Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jie Zhang, Mark A. Keibler, Wentao Dong, Jenny Ghelfi, Thekla Cordes, Tamara Kanashova, Arnaud Pailot, Carole L. Linster, Gunnar Dittmar, Christian M. Metallo, Tim Lautenschlaeger, Karsten Hiller, Gregory Stephanopoulos
Summary: This study identifies erythronate as an accumulated metabolite in human cancer cell lines and identifies ALDH1A1 as the main enzyme involved in erythronate production. The findings suggest that erythronate accumulation may serve as a biomarker for certain types of cancer.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yingxin Zheng, Yuemeng Zhu, Ting Zhuge, Bin Li, Chao Gu
Summary: Estrogen therapy is commonly used as a supplementary treatment for female infertility patients post-hysteroscopy, with protective functions that enhance endometrial regeneration and menstruation, inhibit recurrent adhesions, and improve conception rates. The pre-surgery endometrial protective function of estrogen administration remains controversial, but recent research suggests that estrogen can promote cell proliferation in endometrial tissues.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Franceschi, Francesca Lessi, Mariangela Morelli, Michele Menicagli, Francesco Pasqualetti, Paolo Aretini, Chiara Maria Mazzanti
Summary: This study highlights the importance of SHPK in glioblastoma for tumor progression, and proposes this enzyme and the nonoxidative pentose phosphate pathway as possible therapeutic targets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Hui Lin, Pengfei Li, Lu Ma, Shufang Lai, Shujing Sun, Kaihui Hu, Liaoyuan Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of central carbon metabolism (CCM) on the mycelial growth performance and fruiting body formation of Hypsizygus marmoreus. The study found that imbalanced distribution of intracellular carbon metabolic levels in the CCM might be one of the key factors resulting in a slow mycelial growth rate and a long harvest period. By increasing the expression levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), the study successfully improved the mycelial growth and fruiting body yield of H. marmoreus.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Dashnamoorthy Ravi, Afshin Beheshti, Nassera Abermil, Frederick Lansigan, William Kinlaw, Nirupa R. Matthan, Maisarah Mokhtar, Frank C. Passero, Patrick Puliti, Kevin A. David, Gregory G. Dolnikowski, Xiaoyang Su, Ying Chen, Mahboubi Bijan, Rohan R. Varshney, Baek Kim, Sandeep S. Dave, Michael C. Rudolph, Andrew M. Evens
Summary: Our research indicates that upregulation of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and de novo lipogenesis in lymphoma is associated with nucleotide metabolic dysfunction, leading to depletion of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides, as well as suppression of global RNA/DNA synthesis. Inhibition of FASN causes metabolic blockade and accumulation of NADPH, further inhibiting PGDH enzyme activity. These findings suggest that the interactions between FASN and PGDH play a crucial role in promoting oxPPP and nucleotide biosynthesis in lymphoma.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ibrahim H. Polat, Miriam Tarrado-Castellarnau, Rohit Bharat, Jordi Perarnau, Adrian Benito, Roldan Cortes, Philippe Sabatier, Marta Cascante
Summary: Cancer cells adapt their metabolism to fulfill their high energy demand and biosynthesis needs, with the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) playing a crucial role. Targeting the key enzyme 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) in PPP can reduce cell proliferation, alter cellular metabolism, and potentially induce senescence and alter stem cell characteristics in breast cancer cells, making it a promising therapeutic target.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fan Feng, Lianhong Pan, Jiaqin Wu, Mingying Liu, Long He, Li Yang, Wei Zhou
Summary: This study found that Schisantherin A (STA) can exert anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects by inhibiting cell proliferation and migration, as well as regulating the glucose metabolism pathway. Tumor xenograft in nude mice confirmed the significant inhibitory effect of STA on tumor growth in vivo.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Laura Kuschmierz, Lu Shen, Christopher Braesen, Jacky Snoep, Bettina Siebers
