Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qiaoyun Chu, Ping Liu, Yihan Song, Ronghui Yang, Jing An, Xuewei Zhai, Jing Niu, Chuanzhen Yang, Binghui Li
Summary: Reprogramming of lipid metabolism is a hallmark of cancer, but the involvement of specific fatty acids and enzymes in tumorigenesis is not well understood. This study shows that depletion of the enzyme acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibits the synthesis and elongation of very long-chain fatty acids in human cancer cells. Deficiency of very long-chain fatty acids impairs mitochondrial morphology and makes cancer cells susceptible to oxidative stress and cell death.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mengqi Zeng, Jie Xu, Zhengyi Zhang, Xuan Zou, Xueqiang Wang, Ke Cao, Weiqiang Lv, Yuting Cui, Jiangang Long, Zhihui Feng, Jiankang Liu
Summary: The study revealed that downregulation of 3-Hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase (HTD2) in adipocytes under metabolic disorders impairs mitochondrial function, leading to increased oxidative stress and decreased insulin sensitivity, which can be alleviated by supplement of lipoic acid. Lipidomic study showed limited lipid alterations in mtFAS deficient cells, primarily presenting accumulation of triglycerides.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Pingping Zhou, Chunlei Yue, Yuchen Zhang, Yan Li, Xinyi Da, Xiuqi Zhou, Lidan Ye
Summary: This study constructed a rosmarinic acid producing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain and achieved efficient biosynthesis through the removal of metabolic bottlenecks and tuning down gene expression. It provides a promising platform for fermentative production of rosmarinic acid.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia S. Scott, Lake-Ee Quek, Andrew J. Hoy, Johannes V. Swinnen, Zeyad D. Nassar, Lisa M. Butler
Summary: The fatty acid elongation enzyme ELOVL5 plays a critical role in promoting metastasis in prostate cancer. Knocking down ELOVL5 leads to the accumulation of malonyl-CoA, which inhibits fatty acid oxidation in mitochondria. This study highlights the importance of fatty acid elongation in regulating cell viability and provides a potential target for prostate cancer treatment.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gang Yang, Shouxiang Sun, Jiaxin He, Yumei Wang, Tianying Ren, Houxiong He, Jian Gao
Summary: Compared with other species, freshwater fish have a more efficient biosynthetic pathway for synthesizing DHA. This study investigated the role of Ehhadh in the synthesis of DHA in zebrafish. The results showed that knockout of Ehhadh inhibited DHA synthesis, while overexpression of Ehhadh increased DHA content in the liver. Additionally, Ehhadh was found to affect the expression of genes related to PUFA synthesis and SREBF and PPAR signaling pathways.
JOURNAL OF LIPID RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Juyoung Kim, Saet Buyl Lee, Mi Chung Suh
Summary: The study reveals that KCS4 plays a crucial role in pollen tube and root growth, is regulated by KCS inhibitors, and is involved in the elongation of longer VLCFAs. Expression rescue of KCS4 can rescue the growth-retarded phenotype.
JOURNAL OF PLANT BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Juyoung Kim, Ryeo Jin Kim, Saet Buyl Lee, Mi Chung Suh
Summary: Interactions between KCS9 and other proteins in the fatty acid elongase complex are essential for the synthesis of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). This study provides insights into the quaternary structure and protein-protein interactions of the fatty acid elongase complex, highlighting their importance for efficient VLCFA synthesis.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Vinayak Singh, Godwin Akpeko Dziwornu, Amanda Mabhula, Kelly Chibale
Summary: This study identified elongation factor G as the target of fusidic acid in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, demonstrating the essentiality of fusA1 gene in M. tuberculosis and validating it as a novel drug target.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yulin Sun, Daniela Hegebarth, Reinhard Jetter
Summary: The research found that Arabidopsis produces wax alkenes through a unique elongation-desaturation pathway, with a key role played by the single desaturase ADS4.2. ADS4.2 is highly expressed in young leaves and trichomes, showing strong activity on acyl substrates longer than C-32.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pia Erdbruegger, Florian Froehlich
Summary: VLCFAs are highly diverse molecules with variable chain length, double bond numbers, and hydroxylation sites, synthesized in the ER through membrane embedded enzymes. Mis-regulation of VLCFA metabolism can lead to inherited diseases like ichthyosis and demyelination. Recent studies in yeast suggest intricate regulation of VLCFA metabolism for lipid homeostasis.
BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Gary J. Blomquist, Matthew D. Ginzel
Summary: Insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) have evolved to serve both waterproofing and signaling functions, playing critical roles in chemical communication and life histories. The profiles of CHCs are influenced by diet and environment, and recent advances in understanding hydrocarbon biosynthesis have utilized molecular biology tools such as genomics and RNA interference.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY, VOL 66, 2021
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Alejandra Abascal-Saiz, Eva Fuente-Luelmo, Maria Haro, Victoria Fioravantti, Eugenia Antolin, Maria P. Ramos-Alvarez, Jose L. Bartha
Summary: The mRNA expression of FAO enzymes in the placenta is lower in pre-eclampsia, with more significant reductions observed in severe, early-onset, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) cases, particularly on the fetal side.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Kaiyue Ding, Chongbin Liu, Li Li, Ming Yang, Na Jiang, Shilu Luo, Lin Sun
Summary: Long-chain acyl-coenzyme A synthase 4 (ACSL4) is an enzyme that synthesizes specific polyunsaturated fatty acids and plays a crucial role in triggering iron-dependent lipid peroxidation in a type of programmed cell death called ferroptosis. ACSL4 also regulates fatty acid metabolism and has implications in tumor immunity. Therefore, ACSL4 may be a potential therapeutic target.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Abbe N. Vallejo, Henry J. Mroczkowski, Joshua J. Michel, Michael Woolford, Harry C. Blair, Patricia Griffin, Elizabeth McCracken, Stephanie J. Mihalik, Miguel Reyes-Mugica, Jerry Vockley
Summary: The study found that patients with VLCADD exhibit systemic inflammatory responses during symptomatic and asymptomatic periods, with an abundance of immune cells expressing high levels of inflammatory mediators. Patients with recurrent hospitalisations showed sustained high levels of plasma cytokines and higher intracellular stores of inflammatory molecules in monocytes.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mohsen Radi, Hanieh Ahmadi, Sedigheh Amiri
Summary: This study investigated the effect of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) on the decay of tangerines caused by Penicillium citrinum and Penicillium expansum. The CEO-loaded NLC showed potential in reducing weight loss and inhibiting fungal growth, making it a possible treatment for increasing tangerine shelf life.
FOOD AND BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Honoka Tanno, Takayuki Sassa, Megumi Sawai, Akio Kihara
Summary: Branched-chain fatty acids are important components in the meibum lipids secreted from the meibomian glands. Enzymes such as ELOVL1, ELOVL3, and ELOVL7 are responsible for elongating branched-chain acyl-CoAs. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry has revealed the predominance of branched-chain lipids in mouse meibomian glands, demonstrating the significance of ELOVL1 in elongating branched-chain VLC acyl-CoAs in vivo.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY OF LIPIDS
(2021)
Letter
Dermatology
Tomohiro Nohara, Yusuke Ohno, Akio Kihara
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Moe Yamamoto, Takayuki Sassa, Yuki Kyono, Hiroyasu Uemura, Masaaki Kugo, Hideki Hayashi, Yasutomo Imai, Kiyofumi Yamanishi, Akio Kihara
Summary: The stratum corneum of the epidermis plays a crucial role as a skin barrier, and abnormalities in its formation can lead to various skin disorders. Lipids, especially ceramides, are essential for skin barrier formation. Mutations in ceramide synthase 3 (CERS3) can cause autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis, affecting the synthesis of crucial ceramide classes. This study found that a reduction in acylceramide levels alone can lead to ichthyosis, suggesting that levels of acylceramides and protein-bound ceramides are not necessarily correlated.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Keisuke Watanabe, Masataka Yoshida, Takashi Okumura, Takayuki Sassa, Akio Kihara, Akira Uchiyama
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of a mineral oil-containing ophthalmic solution in mitigating evaporative dry eye symptoms in a mouse model with disrupted fatty acid elongase Elovl1. The results showed that mineral oil was effective in improving dry eye symptoms. This research provides new insights into the treatment of dry eye disease.
TRANSLATIONAL VISION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Megumi Sawai, Keisuke Watanabe, Kana Tanaka, Wataru Kinoshita, Kento Otsuka, Masatoshi Miyamoto, Takayuki Sassa, Akio Kihara
Summary: The study found that Awat2 and Awat1 exhibit different substrate preferences in the synthesis of meibum lipids, producing diverse wax ester lipids in collaboration. Awat2 KO and DKO mice showed severe dry eye, while Awat1 KO mice exhibited mild dry eye.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Taiko Takahashi, Sevcan Mercan, Takayuki Sassa, Gunseli Bayram Akcapinar, Kanay Yararbas, Seda Susgun, Sibel Aylin Ugur Iseri, Akio Kihara, Nihan Hande Akcakaya
Summary: This study describes two siblings with cerebral palsy caused by an ELOVL1 splice site mutation. The mutation leads to exon skipping and significant changes in the lipid composition of the skin stratum corneum.
