Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xiaoguang Liu, Aimee A. Flores, Lisa Situ, Wen Gu, Hui Ding, Heather R. Christofk, William E. Lowry, Michael E. Jung
Summary: The study reports the synthesis and evaluation of novel UK-5099 analogues for potential treatment of hair loss, with certain compounds showing significant MPC inhibition activity and expanding chemical space for drug design. Some analogues were found to promote hair growth in mice when tested through topical treatment.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohamed Touaibia, Patrick-Denis St-Coeur, Patrick Duff, Diene Codou Faye, Nicolas Pichaud
Summary: A series of thiazolidinediones were synthesized and studied for their effects on Drosophila melanogaster mitochondrial respiration. Compounds like 5-benzylidenethiazolidine-2,4-diones exhibited strong inhibitory capacity compared to other analogs, showing potential as potent mitochondrial pyruvate carrier inhibitors similar to UK5099. An analog, 5-benzylidenethiazolidine-2,4-dione 3, demonstrated positive effects on fruit fly survival and longevity, reversing the effects of a high fat diet and suggesting in vivo inhibition of MPC at the mitochondrial level.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoli Wang, Lisha Yin, Yujiao Wen, Shuiqiao Yuan
Summary: Mitochondria adjust their morphology to suit different cell types and environments, playing important roles in spermatogenesis. Deficiencies in mitochondria can cause male infertility and regulate piRNA biogenesis. This review describes the characteristics of mitochondria, focusing on key mitochondrial factors and the underlying molecular mechanisms in spermatogenesis.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kyle S. McCommis, Brian N. Finck
Summary: Pyruvate is a crucial metabolic product that needs to be transported to the mitochondrial matrix for energy utilization or to become the building block of new biomolecules. The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) has emerged as a target for therapeutic intervention in diseases related to altered mitochondrial and intermediary metabolism. In this review, the role of MPC and related metabolic pathways in the liver in regulating energy metabolism and the current state of targeting this pathway to treat liver diseases are discussed. Inhibiting MPC in hepatocytes and other liver cells has shown beneficial effects in treating type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, although there are still gaps in our understanding of the pleiotropic effects of MPC inhibition.
Article
Microbiology
Raquel S. Negreiros, Noelia Lander, Miguel A. Chiurillo, Anibal E. Vercesi, Roberto Docampo
Summary: Pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis, is transported into the mitochondria through the mitochondrial pyruvate carriers MPC1 and MPC2. Knockout of MPC1 and MPC2 in Trypanosoma cruzi affects pyruvate-driven respiration, host cell invasion, and intracellular replication of amastigotes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xia Fang, Pei Zhao, Shaoyong Gao, Dongmei Liu, Song Zhang, Mengtian Shan, Yuanyuan Wang, Joerg Herrmann, Qiang Li, Feilong Wang
Summary: Tumor cell-derived lactate has been identified as the main factor in the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Previous studies have highlighted the importance of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC)-mediated transport in TAMs polarization. However, our genetic depletion study demonstrated that MPC is not necessary for lactate-induced macrophages polarization or tumor growth.It also had no impact on the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and histone lactylation, which are both crucial for TAMs polarization. This suggests that lactate itself, rather than its downstream metabolites, is responsible for TAMs polarization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sotiria Tavoulari, Tom J. J. Schirris, Vasiliki Mavridou, Chancievan Thangaratnarajah, Martin S. King, Daniel T. D. Jones, Shujing Ding, Ian M. Fearnley, Edmund R. S. Kunji
Summary: This study characterized the human mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) protein and identified the chemical features necessary for high-affinity inhibition. It found that three hydrogen bond acceptors followed by an aromatic ring are shared characteristics of all inhibitors and represent the minimal requirement for high potency. The study also discovered 14 new MPC inhibitors, with one compound outperforming a known inhibitor by tenfold.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lamees Hegazy, Lauren E. Gill, Kelly D. Pyles, Christopher Kaiho, Sophia Kchouk, Brian N. Finck, Kyle S. McCommis, Bahaa Elgendy
Summary: This study reveals the structure-function relationships of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) complex using homology modeling and mutagenesis experiments. Based on this, a pharmacophore model is developed and a virtual screen identifies five new drug-like MPC inhibitors.
