Academic literature on the topic 'Seipine'

Homozygous mutations in BSCL2 (Berardinelli–Seip congenital lipodystrophy)/seipin cause CGL2 (congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 2). Recent data suggest that seipin regulates LD (lipid droplet) dynamics and adipocyte differentiation, but whether these roles are mechanistically linked remains unclear. To understand how seipin regulates these processes, we investigated the evolutionary changes of seipin orthologues, and studied individual domains in regulating lipid accumulation in non-adipocytes and adipocytes. Mammalian seipins comprise at least two distinct functional domains, a conserved core sequence and an evolutionarily acquired C-terminus. Despite its requirement for adipocyte formation, seipin overexpression inhibited oleate-induced LD formation and accumulation in nonadipocytes, which was mediated by the core sequence. In contrast, seipin overexpression did not inhibit LD accumulation during adipocyte differentiation or the adipogenic process in 3T3-L1 cells. However, adipogenesis and LD accumulation were impaired in 3T3-L1 cells expressing a seipin mutant lacking the C-terminus. Furthermore, expression of the same mutant without the C-terminus failed to rescue the adipogenic defects in seipin-knockdown cells, demonstrating the importance of the C-terminus for seipin's function in adipocyte development. We propose that seipin is involved in lipid homoeostasis by restricting lipogenesis and LD accumulation in non-adipocytes, while promoting adipogenesis to accommodate excess energy storage.

Le diabète de type 2 (DT2) est un facteur de risque indépendant de l’insuffisance cardiaque. Ces anomalies sont cependant associées à une lipotoxicité et à une glucotoxicité cardiaques. Pourtant, les mécanismes exacts de ces toxicités cardiaques demeurent inconnus. Récemment, le phénotype cardiaque d’un modèle unique de DT2, les souris lipodystrophiques invalidées pour le gène codant la seipine (SKO), a révélé l’importance de la glucotoxicité dans le développement des anomalies cardiaques. En effet, les souris SKO présentent une cardiomyopathie associée à une surcharge en glucose, qui est corrigée par l’utilisation d’un agent hypoglycémiant, un inhibiteur du co-transporteur sodium-glucose de type 2 (SGLT2). Dans ce modèle, la glucotoxicité peut ainsi, à elle seule, générer les dysfonctions cardiaques associées au diabète.

Abstract Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2 (BSCL2) is the most severe form of human lipodystrophy and is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the BSCL2/seipin gene. Exactly how seipin may regulate adipogenesis remains unclear. A recent study in vitro suggested that seipin may function to inhibit the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferases (GPATs), and increased GPAT activity may be responsible for the defective adipogenesis under seipin deficiency. Here we generated Seipin−/−Gpat3−/− mice, which had mild but significant recovery of white adipose tissue mass over Seipin−/− mice. The mass of brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the Seipin−/−Gpat3−/− mice was almost completely restored to normal level. Importantly, the Seipin−/−Gpat3−/− mice showed significant improvement in liver steatosis and insulin sensitivity over Seipin−/− mice, which is attributable to the increased BAT mass and to the enhanced browning of the subcutaneous fat of the Seipin−/−Gpat3−/− mice. Together, our results establish a functional link between seipin and GPAT3 in vivo and suggest that GPAT inhibitors may have beneficial effects on BSCL2 patients.

Seipin is known for its critical role in controlling lipid droplet (LD) assembly at the LD-forming subdomain of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we identified a new function of seipin as a negative regulator for sphingolipid production. We show that yeast cells lacking seipin displayed altered sensitivity to sphingolipid inhibitors, accumulated sphingoid precursors and intermediates, and increased serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) and fatty acid (FA) elongase activities. Seipin associated with SPT and FA elongase, and the interaction was reduced by inhibitors for sphingolipid synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. We further show that the interactions of seipin with SPT and FA elongase occurred at ER–LD contacts and were likely regulated differentially. Further evidence indicated that LD biogenesis was intact when SPT activity was blocked, whereas excess sphingoid intermediates may affect LD morphology. Expression of human seipin rescued the altered sphingolipids in yeast seipin mutants, suggesting that the negative regulation of sphingolipid synthesis by seipin is likely an evolutionarily conserved process.

