Integrative Molecular Phenotyping
INTEGRATIVE MOLECULAR
PHENOTYPING
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY

PubMed

PUM1 Promotes Tumor Progression by Activating DEPTOR-Meditated Glycolysis in Gastric Cancer

Thu, 20/07/2023 - 12:00
Adv Sci (Weinh). 2023 Jul 19:e2301190. doi: 10.1002/advs.202301190. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTRNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play essential roles in tumorigenesis and progression, but their functions in gastric cancer (GC) remain largely elusive. Here, it is reported that Pumilio 1 (PUM1), an RBP, induces metabolic reprogramming through post-transcriptional regulation of DEP domain-containing mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-interacting protein (DEPTOR) in GC. In clinical samples, elevated expression of PUM1 is associated with recurrence, metastasis, and poor survival. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that knockdown of PUM1 inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells. In addition, RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analyses show that PUM1 is enriched in the glycolysis gene signature. Metabolomics studies confirm that PUM1 deficiency suppresses glycolytic metabolism. Mechanistically, PUM1 binds directly to DEPTOR mRNA pumilio response element to maintain the stability of the transcript and prevent DEPTOR degradation through post-transcriptional pathway. PUM1-mediated DEPTOR upregulation inhibits mTORC1 and alleviates the inhibitory feedback signal transmitted from mTORC1 to PI3K under normal conditions, thus activating the PI3K-Akt signal and glycolysis continuously. Collectively, these results reveal the critical epigenetic role of PUM1 in modulating DEPTOR-dependent GC progression. These conclusions support further clinical investigation of PUM1 inhibitors as a metabolic-targeting treatment strategy for GC.PMID:37469018 | DOI:10.1002/advs.202301190

Gut Microbiota and Uremic Retention Solutes in Adults with Moderate CKD: A 6-Day Controlled Feeding Study

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
J Ren Nutr. 2023 Jul 17:S1051-2276(23)00110-3. doi: 10.1053/j.jrn.2023.06.011. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: To determine serum and urine concentrations of the uremic retention solutes (URS), indoxyl sulfate (IS), p-cresol sulfate (PCS), and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and gut microbiota composition in individuals with moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with matched adults without CKD in a 6-day controlled feeding study.DESIGN: Methods, Participants, and Setting: This study was a secondary analysis in which 8 adults with moderate CKD were matched for age, sex, and race with 8 adults without CKD in a parallel-arm, 6-day controlled feeding study. IS, PCS, and TMAO were quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in fecal samples, fasting serum, and fasting spot urine samples collected at the end of the feeding period.RESULTS: Fasting serum URS concentrations were 2.8 to 4.9x higher in CKD compared to controls (all p<0.05). No differences were found in the composition of the gut microbiota between patients with and without CKD when analyzing samples for α-diversity, β-diversity, and only minor abundance differences across taxa were apparent. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was inversely related to each serum URS in the whole cohort (all p<0.01). However, within groups the relationships between eGFR and serum URS remained strong for CKD patients for IS and TMAO (both p<0.05) but weakened for PCS (p=0.10). eGFR was only correlated with urine PCS in the whole cohort (p=0.03); within groups, no correlation for eGFR with any urine URS was observed. Only urine TMAO was higher in CKD compared to controls (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Serum URS concentrations are elevated in adults with CKD compared to matched non-CKD adults without differences in gut microbiota composition after consuming the same controlled study diet for 6 days. Future studies are needed to determine if specific dietary components may differentially alter the microbiota and URS.PMID:37468049 | DOI:10.1053/j.jrn.2023.06.011

Foliar application of selenium nanoparticles alleviates cadmium toxicity in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings: Evidence on antioxidant, gene expression, and metabolomics analysis

