Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jiao Wu, Jun Luo, Qiuya He, Yingying Xia, Huibin Tian, Lu Zhu, Cong Li, Juan J. Loor
Summary: Goat milk is recognized for its high nutritional value and richness in PUFA such as DHA. This study investigated the effect of DHA on lipid metabolism in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMEC) and found that DHA supplementation altered lipid metabolism processes and fatty acid composition in GMEC through transcriptional programs and H3K9ac epigenetic modifications. Specifically, DHA increased H3K9ac enrichment in the promoter region of PDK4, promoting its transcription and inhibiting lipid synthesis. Moreover, DHA affected the expression of fatty acid metabolism-related genes through the PDK4-AMPK-SREBP1 signaling axis. These findings provide insights into the mechanism through which DHA affects mammary cell function and regulates milk fat metabolism.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Noura B. Younes, Omnia Ahmed Mohamed, Nasser M. Rizk
Summary: This study demonstrates that DHA has the potential to mitigate obesity by reducing the secretion of inflammatory adipokines, oxidative stress, lipolysis, and apoptosis in adipocytes exposed to low O-2 tension-induced hypoxia.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xiaodan Lu, Luyao Huang, Yanjun Chen, Ling Hu, Rongbin Zhong, Lijiao Chen, Wenjian Cheng, Baodong Zheng, Peng Liang
Summary: Lipid metabolism disorder is a significant threat to human health, and various supplements have been studied to treat it. This study focused on the effect of DHA-enriched phospholipids from large yellow croaker roe (LYCRPLs) on lipid regulation in rats, specifically analyzing the fecal metabolites using metabolomics. The results showed that LYCRPLs activated several metabolic pathways related to lipid metabolism, and L-cysteine was identified as a potential biomarker for LYCRPLs' effects on rat fecal metabolites.
Article
Oncology
Xianlei Cai, Chao Liang, Miaozun Zhang, Yuan Xu, Yihui Weng, Xueying Li, Weiming Yu
Summary: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification plays a significant role in the metabolic reprogramming of digestive system malignancies.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Chris J. Hulatt, Rene H. Wijffels, Matthew C. Posewitz
Summary: Haptophytes are important protists with underexplored genomic diversity. A nuclear genome assembly for the class Pavlovales has been successfully assembled, with Diachronema lutheri identified as having the smallest and most streamlined haptophycean genome. This genome provides valuable insights for investigating selective pressures on haptophyte genome evolution and the genetic basis of algal lipid biosynthesis.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Izabela Szymczak-Pajor, Sylwia Wenclewska, Agnieszka Sliwinska
Summary: Metformin, a first-line drug for T2DM treatment, influences metabolism through various mechanisms. It suppresses hepatic glucose production and intestinal lipid secretion, while enhancing fatty acid oxidation in adipose tissue and muscles. Additionally, metformin improves systemic insulin sensitivity by altering gut microbiota composition, maintaining intestinal barrier integrity, and alleviating low-grade inflammation.
Article
Cell Biology
Hideto Osada, Eriko Toda, Kohei Homma, Naymel A. Guzman, Norihiro Nagai, Mamoru Ogawa, Kazuno Negishi, Makoto Arita, Kazuo Tsubota, Yoko Ozawa
Summary: Mutations in lipid metabolism-related genes may lead to retinal degeneration, as evidenced by Adipor1 knockout mouse models showing neurodegeneration and visual dysfunction. Adipor1 deficiency is crucial for proper photoreceptor function and survival, likely through mechanisms involving Elovl2 repression and increased expression of lipogenic genes.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiaxin Li, Xiaoxuan Zhai, Xiao Sun, Shengchuan Cao, Qiuhuan Yuan, Jiali Wang
Summary: This review summarizes recent findings on metabolic reprogramming occurring in different cell types during pulmonary fibrosis, especially those related to glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, with the aim of identifying novel treatment targets for pulmonary fibrosis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Nikita Choudhary, Robert C. Osorio, Jun Y. Oh, Manish K. Aghi
Summary: Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with limited prognosis despite multimodal treatment approaches. Various immunotherapies have been investigated to address the need for novel therapeutic options in GBM with limited success. Recently, alterations in the metabolism of cancer cells which allow for tumor proliferation, but simultaneously alter immune populations leading to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, have been investigated as contributory to therapeutic resistance.