Seipin (BSCL2/SPG17) is a key factor in lipid droplet (LD) biology, and its dysfunction results in severe pathologies, including the fat storage disease Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2, as well as several neurological seipinopathies. Despite its importance for human health, the molecular role of seipin is still enigmatic. Seipin is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to humans. In yeast, seipin was recently found to cooperate with the lipid droplet organization (LDO) proteins, Ldo16 and Ldo45, two structurally-related proteins involved in LD function and identity that display remote homology to the human protein promethin/TMEM159. In this study, we show that promethin is indeed an LD-associated protein that forms a complex with seipin, and its localization to the LD surface can be modulated by seipin expression levels. We thus identify promethin as a novel seipin partner protein.

La lipodystrophie congénitale généralisée de Berardinelli-Seip (BSCL) est une maladie génétique rare caractérisée par une absence quasi totale de tissu adipeux, associée une insulinorésistance sévère. La BSCL est due dans 50% des cas à la mutation du gène BSCL2, codant la “ seipine ” dont la fonction précise demeure largement inconnue. Nous avons mis en évidence que la déficience en seipine entraînait un défaut dans la différenciation adipocytaire, corrigé par les thiazolidinediones (TZD). Dans notre modèle de souris Bscl2-/-, un traitement par les TZD augmente la masse du tissu adipeux ainsi que la sécrétion d’adiponectine, améliorant ainsi l’insulinorésistance. Afin de mieux caractériser les conséquences de la lipodystrophie, nous avons étudié la réponse des souris Bscl2-/- à des stress métaboliques (froid, jeûne), mettant en évidence le rôle central de la dysfonction du tissu adipeux blanc dans l’inflexibilité métabolique. Au-delà du rôle dans l’adipogénèse, nous avons montré que la seipine est essentielle dans l’adipocyte mature. Le knock-down de la seipine dans l’adipocyte mature déclenche un stress cellulaire menant à l’apoptose, révélant un rôle de la seipine dans le maintien de l’adipocyte. Le fibroblast-growth-factor 21 (FGF21) empêche la dégradation des adipocytes, préservant ainsi le tissu adipeux résiduel in vivo. Ainsi, la seipine joue un rôle pour l’induction et le maintien du phénotype adipocytaire. Bien que la fonction exacte de la seipine reste encore imprécise, nos résultats apportent une meilleure compréhension de la lipodystrophie due à l’absence de seipine, et mettent en évidence les effets bénéfiques d’approches thérapeutiques ciblant le tissu adipeux<br>Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy (BSCL) is a rare genetic disease characterised by an almost complete lack of adipose tissue from birth, associated with severe insulin resistance. BSCL is caused by mutations occurring in the gene encoding seipin (BSCL2) in 50% of cases. Seipin function remains largely unknown at this time. Here, we showed that seipin deficiency impaired white adipocyte differentiation, which can be restored by thiazolidinediones (TZD). In our Bscl2 knock-out lipodystrophic mice model (Bscl2-/-), TZD treatment increased adipose tissue mass and adiponectin and leptin secretion, and consequently improved insulin resistance. To better characterize metabolic consequences of lipodystrophy, we studied Bscl2-/- mice adaptative responses to cold exposure or prolonged fasting. We highlighted a central role of white adipose tissue dysfunction in the metabolic inflexibility of Bscl2-/- mice. Beyond its role in adipocyte differentiation, we reported that seipin is essential for mature adipocyte. Seipin knock-down in differentiated adipocytes triggered cellular stress leading to adipocyte apoptosis, showing a role of seipin in adipocyte maintenance. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) prevented seipin deficient adipocytes from degradation and preserved residual adipose tissue in vivo. In conclusion, our results highlight a role of seipin in both adipogenesis and mature adipocyte maintenance. Although the exact function of seipin remains to decipher, our results allow a better understanding of lipodystrophy due to seipin deficiency, and show beneficial effects of therapeutic approaches targeting adipose tissue

