Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shenao Fu, Shaokang Xu, Shubing Zhang
Summary: The incidence of pancreatic cancer is increasing worldwide, and recent research suggests that reprogrammed metabolism may play a crucial role in its tumorigenesis and development. Abnormal changes in amino acid metabolism in pancreatic cancer can affect various biological processes and have potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications. This review highlights the current research progress in understanding the role of amino acid metabolism in pancreatic cancer and its potential as a target for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-REVIEWS ON CANCER
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Akiko Suzuki, Junichi Iwata
Summary: Amino acids play a critical role in bone homeostasis and energy metabolism, while autophagy maintains intracellular amino acid levels. They are involved in cellular differentiation, proliferation, and control of bioactive molecules.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li-qiong Zhang, Li Sun, Yu-qing Zhou, Jing-jing Liu, Quan-de Wang, Wei-bin Mo, Ke-guang Cheng
Summary: A series of pentacyclic triterpene-amino acid derivatives were synthesized and tested for their anti-proliferative activity. Most of the compounds showed good anti-proliferative activity. Compound 2c, which did not contain protecting groups or hydrochloride, exhibited excellent cytotoxicity and was selected for further investigation in T24 cells. Transcriptome sequencing results indicated that 2c was closely related to apoptosis and autophagy. Fluorescence staining and flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that 2c induced apoptosis and caused cell cycle arrest in S/G2 phase in T24 cells. Molecular mechanism studies showed that 2c induced apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways and also induced cellular autophagy. Western Blotting results revealed that 2c could activate JNK pathway and inhibit PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. In conclusion, further investigation of compound 2c in the field of anti-tumor is warranted.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Pei-Pei Zhang, Bing-Yu Zhuo, Zi-Wei Duan, Song-Li Huang, Xin Li, Qian Cao, Ting Zhao, Sheng-Li Wei, Xiu-Hua Hub, Yuan Zhang
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the lipid-lowering activity of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (CT) through a mice model and a hepatoma cells model, and investigate its main components and mechanism. The study confirmed the lipid-lowering activity of CT extract and identified flavonoids as its main components. Among the main flavonoids, marein played a key role in promoting lipophagy by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, resulting in a lipid-lowering effect.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhuo Li, Zhiying Miao, Linlin Ding, Xiaohua Teng, Jun Bao
Summary: This study investigated the toxic effects of ammonia gas on chicken liver, revealing damage to mitochondrial and autophagy in chicken liver tissue cells, as well as disruption of energy metabolism. Exposure to excess ammonia gas induced autophagy in chicken livers, with the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1-Beclin1 pathway playing a role in this process. Dose-dependent and time-dependent effects were observed on all detected indexes in ammonia gas-induced chicken liver cell damage.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yu Liu, Xiangxian Zhang, Wei Wang, Ting Liu, Jun Ren, Siyuan Chen, Tianqi Lu, Yan Tie, Xia Yuan, Fei Mo, Jingyun Yang, Yuquan Wei, Xiawei Wei
Summary: Ammonia plays an important role in cellular metabolism but is considered toxic. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells can convert ammonia and glutamate to glutamine via glutamine synthetase activity, supporting cell proliferation. Glutamine activates signaling pathways to stimulate cell proliferation.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiyan Su, Xiaohong Chen, Yuanjie Xiao, Dan Li, Muxia Li, Hongfu Li, Jiangjian Huang, Zhengquan Lai, Ziren Su, Yizhen Xie, Dajiang Zhu, Qianjun Chen, Hai Lu, Jingjin He, Chenglai Xia
Summary: The study revealed the potential efficacy of Bruceae fructus oil (BO) against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by impacting the gut microbiota and host amino acid metabolism, demonstrating a novel anti-cancer mechanism.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Bozena Samborska, Dominic G. Roy, Janane F. Rahbani, Mohammed F. Hussain, Eric H. Ma, Russell G. Jones, Lawrence Kazak
Summary: This study reveals the intrinsic role of creatine transport and creatine transphosphorylation in supporting CD8(+) T cell homeostasis and effector function, independent of their effects on global cellular energy charge.
