title: NPC1-containing compartment of human granulosa-lutein cells: a role in the intracellular trafficking of cholesterol supporting steroidogenesis.
abstract: Steroidogenic cells represent unique systems for the exploration of intracellular cholesterol trafficking. We employed cytochemical and biochemical methods to explore the expression, regulation, and function of the Niemann-Pick C1 protein (NPC1) in human granulosa-lutein cells. NPC1 was localized in a subset of lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 2 (LAMP-2)-positive vesicles. By analyzing the sensitivity of NPC1 N-linked oligosaccharide chains to glycosidases and neuraminidase, evidence was obtained for movement of nascent NPC1 from the endoplasmic reticulum through the medial and trans compartments of the Golgi apparatus prior to its appearance in cytoplasmic vesicles. NPC1 protein content and the morphology and cellular distribution of NPC1-containing vesicles were not affected by treatment of the granulosa-lutein cells with 8-Br-cAMP, which stimulates cholesterol metabolism into progesterone. In contrast, steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein levels were increased by 8-Br-cAMP. Incubation of granulosa-lutein cells with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the presence of the hydrophobic amine, U18666A, caused accumulation of free cholesterol in granules, identified by filipin staining, that contained LAMP-2 and NPC1. These granules also stained for neutral lipid with Nile red, reflecting accumulation of LDL-derived cholesterol esters. LDL-stimulated progesterone synthesis was completely blocked by U18666A, leaving steroid output at levels similar to those of cells incubated in the absence of LDL. The hydrophobic amine also blocked the LDL augmentation of 8-Br-cAMP-stimulated progesterone synthesis, reducing steroid production to levels seen in cells stimulated with 8-Br-cAMP in the absence of LDL. Steroidogenesis recovered after U18666A was removed from the culture medium. U18666A treatment caused a 2-fold or more increase in NPC1 protein and mRNA levels, suggesting that disruption of NPC1's function activates a compensatory mechanism resulting in increased NPC1 synthesis. We conclude that the NPC1 compartment plays an important role in the trafficking of LDL-derived substrate in steroidogenic cells; that NPC1 expression is up-regulated when NPC1 action is blocked; and that the NPC1 compartment can be functionally separated from other intracellular pathways contributing substrate for steroidogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watari
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Blanchette-Mackie
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Dwyer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Glick
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Neufeld
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Pentchev
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Strauss
mesh_terms: D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000736:Androstenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001692:Biological Transport; D016466:CHO Cells; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000494:pharmacology; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D000077296:Niemann-Pick C1 Protein; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011372:Progestins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C106881:NPC1 protein, human; D000077296:Niemann-Pick C1 Protein; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011372:Progestins; D011506:Proteins; D013256:Steroids; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; C006261:3-beta-(2-(diethylamino)ethoxy)androst-5-en-17-one; D011374:Progesterone; D002784:Cholesterol