Summary: This article discusses the challenges of D-xylose bioconversion, pointing out that the lack of knowledge on the kinetic properties of enzymes involved is the main obstacle. The authors propose a combination of traditional enzyme characterization and mathematical modeling as a workflow for rational, model-based design to optimize enzyme cascades and/or whole cell biocatalysts for efficient D-xylose metabolism.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Khairunnisa Mohd Kamal, Mohd Hafidz Mahamad Maifiah, Yan Zhu, Nusaibah Abdul Rahim, Yumi Zuhanis Has-Yun Hashim, Muhamad Shirwan Abdullah Sani
Summary: The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is important in metabolism for the generation of NADPH, nucleotide synthesis, and carbon homeostasis. Isotope tracer studies have improved the analysis and understanding of PPP, but face limitations. The Group Specific Internal Standard Technology (GSIST) is an in vitro method that allows for measuring absolute levels of PPP metabolites.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yogita Kanan, Sean F. Hackett, Kamil Taneja, Mahmood Khan, Peter A. Campochiaro
Summary: Retinitis pigmentosa is caused by mutations leading to degeneration of rod photoreceptors, followed by gradual degeneration of cone photoreceptors. Oxidative damage and abnormal glucose metabolism are implicated in cone photoreceptor death. This study shows that shifting glycolytic intermediates towards the pentose phosphate pathway can reverse oxidative stress-induced damage, increase reducing equivalents, and provide photoreceptor protection.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Semira R. Ortiz, Alexander Heinz, Karsten Hiller, Martha S. Field
Summary: Erythritol synthesis in human lung carcinoma cells is proportional to flux through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and regulated by non-oxidative PPP enzymes.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Fan Zhang, Zhiwei Wu, Bowen Yu, Zhengping Ning, Zhixing Lu, Liang Li, Fei Long, Qionggui Hu, Chonglei Zhong, Yi Zhang, Changwei Lin
Summary: In this study, ATP13A2 was identified as a novel gene associated with the PPP pathway. ATP13A2 deficiency inhibited CRC growth and PPP activity, while ATP13A2 overexpression had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, ATP13A2 regulated the PPP by affecting PGD mRNA expression. Furthermore, ATP13A2 knockdown inhibited CRC growth in PDO and PDX models. The study revealed that ATP13A2 overexpression-driven dephosphorylation of TFEB promotes PPP activation by increasing PGD transcription, suggesting ATP13A2 as a potential target for CRC therapy.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhaomin Mao, Ying Tan, Juan Tao, Linlin Li, Feng Yu, Minghui Zhao
Summary: Recent studies suggest a link between metabolic disorders and the development of SLE and LN. This study used proteomics to identify metabolic reprogramming in the kidneys of LN patients. The results showed an enrichment of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) in LN kidneys. High expression of the key enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), was associated with worse prognosis in LN patients. Further analysis revealed involvement of the mTORC1 signaling pathway in G6PD-associated tubular damage induced by IgG-LN.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yang Zhang, Yi Xu, Wenyun Lu, Jinyang Li, Sixiang Yu, Eric J. Brown, Ben Z. Stanger, Joshua D. Rabinowitz, Xiaolu Yang
Summary: Metastasizing cancer cells can withstand oxidative stress by expanding their NADPH and NADP(+) pools. This expansion is achieved through up-regulation of G6PD and activation of the NADK1 pathway. The transcription factor TAp73 plays a role in activating G6PD, which is regulated by multiple pathways. Elevated levels of G6PD and its activators are found in metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Article
Microbiology
Emilio G. Vozza, Cliodhna M. Daly, Sinead A. O'Rourke, Hannah K. Fitzgerald, Aisling Dunne, Rachel M. McLoughlin
Summary: This study found that Staphylococcus aureus uses the adenosine receptor A2aR to suppress the effector functions of hPMN, enhancing its intracellular survival. Additionally, A2aR inhibition leads to a metabolic switch in hPMN, increasing ROS production and reducing the intracellular survival of S. aureus.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing Wu, Yun-ge Lou, Xu-le Yang, Rui Wang, Ran Zhang, Ji-ye Aa, Guang-ji Wang, Yuan Xie