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Sci Total Environ. 2023 Jul 17:165521. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165521. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe molecular and metabolic mechanisms of foliar selenium (Se) nanoparticles (SeNPs) application in mitigating cadmium (Cd) toxicity in crops have not been well studied. Herein, hydroponically cultured maize seedlings were exposed to Cd (20 μM) and treated without and with foliar SeNPs application. Effects of SeNPs on Cd transporter genes and plant metabolism were also explored. Results showed that compared to control plants without Cd exposure, Cd exposure decreased shoot height (16.8 %), root length (17.7 %), and fresh weight of root (24.2 %), stem (28.8 %), and foliar-applied leaves (Se-leaves) (15.0 %) via oxidative damage. Compared to Cd exposure alone, foliar SeNPs application at 20 mg/L (0.25 mg/plant) significantly alleviated the Cd toxicity by promoting photosynthesis and antioxidant capacity and fixing Cd in cell wall. Meanwhile, the mineral concentration of Ca (26.0 %), Fe (55.4 %), Mg (27.0 %), Na (28.6 %), and Zn (10.1 %) in Se-leaves was improved via foliar SeNPs application at 20 mg/L. QRT-PCR analysis further revealed that down- and up-regulation of the expression of ZmHMA2 and ZmHMA3 gene in Se-leaves contributed to reduced translocation of Cd in plants and enhanced Cd sequestration in the vacuole, respectively. Metabolomic results further indicated that metabolic pathways including carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transport, translation, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism were significantly affected by foliar SeNPs application. In conclusion, foliar SeNPs application at 20 mg/L could be a prospective strategy to mitigate Cd toxicity in maize.PMID:37467994 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165521

Pregnane X receptor activation remodels glucose metabolism to promote NAFLD development in obese mice

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Mol Metab. 2023 Jul 17:101779. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101779. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: Both obesity and exposure to chemicals may induce non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) is a central target of metabolism disrupting chemicals and disturbs hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism. We hypothesized that the metabolic consequences of PXR activation may be modified by existing obesity and associated metabolic dysfunction.METHODS: Wildtype and PXR knockout male mice were fed high-fat diet to induce obesity and metabolic dysfunction. PXR was activated with pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile. Glucose metabolism, hepatosteatosis, insulin signaling, glucose uptake, liver glycogen, plasma and liver metabolomics, and liver, white adipose tissue, and muscle transcriptomics were investigated.RESULTS: PXR activation aggravated obesity-induced liver steatosis by promoting lipogenesis and inhibiting fatty acid disposal. Accordingly, hepatic insulin sensitivity was impaired and circulating alanine aminotransferase level increased. Lipid synthesis was facilitated by increased liver glucose uptake and utilization of glycogen reserves resulting in dissociation of hepatosteatosis and hepatic insulin resistance from the systemic glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, glucagon-induced hepatic glucose production was impaired. PXR deficiency did not protect from the metabolic manifestations of obesity, but the liver transcriptomics and metabolomics profiling suggest diminished activation of inflammation and less prominent changes in the overall metabolite profile.CONCLUSIONS: Obesity and PXR activation by chemical exposure have a synergistic effect on NAFLD development. To support liver fat accumulation the PXR activation reorganizes glucose metabolism that seemingly improves systemic glucose metabolism. This implies that obese individuals, already predisposed to metabolic diseases, may be more susceptible to harmful metabolic effects of PXR-activating drugs and environmental chemicals.PMID:37467962 | DOI:10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101779

Mfsd2a mediated lysolipid transport is important for renal recovery after acute kidney injury

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
J Lipid Res. 2023 Jul 17:100416. doi: 10.1016/j.jlr.2023.100416. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a global public health concern with high mortality and morbidity. In ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI), a main cause of AKI, the brush border membrane of S3 proximal tubules (PT) is lost to the tubular lumen. How injured tubules reconstitute lost membrane lipids during renal recovery is not known. Here, we identified Mfsd2a, a sodium-dependent lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) transporter, to be expressed specifically in the basolateral membrane of S3 PT. Using an in vivo activity probe for Mfsd2a, transport activity was found to be specific to the S3 PT. Mice with haploinsufficiency of Mfsd2a exhibited delayed recovery of renal function after acute IRI, with depressed urine osmolality and elevated levels of histological markers of damage, fibrosis and inflammation, findings corroborated by transcriptomic analysis. Lipidomics revealed deficiency in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) containing phospholipids in Mfsd2a haploinsufficiency. Treatment of Mfsd2a haploinsufficient mice with LPC-DHA improved renal function and reduced markers of injury, fibrosis and inflammation. Additionally, LPC-DHA treatment restored S3 brush border membrane architecture, and normalized DHA containing phospholipid content. These findings indicate that Mfsd2a mediated transport of LPC-DHA is limiting for renal recovery after AKI and suggest that LPC-DHA could be a promising dietary supplement for improving recovery following AKI.PMID:37467896 | DOI:10.1016/j.jlr.2023.100416

