Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca Piccarducci, Chiara Giacomelli, Maria Sofia Bertilacchi, Andrea Benito-Martinez, Nicoletta Di Giorgi, Simona Daniele, Giovanni Signore, Silvia Rocchiccioli, Marcal Vilar, Laura Marchetti, Claudia Martini
Summary: The ApoE epsilon 4 polymorphic variant is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) due to its effects on cholesterol metabolism and cholinergic pathway impairment. In this study, in vitro cholinergic neuron models were used to investigate the interplay between ApoE epsilon 4-related cholesterol metabolism dysregulation and cholinergic system degeneration. The results showed that ApoE epsilon 4 expression led to intracellular cholesterol accumulation and reduced acetylcholine synthesis, resulting in cholinergic pathway impairment and neuronal death.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jingting Guo, Yawen Li, Yangbing Yuan, Xusheng Li, Xiao Li, Xinwei Jiang, Weibin Bai, Rui Jiao
Summary: This study found that 10-gingerol is more effective in reducing cholesterol levels compared to 6-gingerol and 8-gingerol. It also up-regulates LDLR expression through the SREBP-2 pathway and down-regulates PCSK9 expression. Additionally, 10-gingerol enhances genes related to cholesterol efflux and bile acid expression through LXR alpha, PPAR gamma, and CYP7A1.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ting Liu, Yang Li, Baoyu Yang, Haozhen Wang, Chen Lu, Alan K. Chang, Xiuting Huang, Xiujin Zhang, Ziyin Lu, Xiuli Lu, Bing Gao
Summary: The study revealed that reducing cholesterol levels can lead to neural apoptosis by impairing the IGF-1-Akt survival signaling pathway in the brain, potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Isreal Moreno, Irene Rodriguez-Sanchez, Xenia Schafer, Joshua Munger
Summary: HCMV infection induces the expression of a tissue atypical neuronal glycolytic enzyme, activating glycolysis and UDP-sugar metabolism, increasing the accumulation of glycosyl building blocks, and enabling the expression of an essential viral glycoprotein and the production of infectious virions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaohui Li, Juan Zhang, Dingfeng Li, Cheng He, Keqiang He, Tian Xue, Lili Wan, Chi Zhang, Qiang Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates that astrocytes interact with neurons by delivering microRNAs that modulate neuronal cholesterol biosynthesis genes, affecting neuronal metabolism and epigenetic regulation. The findings reveal a novel mechanism through which astrocytes regulate brain connectivity and function by mediating neuronal epigenetic signals.
Review
Cell Biology
Jessica Cashion, Wanzhen Zhang, Tahir Ali, Sabine Gilch
Summary: Prion diseases are incurable neurodegenerative diseases caused by the misfolding of cellular prion proteins. Studies suggest that the association of prion proteins with lipid rafts may play a role in this misfolding process. Prion infection leads to an increase in cellular cholesterol levels, which can potentially affect neuronal viability.
CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yushan Wang, Ling Hao, Tao Wang, Wen Liu, Lijing Wang, Mengwei Ju, Wenjing Feng, Rong Xiao
Summary: Dysregulated brain cholesterol metabolism, induced by 27-OHC, is associated with A beta 1-42 deposition and abnormalities in brain tissue and synaptic structure, ultimately leading to memory loss.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fabian Stahl, Ina Schmitt, Philip Denner, Laura de Boni, Ullrich Wuellner, Peter Breuer
Summary: The study suggests that simvastatin may be a potential treatment for SCA3 and increases ATXN3 protein levels by directly binding to the ATXN3 promoter.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hai-Yan Peng, Sha-Ting Lei, Shu-Hui Hou, Li-Chun Weng, Qing Yuan, Ming-Qing Li, Dong Zhao
Summary: The study reveals that disturbed cholesterol metabolism and estrogen-converting enzymes in EMs lesions lead to increased cellular cholesterol concentration and local estradiol level. PrPC promotes the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of ESC in endometrial stromal cells and accelerates EMs progression in mouse models. Furthermore, PrPC promotes cholesterol accumulation and activates estrogen biosynthesis of ESC in a PPAR alpha pathway-dependent manner, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for EMs intervention.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi Wang, Jie Li, Meng-Yue Wang, Zhi-Yong Pan, Zhi-Qiang Li, Ze-Fen Wang
Summary: Neuronal activity is closely linked to energy metabolism, and the mechanisms underlying inflammation-induced neuronal injury are not fully understood. This study revealed that chronic inflammation affects the levels and metabolism of lactate in astrocytes and neurons, leading to increased lactate supply to neurons but impaired lactate oxidation. Additionally, chronic inflammation disrupts the neuronal cytoskeleton.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Shuyuan Zhong, Jingfang Li, Meng Wei, Zeyuan Deng, Xiaoru Liu
Summary: The enzymatic browning of phenolic compounds induced by PPO is the main cause of browning in fresh-cut plants. However, the browning products produced are usually considered non-toxic. Previous studies have found that browned lotus root extracts (BLREs) can reduce cholesterol levels in obese mice, similar to fresh lotus root extracts (FLREs). This study aimed to compare the mechanisms of FLRE and BLRE in cholesterol metabolism and determine if the main component's monomer has similar effects through in vitro experiments. The results showed that both BLRE and FLRE could reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in HepG2 cells.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kourosh H. Ebrahimi, James S. O. McCullagh
Summary: Research has shown that lipid metabolism plays a significant role in regulating the response of immune cells to viral infection, which could help in developing new therapeutic approaches to mitigate the social and economic cost of COVID-19.