La lipodystrophie congénitale de Berardinelli-Seip (BSCL) est une maladie rare caractérisée par une quasi-absence de tissu adipeux (TA) et une insulino-résistance sévère. Elle est transmise de façon récessive et résulte dans environ 95% des cas de mutations de BSCL2, le gène codant la seipine de fonction inconnue, ou de AGPAT2, codant l’enzyme 1-acylglycérol-3-phosphate acyltransférase qui catalyse la formation de l’acide phosphatidique. Nous avons récemment impliqué un nouveau gène, CAV1 codant la Cavéoline-1, dans l’étiologie de la BSCL à la suite de la découverte d’une mutation homozygote non-sens (p. Glu38X) chez une patiente Brésilienne. CAV1 est un composant majeur des caveolae qui jouent un rôle important dans la réponse à l’insuline et l’homéostasie lipidique. Parallèlement, nous avons étudié le mécanisme physiopathologique de la BSCL liée à la seipine. Nos résultats indiquent que la seipine joue probablement un rôle dans le TA car son expression est prédominante dans plusieurs dépôts adipeux murins et est régulée dans des conditions capables de modifier la masse adipeuse. De plus, elle est fortement induite en fin du processus de différenciation adipocytaire. L’invalidation partielle de la seipine dans une lignée adipocytaire murine induit des altérations de la morphologie des gouttelettes lipidiques (GL) et une mort par apoptose des préadipocytes. D’autre part, l’étude des lymphocytes des patients a révélé que la seipine est impliquée dans le biosynthèse lipidique et en particulier dans la voie liant la 9-désaturation des acides gras à la formation de la GL. Ainsi, nos résultats impliquent la seipine dans le métabolisme lipidique et la formation de la GL et sont donc compatibles avec l’atteinte primaire du tissu adipeux dans la BSCL. Cependant, il est probable que la seipine intervienne dans d’autres tissus et la découverte de sa fonction précise permettra de mieux comprendre la physiologie de la GL. L’ensemble de ces données fournit de nouvelles avancées dans la compréhension du mécanisme de la BSCL.

Most cells store energy in lipid droplets (LDs), specialized storage organelles composed of a neutral lipid core that, during their biogenesis, is packaged into a single phospholipid monolayer decorated with specific proteins. Regulation of LDs size and number requires the function of the conserved ER protein Seipin/Fld1, however the molecular function of this protein remains poorly understood. Yeast seipin Fld1 is in complex with Ldb16, an uncharacterized ER protein. Like fld1Δ cells, LDB16 deletion mutant displays a similar aberrant LDs morphology phenotype: lower number of supersized LDs (SLD) or tiny and clustered LD aggregates, depending on the absence or presence of the phospholipid precursor inositol in the media, respectively. The growth stage of cells also impacts on the relative distribution of these phenotypes: while LD aggregates predominate in dividing cells, SLDs are found primarily in stationary phase cells. We found that the complex formed by Ldb16 and Fld1 is required for normal LDs phenotype. In particular, this dual LD morphology is not observed for any other mutants studied so far suggesting that Fld1/Ldb16 have a unique role in LD biogenesis. Combining mass spectrometry analysis on purified LDs with light microscopy, we found that the distribution of many ER and LDs proteins is altered in these mutants. Analysis of a subset of proteins enriched at LDs surface in mutant cells indicated that the physical properties of clustered LDs may differ from those of supersized LDs. Moreover our data obtained by following the process of LDs biogenesis in presence or absence of inositol points toward a role for Fld1/Ldb16 complex in organizing membrane domains at LDs assembly site. In the absence of the complex, the segregation between the two compartments could be lost and the assembly of LDs is impaired resulting in defects in phospholipid packing that is exacerbated in inositol presence. We propose a function in facilitating the establishment of LD identity by acting as a diffusion barrier at the ER-LD contact sites<br>La mayoría de las células almacenan la energía en partículas lipídicas, también conocidas como “lipid droplets” (LD), unos orgánulos especializados compuestos por un núcleo de lípidos neutros que, durante su biogénesis, se empaqueta de forma coordinada en una monocapa de fosfolípidos decorada con proteínas