Loss of ceramide synthase 3 causes lethal skin barrier disruption

The stratum corneum as the outermost epidermal layer protects against exsiccation and infection. Both the underlying cornified envelope (CE) and the intercellular lipid matrix contribute essentially to these two main protective barriers. Epidermis-unique ceramides with ultra-long-chain acyl moities (ULC-Cers) are key components of extracellular lipid lamellae (ELL) and are bound to CE proteins, thereby contributing to the cornified lipid envelope (CLE). Here, we identified human and mouse ceramide synthase 3 (CerS3), among CerS1-6, to be exclusively required for the ULC-Cer synthesis in vitro and of mouse CerS3 in vivo. Deficiency of CerS3 in mice results in complete loss of ULC-Cers (≥C26), lack of continuous ELL and a non-functional CLE. Consequently, newborn mutant mice die shortly after birth from transepidermal water loss. Mutant skin is prone to Candida albicans infection highlighting ULC-Cers to be pivotal for both barrier functions. Persistent periderm, hyperkeratosis and deficient cornification are hallmarks of mutant skin demonstrating loss of Cers to trigger a keratinocyte maturation arrest at an embryonic pre-barrier stag

RhoA Regulates Peroxisome Association to Microtubules and the Actin Cytoskeleton

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Defects in myelination, paranode organization and Purkinje cell innervation in the ether lipid-deficient mouse cerebellum

Ether lipids (ELs), particularly plasmalogens, are essential constituents of the mammalian central nervous system. The physiological role of ELs, in vivo, however is still enigmatic. In the present study, we characterized a mouse model carrying a targeted deletion of the peroxisomal dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase gene that results in the complete lack of ELs. Investigating the cerebellum of these mice, we observed: (i) defects in foliation patterning and delay in precursor granule cell migration, (ii) defects in myelination and concomitant reduction in the level of myelin basic protein, (iii) disturbances in paranode organization by extending the Caspr distribution and disrupting axo-glial septate-like junctions, (iv) impaired innervation of Purkinje cells by both parallel fibers and climbing fibers and (v) formation of axon swellings by the accumulation of inositol-tris-phosphate receptor 1 containing smooth ER-like tubuli. Functionally, conduction velocity of myelinated axons in the corpus callosum was significantly reduced. Most of these phenotypes were already apparent at P20 but still persisted in 1-year-old animals. In summary, these data show that EL deficiency results in severe developmental and lasting structural alterations at the cellular and network level of the cerebellum, and reveal an important role of ELs for proper brain function. Common molecular mechanisms that may underlie these phenotypes are discussed

Multiple essential roles for primary cilia in heart development

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The primary cilium is a microtubule-based, plasma membrane-ensheathed protrusion projecting from the basal bodies of almost all cell types in the mammalian body. In the past several years a plethora of papers has indicated a crucial role for primary cilia in the development of a wide variety of organs. We have investigated heart development in <it>cobblestone</it>, a hypomorphic allele of the gene encoding the intraflagellar transport protein Ift88, and uncovered a number of the most common congenital heart defects seen in newborn humans.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We generated serial sections of mutant <it>cobblestone</it> and wild type embryos in the region encompassing the heart and the cardiac outflow tract. The sections were further processed to generate three-dimensional reconstructions of these structures, and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and <it>in situ</it> hybridization were used to examine signal transduction pathways in the relevant areas. Whole mount <it>in situ</it> hybridization was also employed for certain developmental markers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In addition to an enlarged pericardium and failure of both ventricular and atrial septum formation, the <it>cobblestone</it> mutants displayed manifold defects in outflow tract formation, including persistent truncus arteriosus, an overriding aorta, and abnormal transformation of the aortic arches. To discern the basis of these anomalies we examined both the maintenance of primary cilia as well as endogenous and migratory embryonic cell populations that contribute to the outflow tract and atrioventricular septa. The colonization of the embryonic heart by cardiac neural crest occurred normally in the <it>cobblestone</it> mutant, as did the expression of <it>Sonic hedgehog</it>. However, with the loss of primary cilia in the mutant hearts, there was a loss of both downstream Sonic hedgehog signaling and of Islet 1 expression in the second heart field, a derivative of the pharyngeal mesoderm. In addition, defects were recorded in development of atrial laterality and ventricular myocardiogenesis. Finally, we observed a reduction in expression of <it>Bmp4</it> in the outflow tract, and complete loss of expression of both <it>Bmp2</it> and <it>Bmp4</it> in the atrioventricular endocardial cushions. Loss of BMP2/4 signaling may result in the observed proliferative defect in the endocardial cushions, which give rise to both the atrioventricular septa as well as to the septation of the outflow tract.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Taken together, our results potentially identify a novel link between Sonic hedgehog signaling at the primary cilium and BMP-dependent effects upon cardiogenesis. Our data further point to a potential linkage of atrioventricular septal defects, the most common congenital heart defects, to genes of the transport machinery or basal body of the cilia.</p

Ether lipid biosynthesis: isolation and molecular characterization of human dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase

AbstractIn this paper we describe isolation and molecular characterization of human dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase (DAP-AT). The enzyme was extracted from rabbit Harderian gland peroxisomes and isolated as a trimeric complex by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. From peptide sequences matching EST-clones were obtained which allowed cloning and sequencing of the cDNA from a human cDNA library. The nucleotide-derived amino acid sequence revealed a protein consisting of 680 amino acid residues of molecular mass 77 187 containing a C-terminal type 1 peroxisomal targeting signal. Monospecific antibodies raised against this polypeptide efficiently immunoprecipitated DAP-AT activity from solubilized peroxisomal preparations, thus demonstrating that the cloned cDNA codes for DAP-AT