BIOSCIENCE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abel M. Mengeste, Parmeshwar Katare, Andrea Dalmao Fernandez, Jenny Lund, Hege G. Bakke, David Baker, Stefano Bartesaghi, Xiao-Rong Peng, Arild C. Rustan, G. Hege Thoresen, Eili Tranheim Kase
Summary: This study investigated the role of sarcolipin (SLN) in substrate metabolism in human skeletal muscle cells. The findings showed that depletion of SLN affected glucose and oleic acid metabolism, reduced mitochondrial function, and decreased gene expression levels. Additionally, SLN knockdown resulted in increased accumulation of complex lipids and free fatty acids. The study highlights the importance of SLN in maintaining metabolic homeostasis in human skeletal muscle and suggests that targeting SLN-mediated futile cycling of SERCA may have therapeutic implications for obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Sharik Hernandez, Arturo Simoni-Nieves, Monserrat Gerardo-Ramirez, Sandra Torres, Raquel Fucho, Jonathan Gonzalez, Lyssia Castellanos-Tapia, Rogelio Hernandez-Pando, Elizabeth Tejero-Barrera, Leticia Bucio, Veronica Souza, Roxana Miranda-Labra, Jose C. Fernandez-Checa, Jens U. Marquardt, Luis E. Gomez-Quiroz, Carmen Garcia-Ruiz, Maria C. Gutierrez-Ruiz
Summary: GDF11 has been identified as a key regulator in cell differentiation and has tumor-suppressive properties in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by impacting cholesterol and steroid metabolic processes, as well as key signaling pathways. It targets lipid homeostasis, glycolysis, and mitochondrial function, leading to impaired cancer cell metabolism.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Casas, Karl D. Murray, Keiko Hino, Nicholas C. Vierra, Sergi Simo, James S. Trimmer, Rose E. Dixon, Eamonn J. Dickson
Summary: The loss of NPC1 function alters the nanoscale distribution and function of ion channels, leading to abnormal calcium entry, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurotoxicity. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms connecting NPC1 loss to NPC-associated neuropathology.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Arun Khadka, Jereme G. Spiers, Lesley Cheng, Andrew F. Hill
Summary: This review discusses the transmission and neurotoxicity mechanisms of prion diseases. The self-propagation of prion protein and intercellular communication through extracellular vesicles play important roles in disease progression. Understanding these transmission mechanisms is crucial for the development of therapies and discovery of biomarkers for prion diseases.
CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Satvika Burugupalli, Adam Alexander T. Smith, Gavriel Oshlensky, Kevin Huynh, Corey Giles, Tingting Wang, Alexandra George, Sudip Paul, Anh Nguyen, Thy Duong, Natalie Mellett, Michelle Cinel, Sartaj Ahmad Mir, Li Chen, Markus R. Wenk, Neerja Karnani, Fiona Collier, Richard Saffery, Peter Vuillermin, Anne-Louise Ponsonby, David Burgner, Peter Meikle
Summary: This study investigates the impact of antenatal factors on lipid metabolism in infancy, as well as the changes in lipid metabolism during early childhood and the effects of breastfeeding. The findings contribute to a better understanding of lipid metabolism in early life and provide insights for early interventions.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Wei Wu, Qun Lu, Shan Ma, Jin-Chan Du, Kevin Huynh, Thy Duong, Zhang-Da Pang, Daniel Donner, Peter J. Meikle, Xiu-Ling Deng, Xiao-Jun Du
Summary: Using an isoproterenol-induced mouse model of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), we investigated the role of the O-adrenoceptors (OAR)-Hippo signaling pathway in mediating mitochondrial dysfunction. Our findings demonstrate that activation of OAR stimulates the Hippo pathway, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by energy insufficiency and increased reactive oxygen species.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Guillaume Treiber, Alice Guilleux, Kevin Huynh, Oriane Bonfanti, Ania Flaus-Furmaniuk, David Couret, Natalie Mellet, Celine Bernard, Nathalie Le-Moullec, Berenice Doray, Isabelle Jeru, Jean-Christophe Maiza, Bhoopendrasing Domun, Muriel Cogne, Olivier Meilhac, Corinne Vigouroux, Peter J. Meikle, Estelle Nobecourt
Summary: The study investigated glucose tolerance, insulin response, and metabolic markers in FPLD2 patients, revealing a high prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary.
DIABETES & METABOLISM
(2023)
Review
Biology
Aaron W. Jurrjens, Marcus M. Seldin, Corey Giles, Peter J. Meikle, Brian G. Drew, Anna C. Calkin
Summary: Cardiometabolic diseases result from genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors and identifying those at high risk is challenging. Systems genetics, using population-based approaches, can elucidate the genetic and environmental causes of these diseases. Mouse genetic reference panels provide a complementary approach to human genome-wide association studies, allowing for controlled investigation of genetic and phenotypic variation. Integrating multi-omics data from human and mouse populations can advance our understanding of cardiometabolic diseases.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Matteo Senesi, Victoria Lewis, Shiji Varghese, Christiane Stehmann, Amelia McGlade, James D. Doecke, Laura Ellett, Shannon Sarros, Christopher J. Fowler, Colin L. Masters, Qiao-Xin Li, Steven J. Collins
Summary: The most frequently used biomarkers for pre-mortem clinical diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) include concentrations of the 14-3-3 and total tau (T-tau) proteins, as well as the application of protein amplification techniques. Combining the results of these three cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers can increase the sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosing sCJD before death, providing the best chance for early detection.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dantong Zhu, Stephen T. Vernon, Zac D'Agostino, Jingqin Wu, Corey Giles, Adam S. Chan, Katharine A. Kott, Michael P. Gray, Alireza Gholipour, Owen Tang, Habtamu B. Beyene, Ellis Patrick, Stuart M. Grieve, Peter J. Meikle, Gemma A. Figtree, Jean Y. H. Yang
Summary: The current CAD risk scores based on traditional risk factors often fail individuals. We aim to identify lipidomic biomarkers using non-invasive imaging technology and advanced lipidomic measurement to enable intervention before cardiovascular events.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Paige F. van der Pligt, Konsita Kuswara, Sarah A. Mcnaughton, Gavin Abbott, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam, Kevin Huynh, Peter J. Meikle, Aya Mousa, Stacey J. Ellery
Summary: This study aimed to assess the relationship between early pregnancy maternal diet quality and maternal plasma lipids and indicators of cardiometabolic health. The results showed that maternal diet quality was inversely associated with multiple plasma triglycerides. This study provides novel insights into the relationship between diet quality, lipid biomarkers, and cardiometabolic health during pregnancy.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ying Li, Bhagirath Chaurasia, M. Mahidur Rahman, Vincent Kaddai, J. Alan Maschek, Jordan A. Berg, Joseph L. Wilkerson, Ziad S. Mahmassani, James Cox, Peng Wei, Peter J. Meikle, Donald Atkinson, Liping Wang, Annelise M. Poss, Mary C. Playdon, Trevor S. Tippetts, Esraa M. Mousa, Kesara Nittayaboon, Pon Velayutham Anandh Babu, Micah J. Drummond, Hans Clevers, James A. Shayman, Yoshio Hirabayashi, William L. Holland, Jared Rutter, Bruce A. Edgar, Scott A. Summers
Summary: This study found that ceramides, as sphingolipid compounds, are associated with alimentary tract cancers. They function as signals of nutritional excess and can alter stem cell behaviors to influence cancer risk. The study also discovered that sphingolipid-producing enzymes are up-regulated in intestinal adenomas, leading to increased proliferation of intestinal progenitors through the stimulation of peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor-alpha and induction of fatty acid binding protein-1.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ryan J. Collinson, Darren Boey, Lynne Wilson, Zi Yun Ng, Bob Mirzai, Hun Chuah, Michael F. Leahy, Rebecca Howman, Matthew Linden, Kathy Fuller, Wendy N. Erber, Belinda B. Guo
Summary: Platelets, small circulating fragments of cells, play important roles in various physiological and pathological processes. We have developed a method called PlateletSeq, which allows for the analysis of platelet gene expression using low levels of RNA input without the need for specialist bioinformatic skills. This method has the potential to be applied in biomarker discovery and studying platelet biology in patient samples.