Article
Biology
Takeshi Yoneshiro, Naoya Kataoka, Jacquelyn M. Walejko, Kenji Ikeda, Zachary Brown, Momoko Yoneshiro, Scott B. Crown, Tsuyoshi Osawa, Juro Sakai, Robert W. McGarrah, Phillip J. White, Kazuhiro Nakamura, Shingo Kajimura
Summary: This study investigates the role of mitochondrial BCAA carrier in regulating BCAA catabolism and adaptive response to fever, highlighting the significant enhancement of mitochondrial BCAA oxidation during fever and the essential role of MBC in BCAA deamination and thermogenesis.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Juhong Chen, Wenzhao Xu, Zi Wang, Li Tian, Weidong Liu, Ang Ren, Rui Liu, Jing Zhu, Liang Shi
Summary: Mitochondrial pyruvate carriers play a crucial role in regulating the biosynthesis of ganoderic acid in Ganoderma lucidum.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yue Liu, Yuan Yuan, Yi Yan, Ruyue Wang, Zhaohui Wang, Xiao Liu, Ying Zhang, Jianyu Hua, Yue Wang, Li Zhao
Summary: This research aims to investigate the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on cerebral ischemia and explore the role of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1) in this process. The study demonstrates that MPC1 can exert a neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia by attenuating oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium overload, and autophagy. The findings suggest that MPC1-related genes identified through RNA-seq may serve as a novel therapeutic target for cerebral ischemia.
Article
Immunology
Lih-Chyang Chen, Yu-Jen Chen, Hsin-An Lin, Wu-Chien Chien, Kuen-Jou Tsai, Chi-Hsiang Chung, Jui-Yang Wang, Chien-Chou Chen, Nan-Shih Liao, Chieh-Tien Shih, Yi-Ying Lin, Chi-Ning Huang, David M. Ojcius, Kuo-Yang Huang, Hsin-Chung Lin
Summary: Glycolysis regulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the development of autoinflammatory diseases. Inhibition of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier increased NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the risk of gout in diabetic individuals.
Review
Physiology
Sotiria Tavoulari, Maximilian Sichrovsky, Edmund R. S. Kunji
Summary: Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) plays a crucial role in connecting cytosolic and mitochondrial metabolism by transporting pyruvate into the mitochondrial matrix. Due to its importance, MPC has been proposed as a potential target for various diseases. However, the knowledge about its structure and mechanism is limited. This article provides critical insights into the composition, structure, and function of MPC, and summarizes the different classes of small molecule inhibitors and their potential in therapeutics.
Article
Biology
Andres De la Rossa, Marine H. Laporte, Simone Astori, Thomas Marissal, Sylvie Montessuit, Preethi Sheshadri, Eva Ramos-Fernandez, Pablo Mendez, Abbas Khani, Charles Quairiaux, Eric B. Taylor, Jared Rutter, Jose Manuel Nunes, Alan Carleton, Michael R. Duchen, Carmen Sandi, Jean-Claude Martinou
Summary: Neuronal excitation relies on ATP from oxidative phosphorylation, and deficient oxidative phosphorylation can lead to hyperexcitability in neurons. Inhibiting GABA activity in mice with deficient mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) led to seizures and death, but providing ketone bodies restored energy and attenuated seizures. These findings provide insights into epilepsy and other neuropathologies associated with energy deficits.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Huan Xu, Zhixiao Liu, Dajun Gao, Peizhang Li, Yanting Shen, Yi Sun, Lingfan Xu, Nan Song, Yue Wang, Ming Zhan, Xu Gao, Zhong Wang
Summary: This study investigates the effect of metabolic reprogramming on lineage differentiation in prostate cancer cells. The results show that metabolic reprogramming leads to antiandrogen drug resistance and tumor development, and this lineage differentiation can be reversed by the overexpression of certain genes.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Florian Mauffrey, Tristan Cordier, Laure Apotheloz-Perret-Gentil, Kristina Cermakova, Thomas Merzi, Matthieu Delefosse, Philippe Blanc, Jan Pawlowski
Summary: This study demonstrates that eDNA metabarcoding is a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional morphology-based monitoring, as seen through the analysis of benthic eukaryotic communities near offshore oil and gas platforms in the North Sea.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vanessa Joanne Xavier, Jean-Claude Martinou