Congenital cataracts affect the retinal visual cycle and mitochondrial function: A multi-omics study of GJA8 knockout rabbits

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
J Proteomics. 2023 Jul 17:104972. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2023.104972. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTCongenital cataracts are a threat to visual development in children, and the visual impairment persists after surgical treatment; however, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Previous clinical studies have identified the effect of congenital cataracts on retinal morphology and function. To further understand the molecular mechanisms by which congenital cataracts affect retinal development, we analyzed retina samples from 7-week-old GJA8-knockout rabbits with congenital cataracts and controls by four-dimensional label-free quantification proteomics and untargeted metabolomics. Bioinformatics analysis of proteomic data showed that retinol metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and fatty acid degradation pathways were downregulated in the retinas of rabbits with congenital cataracts, indicating that their visual cycle and mitochondrial function were affected. Additional validation of differentially abundant proteins related to the visual cycle and mitochondrial function was performed using Parallel reaction monitoring and western blot experiments. Untargeted metabolome analysis showed significant upregulation of the antioxidant glutathione and ascorbic acid in the retinas of rabbits with congenital cataracts, indicating that their oxidative stress balance was not dysregulated. SIGNIFICANCE: Congenital cataracts in children can alter retinal structure and function, yet the mechanisms are uncertain. Here is the first study to use proteomics and metabolomics approaches to investigate the effects of congenital cataracts on retinal development in the early postnatal period. Our findings suggest that congenital cataracts have an impact on the retinal visual cycle and mitochondrial function. These findings give insight on the molecular pathways behind congenital cataract-induced visual function impairment in the early postnatal period.PMID:37467890 | DOI:10.1016/j.jprot.2023.104972

Sijunzi decoction ameliorates gastric precancerous lesions via regulating oxidative phosphorylation based on proteomics and metabolomics

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
J Ethnopharmacol. 2023 Jul 17:116925. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116925. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sijunzi decoction (SJZD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is commonly used in clinical practice for the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL). However, the mechanism of gastric protection is not fully understood.AIMS OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy of SJZD in blocking the development of GPL and to reveal the underlying mechanism.METHODS: First, we established a rat model of GPL, which was induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) combined with an irregular diet and 40% ethanol. The efficacy of SJZD was evaluated based on pathological sections and serum biochemical indices. Then, the pharmacodynamic mechanism of SJZD was revealed by quantitative proteomics based on stable isotope dimethyl labeling. At the same time, the pharmacodynamic mechanism was verified by quantitative metabolomics. In addition, the anti-gastritis effect of SJZD was confirmed by a serum pharmacology method in a cell model, and the functional mechanism was further verified.RESULTS: We demonstrated that SJZD could block the development of GPL in the animal model. Proteomics and metabolomics revealed that SJZD blocks GPL development by regulating oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). In addition, the serum pharmacology results showed that SJZD-containing serum (SJZD-CS) could inhibit apoptosis in MNNG-induced GES-1 cells. OXPHOS inhibitors could significantly reduce the protective effect of SJZD-CS.CONCLUSION: SJZD effectively ameliorates GPL, and proteomics and metabolomics revealed that its protective effects are closely related to OXPHOS.PMID:37467821 | DOI:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116925

Hydroxyproline metabolism enhances IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression and inhibits autophagic flux

