor in the liver

Ketogenesis (cont.)

• Two molecules of acetyl-CoA condence to form acetoacetyl-CoA, and with the addition of another acetyl-CoA produce 3-OH-3-methyl-acetyl-CoA produce 3-OH-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) catalyzed by HMG-CoA synthase

• HMG-CoA is an intermediate in the pathway of ketogenesis -> in the presence of HMG-CoA lyase is split into acetyl-CoA and acetoacetate

Ketogenesis (cont.)

• AcetoacetateAcetoacetateAcetoacetateAcetoacetate is in equilibrium with D(D(D(D(----))))----3333----OHOHOHOH----butyratebutyratebutyratebutyrate (predominant keton body present in the blood and urine in ketosis) catalyzed by D(-)-3-OH butyrate DH & NADH, or spontaneously converted into NADH, or spontaneously converted into acetone acetone acetone acetone releasing CO2

• Liver is the only organ in non-ruminants to add significant quantities of ketone bodies to the blood

Ketogenesis (cont.)

• Ketone bodies serve as a fuel for extrahepatic tissues � while acetoacetate & D(-)-3-OH butyrate are readily oxidized by extrahepatic tissues, acetone is difficult to oxidize in vivo and acetone is difficult to oxidize in vivo and volatilized in the lungs

• Prolonged ketosis leads to ketoacidosis (such as in DM). In starvation � simple ketosis

• Measurement of ketonemia is preferred than that of ketonuria

Clinical aspects of impaired oxidation of FA

• Carnitine deficiency

• Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I deficiency

• Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-II deficiency

• Acute fatty liver of pregnancy• Acute fatty liver of pregnancy

• HMG-CoA lyase deficiency

• Jamaican vomiting sickness

• Dicarboxylic aciduria

• Refsum’s disease

• Zellweger’s (cerebrohepatorenal) syndrome

Metabolism of Unsaturated FA

• Compared with plants, animal tissues have limited ability in desaturating FA �need PUFA (polyunsaturated FA) from a plant source which are essential FAessential FAessential FAessential FA to give rise to eicosanoic (C20) FA, from give rise to eicosanoic (C20) FA, from which are derived families of compounds known as eicosanoids.

• Eicosanoids are physiologicaly & pharmacologically active compounds known as prostaglandins (PG), tromboxanes (TX), leukotrienes (LT) & lipoxins (LX)

Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)

• Some PUFA cannot be synthesized by mammals and are therefore nutritionally essential

• Other C20, C22 & C24 polyenoic FA may • Other C20, C22 & C24 polyenoic FA may be detected in the tissues �may be derived from oleic, linoleic, & α-linoleic acids by chain elongation. The double bond present in naturally occuring unsaturated FA of mammals are the cis configuration

Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)

• Trans-UFA may compete with cis-UFA

• Up to 15% of tissue UFA have been found to be in trans configuration �metabolized more like saturated than like cis-UFAcis-UFA

�tend to raise LDL levels & lower HDL levels and thus contraindicated with respect to the prevention of atherosclerosis & coronary heart disease

� do not possess essent. FA activity and may antagonize the metabolism of essent. FA & exacerbate essent. FA deficiency

Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)

• Monounsaturated FA are synthesized by a ∆9 desaturase system and synthesis of PUFA involves desaturase and elongase enzyme systems

• Eicosanoids are formed from C20 PUFA • Eicosanoids are formed from C20 PUFA (arachidonate and some other C20 FA)

• Deficiency of essential PUFA (linoleic, linolenic & arachidonic acid) leads to a deficiency syndrome in experiment rats include scaly skin, necrosis of the tail, and lesion in the urinary system

Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)

• Essential PUFA functions are various, apart from prostaglandin & leukotriene formation. They are found in the formation. They are found in the structural lipids of the cell & are concerned with the structural integrity of the mitochondrial membrane

Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)Metabolism of Unsaturated FA (cont.)