Summary: This study found that ER stress plays a crucial role in the inhibition of P450s activity in NAFLD, and silybin regulates P450s activity by attenuating ER stress. Silybin can restore the activity of P450s in liver microsomes and may have potential benefits for the treatment of NAFLD.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiajia Shen, Huimin Guo, Shijia Liu, Wei Jin, Zhi-Wei Zhang, Yong Zhang, Keanqi Liu, Shuying Mao, Zhihao Zhou, Lin Xie, Guangji Wang, Haiping Hao, Yan Liang
Summary: This study identifies the crucial role of intestinal flora and microbiota metabolites in the occurrence and treatment of ischaemic stroke. The accumulation of branched-chain amino acids is closely associated with gut microflora dysbiosis and neuroinflammation. Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus brevis colonization exhibit neuroprotective activity and alleviate the accumulation of branched-chain amino acids.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shuang Cui, Huijian Hu, An Chen, Ming Cui, Xiaojie Pan, Pengfei Zhang, Guangji Wang, Hong Wang, Haiping Hao
Summary: The acetylation of FXR regulates its nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and degradation under conditions of liver injury, which limits the clinical benefits of FXR agonists. SIRT1 activators can reduce FXR acetylation and prevent its cytosolic degradation, and combining SIRT1 activators with FXR agonists shows promise in treating liver diseases.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mi Bai, Mengqiu Wu, Mingzhu Jiang, Jia He, Xu Deng, Shuang Xu, Jiaojiao Fan, Mengqiu Miao, Ting Wang, Yuting Li, Xiaowen Yu, Lin Wang, Yue Zhang, Songming Huang, Li Yang, Zhanjun Jia, Aihua Zhang
Summary: Mitochondria are the central metabolic hub of cells and their imbalance plays a pathogenic role in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study found that Lon protease 1 (LONP1) expression was decreased in CKD patients and mice, and its overexpression mitigated renal injury and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mechanistically, LONP1 downregulation caused mitochondrial accumulation of HMGCS2, leading to disrupted mitochondrial function and CKD progression. A novel LONP1 activator was also identified, which attenuated renal fibrosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings suggest that LONP1 is a promising therapeutic target for CKD.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiaojiao Fan, Xinyue Xu, Yuting Li, Lingge Zhang, Mengqiu Miao, Yujia Niu, Yue Zhang, Aihua Zhang, Zhanjun Jia, Mengqiu Wu
Summary: A novel compound, 84-B10, was found to protect against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by restoring mitochondrial homeostasis and inhibiting mtROS-induced ferroptosis. This suggests the potential use of 84-B10 in preventing and treating cisplatin nephrotoxicity.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiaojiao Fan, Xinyue Xu, Yuting Li, Lingge Zhang, Mengqiu Miao, Yujia Niu, Yue Zhang, Aihua Zhang, Zhanjun Jia, Mengqiu Wu
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Huanhuan Li, Langlang Lv, Shuo Tang, Yiqi Zang, Tianyan Wan, Dexiang Wang, Lingchao Cai, Hui Ye, Renxiang Tan, Nanxi Wang
Summary: Researchers have developed an oxidation-induced protein cross-linking strategy that involves introducing a vinyl thioether group into proteins in both bacteria and mammalian cells. This strategy allows for selective induction of the vinyl thioether group by oxidants, reactive oxygen species, or photocatalysts, leading to fluorescence labeling and protein cross-linking.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Lingge Zhang, Mengqiu Miao, Xinyue Xu, Mi Bai, Mengqiu Wu, Aihua Zhang
Summary: Renal diseases have become a growing public health concern, and mitochondria play a critical role in their pathogenesis. Under conditions of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, disruption of mitochondrial energy metabolism and dynamics lead to increased oxidative stress and impaired cellular functions. Mitochondria-targeted strategies are emerging as important therapeutic approaches for attenuating renal diseases.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Yuting Li, Jiaojiao Fan, Wenping Zhu, Yujia Niu, Mengqiu Wu, Aihua Zhang