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Cell Chem Biol. 2023 Jul 3:S2451-9456(23)00194-0. doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.06.016. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe immune checkpoint protein PD-L1 plays critical roles in both immune system homeostasis and tumor progression. Impaired PD-1/PD-L1 function promotes autoimmunity and PD-L1 expression within tumors promotes immune evasion. If and how changes in metabolism or defined metabolites regulate PD-L1 expression is not fully understood. Here, using a metabolomics activity screening-based approach, we have determined that hydroxyproline (Hyp) significantly and directly enhances adaptive (i.e., IFN-γ-induced) PD-L1 expression in multiple relevant myeloid and cancer cell types. Mechanistic studies reveal that Hyp acts as an inhibitor of autophagic flux, which allows it to regulate this negative feedback mechanism, thereby contributing to its overall effect on PD-L1 expression. Due to its prevalence in fibrotic tumors, these findings suggest that hydroxyproline could contribute to the establishment of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and that Hyp metabolism could be targeted to pharmacologically control PD-L1 expression for the treatment of cancer or autoimmune diseases.PMID:37467751 | DOI:10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.06.016

Plasma metabolic fingerprints for large-scale screening and personalized risk stratification of metabolic syndrome

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Cell Rep Med. 2023 Jul 18;4(7):101109. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101109.ABSTRACTDirect diagnosis and accurate assessment of metabolic syndrome (MetS) allow for prompt clinical interventions. However, traditional diagnostic strategies overlook the complex heterogeneity of MetS. Here, we perform metabolomic analysis in 13,554 participants from the natural cohort and identify 26 hub plasma metabolic fingerprints (PMFs) associated with MetS and its early identification (pre-MetS). By leveraging machine-learning algorithms, we develop robust diagnostic models for pre-MetS and MetS with convincing performance through independent validation. We utilize these PMFs to assess the relative contributions of the four major MetS risk factors in the general population, ranked as follows: hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Furthermore, we devise a personalized three-dimensional plasma metabolic risk (PMR) stratification, revealing three distinct risk patterns. In summary, our study offers effective screening tools for identifying pre-MetS and MetS patients in the general community, while defining the heterogeneous risk stratification of metabolic phenotypes in real-world settings.PMID:37467725 | DOI:10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101109

Answer to the Hamlet-like dilemma of lipid metabolites causing senile macular degeneration

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Cell Rep Med. 2023 Jul 18;4(7):101077. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101077.ABSTRACTIn this issue of Cell Reports Medicine, Han et al.1 conducted a multi-ancestry genetic and metabolomic analysis to investigate the causal relationships between age-related macular degeneration and plasma and urine metabolites.PMID:37467724 | DOI:10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101077

Metabolomics analysis reveals the mechanism underlying the improvement in the color and taste of yellow tea after optimized yellowing

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Food Chem. 2023 Jul 1;428:136785. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136785. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTIn this study, an optimized yellowing process for yellow tea (YT) was developed by response surface methodology. The results showed that increasing the yellowing temperature from 20 °C to 34 °C, increasing the relative humidity from 55% to 67%, and reducing the yellowing time from 48 h to 16 h, caused a 40.5% and 43.2% increase in the yellowness and sweetness of YT, respectively, and improved the consumer acceptability by 36.8%. Moreover, metabolomics was used to explore the involved mechanisms that resulted in the improved YT quality. The optimized yellowing promoted the hydrolysis of 5 gallated catechins, 6 flavonoid glycosides, theogallin and digalloylglucose, resulting in the accumulation of 5 soluble sugars and gallic acid. Meanwhile, it promoted the oxidative polymerization of catechins (e.g., theaflagallin, δ-type dehydrodicatechin and theasinensin A), but decelerated the degradation of chlorophylls. Overall, this optimized yellowing process could serve as a guide to a shorter yellowing cycle.PMID:37467693 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136785

Gastrointestinal symptoms of long COVID-19 related to the ectopic colonization of specific bacteria that move between the upper and lower alimentary tract and alterations in serum metabolites

