Publications

• Biochemical and pharmacological characterization of the human lymphocyte antigen B-associated transcript 5 (BAT5/ABHD16A).

  Savinainen J.R., Patel J.Z., Parkkari T., Navia-Paldanius D., Marjamaa J.J., Laitinen T., Nevalainen T., Laitinen J.T.

  <h4>Background</h4>Human lymphocyte antigen B-associated transcript 5 (BAT5, also known as ABHD16A) is a poorly characterized 63 kDa protein belonging to the α/β-hydrolase domain (ABHD) containing family of metabolic serine hydrolases. Its natural substrates and biochemical properties are unknown. ... >> More

  <h4>Background</h4>Human lymphocyte antigen B-associated transcript 5 (BAT5, also known as ABHD16A) is a poorly characterized 63 kDa protein belonging to the α/β-hydrolase domain (ABHD) containing family of metabolic serine hydrolases. Its natural substrates and biochemical properties are unknown.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>Amino acid sequence comparison between seven mammalian BAT5 orthologs revealed that the overall primary structure was highly (≥95%) conserved. Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) confirmed successful generation of catalytically active human (h) and mouse (m) BAT5 in HEK293 cells, enabling further biochemical characterization. A sensitive fluorescent glycerol assay reported hBAT5-mediated hydrolysis of medium-chain saturated (C14:0), long-chain unsaturated (C18:1, C18:2, C20:4) monoacylglycerols (MAGs) and 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2-2-glycerol ester (15d-PGJ2-G). In contrast, hBAT5 possessed only marginal diacylglycerol (DAG), triacylglycerol (TAG), or lysophospholipase activity. The best MAG substrates were 1-linoleylglycerol (1-LG) and 15d-PGJ2-G, both exhibiting low-micromolar Km values. BAT5 had a neutral pH optimum and showed preference for the 1(3)-vs. 2-isomers of MAGs C18:1, C18:2 and C20:4. Inhibitor profiling revealed that β-lactone-based lipase inhibitors were nanomolar inhibitors of hBAT5 activity (palmostatin B > tetrahydrolipstatin > ebelactone A). Moreover, the hormone-sensitive lipase inhibitor C7600 (5-methoxy-3-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-3H-[1], [3], [4]oxadiazol-2-one) was identified as a highly potent inhibitor (IC50 8.3 nM). Phenyl and benzyl substituted analogs of C7600 with increased BAT5 selectivity were synthesized and a preliminary SAR analysis was conducted to obtain initial insights into the active site dimensions.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>This study provides an initial characterization of BAT5 activity, unveiling the biochemical and pharmacological properties with in vitro substrate preferences and inhibitor profiles. Utilization of glycerolipid substrates and sensitivity to lipase inhibitors suggest that BAT5 is a genuine lipase with preference for long-chain unsaturated MAGs and could in this capacity regulate glycerolipid metabolism in vivo as well. This preliminary SAR data should pave the way towards increasingly potent and BAT5-selective inhibitors. << Less

  PLoS ONE 9:E109869-E109869(2014) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 10 other entries.

• Mutation of Cys242 of human monoacylglycerol lipase disrupts balanced hydrolysis of 1- and 2-monoacylglycerols and selectively impairs inhibitor potency.

  Laitinen T., Navia-Paldanius D., Rytilahti R., Marjamaa J.J., Karizkova J., Parkkari T., Pantsar T., Poso A., Laitinen J.T., Savinainen J.R.

  Considerable progress has been made in recent years in developing selective, potent monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors. In the investigations of measures to inhibit this enzyme, less attention has been paid to improving our understanding of its catalytic mechanisms or substrate preferences. ... >> More

  Considerable progress has been made in recent years in developing selective, potent monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors. In the investigations of measures to inhibit this enzyme, less attention has been paid to improving our understanding of its catalytic mechanisms or substrate preferences. In our study, we used site-directed mutagenesis, and we show via versatile activity assays combined with molecular modeling that Cys242 and Tyr194, the two opposing amino acid residues in the catalytic cavity of MAGL, play important roles in determining the rate and the isomer preferences of monoacylglycerol hydrolysis. In contrast to wild-type enzymes that hydrolyzed 1- and 2-monoacylglycerols at similar rates, mutation of Cys242 to alanine caused a significant reduction in overall activity (maximal velocity, Vmax), particularly skewing the balanced hydrolysis of isomers to favor the 2-isomer. Molecular modeling studies indicate that this was caused by structural features unfavorable toward 1-isomers as well as impaired recognition of OH-groups in the glycerol moiety. Direct functional involvement of Cys242 in the catalysis was found unlikely due to the remote distance from the catalytic serine. Unlike C242A, mutation of Tyr194 did not bias the hydrolysis of 1- and 2-monoacylglycerols but significantly compromised overall activity. Finally, mutation of Cys242 was also found to impair inhibition of MAGL, especially that by fluorophosphonate derivatives (13-to 63-fold reduction in potency). Taken together, this study provides new experimental and modeling insights into the molecular mechanisms of MAGL-catalyzed hydrolysis of the primary endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol and related monoacylglycerols. << Less