específicas. La regulación del tamaño y número de LDs requiere la función de la proteína conservada de retículo endoplasmático (RE) Seipina/Fld1. Sin embargo, la función molecular exacta de esta proteína no está clara. La seipina/Fld1 de levadura está en complejo con Ldb16, una proteína de RE no caracterizada. Como las células fld1Δ, la deleción del gen correspondiente a esta proteína muestra la misma doble morfología aberrante de LDs: un LD individual y de tamaño gigante (SLD, “single and supersized LD”) o LDs pequeños y agrupados, en función de la ausencia o presencia, respectivamente, del precursor fosfolipídico inositol en el medio. La fase de crecimiento de las células también influye en la distribución relativa de estos fenotipos: mientras que los agregados de LDs predominan en las células en división, los SLDs se encuentran principalmente en células en fase estacionaria. Observamos que el complejo formado por Ldb16 y Fld1 es necesario para el fenotipo de LDs normal. En particular, esta doble morfología de LDs no se observa en ningún otro mutante estudiado hasta ahora, lo que sugiere que Fld1 / Ldb16 tiene un papel único en la biogénesis de LDs. Combinando el análisis de espectrometría de masas en LDs purificados con microscopía, se observó que la distribución de muchas proteínas de RE y LDs estaba alterada en estos mutantes. Los cambios observados en un subconjunto de proteínas enriquecidas en la superficie de las LDs, nos indicaron que las propiedades físicas de los LDs agrupados podrían diferir de las de los LDs gigantes. Los datos obtenidos siguiendo el proceso de biogénesis de LD sugieren que el complejo Fld1/Ldb16 organiza dominios de membrana en los sitios de ensamblaje de LDs, y en su ausencia la segregación entre RE y LDs pueden perderse. Proponemos que la función del complejo Fld1/Ldb16 es facilitar el establecimiento de la identidad del LD, actuando como una barrera de difusión en los sitios de contacto RE-LD.

Thesis (M.A. (Media Studies)) --University of Limpopo, 2014<br>There is a conspicuous importance of having newspapers that publish in the indigenous African languages for the indigenous population in a democratic dispensation. The indigenous African languages are key components of their respective cultures. The survival of the language is, in some way, dependent on the print media (newspapers) (Salawu, 2004:8). In addition, the indigenous language newspapers have cardinal roles of promoting previously marginalised languages, preserving indigenous cultures and upholding democracy. Nevertheless, these newspapers are struggling to sustain themselves in the print media industry. It is, therefore, critically important to examine the factors that adversely affect the sustainability of these newspapers.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a unique role in regulating whole-body energy homeostasis by dissipating energy through thermogenic uncoupling. Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy (BSCL) type 2 (BSCL2; also known as seipin) is a lipodystrophy-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein essential for white adipocyte differentiation. Whether BSCL2 directly participates in brown adipocyte differentiation, development, and function, however, is unknown. We show that BSCL2 expression is increased during brown adipocyte differentiation. Its deletion does not impair the classic brown adipogenic program but rather induces premature activation of differentiating brown adipocytes through cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated lipolysis and fatty acid and glucose oxidation, as well as uncoupling. cAMP/PKA signaling is physiologically activated during neonatal BAT development in wild-type mice and greatly potentiated in mice with genetic deletion of Bscl2 in brown progenitor cells, leading to reduced BAT mass and lipid content during neonatal brown fat formation. However, prolonged overactivation of cAMP/PKA signaling during BAT development ultimately causes apoptosis of brown adipocytes through inflammation, resulting in BAT atrophy and increased overall adiposity in adult mice. These findings reveal a key cell-autonomous role for BSCL2 in controlling BAT mass/activity and provide novel insights into therapeutic strategies targeting cAMP/PKA signaling to regulate brown adipocyte function, viability, and metabolic homeostasis.