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
BMC Med. 2023 Jul 19;21(1):264. doi: 10.1186/s12916-023-02972-x.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, many COVID-19 variants have emerged, causing several waves of pandemics and many infections. Long COVID-19, or long-term sequelae after recovery from COVID-19, has aroused worldwide concern because it reduces patient quality of life after rehabilitation. We aimed to characterize the functional differential profile of the oral and gut microbiomes and serum metabolites in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms associated with long COVID-19.METHODS: We prospectively collected oral, fecal, and serum samples from 983 antibiotic-naïve patients with mild COVID-19 and performed a 3-month follow-up postdischarge. Forty-five fecal and saliva samples, and 25 paired serum samples were collected from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms of long COVID-19 at follow-up and from healthy controls, respectively. Eight fecal and saliva samples were collected without gastrointestinal symptoms of long COVID-19 at follow-up. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples and 2bRAD-M sequencing of saliva samples were performed on these paired samples. Two published COVID-19 gut microbiota cohorts were analyzed for comparison. Paired serum samples were analyzed using widely targeted metabolomics.RESULTS: Mild COVID-19 patients without gastrointestinal symptoms of long COVID-19 showed little difference in the gut and oral microbiota during hospitalization and at follow-up from healthy controls. The baseline and 3-month samples collected from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms associated with long COVID-19 showed significant differences, and ectopic colonization of the oral cavity by gut microbes including 27 common differentially abundant genera in the Proteobacteria phylum, was observed at the 3-month timepoint. Some of these bacteria, including Neisseria, Lautropia, and Agrobacterium, were highly related to differentially expressed serum metabolites with potential toxicity, such as 4-chlorophenylacetic acid, 5-sulfoxymethylfurfural, and estradiol valerate.CONCLUSIONS: Our study characterized the changes in and correlations between the oral and gut microbiomes and serum metabolites in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms associated with long COVID-19. Additionally, our findings reveal that ectopically colonized bacteria from the gut to the oral cavity could exist in long COVID-19 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, with a strong correlation to some potential harmful metabolites in serum.PMID:37468867 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-023-02972-x

Pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 is selectively expressed by peritubular myoid cells in the murine testis and sustains long-term spermatogenesis

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2023 Jul 19;80(8):217. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-04872-y.ABSTRACTSpermatogenesis is a complicated process of germ cell differentiation that occurs within the seminiferous tubule in the testis. Peritubular myoid cells (PTMCs) produce major components of the basement membrane that separates and ensures the structural integrity of seminiferous tubules. These cells secrete niche factors to promote spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) maintenance and mediate androgen signals to direct spermatid development. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying the identity and function of PTMCs have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we showed that the expression of pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 (Pnliprp2) was restricted in PTMCs in the testis and that its genetic ablation caused age-dependent defects in spermatogenesis. The fertility of Pnliprp2 knockout animals (Pnliprp2-/-) was normal at a young age but declined sharply beginning at 9 months. Pnliprp2 deletion impaired the homeostasis of undifferentiated spermatogonia and severely disrupted the development and function of spermatids. Integrated analyses of single-cell RNA-seq and metabolomics data revealed that glyceride metabolism was changed in PTMCs from Pnliprp2-/- mice. Further analysis found that 60 metabolites were altered in the sperm of the Pnliprp2-/- animals; notably, lipid metabolism was significantly dysregulated. Collectively, these results revealed that Pnliprp2 was exclusively expressed in PTMCs in the testis and played a novel role in supporting continual spermatogenesis in mice. The outcomes of these findings highlight the function of lipid metabolism in reproduction and provide new insights into the regulation of PTMCs in mammals.PMID:37468762 | DOI:10.1007/s00018-023-04872-y

Untargeted hair lipidomics: comprehensive evaluation of the hair-specific lipid signature and considerations for retrospective analysis

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Anal Bioanal Chem. 2023 Jul 19. doi: 10.1007/s00216-023-04851-z. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTLipidomics investigates the composition and function of lipids, typically employing blood or tissue samples as the primary study matrices. Hair has recently emerged as a potential complementary sample type to identify biomarkers in early disease stages and retrospectively document an individual's metabolic status due to its long detection window of up to several months prior to the time of sampling. However, the limited coverage of lipid profiling presented in previous studies has hindered its exploitation. This study aimed to evaluate the lipid coverage of hair using an untargeted liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry lipidomics platform. Two distinct three-step exhaustive extraction experiments were performed using a hair metabolomics one-phase extraction technique that has been recently optimized, and the two-phase Folch extraction method which is recognized as the gold standard for lipid extraction in biological matrices. The applied lipidomics workflow improved hair lipid coverage, as only 99 species could be annotated using the one-phase extraction method, while 297 lipid species across six categories were annotated with the Folch method. Several lipids in hair were reported for the first time, including N-acyl amino acids, diradylglycerols, and coenzyme Q10. The study suggests that hair lipids are not solely derived from de novo synthesis in hair, but are also incorporated from sebum and blood, making hair a valuable matrix for clinical, forensic, and dermatological research. The improved understanding of the lipid composition and analytical considerations for retrospective analysis offers valuable insights to contextualize untargeted hair lipidomic analysis and facilitate the use of hair in translational studies.PMID:37468753 | DOI:10.1007/s00216-023-04851-z