Summary: The human mitochondrial genome regulates its transcription products in specialized ways through mtDNA, with RNA regulation organized within the Mitochondrial RNA Granules. Recent findings show that dsRNA species can form granules in the mitochondria matrix. Dysfunctions in mitochondria, such as RNA processing defects, may lead to loss or aberrant accumulation of these RNA granules, emphasizing the link between mitochondrial maintenance and proper gene expression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Yuki Muranishi, Laurent Parry, Melanie Vachette-Dit-Martin, Fabrice Saez, Cecile Coudy-Gandilhon, Pierre Sauvanet, David H. Volle, Jeremy Tournayre, Serge Bottari, Francesca Carpentiero, Guillaume Martinez, Jana Muronova, Jessica Escoffier, Alain Bruhat, Anne-Catherine Maurin, Julien Averous, Christophe Arnoult, Pierre Fafournoux, Celine Jousse
Summary: Maternal nutritional stress has long-term consequences on the reproductive health of male progeny by affecting sperm physiology, especially capacitation, with no observable impact on spermatogenesis and classical sperm parameters.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Simon P. Windley, Chloe Mayere, Alice E. McGovern, Natasha L. Harvey, Serge Nef, Quenten Schwarz, Sharad Kumar, Dagmar Wilhelm
Summary: This study reveals an important role for the ubiquitin-protein ligase NEDD4 in testis sex determination and development. Lack of NEDD4 leads to male-to-female sex reversal in mice, as well as aberrant regulation of testis differentiation. Furthermore, NEDD4 deficiency results in ectopic upregulation of SYCP3 expression in germ cells.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Monika Graf, Marta Interlandi, Natalia Moreno, Dorthe Holdhof, Carolin Gobel, Viktoria Melcher, Julius Mertins, Thomas K. Albert, Dennis Kastrati, Amelie Alfert, Till Holsten, Flavia de Faria, Michael Meisterernst, Claudia Rossig, Monika Warmuth-Metz, Johannes Nowak, Gerd Meyer zu Horste, Chloe Mayere, Serge Nef, Pascal Johann, Michael C. Fruhwald, Martin Dugas, Ulrich Schuller, Kornelius Kerl
Summary: This study investigates the origin of rhabdoid tumors (RT) and identifies distinct cells of origin for the SHH and MYC subgroups of RT. It also reveals the epigenetic imbalance in MYC tumors and the effectiveness of the DNA demethylating agent decitabine in inhibiting tumor growth.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Guillaume Martinez, Charles Coutton, Corinne Loeuillet, Caroline Cazin, Jana Muronova, Magalie Boguenet, Emeline Lambert, Magali Dhellemmes, Genevieve Chevalier, Jean-Pascal Hograindleur, Charline Vilpreux, Yasmine Neirijnck, Zine-Eddine Kherraf, Jessica Escoffier, Serge Nef, Pierre F. Ray, Christophe Arnoult, Jean-Ju Chung
Summary: Male infertility is a significant health concern and high-throughput sequencing has identified gene defects in rare and severe sperm anomalies. However, this study shows that oligogenic defects, accumulation of multiple rare heterozygous variants in different but functionally connected genes, may be responsible for a significant proportion of cases with common and moderate sperm abnormalities. Further research in mice and humans is needed.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chloe Mayere, Violaine Regard, Aitana Perea-Gomez, Corey Bunce, Yasmine Neirijnck, Cyril Djari, Natividad Bellido-Carreras, Pauline Sararols, Richard Reeves, Simon Greenaway, Michelle Simon, Pam Siggers, Diana Condrea, Francoise Kuhne, Ivana Gantar, Furong Tang, Isabelle Stevant, Laura Batti, Norbert B. Ghyselinck, Dagmar Wilhelm, Andy Greenfield, Blanche Capel, Marie-Christine Chaboissier, Serge Nef
Summary: This study investigated an uncharacterized population of supporting-like cells (SLCs) in the developing mouse gonads, focusing on their origin, specification, and subsequent sex-specific differentiation. The SLC lineage, closely related to the coelomic epithelium, was specified as early as E10.5, making it the first somatic lineage in the bipotential gonad. SLCs progressively acquired a more Sertoli- or pregranulosa-like identity and contributed to the formation of the rete testis and rete ovarii. WNT4 was found to be a crucial regulator of the SLC lineage and necessary for normal development of the rete testis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roland Abi Nahed, Magali Dhellemmes, Christine Payre, Emilie Le Blevec, Jean-Philippe Perrier, Sylviane Hennebicq, Jessica Escoffier, Pierre F. Ray, Corinne Loeuillet, Gerard Lambeau, Christophe Arnoult
