Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Tracy Murray Stewart, Jackson R. Foley, Cassandra E. Holbert, Maxim Khomutov, Noushin Rastkari, Xianzun Tao, Alex R. Khomutov, R. Grace Zhai, Robert A. Casero Jr
Summary: Snyder-Robinson syndrome (SRS) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the spermine synthase (SMS) gene, leading to symptoms such as intellectual disability and osteoporosis. Current treatment options focus on managing symptoms. A study has found that the drug 2-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) can rebalance the spermidine:spermine ratio in SRS patient cells and improve lifespan in a fruit fly model of the syndrome.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seongjin Kim, Jeong Ho Chang
Summary: Spermidine is a polyamine molecule that performs various cellular functions and is generated from putrescine by spermidine synthase (SpdS). Although the molecular mechanism of SpdS function has been well-established, its structure-based evolutionary relationships remain to be fully understood. This study determined the crystal structure of an apo-form of SpdS from Kluyveromyces lactis (KlSpdS) and identified a conformational change that provides insights into the structural diversity of SpdS in fungal species.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jinghe Xiao, Yiran You, Xu Chen, Yi Tang, Yuming Chen, Qiannan Liu, Zhaomin Liu, Wenhua Ling
Summary: Increased serum S-adenosylhomocysteine and decreased S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio were independently associated with increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in the Chinese middle-aged and elderly population, especially in individuals with higher cardiovascular risk profiles.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaozheng Zhu, Yikai Shou, Xintong Ji, Yu Hu, Huanhuan Wang
Summary: Exposure to PM2.5 can lead to neuronal apoptosis, which is a key event in air pollution-induced neurodegenerative diseases. AMD1 and spermidine are associated with neuronal apoptosis induced by PM2.5 exposure, with a mechanism at least partially dependent on the mitochondria-mediated pathway.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Si Liu, Ruyi Liao, Xin Dai, Honghui Guo, Dongliang Wang, Min Xia, Wenhua Ling, Yunjun Xiao
Summary: The study found a significant inverse relationship between plasma SAM concentration and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with coronary artery disease, with lower SAM concentration associated with higher mortality risk.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Connor Quinn, Mario C. Rico, Carmen Merali, Salim Merali
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, with a percentage of patients developing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This study investigates the reduction of GNMT protein levels in the liver of NASH patients and explores its impact on disease progression. The findings suggest that decreased GNMT leads to an increase in AdoMet, which contributes to NASH pathogenesis through altered transmethylation and polyamine synthesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bin Li, Jue Liang, Hamid R. Baniasadi, Margaret A. Phillips, Anthony J. Michael
Summary: Viruses manipulate host cells' metabolic and replication systems to produce more viruses. They acquire metabolic genes from ancestral hosts and use the encoded enzymes to subvert host metabolism. This study identified and characterized various phage and virus-encoded polyamine metabolic enzymes and pathways, supporting the important role of spermidine in virus biology on a global scale.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arya Vindu, Byung-Sik Shin, Kevin Choi, Eric T. Christenson, Ivaylo P. Ivanov, Chune Cao, Anirban Banerjee, Thomas E. Dever
Summary: Polyamines are essential for cell viability and their levels are maintained by post-transcriptional regulation of key biosynthetic enzymes. This study shows that the membrane transporter Hol1 in S. cerevisiae is under translational control by polyamines and is required for yeast growth under limiting polyamine conditions. Additionally, polyamines inhibit the translation factor eIF5A to repress Hol1 synthesis under conditions of elevated polyamines, highlighting the extensive control cells impose on polyamine levels.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Bohong Lin, Lingling Xiang, Zhijun Yuan, Qi Hou, Yaoping Ruan, Jing Zhang
Summary: Direct derivatization and fluorescence measurement of S-Adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH) were achieved using ReACT chemistry, which offers mild reaction conditions and simple operation.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yu Li, Wangdan Xiong, Feng He, Tianxiong Qi, Zhen Sun, Yuchen Liu, Shiqie Bai, Honglun Wang, Zhenying Wu, Chunxiang Fu
Summary: The down-regulation of PvSAMS in switchgrass can reduce the contents of SAM, G-lignins, and S-lignins, leading to the accumulation of methionine and glucoside derivatives of caffeoyl alcohol, and resulting in brownish stems. Transcriptomic analysis shows that most sulfur deficiency-responsive genes are differentially expressed in the transgenic switchgrass, leading to an increase in total sulfur content.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yvonne L. Latour, Johanna C. Sierra, Jordan L. Finley, Mohammad Asim, Daniel P. Barry, Margaret M. Allaman, Thaddeus M. Smith, Kara M. McNamara, Paula B. Luis, Claus Schneider, Justin Jacobse, Jeremy A. Goettel, M. Wade Calcutt, Kristie L. Rose, Kevin L. Schey, Ginger L. Milne, Alberto G. Delgado, M. Blanca Piazuelo, Bindu D. Paul, Solomon H. Snyder, Alain P. Gobert, Keith T. Wilson
Summary: Macrophages play a crucial role in the inflammatory response to Helicobacter pylori infection. Induction of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH) in macrophages by H. pylori promotes persistent inflammation. CTH deficiency results in altered macrophage function and metabolism, leading to decreased gastric inflammation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aida Corrillero Bravo, Maria Nieves Ligero Aguilera, Nahuel R. Marziali, Lennart Moritz, Victoria Wingert, Katharina Klotz, Anke Schumann, Sarah C. Gruenert, Ute Spiekerkoetter, Urs Berger, Ann-Kathrin Lederer, Roman Huber, Luciana Hannibal
Summary: S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is essential for methyl transfer reactions. SAM is produced de novo via the methionine cycle. The demethylation of SAM produces S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), an inhibitor of methyltransferases. Measurement of SAM and SAH in plasma is valuable for diagnosing inborn errors of metabolism and assessing methyl group homeostasis.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
JoonSeon Yang, Teresa W. M. Fan, Jason A. Brandon, Andrew N. Lane, Richard M. Higashi
Summary: A new method has been developed to conveniently and reliably determine the concentrations, synthesis, and turnover of SAM and SAH, important metabolites in the one-carbon cycle. This method is compatible with Stable Isotope-Resolved Metabolomic (SIRM) analysis and allows for tracking metabolite incorporation and effects of anti-cancer substances on cells.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Surgery
Mikyung Kim, Yunmee Rho, Rhoeun Park, Jeeyoun Jung, Geum-Sook Hwang, Youn Kyoung Seo, Ji Hae Seo, Yoonseok Heo, Tae Kyung Ha, Eunyoung Ha
Summary: The study shows that duodenal-jejunal bypass (DJB) surgery can reduce hepatic steatosis and improve insulin sensitivity by altering 1-carbon metabolism flux, thereby preventing diet-induced fatty liver disease. This improvement may involve decreasing the SAM-to-S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio and regulating the expression of SAM metabolizing enzymes.
SURGERY FOR OBESITY AND RELATED DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Andrew A. Bridges, Bonnie L. Bassler
Summary: Vibrio cholerae undergoes cycles of biofilm formation and dispersal, with the process regulated by periplasmic polyamine sensor MbaA and polyamine importer PotD1. Spermidine drives dispersal, while norspermidine inhibits it, with both polyamines controlling dispersion through MbaA detection and signal relay.