Influences of chemotype and parental genotype on metabolic fingerprints of tansy plants uncovered by predictive metabolomics

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 19;13(1):11645. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-38790-7.ABSTRACTIntraspecific plant chemodiversity shapes plant-environment interactions. Within species, chemotypes can be defined according to variation in dominant specialised metabolites belonging to certain classes. Different ecological functions could be assigned to these distinct chemotypes. However, the roles of other metabolic variation and the parental origin (or genotype) of the chemotypes remain poorly explored. Here, we first compared the capacity of terpenoid profiles and metabolic fingerprints to distinguish five chemotypes of common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) and depict metabolic differences. Metabolic fingerprints captured higher variation in metabolites while preserving the ability to define chemotypes. These differences might influence plant performance and interactions with the environment. Next, to characterise the influence of the maternal origin on chemodiversity, we performed variation partitioning and generalised linear modelling. Our findings revealed that maternal origin was a higher source of chemical variation than chemotype. Predictive metabolomics unveiled 184 markers predicting maternal origin with 89% accuracy. These markers included, among others, phenolics, whose functions in plant-environment interactions are well established. Hence, these findings place parental genotype at the forefront of intraspecific chemodiversity. We recommend considering this factor when comparing the ecology of various chemotypes. Additionally, the combined inclusion of inherited variation in main terpenoids and other metabolites in computational models may help connect chemodiversity and evolutionary principles.PMID:37468576 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-38790-7

An epidemiological introduction to human metabolomic investigations

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Jul 17:S1043-2760(23)00117-0. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.06.006. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTMetabolomics holds great promise for uncovering insights around biological processes impacting disease in human epidemiological studies. Metabolites can be measured across biological samples, including plasma, serum, saliva, urine, stool, and whole organs and tissues, offering a means to characterize metabolic processes relevant to disease etiology and traits of interest. Metabolomic epidemiology studies face unique challenges, such as identifying metabolites from targeted and untargeted assays, defining standards for quality control, harmonizing results across platforms that often capture different metabolites, and developing statistical methods for high-dimensional and correlated metabolomic data. In this review, we introduce metabolomic epidemiology to the broader scientific community, discuss opportunities and challenges presented by these studies, and highlight emerging innovations that hold promise to uncover new biological insights.PMID:37468430 | DOI:10.1016/j.tem.2023.06.006

A L-glutamine binding protein modified MNM structured optical fiber biosensor based on surface plasmon resonance sensing for detection of L-glutamine metabolism in vitro embryo culture

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Biosens Bioelectron. 2023 Jul 16;237:115537. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115537. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTA surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical fiber sensor with multimode-coreless-multimode (MNM) structure was developed, which modified by L-glutamine-binding protein (QBP) for detection of L-glutamine (Gln). The QBP was immobilized on the surface of gold films by chemical cross-linking and exhibited a binding affinity for L-glutamine. The conformation of QBP can be changed from the "open" to the "closed", which led to a red-shift of the SPR peak when QBP bounded to L-glutamine. There was a good linear correlation between is a dependence of the SPR peak on and the concentration of L-glutamine concentration in the range 10-100 μM, with a sensitivity of 10.797nm/log10[Gln] for L-glutamine in the in vitro embryo culture (IVC) medium environment, and the limit of detection (LOD) is 1.187 μM. This QBP-modified MNM structure optical fiber SPR sensor provides a new idea for the developmental potential assessment of embryos in the process of in vitro embryo culture.PMID:37467534 | DOI:10.1016/j.bios.2023.115537