Although cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) are the major reserves for energy-dense neutral lipids in plants, the cellular mechanisms for packaging neutral lipids into LDs remain poorly understood. To gain insights into the cellular processes of neutral lipid accumulation and compartmentalization, a necessary step forward would be to characterize functional roles of lipogenic proteins that participate in the compartmentalization of neutral lipids in plant cells. In this study, the lipogenic proteins, Arabidopsis thaliana SEIPIN homologues and mouse (Mus Musculus) fat storage-inducing transmembrane protein 2 (FIT2), were characterized for their functional roles in the biogenesis of cytoplasmic LDs in various plant tissues. Both Arabidopsis SEIPINs and mouse FIT2 supported the accumulation of neutral lipids and cytoplasmic LDs in plants. The three Arabidopsis SEIPIN isoforms play distinct roles in compartmentalizing neutral lipids by enhancing the numbers and sizes of LDs in various plant tissues and developmental stages. Further, the potential applications of Arabidopsis SEIPINs and mouse FIT2 in engineering neutral lipids and terpenes in plant vegetative tissues were evaluated by co-expressing these and other lipogenic proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Arabidopsis SEIPINs and mouse FIT2 represent effective tools that may complement ongoing strategies to enhance the accumulation of desired neutral lipids and terpenes in plant vegetative tissues. Collectively, our findings in this study expand our knowledge of the broader cellular mechanisms of LD biogenesis that are partially conserved in eukaryotes and distinct in plants and suggest novel targets that can be introduced into plants to collaborate with other factors in lipid metabolism and elevate oil content in plant tissues.

The first stories written in Sepedi deal almost exclusively with the problem of urbanisation, and its ensuing atrocities. Then, halfway through the previous century, Matsepe distinguished himself by diverting from his predecessors’ subject matter completely. In the nine novellas that he authored, Matsepe writes about the traditional way of life, and only refers to white people twice, and the references are made to the Voortrekkers in both instances. The descriptions of the traditional way of life are so well-rounded and complete that the question arises of whether he focused his depictions to give an accurate reflection of the reality of the way of life of the people in his writing. This, then, becomes the subject matter of this research. The researcher is himself one of those people Matsepe writes about, although of a different generation. This leads him to consult external primary and secondary sources about the traditional way of life, in order to familiarise himself with traditional realities. Other than textual sources, including Mönnig’s comprehensive monograph about the Bapedi, the researcher also consulted with tribe elders, including chiefs, traditional healers (among whom the women are considered to be the most reliable informants in practice) and members of the village council. This is the first study of its kind to be undertaken in Sepedi. The theoretical pitfall of this study is that even the largest body of literature portrays the reality in a calculated manner, much like a work of fiction. The depiction of reality is inherently tied to the worldview of the author, and to that of his/her audience. This uncertain reality makes for delicate research, and it presupposes that the researcher has to familiarise himself with Matsepe’s biographical history: the circumstances he grew up in, his status in the community, his worldview, his achievements and failures, to name but a few. This study does not focus of Matsepe’s entire body of work, but rather on Megokgo ya Bjoko specifically, as it is (a) seen as the most interesting and satisfying in his oeuvre, and (b) comprehensive and realistic in its representation of the traditional way of life of the North Sotho people. It is clear, though, in his entire body of work that Matsepe had intimate knowledge of the political system of the tribe, as well as the legal practices and social customs; and that he depicted them accurately. The primary subject matter in his stories problematises the tribal legal practices to the extent of bordering on the absurd. The reality described in his stories encompasses characters or persons, events, place and space, time, and the cultural objects that are of interest. Bearing these categories in mind, the