PubMed
Metabolomic profiling and biological evaluations of Spongia irregularis-associated actinomycetes supported by multivariate statistical analysis
J Appl Microbiol. 2023 Jun 9:lxad120. doi: 10.1093/jambio/lxad120. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAIM: Metabolomics analysis using LC-HRESIMS of twelve extracts of Spongia irregularis associated actinomycetes for dereplication purposes in addition to evaluation of cytotoxic and antiviral activities of the extracts.METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, three actinomycetes belonging to the genera Micromonospora, Streptomyces, and Rhodococcus were recovered from the marine sponge Spongia irregularis. Applying OSMAC approach, each strain was fermented on four different media resulting in twelve extracts. All extracts were subjected to metabolomics analysis using LC-HRESIMS for dereplication purposes. Multivariate data statistical analysis was carried out for the differentiation between extracts. Additionally, the cytotoxic and anti-HCV potentials of extracts were evaluated. Most of extracts showed strong to moderate cytotoxicity effects against HepG-2, CACO-2 and MCF-7 cell lines with general IC50 range of 2.8-8.9 µg/mL. Moreover, the extracts of Micromonospora sp. UR44 using ISP2 and OLIGO media and Streptomyces sp. UR32 using ISP2 medium exhibited anti-HCV activity with IC50 of 4.5 ± 0.22, 3.8 ± 0.18 and 5.7 ± 0.15 µM, respectively.CONCLUSION: Metabolomic analysis of twelve extracts of Spongia irregularis associated actinomycetes led to identification of large number of secondary metabolites. Morever, investigation of cytotoxic and antiviral activities of the extracts revealed that only three extracts exhibited antiviral activity and 7 extracts exhibited cytotoxic activity.PMID:37296319 | DOI:10.1093/jambio/lxad120
Empowering drug off-target discovery with metabolic and structural analysis
Nat Commun. 2023 Jun 9;14(1):3390. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-38859-x.ABSTRACTElucidating intracellular drug targets is a difficult problem. While machine learning analysis of omics data has been a promising approach, going from large-scale trends to specific targets remains a challenge. Here, we develop a hierarchic workflow to focus on specific targets based on analysis of metabolomics data and growth rescue experiments. We deploy this framework to understand the intracellular molecular interactions of the multi-valent dihydrofolate reductase-targeting antibiotic compound CD15-3. We analyse global metabolomics data utilizing machine learning, metabolic modelling, and protein structural similarity to prioritize candidate drug targets. Overexpression and in vitro activity assays confirm one of the predicted candidates, HPPK (folK), as a CD15-3 off-target. This study demonstrates how established machine learning methods can be combined with mechanistic analyses to improve the resolution of drug target finding workflows for discovering off-targets of a metabolic inhibitor.PMID:37296102 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-023-38859-x
Variants in SART3 cause a spliceosomopathy characterised by failure of testis development and neuronal defects
Nat Commun. 2023 Jun 9;14(1):3403. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-39040-0.ABSTRACTSquamous cell carcinoma antigen recognized by T cells 3 (SART3) is an RNA-binding protein with numerous biological functions including recycling small nuclear RNAs to the spliceosome. Here, we identify recessive variants in SART3 in nine individuals presenting with intellectual disability, global developmental delay and a subset of brain anomalies, together with gonadal dysgenesis in 46,XY individuals. Knockdown of the Drosophila orthologue of SART3 reveals a conserved role in testicular and neuronal development. Human induced pluripotent stem cells carrying patient variants in SART3 show disruption to multiple signalling pathways, upregulation of spliceosome components and demonstrate aberrant gonadal and neuronal differentiation in vitro. Collectively, these findings suggest that bi-allelic SART3 variants underlie a spliceosomopathy which we tentatively propose be termed INDYGON syndrome (Intellectual disability, Neurodevelopmental defects and Developmental delay with 46,XY GONadal dysgenesis). Our findings will enable additional diagnoses and improved outcomes for individuals born with this condition.PMID:37296101 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-023-39040-0
A viral pan-end RNA element and host complex define a SARS-CoV-2 regulon
