ABCB10 exports mitochondrial biliverdin, driving metabolic maladaptation in obesity.

Although the role of hydrophilic antioxidants in the development of hepatic insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has been well studied, the role of lipophilic antioxidants remains poorly characterized. A known lipophilic hydrogen peroxide scavenger is bilirubin, which can be oxidized to biliverdin and then reduced back to bilirubin by cytosolic biliverdin reductase. Oxidation of bilirubin to biliverdin inside mitochondria must be followed by the export of biliverdin to the cytosol, where biliverdin is reduced back to bilirubin. Thus, the putative mitochondrial exporter of biliverdin is expected to be a major determinant of bilirubin regeneration and intracellular hydrogen peroxide scavenging. Here, we identified ABCB10 as a mitochondrial biliverdin exporter. ABCB10 reconstituted into liposomes transported biliverdin, and ABCB10 deletion caused accumulation of biliverdin inside mitochondria. Obesity with insulin resistance up-regulated hepatic ABCB10 expression in mice and elevated cytosolic and mitochondrial bilirubin content in an ABCB10-dependent manner. Revealing a maladaptive role of ABCB10-driven bilirubin synthesis, hepatic ABCB10 deletion protected diet-induced obese mice from steatosis and hyperglycemia, improving insulin-mediated suppression of glucose production and decreasing lipogenic SREBP-1c expression. Protection was concurrent with enhanced mitochondrial function and increased inactivation of PTP1B, a phosphatase disrupting insulin signaling and elevating SREBP-1c expression. Restoration of cellular bilirubin content in ABCB10 KO hepatocytes reversed the improvements in mitochondrial function and PTP1B inactivation, demonstrating that bilirubin was the maladaptive effector linked to ABCB10 function. Thus, we identified a fundamental transport process that amplifies intracellular bilirubin redox actions, which can exacerbate insulin resistance and steatosis in obesity.

Structures and functions of mitochondrial ABC transporters.

A small number of physiologically important ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are found in mitochondria. Most are half transporters of the B group forming homodimers and their topology suggests they function as exporters. The results of mutant studies point towards involvement in iron cofactor biosynthesis. In particular, ABC subfamily B member 7 (ABCB7) and its homologues in yeast and plants are required for iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biosynthesis outside of the mitochondria, whereas ABCB10 is involved in haem biosynthesis. They also play a role in preventing oxidative stress. Mutations in ABCB6 and ABCB7 have been linked to human disease. Recent crystal structures of yeast Atm1 and human ABCB10 have been key to identifying substrate-binding sites and transport mechanisms. Combined with in vitro and in vivo studies, progress is being made to find the physiological substrates of the different mitochondrial ABC transporters.

Substrate-bound outward-open state of the betaine transporter BetP provides insights into Na+ coupling.

The Na(+)-coupled betaine symporter BetP shares a highly conserved fold with other sequence unrelated secondary transporters, for example, with neurotransmitter symporters. Recently, we obtained atomic structures of BetP in distinct conformational states, which elucidated parts of its alternating-access mechanism. Here, we report a structure of BetP in a new outward-open state in complex with an anomalous scattering substrate, adding a fundamental piece to an unprecedented set of structural snapshots for a secondary transporter. In combination with molecular dynamics simulations these structural data highlight important features of the sequential formation of the substrate and sodium-binding sites, in which coordinating water molecules play a crucial role. We observe a strictly interdependent binding of betaine and sodium ions during the coupling process. All three sites undergo progressive reshaping and dehydration during the alternating-access cycle, with the most optimal coordination of all substrates found in the closed state.

The role of cholesterol on the activity and stability of neurotensin receptor 1.

Understanding the role of specific bilayer components in controlling the function of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) will be a key factor in the development of novel pharmaceuticals. Cholesterol-dependence in particular has become an area of keen interest with respect to GPCR function; not least since the 2.6Å crystal structure of the ß2 adrenergic receptor revealed a putative cholesterol binding motif conserved throughout class-A GPCRs. Furthermore, experimental evidence for cholesterol-dependent GPCR function has been demonstrated in a limited number of cases. This modulation of receptor function has been attributed to both direct interactions between cholesterol and receptor, and indirect effects caused by the influence of cholesterol on bilayer order and lateral pressure. Despite the widespread occurrence of cholesterol binding motifs, available experimental data on the functional involvement of cholesterol on GPCRs are currently limited to a small number of receptors. Here we investigate the role of cholesterol in the function of the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTS1) a class-A GPCR. Specifically we show how cholesterol, and the analogue cholesteryl hemisuccinate, influence activity, stability, and oligomerisation of both purified and reconstituted NTS1. The results caution against using such motifs as indicators of cholesterol-dependent GPCR activity.