distinction has to be made between what is (a) real, (b) fictitious, but true to life, and (c) purely fantasy. This distinction is vital, as there is the possibility that some of the characters, such as king, may have existed in reality, and that certain events may have taken place in their lifetimes, thus rendering them historically factual. Matsepe’s characters all appear to be fictitious. What is real, however, is his depiction of the hierarchy and social order among various chiefs, as well as that between the king and his council. The various categories of witchdoctors, traditional healers and witches are also truthfully depicted in terms of their respective professions. The kings chief wife is also of importance in the depictions, as she is the bearer of the heir to the throne, and is married though the tribe. Other important figures include the malome and the rakgadi. The events depicted are also mostly fictitious. That which happens in the chief’s village is naturally of great importance, and Matsepe spends a lot of time on the representation of court cases. The king and his council play a vital role in these legal proceedings. The king is the leading character in the depiction of battles, as he leads his army in war. If the king is to be taken prisoner, he is charged and tried, as he would have lost the battle, but his blood would not be spilt. Prior to battle, the king would also negotiate with surrounding chiefs to ensure that they remain neutral during the battle, and that they are to provide shelter for some of his followers if the need were to arise. After the death of a king, there are prescribed rites, rituals and ceremonies that have to be performed. The same is expected if the senior prince were to die, but the surrounding chiefs would not necessarily act in accordance with the prescriptions. This radical behaviour leads to derision, conflict, and to eventual war, in Megokgo ya Bjoko. As previously stated, the traditional healers, witchdoctors and witches play an important role in Matsepe’s writing. Detailed depictions of their practices, beliefs, instruments and followers, areas of specialisation and status within the community are given. The most important practitioners among them are almost exclusively in service to the king’s court, and may only administer to the general public with the king’s permission. Other important figures are the malome and rakgadi, who perform the rites and rituals of weddings and funerals. In Matsepe’s stories, the various and multitudinous rituals and duties that have to be performed tend to lead to conflict and violence. The importance of cattle also plays a role in terms of ceremonies and rituals. The roles and status of women are also described. Matsepe highlights the woman’s subordination to her husband, an example of which is depicted in the Leilane family where the wife will not share a meal with her husband. The work ethic of the women is also mentioned in (a) Morara’s conversation with an old friend, and (b) in Morara’s homecoming after visiting his close friend. Social occasions, such as beer parties, competitions and feasts to celebrate a boy’s accomplishments in tribal school are also accurately described; and the beer pot and ladling calabash are important instruments for such occasions. The space and place of Matsepe’s fictional world could be anywhere in Sekhukhuneland. The timeframe, however, is precise, inasmuch as every event occurs on the eve of the Voortrekkers’ arrival. This is not significant in and of itself, but because it occurs simultaneously with the appearance of the Halley’s comet, the timeframe’s specificity gains importance. In Megokgo ya Bjoko there are two events that are directly associated with the occurrence of Halley’s comet; namely the crow episodes that are related to the witchdoctors’ throwing of the bones. Halley’s comet, the arrival of the Voortrekkers, the many rituals and ceremonies, the cultural objects such as the ladling calabash, the picking of berries for the weaving of sleeping mats, etc are the only elements in Matsepe’s writing that are depicted as they are in reality. The role of the crows could be either pure fantasy, or ascribed to the superstitions of the people, as magic and divination were realities of the time, and can thus also be said to be a depiction of reality. Matsepe’s imaginary world is a fictitious reality that is true to life. It is so true to life, in fact, that the question arises whether he wanted to preserve the traditional way of life through writing his stories, for future