BRAIN & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kento Otsuka, Megumi Sawai-Ogawa, Akio Kihara
Summary: Fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FARs) play a crucial role in the synthesis of meibum lipids, which are important for tear stability and eye health. This study reveals the specific functions of two FAR isozymes (FAR1 and FAR2) in the production of different chain lengths of fatty alcohols (FAls), and highlights the importance of FAl-containing meibum lipids in the formation of a functional tear film lipid layer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Madoka Suzuki, Yusuke Ohno, Akio Kihara
Summary: This study used LC/MS/MS analysis to identify 1,327 unbound ceramides and 254 protein-bound ceramides in the stratum corneum. The researchers discovered a wide variety of ceramide species with different long-chain bases in the human skin, and demonstrated the production of specific long-chain bases by one of the enzymes. This study provides a molecular basis for understanding ceramide diversity in the skin and the pathogenesis of skin disorders.
JOURNAL OF LIPID RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Ayami Arai, Takuya Takeichi, Hiroyuki Wakamoto, Takayuki Sassa, Yasutoshi Ito, Yuya Murase, Tomoo Ogi, Masashi Akiyama, Akio Kihara
Summary: Sjogren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is a neurocutaneous disorder characterized by ichthyosis. This study identified a duplication and a missense mutation in the ALDH3A2 gene of an SLS patient, leading to reduced levels of acylceramides. The findings suggest that the reduction in acylceramide levels may be the primary cause of the ichthyosis symptoms in SLS.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Tomohiro Nohara, Yusuke Ohno, Akio Kihara
Summary: This study validates the involvement of PNPLA1 gene mutations in the pathogenesis of congenital ichthyosis and reveals the correlation between these mutations' effects on acylceramide production and the disease's pathology.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ophthalmology
Yuki Hamada, Lena Sasaki, Hikari Uehara, Tomo Suzuki, Shigeru Kinoshita, Kento Otsuka, Akio Kihara, Yoshiaki Yamaguchi, Takahito Miyake, Masao Doi
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Satarupa Bhaduri, Analine Aguayo, Yusuke Ohno, Marco Proietto, Jasmine Jung, Isabel Wang, Rachel Kandel, Narinderbir Singh, Ikran Ibrahim, Amit Fulzele, Eric J. Bennett, Akio Kihara, Sonya E. Neal
Summary: This study reveals the association between the pseudoprotease Dfm1 and the SPOTS complex, highlighting their roles in sphingolipid metabolism. Additionally, Dfm1 is found to play a crucial role in the ER export and degradation of Orm2. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sphingolipid metabolism and its implications in disease.
Article
Cell Biology
Yasuhiro Hirano, Yusuke Ohno, Yoshino Kubota, Tatsuo Fukagawa, Akio Kihara, Tokuko Haraguchi, Yasushi Hiraoka
Summary: Recent studies have revealed that enzymes catalyzing lipid synthesis play a role in maintaining the integrity of the nuclear envelope (NE), but the mechanism involved remains unclear. In this study, the ceramide synthase homolog, Tlc4, was found to suppress NE defects in cells lacking the NE proteins Lem2 and Bqt4. Tlc4, which possesses a conserved TRAM/LAG1/CLN8 domain, functions through its non-catalytic activity and localizes at the NE, endoplasmic reticulum, and cisand medial-Golgi cisternae. The Golgi localization of Tlc4 is closely linked to its activity of suppressing NE defects in the double-deletion mutant of Lem2 and Bqt4.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuka Tamura, Takayuki Sassa, Takumi Nishizawa, Akio Kihara
Summary: This article mainly discusses spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), which are autosomal dominant diseases characterized by cerebellar atrophy and ataxia. It focuses on the SCA34 subtype, which is caused by specific mutations in the ELOVL4 gene. The study shows that these mutations lead to the production of shorter ultra-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ULC-PCs) in neurons, which may contribute to the pathogenesis and dominant inheritance of SCA34.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Madoka Suzuki, Yusuke Ohno, Akio Kihara
Summary: This study conducted LC/MS/MS analyses to reveal various ceramide species in the human stratum corneum, quantifying a large number of ceramides and providing a molecular basis for understanding the diversity of human skin ceramides and the pathogenesis of skin disorders.
JOURNAL OF LIPID RESEARCH
(2022)