Nat Commun. 2023 Jun 9;14(1):3385. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-39091-3.ABSTRACTSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, generates multiple protein-coding, subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) from a longer genomic RNA, all bearing identical termini with poorly understood roles in regulating viral gene expression. Insulin and interferon-gamma, two host-derived, stress-related agents, and virus spike protein, induce binding of glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (EPRS1), within an unconventional, tetra-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex, to the sgRNA 3'-end thereby enhancing sgRNA expression. We identify an EPRS1-binding sarbecoviral pan-end activating RNA (SPEAR) element in the 3'-end of viral RNAs driving agonist-induction. Translation of another co-terminal 3'-end feature, ORF10, is necessary for SPEAR-mediated induction, independent of Orf10 protein expression. The SPEAR element enhances viral programmed ribosomal frameshifting, thereby expanding its functionality. By co-opting noncanonical activities of a family of essential host proteins, the virus establishes a post-transcriptional regulon stimulating global viral RNA translation. A SPEAR-targeting strategy markedly reduces SARS-CoV-2 titer, suggesting a pan-sarbecoviral therapeutic modality.PMID:37296097 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-023-39091-3
Effectiveness of mid-infrared spectroscopy for the prediction of cow milk metabolites
J Dairy Sci. 2023 Jun 7:S0022-0302(23)00332-6. doi: 10.3168/jds.2023-23226. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTProton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy is acknowledged as one of the most powerful analytical methods with cross-cutting applications in dairy foods. To date, the use of 1H NMR spectroscopy for the collection of milk metabolic profile is hindered by costly and time-consuming sample preparation and analysis. The present study aimed at evaluating the accuracy of mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) as a rapid method for the prediction of cow milk metabolites determined through 1H NMR spectroscopy. Bulk milk (n = 72) and individual milk samples (n = 482) were analyzed through one-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy and MIRS. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy identified 35 milk metabolites, which were quantified in terms of relative abundance, and MIRS prediction models were developed on the same 35 milk metabolites, using partial least squares regression analysis. The best MIRS prediction models were developed for galactose-1-phosphate, glycerophosphocholine, orotate, choline, galactose, lecithin, glutamate, and lactose, with coefficient of determination in external validation from 0.58 to 0.85, and ratio of performance to deviation in external validation from 1.50 to 2.64. The remaining 27 metabolites were poorly predicted. This study represents a first attempt to predict milk metabolome. Further research is needed to specifically address whether developed prediction models may find practical application in the dairy sector, with particular regard to the screening of dairy cows' metabolic status, the quality control of dairy foods, and the identification of processed milk or incorrectly stored milk.PMID:37296050 | DOI:10.3168/jds.2023-23226
Integrated meta-omics analyses reveal a role of ruminal microorganisms in ketone body accumulation and ketosis in lactating dairy cows
J Dairy Sci. 2023 Jun 7:S0022-0302(23)00327-2. doi: 10.3168/jds.2022-22282. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe extent to which a nutrition-related disorder such as ketosis alters the ruminal microbiota or whether microbiota composition is related to ketosis and potential associations with host metabolism is unknown. We aimed to evaluate variations occurring in the ruminal microbiota of ketotic and nonketotic cows in the early postpartum period, and how those changes may affect the risk of developing the disease. Data on milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI), body condition score, and blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations at 21 d postpartum were used to select 27 cows, which were assigned (n = 9 per group) to a clinical ketotic (CK, 4.10 ± 0.72 mmol BHB/L, DMI 11.61 ± 0.49 kg/d, ruminal pH 7.55 ± 0.07), subclinical ketotic (SK, 1.36 ± 0.12 mmol BHB/L, DMI 15.24 ± 0.34 kg/d, ruminal pH 7.58 ± 0.08), or control (NK, 0.88 ± 0.14 mmol BHB/L, DMI 16.74 ± 0.67/d, ruminal pH 7.61 ± 0.03) group. Cows averaged 3.6 ± 0.5 lactations and a body condition score of 3.11 ± 0.34 at the time of sampling. After blood serum collection for metabolomics analysis (1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra), 150 mL of ruminal digesta was collected from each cow using an esophageal tube, paired-end (2 × 300 bp) sequencing of isolated DNA from ruminal digesta was performed via Illumina MiSeq, and sequencing data were analyzed using QIIME2 (v 2020.6) to measure the ruminal microbiota composition and relative abundance. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to evaluate relationships between relative abundance of bacterial genera and concentrations of serum metabolites. There were more than 200 genera, with approximately 30 being significant between NK and CK cows. Succinivibrionaceae UCG 1 taxa decreased in CK compared with NK cows. Christensenellaceae (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.6), Ruminococcaceae (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.6), Lachnospiraceae (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.5), and Prevotellaceae (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.6) genera were more abundant in the CK group and were highly positively correlated with plasma BHB. Metagenomic analysis indicated a high abundance of predicted functions related to metabolism (37.7%), genetic information processing (33.4%), and Brite hierarchies (16.3%) in the CK group. The 2 most important metabolic pathways for butyrate and propionate production were enriched in CK cows, suggesting increased production of acetyl coenzyme A and butyrate and decreased production of propionate. Overall, the combined data suggested that microbial populations may be related to ketosis by affecting short-chain fatty acid metabolism and BHB accumulation even in cows with adequate feed intake in the early postpartum period.PMID:37296048 | DOI:10.3168/jds.2022-22282
Recent advances in mass spectrometry-based spatially resolved molecular imaging of drug disposition and metabolomics
Drug Metab Dispos. 2023 Jun 9:DMD-MR-2022-001069. doi: 10.1124/dmd.122.001069. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTMass spectrometric imaging (MSI) is a non-targeted, tag-free, high-throughput, and highly responsive analytical approach. The highly accurate molecular visualization detection technology enables to provide qualitative and quantitative analyses of biological tissues or cells scanned by mass spectrometry in situ, extracting known and unknown multiple compounds, and simultaneously assessing relative contents of targeting molecules by monitoring their molecular ions, and pinpointing the spatial locations of those molecules distributed. Five mass spectrometric imaging techniques and their characteristics are introduced in the review, including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry, laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI) mass spectrometry, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma (LA-ICP) mass spectrometry. The mass spectrometry-based techniques provide the possibility for spatial metabolomics with the capability of high throughput and precision detection. The approaches have been widely employed to spatially image not only metabolome of endogenous amino acids, peptides, proteins, neurotransmitters, and lipids, but also the disposition of exogenous chemicals, such as pharmaceutical agents, environmental pollutants, toxicants, natural products, and heavy metals. The techniques also provide us with spatial distribution imaging of analytes in single cells, tissue microregions, organs, and whole animals. Significance Statement The review article includes an overview of five commonly used mass spectrometers for spatial imaging and describes the advantages and disadvantages of each. Examples of the technology applications cover drug disposition, diseases, and omics. Technical aspects of relative and absolute quantification by mass spectrometric imaging and challenges for future new applications are discussed as well. The reviewed knowledge anticipates to benefit the development of new drugs and to better understand biochemical processes related to physiology and diseases.PMID:37295949 | DOI:10.1124/dmd.122.001069
Transcriptomics integrated with metabolomics unravels the interweaving of inflammatory response and 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol metabolic disorder in chronic cadmium exposure-induced hepatotoxicity
Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2023 Jun 7:104172. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104172. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTChronic Cd exposure induces an inflammatory response that contributes to liver damage. In the present study, C57BL/6J mice (8 weeks) were administered CdCl2 (0.6mg/L) orally for 6 months, and the underlying mechanism of chronic Cd-induced hepatotoxicity was explored through the application of transcriptomics and metabolomics. Chronic Cd exposure induced focal necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in the livers of mice. Importantly, hepatic IL-1β, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-17 and GM-CSF levels were significantly increased following chronic Cd exposure. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of the transcriptomics profiles combined with RTqPCR was used to identify and optimize a crucial inflammatory response network in chronic Cd hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, an integrative analysis combining inflammatory response genes with differential metabolites revealed that 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol and 4-hydroxybutanoic acid lactone levels were significantly correlated with all inflammatory response genes. Overall, our findings in this study help decipher the underlying mechanisms and key molecular events of chronic Cd hepatotoxicity.PMID:37295737 | DOI:10.1016/j.etap.2023.104172