Summary: Podocyte injury is the primary cause of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) with clinical manifestations of proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome, and mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in this process. This review summarized recent advances in the study of mitochondrial homeostatic imbalance and dysfunction in FSGS and discussed the potential of mitochondria-targeted therapeutics in improving FSGS and retarding its progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hu Hua, Mengqiu Wu, Tong Wu, Yong Ji, Lv Jin, Yang Du, Yue Zhang, Songming Huang, Aihua Zhang, Guixia Ding, Qianqi Liu, Zhanjun Jia
Summary: Artemisinin derivatives have recently been found to have anti-obesity effects, but the precise mechanism remains controversial. This study showed that long-term DHA treatment reduced body weight and improved glucose metabolism in obese mice. Moreover, it was found that DHA inhibited adipocyte differentiation by reducing NOX4 expression, thereby reducing fat accumulation. Overall, DHA can effectively reduce fat mass and improve glucose metabolism in obese mice by targeting NOX4 expression.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Wenxin Wu, Min Ma, Angel Erbey Ibarra, Gaoyuan Lu, Vaishali P. P. Bakshi, Lingjun Li
Summary: Traumatic stress triggers or exacerbates multiple psychiatric illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Neuropeptides play a crucial role in the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying stress-induced pathology; however, their specific involvement remains unclear. In this study, mass spectrometry was used to identify and analyze neuropeptides in the brains of rats exposed to trauma-like stress. The results indicate brain-region-specific alterations in various neuropeptide families, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of stress-induced psychopathology and potential therapeutic strategies for PTSD.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kang Wang, Yuecan Zhang, Guangji Wang, Haiping Hao, Hong Wang
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a common liver disease without approved pharmacotherapy. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is considered a promising therapeutic target, but currently developed drugs have shown limited efficacy in clinical trials. This review summarizes the development of the FXR agonist obeticholic acid and discusses its limitations in depth.
MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mengqiu Wu, Qianqian Jin, Xinyue Xu, Jiaojiao Fan, Weiyi Chen, Mengqiu Miao, Ran Gu, Shengnan Zhang, Yan Guo, Songming Huang, Yue Zhang, Aihua Zhang, Zhanjun Jia
Summary: Renal fibrosis is a common feature of chronic kidney diseases, and its severity is determined by the injury to renal tubular epithelial cells and activation of fibroblasts. This study explores the role of TP53RK in renal fibrosis and its underlying mechanisms. TP53RK is upregulated in fibrotic kidneys and its deletion in mice mitigates renal fibrosis. Mechanistic studies reveal that TP53RK phosphorylates Birc5 and enhances its profibrotic effect through PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of TP53RK and Birc5 using fusidic acid and YM-155 respectively ameliorates kidney fibrosis. These findings suggest that targeting TP53RK/Birc5 signaling may be a potential strategy for treating chronic kidney diseases.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Haiping Hao, Xiaobao Li, Xi Shen, Hong Jiang, Haoyue Xiao, Houchao Lyu
Summary: This study examined the reciprocal relationship between future time perspective and self-control among adolescents. The results showed that future-negative and future-confusional were negatively related to self-control, while future-positive, future-perspicuity, future-perseverant, and future-planning were positively related to self-control. The study also found reciprocal relationships between future-confusional, future-planning, and self-control.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gongyu Li, Chae Kyung Jeon, Min Ma, Yifei Jia, Zhen Zheng, Daniel G. Delafield, Gaoyuan Lu, Elena V. Romanova, Jonathan V. Sweedler, Brandon T. Ruotolo, Lingjun Li
Summary: Growing evidence supports the association between distinct amyloid beta (A beta) isoforms and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathogenesis. Investigating the translational factors contributing to A beta toxicity is of great value. In this study, we assess the stereochemistry of full-length A beta 42, focusing on the naturally-occurring isomerization of Asp and Ser residues. We demonstrate that co-d-epimerization at these residues effectively reduces cytotoxicity by compacting and remodeling A beta 42 secondary structure.