Review
Oncology
Alejandro Schcolnik-Cabrera, Daniel Juarez-Lopez
Summary: This review provides evidence supporting prostate cancer as a metabolic disease and discusses the relationship between mTOR signaling and prostate cancer. It emphasizes the role of amino acids associated with prostate cancer and explores their involvement in metabolic reprogramming events. Finally, potential therapeutic strategies for targeting mTOR and the relevant amino acids are discussed.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mu-xia Li, Min-yao Li, Jun-xuan Lei, Yu-zhu Wu, Ze-hao Li, Lin-ming Chen, Chang-lin Zhou, Ji-yan Su, Guo-xin Huang, Xiao-qi Huang, Xue-bao Zheng
Summary: Huangqin decoction (HQD) exhibits anti-inflammatory effects on DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating gut microbiota and amino acid metabolism, activating the mTOR signaling pathway, and protecting intestinal mucosal barrier integrity.
Article
Biology
Juan J. Apiz Saab, Lindsey N. Dzierozynski, Patrick B. Jonker, Roya AminiTabrizi, Hardik Shah, Rosa Elena Menjivar, Andrew J. Scott, Zeribe C. Nwosu, Zhou Zhu, Riona N. Chen, Moses Oh, Colin Sheehan, Daniel R. Wahl, Marina Pasca di Magliano, Costas A. Lyssiotis, Kay F. Macleod, Christopher R. Weber, Alexander Muir
Summary: Nutrient stress in the tumor microenvironment affects cancer cell metabolism and behavior. By studying the tumor interstitial fluid medium, it has been found that PDAC cells cultured in this medium resemble their in vivo state more closely, and arginine biosynthesis is crucial for maintaining arginine levels in PDAC cells.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guozhu Ye, Wenjia Lu, Luyun Zhang, Han Gao, Xu Liao, Xu Zhang, Han Zhang, Jinsheng Chen, Qiansheng Huang
Summary: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and macrophage lipid accumulation is a characteristic event in the pathophysiology of these diseases. Metabolic reprogramming offers potential intervention targets for diseases and toxic effects of environmental pollutants. This study used metabolomics and transcriptomics to uncover metabolic reprogramming in BAPEXPOSED macrophages and identify potential intervention targets. The findings suggest that lipid transport, as well as changes in the metabolism of amino acids, nucleotides, monosaccharides, and organic acids, may play a role in the macrophage lipid accumulation induced by PAH exposure. The study also observed oxidative stress and the activation of antioxidant systems in PAH-exposed macrophages and identified epigallocatechin-3-gallate as a potential inhibitor of reactive oxygen species and lipid accumulation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Liuran Li, Qinghua Li, Wenbin Huang, Yibing Han, Huiting Tan, Min An, Qianru Xiang, Rui Zhou, Li Yang, Yanzhen Cheng
Summary: The study showed that dapagliflozin can alleviate hepatocyte steatosis by reducing lipogenic enzyme, inducing fatty acid oxidation enzyme, and autophagy, which may be associated with AMPK activation. The results also indicate that dapagliflozin induces autophagy via the AMPK-mTOR pathway, revealing a novel clinical application and functional mechanism in the treatment of NAFLD.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yue Yu, Hong Chen, Jiantao Zhang, Tianwen Ma, Liangyu Lv, Lina Jia, Hongri Ruan, Li Gao
Summary: Research has shown that Oleanolic acid (OLA) has the potential to improve symptoms of osteoarthritis by activating autophagy and inhibiting inflammation and cartilage degeneration.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Si-Lan Han, Yan Liu, Samwel M. Limbu, Li-Qiao Chen, Mei-Ling Zhang, Zhen-Yu Du
Summary: In this study, Atglistatin, an ATGL-specific inhibitor, was added to the zebrafish diet and led to severe fat deposition, reduced oxygen consumption, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The Atglistatin-treated fish showed elevated HSL protein expression but reduced free fatty acids and lipase activities, as well as decreased autophagy marker. Glycogenolysis was stimulated while blood glucose was higher in the Atglistatin-treated fish, indicating a loss of lipid-sourced energy production due to ATGL inhibition.
FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)