Article
Cell Biology
Hyo Lee, Aimee J. Aylward, Richard Pearse II, Alexandra M. Lish, Yi-Chen Hsieh, Zachary M. Augur, Courtney R. Benoit, Vicky Chou, Allison Knupp, Cheryl Pan, Srilakshmi Goberdhan, Duc M. Duong, Nicholas T. Seyfried, David A. Bennett, Mariko F. Taga, Kevin Huynh, Matthias Arnold, Peter J. Meikle, Philip L. De Jager, Vilas Menon, Jessica E. Young, Tracy L. Young-Pearse
Summary: SORL1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Loss of SORL1 affects neurons and astrocytes the most and leads to a reduction in apolipoprotein E (APOE) and clusterin (CLU), altered lipid profiles, and tau phenotypes in neurons. The study also identifies a link between SORL1, APOE, and CLU levels in neurons and implicates transforming growth factor β/SMAD signaling in SORL1 function.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ebru Boslem, Saskia Reibe, Rodrigo Carlessi, Benoit Smeuninx, Surafel Tegegne, Casey L. Egan, Emma Mclennan, Lauren V. Terry, Max Nobis, Andre Mu, Cameron Nowell, Neil Horadagoda, Natalie A. Mellett, Paul Timpson, Matthew Jones, Elena Denisenko, Alistair R. R. Forrest, Janina E. E. Tirnitz-Parker, Peter J. Meikle, Stefan Rose-John, Michael Karin, Mark A. Febbraio
Summary: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing due to obesity-related nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In a mouse model mimicking NASH-driven HCC, activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation was observed in hepatocytes. Treatment with an ER stress inhibitor and an anti-inflammatory drug reversed NASH and reduced NASH-driven HCC.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Taeho Jo, Junpyo Kim, Paula Bice, Kevin Huynh, Tingting Wang, Matthias Arnold, Peter J. Meikle, Corey Giles, Rima Kaddurah-Daouk, Andrew J. Saykin, Kwangsik Nho
Summary: This study introduces the Circular-Sliding Window Association Test (c-SWAT) to improve the classification accuracy in predicting Alzheimer's Disease (AD) using serum-based metabolomics data. The results show that c-SWAT is effective in improving classification accuracy and in identifying key lipids associated with AD.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christiane Stehmann, Matteo Senesi, Shannon Sarros, Amelia McGlade, Victoria Lewis, Laura Ellett, Daniel Barber, Marion Simpson, Genevieve Klug, Catriona McLean, Colin L. Masters, Steven Collins
Summary: Nationwide surveillance of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and other human prion diseases is conducted by the Australian National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Registry (ANCJDR). In 2022, a total of 599 domestic CSF specimens were referred for diagnostic testing, and 79 individuals were formally added to the national register. As of December 31st, 2022, 36 cases remain classified as 'incomplete', 15 cases were classified as 'definite' CJD, 23 cases were classified as 'probable' CJD, and 5 cases were excluded through neuropathological examination. No cases of variant or iatrogenic CJD were identified, and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic did not affect prion disease surveillance outcomes in Australia during 2022.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES INTELLIGENCE
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
An Hendrix, Lien Lippens, Claudio Pinheiro, Clotilde Thery, Lorena Martin-Jaular, Jan Lotvall, Cecilia Lasser, Andrew F. Hill, Kenneth W. Witwer
Summary: Cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) as membrane-enclosed particles for intercellular communication, which have various functions and potential for diagnostics and therapeutics. However, the plethora of methods and the heterogeneity of EVs and their surroundings make it challenging to choose suitable approaches for experiments.
NATURE REVIEWS METHODS PRIMERS
(2023)