Overexpression of CD36 and acyl-CoA synthetases FATP2, FATP4 and ACSL1 increases fatty acid uptake in human hepatoma cells.

Background: Understanding the mechanisms of long chain fatty acid (LCFA) uptake in hepatic cells is of high medical importance to treat and to prevent fatty liver disease (FLD). ACSs (Acyl-CoA synthetases) are a family of enzymes that catalyze the esterification of fatty acids (FA) with CoA. Recent studies suggest that ACS enzymes drive the uptake of LCFA indirectly by their enzymatic activity and could promote special metabolic pathways dependent on their localization.

FATP4 contributes as an enzyme to the basal and insulin-mediated fatty acid uptake of C₂C₁₂ muscle cells.

The function of membrane proteins in long-chain fatty acid transport is controversial. The acyl-CoA synthetase fatty acid transport protein-4 (FATP4) has been suggested to facilitate fatty acid uptake indirectly by its enzymatic activity, or directly by transport across the plasma membrane. Here, we investigated the function of FATP4 in basal and insulin mediated fatty acid uptake in C(2)C(12) muscle cells, a model system relevant for fatty acid metabolism.

Silybin and dehydrosilybin decrease glucose uptake by inhibiting GLUT proteins.

Silybin, the major flavonoid of Silybum marianum, is widely used to treat liver diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis-associated insulin resistance. Research so far has focused on its anti-oxidant properties. Here, we demonstrate that silybin and its derivative dehydrosilybin inhibit glucose uptake in several model systems.

Lipid droplets lighting up: insights from live microscopy.

Lipid droplets emerge as important intracellular organelles relevant for lipid homeostasis and the pathophysiology of metabolic diseases. Here, we present a personal view on the current knowledge about the biogenesis of mammalian cytoplasmic lipid droplets, with a focus on microscopy and especially live imaging. We also discuss difficulties related to the lipid droplet proteome, contentious views on lipid droplet growth, and last but not least the evidence for the heterogeneity of lipid droplets within a single cell.

Acyl-CoA synthetases: fatty acid uptake and metabolic channeling.

The molecular mechanism of fatty acid uptake and utilization is of high medical relevance for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Neuronal processes, hormones, and transcription factors are master regulators of these essential processes while their fine-tuning is achieved by modulating the activity and amount of enzymes. Proteins involved in fatty acid uptake and metabolism are important pharmaceutical targets.

Cloning and sequencing of a highly productive, endotheliotropic virus strain derived from human cytomegalovirus TB40/E.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strain TB40/E, replicates efficiently, exhibits a broad cell tropism and is widely used for infection of endothelial cells and monocyte-derived cells yet has not been available in a phenotypically homogeneous form compatible with genetic analysis. To overcome this problem, we cloned the TB40/E strain into a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vector. Both highly endotheliotropic and poorly endotheliotropic virus clones, representing three distinct restriction fragment patterns, were reconstituted after transfection of BAC clones derived from previously plaque-purified strain TB40/E.

UL74 of human cytomegalovirus contributes to virus release by promoting secondary envelopment of virions.

The glycoprotein (g) complex gH/gL represents an essential part of the herpesvirus fusion machinery mediating entry of cell-free virions and cell-associated viral spread. In some herpesviruses additional proteins are associated with gH/gL contributing to the cell tropism of the respective virus. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gH/gL forms complexes with either gO (UL74) or proteins of the UL128-131A gene locus.

Evidence for direct transfer of cytoplasmic material from infected to uninfected cells during cell-associated spread of human cytomegalovirus.

Cell-associated spread is assumed to be the predominant mode of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) dissemination in infected patients, however the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that cell-to-cell spread of HCMV may be associated with direct transfer of cytoplasmic material by analyzing focal growth of green fluorescent HCMVDeltaUL16GFP. In this recombinant virus, UL16 was partially replaced by the green fluorescent protein (EGFP).