Review
Immunology
Rina Su, Siqi Zhao, Jinqing Zhang, Mei Cao, Shiguang Peng
Summary: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease that often coexists with other conditions, possibly due to shared inflammatory pathways and abnormal immune regulation. Metabolites play a role in regulating the function of immune cells involved in psoriasis, particularly T lymphocytes. This review summarizes the current research progress on T cell metabolism in psoriasis and explores the interaction between psoriatic metabolites and immune cells. The progress of metabolomics in psoriasis research is also discussed to gain a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis and identify potential therapeutic targets.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Pengxiang Zhao, Zichen Zhao, Ziwei Yu, Lupeng Chen, Yi Jin, Jian Wu, Zhuqing Ren
Summary: The study and synthesis of membrane organelles, particularly lipid droplets (LDs), are important for understanding molecular and metabolic processes and for applications in synthetic biology and drug delivery. LDs play a central role in cellular lipid metabolism and have been linked to metabolic diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying LD functions are not fully understood. Synthetic biology offers new approaches to investigate LDs and has provided significant advancements in protein binding, lipid function, membrane dynamics, and enzymatic reactions.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Taylor Landry, Daniel Shookster, Hu Huang
Summary: ROCK1 plays important roles in metabolism, with potential as a therapeutic target in diabetes and obesity. Recent advances in tissue-specific approaches have helped to uncover its critical metabolic functions.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Xinxin Gao, Jihong Zhang, Qilian Qin, Peipei Wu, Huan Zhang, Qian Meng
Summary: Energy metabolism is crucial in insect metamorphosis, particularly in the larval-pupal stage of holometabolous insects. In this study, metabolome and transcriptome analyses were conducted to elucidate the metabolic changes and regulatory mechanisms during larval-pupal metamorphosis of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. The findings revealed that aerobic glycolysis supported cell proliferation and lipid synthesis during the feeding stage, while triglyceride degradation and acylcarnitine accumulation were activated during non-feeding stages. This study provides valuable insights into the metabolic regulation mechanism of lepidopteran larvae during their final stage of development.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rosa Pirchio, Chiara Graziadio, Annamaria Colao, Rosario Pivonello, Renata S. Auriemma
Summary: Prolactin plays an important role in metabolic regulation. Excess prolactin can lead to weight gain, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, while prolactin and dopamine play a key role in peripheral metabolic regulation. Medical treatment can reduce the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity, and improve insulin and lipid levels. Low levels of prolactin can also have a detrimental effect on weight gain, glucose, and lipid metabolism, increasing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yihui Ruan, Xin Fang, Tingyue Guo, Yiting Liu, Yu Hu, Xuening Wang, Yuxin Hu, Lanyue Gao, Yongfang Li, Jingbo Pi, Yuanyuan Xu
Summary: Chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with various cancers, with metabolic reprogramming being a key mechanism. Research has primarily focused on glucose reprogramming induced by arsenic exposure. Apart from enhanced glycolysis, arsenic may also disrupt lipid deposition and induce one-carbon metabolism pathway.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sarah D'Adamo, Richard Kormelink, Dirk Martens, Maria J. Barbosa, Rene H. Wijffels
Summary: Viruses, besides being pathogens, play a crucial role in evolution and can influence host fitness, population dynamics, and community structures. Microalgae biotechnology is a rapidly advancing field that investigates the use of photosynthetic microorganisms for various industries. The study of viruses infecting microalgae has become an important subject of ecological research, and so far, 63 viruses that infect eukaryotic microalgae have been identified and cultured.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Markus Schulze, Julia Niemann, Rene H. Wijffels, Jens Matuszczyk, Dirk E. Martens
Summary: This study demonstrates a rapid and efficient process intensification strategy by implementing N-1 perfusion and high inoculum cell densities to improve an N-stage fed-batch process, combined with productivity enhancers. By rapidly intensifying the conventional process in small-scale bioreactors, the space-time yield was successfully doubled while maintaining product quality.
BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jie Lian, Georg Steinert, Jeroen de Vree, Sven Meijer, Christa Heryanto, Rouke Bosma, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria J. Barbosa, Hauke Smidt, Detmer Sipkema
Summary: This study investigated the bacterial diversity in indoor and outdoor algae reactors, and found significant differences in bacterial community composition between different reactors and over time. The presence of certain bacterial taxa was significantly correlated with nitrate concentration.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marta Sa, Narcis Ferrer-Ledo, Fengzheng Gao, Carlo G. Bertinetto, Jeroen Jansen, Joao G. Crespo, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria Barbosa, Claudia F. Galinha
Summary: Microalgae industrial production is seen as an alternative solution for producing nutraceuticals, cosmetics, biofertilizers, and biopolymers. While technological advances have increased the competitiveness of the industry, online monitoring and real-time process control still need further development, with fluorescence spectroscopy being the most promising method for monitoring.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Chunzhe Lu, Nina Leitner, Rene H. Wijffels, Vitor A. P. Martins dos Santos, Ruud A. Weusthuis
Summary: This study developed a biocatalyst for the production of mcl-diols from n-alkanes under mild conditions. The engineered strain P. putida KT2440, with overexpression of Est12, can efficiently hydrolyze esterified diols, enabling the production of mcl-diols.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Markus Schulze, Yadhu Kumar, Merle Rattay, Julia Niemann, Rene H. Wijffels, Dirk E. Martens
Summary: Process intensification is gaining popularity in the mammalian biomanufacturing industry as a result of the increasing demand for biotherapeutics. This study established a CHO cell process and investigated the impact of butyric acid supplementation on the production process. The findings showed that butyric acid supplementation led to higher cellular productivities and had minimal effects on product quality attributes. Additionally, detailed transcriptomic analysis revealed potential mechanisms for gene engineering optimization.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Marcel Janssen, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria J. Barbosa
Summary: Microalgae have high protein expression levels and can be produced in contained cultivation systems with low water requirements. Although the current production scale is small, techno economic analysis has shown good potential for scale-up and cost reduction. Microalgal protein has a suitable amino acid composition for food and feed requirements, and high quality can be guaranteed through novel biomass pre-treatment steps.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robin Barten, Michelle Kleisman, Giulia D'Ermo, Harm Nijveen, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria J. Barbosa
Summary: High temperatures negatively affect cell physiology and reduce growth and productivity in photobioreactors. Supra-optimal temperature causes cell cycle arrest and changes in metabolic activity. It also affects the composition of fatty acids and pigments in microalgae. Gene expression related to photosynthesis, carbon fixation, and metabolism is downregulated, while genes related to proteasome, autophagy, and endocytosis are upregulated.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Christian Sudfeld, Aamna Kiyani, Hortense Buckens, Michal Hubacek, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria J. Barbosa, Sarah D'Adamo
Summary: Medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are compounds of commercial interest with applications in various industries. This study successfully transferred an enzyme from Cuphea palustris to Nannochloropsis oceanica microalgae to accumulate MCFAs.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jesus Ruiz, Rene H. Wijffels, Manuel Dominguez, Maria J. Barbosa
Summary: The debate over the economical choice between heterotrophic and autotrophic cultivation of microalgae continues. A study analyzed the costs and limitations of both methods, finding that autotrophic cultivation shows potential to compete with heterotrophic production if the production costs can be further reduced.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Iulian Zoltan Boboescu, Antoinette Kazbar, Lars Stegemuller, Piet Lazeroms, Thanasis Triantafyllou, Fengzheng Gao, Calvin Lo, Maria J. Barbosa, Michel H. M. Eppink, Rene H. Wijffels
Summary: Cellular agriculture offers a more sustainable option for food production, and Tisochrysis lutea microalgae is a valuable source of nutrients. Mild targeted acoustic treatment has been found to disrupt cells and reduce energy requirements.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rocca C. Chin-On, Maria J. Barbosa, Rene H. Wijffels, Marcel Janssen
Summary: Microalgae are a promising renewable feedstock for various biobased products. To reduce production costs, a novel V-shaped photobioreactor is proposed to capture and dilute sunlight, thereby improving photosynthetic efficiencies and biomass productivities of microalgae.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria J. Barbosa, Marcel Janssen, Christian Sudfeld, Sarah D'Adamo, Rene H. Wijffels
Summary: The urge for food security and sustainability has driven the development of microalgal biotechnology. Microalgae, as microorganisms, have the potential to be a valuable resource for food, feed, energy, and chemicals. With faster growth and higher productivity than plant crops, microalgae have the advantage of not requiring agricultural land and having efficient fertilizer uptake. They are also seen as a replacement for soy protein, fish oil, and palm oil, and can be utilized in industrial biotechnology for various purposes.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lukas M. Trebuch, Jasper Sohier, Sido Altenburg, Ben O. Oyserman, Mario Pronk, Marcel Janssen, Louise E. M. Vet, Rene H. Wijffels, Tania V. Fernandes
Summary: Photogranules are a new wastewater treatment technology that uses solar energy for low-energy water treatment and shows potential for nutrient recovery. In this study, polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) were introduced to photogranules, resulting in increased phosphorus removal. The addition of a 12-hour anaerobic phase during nighttime did not negatively affect the PAOs and phototrophs but decreased nitrogen removal and biomass productivity.
Article
Microbiology
Hirono Suzuki, Alexandre Detain, Youngjin Park, Kiron Viswanath, Rene H. Wijffels, Nathalie Leborgne-Castel, Lenka Prochazkova, Chris J. Hulatt
Summary: Snow algae blooms in melting snowfields are poorly understood in terms of their biology, biogeography, and species diversity. This study investigated eight isolates from red snow in northern Norway using morphology and genetic markers. Six isolates were assigned to known species, while two isolates were potentially new species. Further experiments revealed differences in growth rate and fatty acid profiles among strains, as well as the accumulation of lipids under physiological stress. This study provides new insights into the biodiversity and biogeography of snow algae, as well as their physiological traits and ecological properties.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2023)
