Abstract

The liver distributes serum triacylglycerol (TAG) via the very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and an increase in VLDL production may result in hyperlipidemia. VLDL synthesis consists of lipidation of Apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB) as it is co- translationally translocated across the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, and this nascent VLDL particle must undergo subsequent maturation and post-translational modification in the Golgi. The ER-to-Golgi trafficking of VLDL represents the rate-limiting step in VLDL secretion and is mediated by the VLDL Transport Vesicle (VTV). Many in vivo studies have indicated that vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) supplementation protects against atherosclerosis and can reduce hepatic steatosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but its effects at the molecular level on hepatic lipid metabolism are poorly understood. To investigate the effects of alpha-tocopherol on hepatic VLDL secretion and cellular lipid retention, we performed several experiments in HepG2 (human) and McARH- 7777 (rat) hepatoma cell lines including pulse-chase experiments using 3H-oleic acid (3H- OA), confocal microscopy with BODIPY lipid droplet staining, and an in vitro VTV budding assay. Our results demonstrate a significant reduction of 3H-TAG secretion and ApoB media expression in response to 100 uM alpha-tocopherol, with a corresponding decrease in markers of VTV biogenesis in western blots of whole cell lysates (WCL) and retention of ApoB within the cell, indicating disruption of an early step in VLDL biogenesis. Further evidence indicates an increase in size and lipidation of the VTV and VLDL particle. BODIPY staining as well as 3H-TAG retention in WCLs was also sharply reduced. Overall, these results indicate that alpha-tocopherol reduces VLDL secretion, partially disrupts hepatic VLDL synthesis and VTV biogenesis, increases the lipidation of remaining VLDL particles, and diminishes overall cellular lipid droplet retention.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2019

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Siddiqi, Shadab

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Medicine

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Degree Program

Biotechnology

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0007617

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0007617

Language

English

Release Date

August 2024

Length of Campus-only Access

5 years

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Campus-only Access)

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