  Mol. Pharmacol. 85:510-519(2014) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 13 other entries.

• Biochemical and pharmacological characterization of human alpha/beta-hydrolase domain containing 6 (ABHD6) and 12 (ABHD12).

  Navia-Paldanius D., Savinainen J.R., Laitinen J.T.

  In the central nervous system, three enzymes belonging to the serine hydrolase family are thought to regulate the life time of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (C20:4) (2-AG). From these, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is well characterized and, on a quantitative basis, is the main 2-AG ... >> More

  In the central nervous system, three enzymes belonging to the serine hydrolase family are thought to regulate the life time of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (C20:4) (2-AG). From these, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is well characterized and, on a quantitative basis, is the main 2-AG hydrolase. The postgenomic proteins α/β-hydrolase domain containing (ABHD)6 and ABHD12 remain poorly characterized. By applying a sensitive fluorescent glycerol assay, we delineate the substrate preferences of human ABHD6 and ABHD12 in comparison with MAGL. We show that the three hydrolases are genuine MAG lipases; medium-chain saturated MAGs were the best substrates for hABHD6 and hMAGL, whereas hABHD12 preferred the 1 (3)- and 2-isomers of arachidonoylglycerol. Site-directed mutagenesis of the amino acid residues forming the postulated catalytic triad (ABHD6: S148-D278-H306, ABHD12: S246-D333-H372) abolished enzymatic activity as well as labeling with the active site serine-directed fluorophosphonate probe TAMRA-FP. However, the role of D278 and H306 as residues of the catalytic core of ABHD6 could not be verified because none of the mutants showed detectable expression. Inhibitor profiling revealed striking potency differences between hABHD6 and hABHD12, a finding that, when combined with the substrate profiling data, should facilitate further efforts toward the design of potent and selective inhibitors, especially those targeting hABHD12, which currently lacks such inhibitors. << Less

  J. Lipid Res. 53:2413-2424(2012) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 10 other entries.

• Identification of Yju3p as functional orthologue of mammalian monoglyceride lipase in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

  Heier C., Taschler U., Rengachari S., Oberer M., Wolinski H., Natter K., Kohlwein S.D., Leber R., Zimmermann R.

  Monoacylglycerols (MAGs) are short-lived intermediates of glycerolipid metabolism. Specific molecular species, such as 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which is a potent activator of cannabinoid receptors, may also function as lipid signaling molecules. In mammals, enzymes hydrolyzing MAG to glycerol and f ... >> More

  Monoacylglycerols (MAGs) are short-lived intermediates of glycerolipid metabolism. Specific molecular species, such as 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which is a potent activator of cannabinoid receptors, may also function as lipid signaling molecules. In mammals, enzymes hydrolyzing MAG to glycerol and fatty acids, resembling the final step in lipolysis, or esterifying MAG to diacylglycerol, are well known; however, despite the high level of conservation of lipolysis, the corresponding activities in yeast have not been characterized yet. Here we provide evidence that the protein Yju3p functions as a potent MAG hydrolase in yeast. Cellular MAG hydrolase activity was decreased by more than 90% in extracts of Yju3p-deficient cells, indicating that Yju3p accounts for the vast majority of this activity in yeast. Loss of this activity was restored by heterologous expression of murine monoglyceride lipase (MGL). Since yju3Delta mutants accumulated MAG in vivo only at very low concentrations, we considered the possibility that MAGs are re-esterified into DAG by acyltransferases. Indeed, cellular MAG levels were further increased in mutant cells lacking Yju3p and Dga1p or Lro1p acyltransferase activities. In conclusion, our studies suggest that catabolic and anabolic reactions affect cellular MAG levels. Yju3p is the functional orthologue of mammalian MGL and is required for efficient degradation of MAG in yeast. << Less

  Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1801:1063-1071(2010) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 11 other entries.