Comparative transcriptome and metabolome analysis identifies a citrus ERF transcription factor CsERF003 as flavonoid activator
Plant Sci. 2023 Jun 7:111762. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111762. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTTranscription factor (TF) modulation is a promising strategy for plant flavonoid improvement. Here, we observed evident decreases in some major flavones and flavonols and the expression of some key related genes in a 'Newhall' navel orange mutant (MT) relative to the wild type (WT). A consistently downregulated ERF TF CsERF003 in MT could increase the contents of major flavonoids and the precursor phenylalanine when transiently overexpressed in citrus fruit. Overexpression of CsERF003 in 'Micro-Tom' tomato (OE) resulted in a darker and redder fruit color than wild type 'Micro-Tom' (WTm). Two major flavonoids, naringeninchalcone and kaempferolrutinoside, were averagely induced by 7.99- and 36.83-fold in OEs, respectively, while little change was observed in other polyphenols, such as caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and gallic acid. Key genes involved in the initiation of phenylpropanoid (PAL, 4CH, and 4CL) and flavonoid (CHS and CHI) biosynthesis were up-regulated, while most genes participating in the biosynthesis of other polyphenols, such as HCT and CCR, were down-regulated in OEs. Therefore, it could be concluded that carbon flux floods into the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway and is then specifically directed for flavonoid biosynthesis. CsERF003 may be a potentially promising gene for fruit quality improvement and engineering of natural flavonoid components.PMID:37295731 | DOI:10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111762
Biostimulants and environmental stress mitigation in crops: A novel and emerging approach for agricultural sustainability under climate change
Environ Res. 2023 Jun 7:116357. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116357. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPesticide and fertilizer usage is at the center of agricultural production to meet the demands of an ever-increasing global population. However, rising levels of chemicals impose a serious threat to the health of humans, animals, plants, and even the entire biosphere because of their toxic effects. Biostimulants offer the opportunity to reduce the agricultural chemical footprint owing their multilevel, beneficial properties helping to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient. When applied to plants or to the soil an increased absorption and distribution of nutrients, tolerance to environmental stress, and improved quality of plant products explain the mechanisms by which these probiotics are useful. In recent years, the use of plant biostimulants has received widespread attention across the globe as an ecologically acceptable alternative to sustainable agricultural production. As a result, their worldwide market continues to grow, and further research will be conducted to broaden the range of the products now available. Through this review, we present a current understanding of biostimulants, their mode of action and their involvement in modulating abiotic stress responses, including omics research, which may provide a comprehensive assessment of the crop's response by correlating molecular changes to physiological pathways activated under stress conditions aggravated by climate change.PMID:37295582 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2023.116357
Energy substrate metabolism, mitochondrial structure and oxidative stress after cardiac ischemia-reperfusion in mice lacking UCP3
Free Radic Biol Med. 2023 Jun 7:S0891-5849(23)00430-6. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.05.014. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTMyocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury may result in cardiomyocyte dysfunction. Mitochondria play a critical role in cardiomyocyte recovery after IR injury. The mitochondrial uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) has been proposed to reduce mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and to facilitate fatty acid oxidation. As both mechanisms might be protective following IR injury, we investigated functional, mitochondrial structural, and metabolic cardiac remodeling in wild-type mice and in mice lacking UCP3 (UCP3-KO) after IR. Results showed that infarct size in isolated perfused hearts subjected to IR ex vivo was larger in adult and old UCP3-KO mice than in equivalent wild-type mice, and was accompanied by higher levels of creatine kinase in the effluent and by more pronounced mitochondrial structural changes. The greater myocardial damage in UCP3-KO hearts was confirmed