Metabolomic analysis identifies the regulation of lipid metabolism pathway as potential mechanisms of Jiangzhi decoction against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
J Pharm Pharmacol. 2023 Jul 19:rgad067. doi: 10.1093/jpp/rgad067. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVES: To illustrate the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of Jiangzhi decoction (JZD) against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).METHODS: High-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD rats were treated with JZD. The pathological morphology, lipid indexes and liver function were detected. Metabolic profiles were examined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Multivariate and univariate statistical analysis were used to search the differential metabolites. Pathway enrichment analysis was carried out using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. Compound-gene networks were built by Cytoscape software.RESULTS: JZD significantly alleviated the pathological conditions and improved lipid index levels. Multivariate analysis showed a good separation among different groups. Three hundred and twenty-seven metabolites in HFD versus control and 301 metabolites in JZD versus HFD were identified to be significantly different. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that lipid metabolism pathways were prominent altered pathways. Importantly, the relationships were more distant between JZD and HFD groups in all five lipid metabolism pathways, including arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, glycerophospholipid metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism, while those were obviously closer between JZD and control groups. Simultaneously, JZD treatment restored the levels of disturbed differential metabolites in HFD group.CONCLUSION: JZD had an effect on alleviating NAFLD via regulating relevant lipid metabolism.PMID:37467485 | DOI:10.1093/jpp/rgad067

Parkin regulates amino acid homeostasis at mitochondria-lysosome (M/L) contact sites in Parkinson's disease

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Sci Adv. 2023 Jul 21;9(29):eadh3347. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adh3347. Epub 2023 Jul 19.ABSTRACTMutations in the E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin are the most common cause of early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Although parkin modulates mitochondrial and endolysosomal homeostasis during cellular stress, whether parkin regulates mitochondrial and lysosomal cross-talk under physiologic conditions remains unresolved. Using transcriptomics, metabolomics and super-resolution microscopy, we identify amino acid metabolism as a disrupted pathway in iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons from patients with parkin PD. Compared to isogenic controls, parkin mutant neurons exhibit decreased mitochondria-lysosome contacts via destabilization of active Rab7. Subcellular metabolomics in parkin mutant neurons reveals amino acid accumulation in lysosomes and their deficiency in mitochondria. Knockdown of the Rab7 GTPase-activating protein TBC1D15 restores mitochondria-lysosome tethering and ameliorates cellular and subcellular amino acid profiles in parkin mutant neurons. Our data thus uncover a function of parkin in promoting mitochondrial and lysosomal amino acid homeostasis through stabilization of mitochondria-lysosome contacts and suggest that modulation of interorganelle contacts may serve as a potential target for ameliorating amino acid dyshomeostasis in disease.PMID:37467322 | DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adh3347

Mitochondrial Dysfunction Was Involved in Decabromodiphenyl Ethane-Induced Glucolipid Metabolism Disorders and Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish Larvae

Wed, 19/07/2023 - 12:00
Environ Sci Technol. 2023 Jul 19. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03552. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTDecabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), a novel brominated flame retardant, is becoming increasingly prevalent in environmental and biota samples. While DBDPE has been shown to cause various biological adverse effects, the molecular mechanism behind these effects is still unclear. In this research, zebrafish embryos were exposed to DBDPE (50-400 μg/L) until 120 h post fertilization (hpf). The results confirmed the neurotoxicity by increased average swimming speed, interfered neurotransmitter contents, and transcription of neurodevelopment-related genes in zebrafish larvae. Metabolomics analysis revealed changes of metabolites primarily involved in glycolipid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and oxidative stress, which were validated through the alterations of multiple biomarkers at various levels. We further evaluated the mitochondrial performance upon DBDPE exposure and found inhibited mitochondrial oxidative respiration accompanied by decreased mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activities, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP contents. However, addition of nicotinamide riboside could effectively restore DBDPE-induced mitochondrial impairments and resultant neurotoxicity, oxidative stress as well as glycolipid metabolism in zebrafish larvae. Taken together, our data suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction was involved in DBDPE-induced toxicity, providing novel insight into the toxic mechanisms of DBDPE as well as other emerging pollutants.PMID:37467077 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.3c03552

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