Example : arachidonic acidarachidonic acidarachidonic acidarachidonic acid is present in membrane, accounts for 5-15% of FA in phospholipids; docosahexanoic aciddocosahexanoic aciddocosahexanoic aciddocosahexanoic acid(DHA ω3,2:6) synthesized from α-(DHA ω3,2:6) synthesized from α-linolenic acid or obtained directly from fish oils is present in high concentrations in retina, cerebral cortex, testis & sperm. DHA is particularly needed for development of the brain & retina and is supplied via the placenta & milk

Pathway from linoleic acid to arachidonic acid. Numbers in parentheses refer

to the fatty acid length and the number and positions of unsaturations.

Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of EicosanoidsEicosanoidsEicosanoidsEicosanoids

• Two pathways from arachidonate:

* Cyclooxygenase pathway forms Prostanoids (PG2 & TX2 series : PGD2, Prostanoids (PG2 & TX2 series : PGD2, PGE2, PGF2, PGI2, TXA2)

* Lypoxygenase pathway forms Leucotrienes (LTA4, LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, LTE4) & Lipoxins (LXA4, LXB4, LXC4, LXD4, LXE4)

PGE2

TXA2TXA2

LTA4

The eicosanoids consist of the prostaglandins (PGs), thromboxanes (TXs)

and leukotrienes (LTs). The PGs and TXs are collectively identified as

prostanoids.

Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Eicosanoids (cont.)Eicosanoids (cont.)Eicosanoids (cont.)Eicosanoids (cont.)

• Prostanoids are potent biologically active substances:

* thromboxanes are synthesized in * thromboxanes are synthesized in platelets and upon release cause vasoconstriction & platelet aggregation

* prostacyclins (PGI2) are produced by blood vessel walls and are potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation

Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Eicosanoids (cont.)Eicosanoids (cont.)Eicosanoids (cont.)Eicosanoids (cont.)

* Leucotrienes & lipoxins are potent regulators of many disease processes �a mixture of leucotrienes C4, D4 & E4 is a a mixture of leucotrienes C4, D4 & E4 is a slow reacting reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRA-A) which is 100-1000 times more potent than histamine or prostaglandins as a constrictor of the bronchial airway musculature

Synthesis of the clinically relevant prostaglandins and thromboxanes from arachidonic acid.

Numerous stimuli (e.g. epinephrine, thrombin and bradykinin) activate phospholipase A2

which hydrolyzes arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids. The prostaglandins are

identified as PG and the thromboxanes as TX. Prostaglandin PGI2 is also known as

prostacyclin. The subscript 2 in each molecule refers to the number of -C=C- present.

Synthesis of the clinically relevant leukotrienes from arachidonic acid. Numerous stimuli (e.g. epinephrine,

thrombin and bradykinin) activate phospholipase A2 which hydrolyzes arachidonic acid from membrane

phospholipids. The leukotrienes are identified as LT. The leukotrienes, LTC4, LTD4, LTE4 and LTF4 are

known as the peptidoleukotrienes because of the presence of amino acids. The peptidoleukotrienes,

LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4 are components of slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis The subscript 4 in

each molecule refers to the number of -C=C- present.

Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Biosynthetic pathways of Eicosanoids (cont.)Eicosanoids (cont.)Eicosanoids (cont.)Eicosanoids (cont.)

� together with LT B4 also cause vascular permeability, attraction & activation of leukocytes � seems to activation of leukocytes � seems to be important regulators in many diseases involving inflammatory or immediate hypersensitivity reactions, such as asthma

Membrane phospholipid

Arachidonate

PHOSPHOLIPASE

A2

Various stuimuli, e.g.

Angiotensin II,

bradykinin.,

Epinephrine

thrombin

Arachidonate

LeukotrienesLipoxins

ProstaglandinsThromboxanes

LIPOXYGENASE CYCLOOXYGENASE