Lack of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase impairs lipid mobilization from mouse adipose tissue.

In adipose tissue, glucocorticoids regulate lipogenesis and lipolysis. Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) is an enzyme located in the endoplasmic reticulum that provides a cofactor for the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1), regulating the set point of its activity and allowing for tissue-specific activation of glucocorticoids. The aim of this study was to examine the adipose tissue biology of the H6PDH null (H6PDH/KO) mouse. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed similar mRNA levels of 11beta-HSD1 and glucocorticoid receptor-alpha in wild-type (WT) and H6PDH/KO mice in liver and gonadal fat depots. Microsomal 11beta-HSD1 protein levels shown by Western blot analysis corresponded well with mRNA expression in gonadal fat of WT and H6PDH/KO mice. Despite this, the enzyme directionality in these tissues changed from predominately oxoreductase in WT to exclusively dehydrogenase activity in the H6PDH/KO mice. In the fed state, H6PDH/KO mice had reduced adipose tissue mass, but histological examination revealed no difference in average adipocyte size between genotypes. mRNA expression levels of the key lipogenic enzymes, acetyl CoA carboxylase, adiponutrin, and stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-2, were decreased in H6PDH/KO mice, indicative of impaired lipogenesis. In addition, lipolysis rates were also impaired in the H6PDH/KO as determined by lack of mobilization of fat and no change in serum free fatty acid concentrations upon fasting. In conclusion, in the absence of H6PDH, the set point of 11beta-HSD1 enzyme activity is switched from predominantly oxoreductase to dehydrogenase activity in adipose tissue; as a consequence, this leads to impairment of fat storage and mobilization.

Hypoglycemia with enhanced hepatic glycogen synthesis in recombinant mice lacking hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) knockout (KO) mice have reduced generation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced) within the endoplasmic reticulum. As a consequence, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme activity switches from a reductase to a dehydrogenase leading to glucocorticoid inactivation. 11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 has emerged as an important factor in regulating hepatic glucose output; therefore, we examined aspects of glucose homeostasis in KO mice. Compared with wild-type mice, KO mice reduced weight gain, displayed peripheral fasting hypoglycemia, improved glucose tolerance, and elevated plasma corticosterone concentrations. Plasma insulin levels in fed and fasted KO mice are normal; however, insulin and plasma glucose levels are reduced 4 h after fasted animals are refed, indicating improved insulin sensitivity. There is preserved induction and activity of the glucocorticoid-responsive gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in fasted KO mice. Glycogen storage is elevated in fed KO liver, with fed glycogenesis rates increased in KO mice. There is normal flux of lactate through gluconeogenesis recovered as plasma glucose, coupled with increased glycogen derived from lactate. These data suggest partial retention of glucocorticoid sensitivity at the level of the liver. We therefore postulate that increased glycogen synthesis may reflect increased flux of glucose-6-phosphate (H6PDH substrate) through to glycogen in the absence of H6PDH mediated metabolism.

Minireview: hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and redox control of 11{beta}-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity.

Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) is a microsomal enzyme that is able to catalyze the first two reactions of an endoluminal pentose phosphate pathway, thereby generating reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) within the endoplasmic reticulum. It is distinct from the cytosolic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), using a separate pool of NAD(P)+ and capable of oxidizing several phosphorylated hexoses. It has been proposed to be a NADPH regenerating system for steroid hormone and drug metabolism, specifically in determining the set point of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) activity, the enzyme responsible for the activation and inactivation of glucocorticoids. 11beta-HSD1 is a bidirectional enzyme, but in intact cells displays predominately oxo-reductase activity, a reaction requiring NADPH and leading to activation of glucocorticoids. However, in cellular homogenates or in purified preparations, 11beta-HSD1 is exclusively a dehydrogenase. Because H6PDH and 11beta-HSD1 are coexpressed in the inner microsomal compartment of cells, we hypothesized that H6PDH may provide 11beta-HSD1 with NADPH, thus promoting oxo-reductase activity in vivo. Recently, several studies have confirmed this functional cooperation, indicating the importance of intracellular redox mechanisms for the prereceptor control of glucocorticoid availability. With the increased interest in 11beta-HSD1 oxo-reductase activity in the pathogenesis and treatment of several human diseases including insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome, H6PDH represents an additional novel candidate for intervention.

Estrogen replacement reverses the hepatic steatosis phenotype in the male aromatase knockout mouse.

The aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse cannot synthesize endogenous estrogens due to a disruption to the Cyp19 gene. Previously we have shown both male and female ArKO mice have an age progressive obese phenotype and a sexually dimorphic disruption to hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride homeostasis. Only ArKO males have elevated hepatic triglyceride levels leading to hepatic steatosis partly due to an increase in expression of enzymes involved in de novo lipogenesis and transporters involved in fatty acid uptake. In this study ArKO males were treated with 17beta-estradiol (3 microg/ kg x d) at 18 wk old for 6 wk. Wild-type controls were not treated, and ArKO controls received vehicle oil injections. Estrogen replacement reverses the previously reported obese and fatty liver phenotypes; this was achieved by reductions in gonadal, visceral, and brown adipose tissue weights and significantly decreased hepatic triglyceride levels. Estrogen deficiency led to a significant up-regulation of hepatic fatty acid synthase expression, which was reduced with 17beta-estradiol replacement, although not quite reaching significance. Acetyl Coenzyme A carboxylase alpha mRNA expression showed no significant changes. Expression of transcripts encoding adipocyte differentiated regulatory protein, a fatty acid transporter, was significantly elevated in estrogen-deficient males, and 17beta-estradiol replacement significantly reduced these levels. Scavenger receptor class b type 1 showed no significantly changes. This study reveals that the previously reported disruption to triglyceride homeostasis in estrogen-deficient males can be reversed with 17beta-estradiol treatment, indicating an important role for estrogen in maintaining triglyceride and fatty acid homeostasis in males.

The aromatase knockout mouse presents with a sexually dimorphic disruption to cholesterol homeostasis.

The aromatase knockout (ArKO) mouse cannot synthesize endogenous estrogens due to disruption of the Cyp19 gene. We have shown previously, that ArKO mice present with age-progressive obesity and hepatic steatosis, and by 1 yr of age both male and female ArKO mice develop hypercholesterolemia. In this present study 10- to 12-wk-old ArKO mice were challenged for 90 d with high cholesterol diets. Our results show a sexually dimorphic response to estrogen deficiency in terms of cholesterol homeostasis in the liver. ArKO females presented with elevated serum cholesterol; conversely, ArKO males had elevated hepatic cholesterol levels. In response to dietary cholesterol, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase transcript levels were significantly reduced in females, whereas males showed more modest changes. Neither low density lipoprotein nor sterol regulatory element-binding protein expression levels were significantly altered by diet or genotype. The expression of Cyp7a, which encodes cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, was significantly reduced in ArKO females compared with wild-type females and was increased by cholesterol feeding. Cyp7a expression was significantly elevated in the wild-type males on the high cholesterol diet, although no difference was seen between genotypes on the control diet. The ATP-binding cassette G5 and ATP-binding cassette G8 transporters do not appear to be regulated by estrogen. The expression of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 showed a sexually dimorphic response, where estrogen appeared to have a stimulatory effect in females, but not males. This study reveals a sexually dimorphic difference in mouse hepatic cholesterol homeostasis and roles for estrogen in the regulation of cholesterol uptake, biosynthesis, and catabolism in the female, but not in the male.