Summary: The secreted phospholipase A2 (PLA2G10) plays an important role in mouse fertilization by enhancing acrosome reaction and secretion, improving fertilization rate, and binding to PLA2R1 on gametes. It is shown that the catalytic activity and PLA2R1 binding of PLA2G10 both contribute to its profertility effect, and the study provides new insights into the complexity of PLA2G10's action in optimizing fertilization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Moira Rossitto, Stephanie Dejardin, Chris M. Rands, Stephanie Le Gras, Roberta Migale, Mahmoud-Reza Rafiee, Yasmine Neirijnck, Alain Pruvost, Anvi Laetitia Nguyen, Guillaume Bossis, Florence Cammas, Lionel Le Gallic, Dagmar Wilhelm, Robin Lovell-Badge, Brigitte Boizet-Bonhoure, Serge Nef, Francis Poulat
Summary: Gonadal fate in mammals is determined during embryogenesis and is actively maintained in adulthood. This study shows that E3-SUMO ligase activity of TRIM28 is required for ovarian identity maintenance and testicular-specific gene repression in mouse adult ovary; in its absence, ovarian granulosa cells transdifferentiate to Sertoli cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Herta Ademi, Cyril Djari, Chloe Mayere, Yasmine Neirijnck, Pauline Sararols, Chris M. Rands, Isabelle Stevant, Beatrice Conne, Serge Nef
Summary: Single-cell transcriptomics reveal the complex origin and differentiation dynamics of androgen-producing cells in mice, including the origin and evolution of steroidogenic progenitors. The study also highlights the important role of Wnt5a gene in the formation of androgen-producing cells and peritubular myoid cells.
Article
Biology
Sol Sotillos, Isabel von der Decken, Ivan Domenech Mercade, Sriraksha Srinivasan, Dmytro Sirokha, Ludmila Livshits, Stefano Vanni, Serge Nef, Anna Biason-Lauber, Daniel Rodriguez Gutierrez, James Castelli-Gair Hombria
Summary: This study reveals the importance of DLC3/Cv-c gene in Drosophila gonad development and demonstrates its functional similarity to human DLC3 gene. The study also highlights the independent function of the StART domain in male gonad. These findings are significant for understanding the mechanisms of sex development.
Article
Cell Biology
Yasmine Neirijnck, Pauline Sararols, Francoise Kuhne, Chloe Mayere, Lahiru Chamara Weerasinghe Arachchige, Violaine Regard, Serge Nef, Andreas Schedl
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas of early mouse adrenogonadal development, revealing the differentiation process and molecular mechanisms. It is found that the fate of adrenal and gonadal has diverged prior to Nr5a1 expression and involves differential expression of genes related to Wnt signaling and Hox patterning. This study provides important insights into the ontogenesis of adrenal and gonadal and will be a valuable resource for further research.
Article
Andrology
Fanny Zufferey, Elina Buitrago, Rita Rahban, Alfred Senn, Eric Stettler, Serge Rudaz, Serge Nef, Nicolas Donze, Aurelien Thomas, Michel F. Rossier
Summary: This study assessed the impact of cannabis consumption on semen parameters, reproductive hormones, and endocannabinoid levels in young Swiss men. The results showed higher levels of anandamide, androgens, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin in chronic, recent, and cannabidiol-positive cannabis users. Gonadotropin levels were not significantly different, while prolactin and albumin concentrations were lower in cannabis users. Moreover, cannabis users had a more basic semen pH and a higher percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility, which may be influenced by sexual abstinence rather than cannabis use.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francesco Petrelli, Valentina Scandella, Sylvie Montessuit, Nicola Zamboni, Jean-Claude Martinou, Marlen Knobloch
Summary: Cellular metabolism plays a crucial role in the behavior of adult neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is identified as an important factor in controlling NSPC quiescence and activation.