generations; or whether he merely wanted to tell an interesting story against the backdrop of tradition. In writing Magokgo ya Bjoko, his choice is apparently the latter. For this purpose he utilises a nameless, unreliable narrator, who perpetually exposes the reader to his worldview, who loses his train of thought occasionally and asks for assistance, and who describes war and bloodlust in the enduring time of peace. He admits, though, that the ancestors are required to intervene and to reprimand those who do not fulfil the obligations of their duties; leading to the statement, respectfully made, by Groenewald in Die Feesbundel to Prof. E.B. van Wyk: “... his narrator is more than just a point of contact; he becomes a leading character and a symbol, and it is through him that the satire comes to life”. AFRIKAANS: In die eerste geskrewe verhale in Sepedi, behandel die skrywer uitsluitlik die probleem van verstedeliking en al die aaklighede wat daaruit voortspruit. Teen die helfde van die vorige eeu tree Matsepe na vore, en sien van die praktyk van sy voorgangers volkome af. In sy nege novelles/romans beskryf hy die tradisionele leefwyse van sy mense, en in slegs twee van sy werke word daar na blankes verwys, wat in beide gevalle die Voortrekkers is. So volledig word die tradisionele opset beskryf dat die vraag onwillekeurig onstaan of sy beskrywing nie hierop toegespits was om slegs ‘n getroue weergawe van daardie werklikheid te gee nie. Dit word dan die onderwerp van hierdie navorsing. Die navorser is uiteraard self een van daardie mense, hoewel nie deel van daardie tydsgewrig nie. Daarom bedien hy hom ook van ander bronne om hom van die tradisionele werklikheid te vergewis. Behalwe geskrewe werke, soos o.a. Mönnig se lywige monografie oor die Bapedi; word ook van die oudstes in die stam geraadpleeg: opperhoofde, verskeie kruie dokters wat o.a. vroue (in die praktyk as die betroubaarste informante bewys) insluit en raadsmanne. ‘n Sodanige studie is nog nie vantevore in Sepedi onderneem nie. Vereers het die ondersoeker hom van die teoretiese grondslag van sy navorsing vergewis, wat van belang is. Hieruit blyk dit dat selfs die grootste verdigsel, soos ‘n sprokie, nie anders kan as om die werklikheid tog op ‘n bepaalde manier op te roep nie. Dit hou uiteraard met die ervaringswêreld van die outeur, maar ook van sy leser, verband. En juis dít maak so ‘n onderneming soos wat hierdie in die vooruitsig stel, ‘n uiters delikate studie. Dit veronderstel o.a. dat die navorser hom op die hoogte moet stel van die lewensgeskiedenis van Matsepe: die lewesomstandighede waaronder hy groot geword het, die status wat hy in die gemeentskap geniet het, sy lewensbeskouing, sy prestasies en mislukkings, ens.Ofskoon Matsepe se prosawerke in die geheel te neem, by hierdie ondersoek in aanmerking geneem word, word die fokus op sy Megokgo ya Bjoko toegespits. Die redes hiervoor is dat: (a) dit literêr beoordeel, die interessantste asook bevredegindste van sy oeuvre is, en (b) sy werke inhoudelik, m.a.w. t.o.v. die tradisionele lewe van die Noord Sotho, ruimskoots ooreenstem. Dit kom duidelik in al sy werke na vore dat hy met die politieke stelsel van die stam intiem vertroud was, die regstelsel op die punte van sy vingers gehad het, en die sosiale en kulturele patrone en gebruike getrou kon weergee het. Vir die probleemstelling in al sy verhale lê hy die vinger op skuiwergate in die regstelsel en bou hy dit uit totdat dit aan die absurde grens. Die beskrywing van die verhaalwerklikheid raak die volgende sake: die karakters of persone, die gebeure, die plek, die tyd, asook die kulturele voorwerpe van belang. Met die oog hierop word daar onderskei tussen dit wat (a) werklik is, (b) denkbeeldig maar lewensgetrou is, en (c) pure fantasie is. Die onderskeid tussen werklikheid en lewensgetrouheid is in verhale van dié aard noodsaaklik omdat sekere persone/karakters, soos konings, werklik kon bestaan het. Daar mag dan selfs gebeurtenisse wees wat tydens hulle leeftyd waarlik plaasgevind het.Wat die Matsepekarakters betref, is hulle klaarblyklik almal denkbeeldig. Wat wel deel van die werklikheid uitmaak, is die seniortydsorde tussen die verskillende opperhoofde asook dié tussen die koning se raadmanne. So ook kom die verskillende kategorië van kruiedokters, toordokters en hekse, én wat hulle onderskeie professies is, ter sprake. So ook is die koning se hoofvrou belangrik omdat die troonopvolger uit haar gebore word en sy deur die stam getrou is. Ander belangrike figure is die malome en die rakgadi.Die gebeure of handeling is hoofsaaklik