in vivo after coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. S1QEL, a suppressor of superoxide generation from site IQ in complex I, limited infarct size in UCP3-KO hearts, pointing to exacerbated superoxide production as a possible cause of the damage. Metabolomics analysis of isolated perfused hearts confirmed the reported accumulation of succinate, xanthine and hypoxanthine during ischemia, and a shift to anaerobic glucose utilization, which all recovered upon reoxygenation. The metabolic response to ischemia and IR was similar in UCP3-KO and wild-type hearts, being lipid and energy metabolism the most affected pathways. Fatty acid oxidation and complex I (but not complex II) activity were equally impaired after IR. Overall, our results indicate that UCP3 deficiency promotes enhanced superoxide generation and mitochondrial structural changes that increase the vulnerability of the myocardium to IR injury.PMID:37295539 | DOI:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.05.014
Induction of Metabolic Reprogramming in Kidney by Singlet Diradical Nanoparticles
Adv Mater. 2023 Jun 9:e2301338. doi: 10.1002/adma.202301338. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPolycyclic aromatic compounds with an open-shell singlet diradical ground state, namely singlet diradicals, have recently gained attention in the fields of organic electronics, photovoltaics, and spintronics owing to their unique electronic structures and properties. Notably, singlet diradicals exhibit tunable redox amphoterism, which makes them excellent redox-active materials for biomedical applications. However, the safety and therapeutic efficacy of singlet diradicals in biological systems have not yet been explored. Herein, we present a newly designed singlet diradical nanomaterial, diphenyl-substituted biolympicenylidene (BO-Ph), exhibiting low cytotoxicity in vitro, non-significant acute nephrotoxicity in vivo, and the ability to induce metabolic reprogramming in kidney organoids. Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal that the metabolism of BO-Ph stimulates glutathione synthesis and fatty acid degradation, increases the levels of intermediates in the tricarboxylic acid and carnitine cycles, and eventually boosts oxidative phosphorylation under redox homeostasis. Benefits of BO-Ph-induced metabolic reprogramming in kidney organoids include enhanced cellular antioxidant capacity and promoted mitochondrial function. The results of this study can facilitate the application of singlet diradical materials in the treatment of clinical conditions induced by mitochondrial abnormalities in kidney. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.PMID:37295411 | DOI:10.1002/adma.202301338
Point-of-care applicable metabotyping using biofluid-specific electrospun MetaSAMPs directly amenable to ambient LA-REIMS
Sci Adv. 2023 Jun 9;9(23):eade9933. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ade9933. Epub 2023 Jun 9.ABSTRACTIn recent years, ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) including laser ablation rapid evaporation IMS, has enabled direct biofluid metabolome analysis. AIMS procedures are, however, still hampered by both analytical, i.e., matrix effects, and practical, i.e., sample transport stability, drawbacks that impede metabolome coverage. In this study, we aimed at developing biofluid-specific metabolome sampling membranes (MetaSAMPs) that offer a directly applicable and stabilizing substrate for AIMS. Customized rectal, salivary, and urinary MetaSAMPs consisting of electrospun (nano)fibrous membranes of blended hydrophilic (polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacrylonitrile) and lipophilic (polystyrene) polymers supported metabolite absorption, adsorption, and desorption. Moreover, MetaSAMP demonstrated superior metabolome coverage and transport stability compared to crude biofluid analysis and was successfully validated in two pediatric cohorts (MetaBEAse, n = 234 and OPERA, n = 101). By integrating anthropometric and (patho)physiological with MetaSAMP-AIMS metabolome data, we obtained substantial weight-driven predictions and clinical correlations. In conclusion, MetaSAMP holds great clinical application potential for on-the-spot metabolic health stratification.PMID:37294759 | DOI:10.1126/sciadv.ade9933
High-throughput quantification of microbial-derived organic acids in mucin-rich samples via reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography
J Med Microbiol. 2023 Jun;72(6). doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.001708.ABSTRACTOrganic acids (short chain fatty acids, amino acids, etc.) are common metabolic byproducts of commensal bacteria of the gut and oral cavity in addition to microbiota associated with chronic infections of the airways, skin, and soft tissues. A ubiquitous characteristic of these body sites in which mucus-rich secretions often accumulate in excess, is the presence of mucins; high molecular weight (HMW), glycosylated proteins that decorate the surfaces of non-keratinized epithelia. Owing to their size, mucins complicate quantification of microbial-derived metabolites as these large glycoproteins preclude use of 1D and 2D gel approaches and can obstruct analytical chromatography columns. Standard approaches for quantification of organic acids in mucin-rich samples typically rely on laborious extractions or outsourcing to laboratories specializing in targeted metabolomics. Here we report a high-throughput sample preparation process that reduces mucin abundance and an accompanying isocratic reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method that enables quantification of microbial-derived organic acids. This approach allows for accurate quantification of compounds of interest (0.01 mM - 100 mM) with minimal sample preparation, a moderate HPLC method run time, and preservation of both guard and analytical column integrity. This approach paves the way for further analyses of microbial-derived metabolites in complex clinical samples.PMID:37294285 | DOI:10.1099/jmm.0.001708
Chondroitin Sulfate Alleviated Obesity by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Liver Metabolome in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice
J Agric Food Chem. 2023 Jun 9. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02642. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTChondroitin sulfate (CS) is a special bioactive substance with lipid metabolism regulation functions; its molecular mechanisms, however, need further study. This study aimed to study the role of gut microbiota and liver metabolome in the anti-obesity effects of CS. The results demonstrated that CS significantly reduced body weight gain and alleviated insulin resistance and dyslipidemia induced by high-fat diet treatment. Moreover, CS interestingly increased the content of Firmicutes in intestinal microbiota. Further studies showed that there were 11 different metabolites involved in metabolic pathways, including the unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. In addition, Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that the anti-obesity effect of CS is closely related to liver metabolic regulation. Overall, these results provide a possible molecular mechanism by which CS reduces body weight and lipid accumulation.PMID:37294270 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02642
The flavour of grape colour: anthocyanin content tunes aroma precursor composition by altering the berry microenvironment
J Exp Bot. 2023 Jun 9:erad223. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erad223. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAnthocyanin-less (white) instead of black/red (coloured) fruits develop in grapevine cultivars without functional VviMYBA1 and VviMYBA2 genes, which conditions the colour of wines that can be produced. To evaluate whether this genetic variation has additional consequences on fruit ripening and composition, we performed microenvironment, transcriptomics and metabolomics comparisons of developing grapes between near-isogenic white- and black-berried somatic variants of Garnacha and Tempranillo cultivars. Berry temperature was up to 3.5ºC lower in white- compared to black-berried Tempranillo. An RNA-seq study combined with targeted and untargeted metabolomics revealed that ripening fruits of white-berried variants were characterized by the upregulation of photosynthesis and other light-responsive genes and their higher accumulation of specific terpene aroma precursors, fatty acid-derived aldehyde volatiles and phenylpropanoid precursor amino acids. MYBA1-MYBA2 function proved essential for flavonol trihydroxylation in black-berried somatic variants, which were also characterized by enhanced pathogen defence gene expression in berry skin and increased accumulation of C6-derived alcohol and ester volatiles and GABA. Collectively, our results indicate that anthocyanin depletion entails side effects on grape composition by altering the berry internal microenvironment and the partition of the phenylpropanoid pathway. These findings show how fruit colour can condition other fruit features, such as flavour potential and stress homeostasis.PMID:37294268 | DOI:10.1093/jxb/erad223
Meta-omics profiling of the gut-lung axis illuminates metabolic networks and host-microbial interactions associated with elevated lung elastance in a murine model of obese allergic asthma
