Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Katarzyna Paczkowska, Dominik Rachon, Andrzej Berg, Jacek Rybka, Katarzyna Kapczynska, Marek Bolanowski, Jacek Daroszewski
Summary: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that predisposes women to metabolic disturbances. Recent research suggests that alterations in amino acid profiles may be indicative of metabolic disorders. This study found elevated levels of aromatic amino acids in PCOS women, and significant differences in amino acid concentrations between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity subgroups of PCOS women.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tiangang Wu, Mengling Wang, Fengling Ning, Shilin Zhou, Xuetao Hu, Hong Xin, Svetlana Reilly, Xuemei Zhang
Summary: Fibrosis, characterized by excessive production of extracellular matrix, is a common pathological feature of organ diseases. Metabolic alterations, especially in the regulation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), have been found to play significant roles in fibrogenesis. Dysregulation of BCAAs metabolism has been implicated in various diseases. This review summarizes the metabolic regulation of fibrosis, changes in BCAAs metabolism associated with fibrosis, and the effects and mechanisms of BCAAs intervention in hepatic, renal, and cardiac fibrosis, with a focus on liver fibrosis and associated hepatocellular carcinoma.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuzi Shi, Meng Zhang, Qin Shu, Wei Ma, Tingzhen Sun, Chenggang Xiang, Changlin Wang, Ying Duan
Summary: This study investigated the genetic regulation of seed coat color in pumpkin, identifying a recessive gene involved and developing a marker for accurate prediction. Differences in gene expression during seed coat development were observed, providing valuable insights for molecular breeding of Cucurbita maxima.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Qingping Ma, Mengyao Qin, Laichao Song, Haiwei Sun, Hong Zhang, Huanhuan Wu, Zhihong Ren, Hui Liu, Gang Duan, Yu Wang, Zhaotang Ding
Summary: This study elucidated the flavor formation mechanism of Changqing tea and found that the coordination of flavonoid biosynthesis and amino acids biosynthesis resulted in the special flavor of Changqing tea.
Article
Horticulture
Yi Wang, Ning Yuan, Yuge Guan, Chen Chen, Wenzhong Hu
Summary: When fresh-cut cucumber is mechanically damaged, a responsive mechanism is activated, leading to lignin production and lignification of the cucumber. This affects the hardness and appearance of the fresh-cut cucumber. Transcriptome analysis of different cutting types revealed differentially expressed genes (EDGs) related to lignin synthesis. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed the impact of mechanical damages on amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and secondary metabolism.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Can Chen, Hassan Naveed, Keping Chen
Summary: This article introduces the important role of branched-chain amino acid aminotransferases in cellular metabolism, summarizes the related research in animals, plants, microorganisms, and humans, and analyzes the molecular mechanism. It has been found that disorders in branched-chain amino acid metabolism are closely related to various diseases, especially tumor development.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Huan Xu, Xuanyang Wang, Xiaoqing Xu, Lin Liu, Yuntao Zhang, Xuemin Yan, Yingfeng Zhang, Keke Dang, Ying Li
Summary: This study using Mendelian randomization analysis found that increased circulating levels of BCAAs were associated with an increased risk of squamous cell lung cancer, but no causal link was found between BCAAs and other types of cancer.
CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Kiyoto Nishi, Akira Yoshii, Lauren Abell, Bo Zhou, Ricardo Frausto, Julia Ritterhoff, Timothy S. McMillen, Ian Sweet, Yibin Wang, Chen Gao, Rong Tian
Summary: It was found that deficiency of Ppm1k leads to reduced metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and protects against obesity-induced glucose intolerance. Accumulation of branched-chain keto acids (BCKAs) inhibits glucose production in liver cells. It was observed that BCKAs suppress the activity of liver mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) and pyruvate-supported respiration. Selective suppression of pyruvate-supported gluconeogenesis was seen in Ppm1k-deficient mice and could be restored through pharmacological activation of BCKA catabolism by BT2. Furthermore, liver MPC was found to be most sensitive to circulating BCKA levels, making it a sensor of BCAA metabolism.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Laura Carbone, Petra Buzkova, Howard A. Fink, John A. Robbins, Joshua Barzilay, Rachel E. Elam, Carlos Isales, Margery A. Connelly, Kenneth J. Mukamal
Summary: This study aimed to explore the relationship between branched chain amino acids (BCAA) and hip fractures and bone mineral density (BMD) in older individuals. After 12 years of follow-up, no significant association was found between BCAA concentrations and hip fracture risk. However, leucine concentrations were positively correlated with BMD in the hip and femoral neck. Further research is needed to determine whether BCAAs could be novel targets for osteoporosis therapies.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ximena Orozco-Ruiz, Andrea Anesi, Fulvio Mattivi, Monique M. B. Breteler
Summary: Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue function as endocrine organs and affect metabolic health through metabolite concentrations. This study found that certain metabolite concentrations associated with cardiometabolic risk markers are altered with increased visceral adipose tissue volume.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jia-yu Yu, Nancy Cao, Christoph D. Rau, Ro-Po Lee, Jieping Yang, Rachel J. Roth Flach, Lauren Petersen, Cansheng Zhu, Yea-Lyn Pak, Russell A. Miller, Yunxia Liu, Yibin Wang, Zhaoping Li, Haipeng Sun, Chen Gao
Summary: Parallel to changes in fatty acid and glucose metabolism, defects in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism have been recognized as a metabolic hallmark and potential therapeutic target for heart failure. This study developed two mouse models to investigate the impact of BCAA catabolic defects in cardiomyocytes. The results showed that inactivation of the BCKDHA gene in cardiomyocytes led to loss of cardiac function and pathological changes, while inactivation of the BCKDK gene did not impact cardiac function. These findings establish the cell-autonomous role of BCAA catabolism in cardiac physiology and provide valuable models for studying BCAA-targeted therapy for heart failure.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Joel T. Steyer, Damien J. Downes, Cameron C. Hunter, Pierre A. Migeon, Richard B. Todd
Summary: The study focuses on genes related to leucine biosynthesis in Aspergillus nidulans, identifying key enzyme-coding genes and investigating their contribution to BCAA biosynthesis. The research reveals that gene expression is regulated by leucine availability, which is crucial for pathogenic fungi to cause disease in hosts.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Min Liu, Yanhui Yang, Yajin Liu, Xiaoyue Peng, Yi Hou, Xuejiao Zhang, Haipeng Sun, Chunyan Shan
Summary: This study found that serum BCAA levels decline gradually with the progression of DKD in T2DM patients, and they are independently correlated with renal function indicators. These findings suggest that serum BCAA concentrations may serve as a crucial predictor for both the initiation and progression of DKD.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Alexander Christian Reisinger, Florian Posch, Gerald Hackl, Gunther Marsche, Harald Sourij, Benjamin Bourgeois, Kathrin Eller, Tobias Madl, Philipp Eller
Summary: Metabolomics using H-1 NMR spectroscopy shows promise for personalized medicine in sepsis, with distinct differences in metabolites between sepsis patients and controls, as well as between septic shock survivors and non-survivors. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), including valine, leucine, and isoleucine, were significantly lower in sepsis non-survivors and serve as potential early biomarkers for predicting outcomes in ICU and 28-day mortality.