denkbeeldig. Dit wat in die hoofstat plaasvind, is uiteraard baie belangrik. Matsepe staan ‘n aansienlike deel van sy vertelling aan hofsake af. Hierin speel die koning en sy raadsmanne ‘n belangrike rol en eweneens in die prosedure hiertydens ter sake. En tydens veldslae is die koning die vernaamste figuur. Hy ly sy leërs in die oorlog en word aan sy mondering uitgeken. Word hy gevange geneem, het hy die veldslag verloor en word tereggestel, maar sy bloed mag nie vergiet word nie, want hy is nie ‘n hond nie. Maar vooraf onderhandel hy met omliggende opperhoofde dat hulle neutraal in die stryd moet staan en ook sommige van sy volgelinge tydens die oorlog moet herberg.Na die afsterwe van ‘n koning word bepaalde rituele en seremonies nagekom. As hy ‘n senior vors is, hoort ook die omliggende opperhoofde hulle aan die voorskrifte te hou. Dié is ingrypend van aard en lei in Megokgo ya Bjoko juis tot kwaaivriendskap en latere oorlog.‘n Belangrike plek word aan die rol van die verskillende toordokters, kruiedokters en hekse toegesê. Nie net hulle doen en late word beskryf nie, maar ook hulle mondering, gevolg, spesialiteit en status. Die vernaamste onder hulle is aan die koningshof verbonde en mag slegs met koningstoestemming die gewone burger bedien.Die malome en rakgadi is vername mense. Tydens huwelike, dood en begrafnisse speel hulle ‘n belangrike rol. ‘n Veelvoud van rituele en verpligtinge moet nagekom word, en in die Matsepeverhale lei dit gewoonlik tot groot onenigheid, twis en gewelddadigheid. Die belangrikheid van die bees kom ook hiertydens ter sprake.Die rol en status van die vrou kom ook onder die soeklig. Matsepe beskryf enertyds haar onderdanigheid aan haar man, soos in die geval van die Leilanehuishouding waar hulle ook nie saam die ete nuttig nie, en andertyds, haar daadkrag, soos beskryf word in (a) die gesprek tussen Morara en sy ou vriend, en (b) Morara se tuiskoms na sy besoek aan sy goeie vriend.Sosiale geleenthede, soos bierpartye, prysdigwedstryde en feesgeleenthede om ‘n seun se welslae tydens die stamskool te vier, word beskryf en in hierdie navorsing aan die werklikheid gekontroleer. Van groot belang natuurlik is die bierpot en die skepkalbas; spesiaal vir sodanige geleenthede.Ten opsigte van die wêreld of ruimte waarbinne gebeure afspeel, kan dit enige plek in Sekhukhuneland wees. Die tydstip, daarenteen, word presies bepaal, nl. dat alles plaasvind aan die vooraand van die koms van die Voortrekkers. Dit op sigself sou geen besondere betekenis gehad het nie, behalwe dat gebeurtenisse in tyd afloop. Maar hier is die betekenis hiervan dat die koms van die Voortrekkers destyds met die verskyning van die Halley-komeet saamval. Daar is twee geleenthede in Megokgo ya Bjoko wat met die Halley-komeet geassosieër word, nl. die kraaie-episodes wat met die toordokters se dolosse verbind word. Die Halley-komeet, die koms van die Voortrekkers, die talle rituele en seremonies, voorwerpe soos die skepkalbas vir die bier, die pluk van bessies vir die vleg van slaapmatte, die gras pons, ens, is die enigste sake wat aan die werklikheid toegesê kan word. Die rol wat die kraaie speel kan òf totale fantasie wees, òf kan aan bygeloof toegeskryf word: want daardie toorkuns was ‘n werklikheid vir daardie, en is dan soos die Halley-komeet nie deel van ‘n verbeeldingskug uitmaak nie.Die wêreld wat Matsepe in sy werke optower, is wel ‘n fiktiewe werklikheid, maart word tewens so getrou geteken dat die vraag ontstaan of hy nie die tradisionele lewenswyse, deur die storie wat hy vertel, wou opteken dat nie dit iewers op skrif vir die nageslag bewaar kan bly, en of hy bloot ‘n interessante storie wou vertel waar die tradisionele as die agtergrond dien waarteen die gebeure afspeel. Hy het met die skrywe van Megokgo ya Bjoko kennelik die tweede opsie gekies. Hiervoor gebruik hy ‘n naamlose vertellerkarakter wat vertel, wat sy lewesbeskouing herhaaldelik aan die leser opdring, wat die draad van sy storie plek-plek verloor, en vra dat iemand anders moet help, wat stryd, oorlog en bloederigheid beskryf en oplaas in ewedurende vrede voorhou. Maar, erken hy terselfdetyd dat die voorvaders van tyd tot tyd moet ingryp en die karwats moet inlê om diegene wat ander afknou tot verantwoording te roep. Die laaste word in dié verband kom Groenewald toe waar hy in die feesbundel aan Prof. E.B. van Wyk gewy, verduidelik: “... sy verteller is meer as net ‘n gesigspunt; hy word hoofkarakter; ook simbool, en deur hom kry die satire sy beslag”.<br>Thesis (DLitt)--University of Pretoria, 2011.<br>African Languages<br>unrestricted