Front Microbiomes. 2023;2:1153691. doi: 10.3389/frmbi.2023.1153691. Epub 2023 May 5.ABSTRACTObesity and associated changes to the gut microbiome worsen airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in asthma. Obesogenic host-microbial metabolomes have altered production of metabolites that may influence lung function and inflammatory responses in asthma. To understand the interplay of the gut microbiome, metabolism, and host inflammation in obesity-associated asthma, we used a multi-omics approach to profile the gut-lung axis in the setting of allergic airway disease and diet-induced obesity. We evaluated an immunomodulator, nitro-oleic acid (NO2-OA), as a host- and microbial-targeted treatment intervention for obesity-associated allergic asthma. Allergic airway disease was induced using house dust mite and cholera toxin adjuvant in C57BL6/J mice with diet-induced obesity to model obesity-associated asthma. Lung function was measured by flexiVent following a week of NO2-OA treatment and allergen challenge. 16S rRNA gene (from DNA, taxa presence) and 16S rRNA (from RNA, taxa activity) sequencing, metabolomics, and host gene expression were paired with a Treatment-Measured-Response model as a data integration framework for identifying latent/hidden relationships with linear regression among variables identified from high-dimensional meta-omics datasets. Targeting both the host and gut microbiota, NO2-OA attenuated airway inflammation, improved lung elastance, and modified the gut microbiome. Meta-omics data integration and modeling determined that gut-associated inflammation, metabolites, and functionally active gut microbiota were linked to lung function outcomes. Using Treatment-Measured-Response modeling and meta-omics profiling of the gut-lung axis, we uncovered a previously hidden network of interactions between gut levels of amino acid metabolites involved in elastin and collagen synthesis, gut microbiota, NO2-OA, and lung elastance. Further targeted metabolomics analyses revealed that obese mice with allergic airway disease had higher levels of proline and hydroxyproline in the lungs. NO2-OA treatment reduced proline biosynthesis by downregulation of pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) expression. These findings are relevant to human disease: adults with mild-moderate asthma and BMI ≥ 25 had higher plasma hydroxyproline levels. Our results suggest that changes to structural proteins in the lung airways and parenchyma may contribute to heightened lung elastance and serve as a potential therapeutic target for obese allergic asthma.PMID:37293566 | PMC:PMC10249466 | DOI:10.3389/frmbi.2023.1153691
Untargeted metabolomics approach and molecular networking analysis reveal changes in chemical composition under the influence of altitudinal variation in bamboo species
Front Mol Biosci. 2023 May 24;10:1192088. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1192088. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTBamboo species have traditionally been used as building material and potential source of bioactive substances, as they produce a wide variety of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and cinnamic acid derivatives that are considered biologically active. However, the effects of growth conditions such as location, altitude, climate, and soil on the metabolome of these species still need to be fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate variations in chemical composition induced by altitudinal gradient (0-3000 m) by utilizing an untargeted metabolomics approach and mapping chemical space using molecular networking analysis. We analyzed 111 samples from 12 bamboo species collected from different altitudinal ranges using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). We used multivariate and univariate statistical analyses to identify the metabolites that showed significant differences in the altitude environments. Additionally, we used the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) web platform to perform chemical mapping by comparing the metabolome among the studied species and the reference spectra from its database. The results showed 89 differential metabolites between the altitudinal ranges investigated, wherein high altitude environments significantly increased the profile of flavonoids. While, low altitude environments significantly boosted the profile of cinnamic acid derivatives, particularly caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs). MolNetEnhancer networks confirmed the same differential molecular families already found, revealing metabolic diversity. Overall, this study provides the first report of variations induced by altitude in the chemical profile of bamboo species. The findings may possess fascinating active biological properties, thus offering an alternative use for bamboo.PMID:37293555 | PMC:PMC10246775 | DOI:10.3389/fmolb.2023.1192088
Redox state and metabolic responses to severe heat stress in lenok <em>Brachymystax lenok</em> (Salmonidae)