Review
Immunology
Berkay Yahsi, Gurcan Gunaydin
Summary: Immunometabolism, especially in terms of augmenting anti-tumor immune responses, has been extensively researched. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are known for their immunosuppressive roles in anti-tumor immune responses. Targeting Tregs specifically in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for successful and specific treatment. Recent studies have shown an association between Tregs and isoleucine, which may play a major role in affecting Tregs. Targeting the immunometabolic pathways of Tregs could be a rational approach for treatment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alisa Strohmayer, Mirko Moser, Azeddine Si-Ammour, Gabi Krczal, Kajohn Boonrod
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2019)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Silvia Laura Toffolatti, Gabriella De Lorenzis, Matteo Brilli, Mirko Moser, Vahid Shariati, Elahe Tavakol, Giuliana Maddalena, Alessandro Passera, Paola Casati, Massimo Pindo, Alessandro Cestaro, David Maghradze, Osvaldo Failla, Piero Attilio Bianco, Fabio Quaglino
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marco Bonelli, Daniele Bruno, Matteo Brilli, Novella Gianfranceschi, Ling Tian, Gianluca Tettamanti, Silvia Caccia, Morena Casartelli
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mirko Moser, Elisa Asquini, Giulia Valentina Miolli, Kathleen Weigl, Magda-Viola Hanke, Henryk Flachowsky, Azeddine Si-Ammour
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2020)
Review
Infectious Diseases
M. Carugati, A. Piazza, A. M. Peri, L. Cariani, M. Brilli, D. Girelli, D. Di Carlo, A. Gramegna, M. Pappalettera, F. Comandatore, G. Grasselli, A. P. Cantu, M. Arghittu, A. Gori, C. Bandi, F. Blasi, A. Bandera
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Rey, Cecilia Pandini, Bianca Barzaghini, Letizia Messa, Toniella Giallongo, Orietta Pansarasa, Stella Gagliardi, Matteo Brilli, Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti, Cristina Cereda, Manuela Teresa Raimondi, Stephana Carelli
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Andras Szekacs, Azeddine Si Ammour, Michael L. Mendelsohn
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Agata Negri, Irene Arnoldi, Matteo Brilli, Claudio Bandi, Paolo Gabrieli, Sara Epis
Summary: In 2020, approximately 50 individuals of Aedes koreicus were discovered in Bergamo, Italy, confirming the spread of this species in the north of Italy and raising concerns about its potential role as a vector of diseases in the Alpine area.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanassa Beroual, Karine Prevost, David Lalaouna, Nadia Ben Zaina, Odile Valette, Yann Denis, Meriem Djendli, Gael Brasseur, Matteo Brilli, Marta Robledo Garrido, Jose-Ignacio Jimenez-Zurdo, Eric Masse, Emanuele G. Biondi
Summary: This study elucidates the role of a novel factor named CcnA, a cell cycle-regulated noncoding RNA in Caulobacter crescentus, which plays a critical role in coordinating DNA replication, cell division, and development by interacting with master regulators CtrA and GcrA. The mechanism of action involves liberation or sequestration of ribosome-binding sites, potentially affecting conserved processes in other alphaproteobacterial species.
Article
Virology
Luca Bianco, Mirko Moser, Andrea Silverj, Diego Micheletti, Giovanni Lorenzin, Lucia Collini, Mattia Barbareschi, Paolo Lanzafame, Nicola Segata, Massimo Pindo, Pietro Franceschi, Omar Rota-Stabelli, Annapaola Rizzoli, Paolo Fontana, Claudio Donati
Summary: This study performed high-coverage Oxford Nanopore sequencing of 253 positive SARS-CoV-2 swabs collected in Trentino between March and December 2020. The analysis of genome sequences traced the routes through which the virus entered the area and assessed the reasons for the autumnal resurgence.
Article
Microbiology
Davide Carcione, Gabriella Leccese, Gianmarco Conte, Elio Rossi, Jari Intra, Alice Bonomi, Simona Sabella, Massimo Moreo, Paolo Landini, Matteo Brilli, Moira Paroni
Summary: Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause nosocomial infections. A study conducted in an Italian hospital found that only a minority of S. epidermidis isolates displayed biofilm formation, regardless of their source. However, among the biofilm-producing isolates, those from catheters were the most efficient in biofilm formation. Interestingly, the production levels of PIA, the main extracellular polysaccharide of S. epidermidis, were similar in most isolates, including strong biofilm producers, compared to reference strains classified as non-biofilm formers. This suggests that high levels of PIA production may not confer a particular advantage for clinical isolates. The study also found that the correlation between biofilm production and decreased antibiotic sensitivity differed among the clinical isolates.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alessandro Botton, Francesco Girardi, Benedetto Ruperti, Matteo Brilli, Veronica Tijero, Giulia Eccher, Francesca Populin, Elisabetta Schievano, Tobia Riello, Sergi Munne-Bosch, Monica Canton, Angela Rasori, Valerio Cardillo, Franco Meggio
Summary: This study investigates the physiological response of Vitis vinifera cv. Sauvignon Blanc to sequential stresses using transcriptomic and metabolomic assessments. The results show that flooding and summer heatwave have different effects on the berry's physiological response. This research highlights the potential impact of sequential stresses on phenological development and berry ripening.
Article
Plant Sciences
Katrin Janik, Cecilia Mittelberger, Mirko Moser
ANNUAL PLANT REVIEWS ONLINE
(2020)