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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.08.07.241471

Acat1 gene KO restores TGN cholesterol deficiency in mutant NPC1 cells and expands mutant Npc1 mouse lifespan

Chang, T.-Y.·Chang, C. C.·Rogers, M. A.
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Abstract

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) is a neurological disorder with no cure. NPC proteins deliver cholesterol from endosomes to other compartments including trans-Golgi network (TGN) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) is a resident ER enzyme that converts cholesterol to cholesteryl esters for storage. Here, we report the surprising finding that in a mutant Npc1 mice, Acat1-deficiency delayed the onset of weight loss and declining motor skill, prolonged lifespan, delayed Purkinje neuron death, and improved hepatosplenic pathology. Furthermore, syntaxin 6, a cholesterol-binding t-SNARE normally localized to TGN, is mislocalized in mutant NPC cells. However, upon ACAT1 inhibition this mislocalization is corrected, and increase the level of a few proteins further downstream. Our results imply that ACAT1 inhibition diverts a cholesterol storage pool in a way that replenished the low cholesterol level in NPC-deficient TGN. Taking together, we identify ACAT1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic target for NPC treatment.

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Chang, T.-Y., Chang, C. C., Rogers, M. A.. 2020-08-07. Acat1 gene KO restores TGN cholesterol deficiency in mutant NPC1 cells and expands mutant Npc1 mouse lifespan. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.07.241471

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