Front Mol Biosci. 2023 May 24;10:1156310. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1156310. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTIn order to provide new insights into the physiological responses of lenok (Brachymystax lenok: Salmonidae) to acute and severe heat stress (25°C, 48 h), dynamic changes in redox state and metabolic responses are studied combined biochemical index and non-targeted metabolome. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) consumption causes significant increases in ratio of reduced NADH to NAD+ and ratio of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) to NADP+, which induced the redox imbalance in heat stressed lenok. Lowered reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratios suggested that more oxidized conditions occurred in heat-stressed lenok, leading to membrane lipid oxidation. The first few hours of heat stress promoted the activity of enzymes involved in anaerobic glycolysis (hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, lactic dehydrogenase) and glutamicpyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, which might lead to consumption of many carbohydrates and amino acid catabolism. These enzyme activities decreased with time in a possible compensatory strategy to manage anabolic and catabolic metabolism, maintaining the redox homeostasis. After 48 h of recovery, NAD+, carbohydrate levels and enzyme activities had returned to control levels, whereas many amino acids were consumed for repair and new synthesis. GSH remained at levels lower than controls, and the more oxidized conditions had not recovered, aggravating oxidative damage. Glutamic acid, glutamine, lysine and arginine may play important roles in survival of heat-stressed lenok.PMID:37293553 | PMC:PMC10244579 | DOI:10.3389/fmolb.2023.1156310
FAM210A Regulates Mitochondrial Translation and Maintains Cardiac Mitochondrial Homeostasis
bioRxiv. 2023 May 22:2023.05.20.541585. doi: 10.1101/2023.05.20.541585. Preprint.ABSTRACTAIMS: Mitochondria play a vital role in cellular metabolism and energetics and support normal cardiac function. Disrupted mitochondrial function and homeostasis cause a variety of heart diseases. Fam210a (family with sequence similarity 210 member A), a novel mitochondrial gene, is identified as a hub gene in mouse cardiac remodeling by multi-omics studies. Human FAM210A mutations are associated with sarcopenia. However, the physiological role and molecular function of FAM210A remain elusive in the heart. We aim to determine the biological role and molecular mechanism of FAM210A in regulating mitochondrial function and cardiac health in vivo .METHODS AND RESULTS: Tamoxifen-induced αMHC MCM -driven conditional knockout of Fam210a in the mouse cardiomyocytes induced progressive dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure, ultimately causing mortality. Fam210a deficient cardiomyocytes exhibit severe mitochondrial morphological disruption and functional decline accompanied by myofilament disarray at the late stage of cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, we observed increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, disturbed mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced respiratory activity in cardiomyocytes at the early stage before contractile dysfunction and heart failure. Multi-omics analyses indicate that FAM210A deficiency persistently activates integrated stress response (ISR), resulting in transcriptomic, translatomic, proteomic, and metabolomic reprogramming, ultimately leading to pathogenic progression of heart failure. Mechanistically, mitochondrial polysome profiling analysis shows that FAM210A loss of function compromises mitochondrial mRNA translation and leads to reduced mitochondrial encoded proteins, followed by disrupted proteostasis. We observed decreased FAM210A protein expression in human ischemic heart failure and mouse myocardial infarction tissue samples. To further corroborate FAM210A function in the heart, AAV9-mediated overexpression of FAM210A promotes mitochondrial-encoded protein expression, improves cardiac mitochondrial function, and partially rescues murine hearts from cardiac remodeling and damage in ischemia-induced heart failure.CONCLUSION: These results suggest that FAM210A is a mitochondrial translation regulator to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis and normal cardiomyocyte contractile function. This study also offers a new therapeutic target for treating ischemic heart disease.TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Mitochondrial homeostasis is critical for maintaining healthy cardiac function. Disruption of mitochondrial function causes severe cardiomyopathy and heart failure. In the present study, we show that FAM210A is a mitochondrial translation regulator required for maintaining cardiac mitochondrial homeostasis in vivo . Cardiomyocyte-specific FAM210A deficiency leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and spontaneous cardiomyopathy. Moreover, our results indicate that FAM210A is downregulated in human and mouse ischemic heart failure samples and overexpression of FAM210A protects hearts from myocardial infarction induced heart failure, suggesting that FAM210A mediated mitochondrial translation regulatory pathway can be a potential therapeutic target for ischemic heart disease.PMID:37293097 | PMC:PMC10245825 | DOI:10.1101/2023.05.20.541585