Integrative Molecular Phenotyping
INTEGRATIVE MOLECULAR
PHENOTYPING
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
WHEELOCK LABORATORY

PubMed

Correction to 'Illuminating the dark metabolome of Pseudo-nitzschia-microbiome associations'

Mon, 05/06/2023 - 12:00
Environ Microbiol. 2023 Jun 5. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.16433. Online ahead of print.NO ABSTRACTPMID:37272427 | DOI:10.1111/1462-2920.16433

Asiatic acid ameliorates rifampicin and isoniazid-induced liver injury in vivo by regulating sphingolipid metabolism and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways

Mon, 05/06/2023 - 12:00
Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023 Jun 5. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.13909. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTIn this study, we aimed to determine whether asiatic acid (AA) exerts any therapeutic effects on rifampicin (RFP)-and isoniazid (INH)-induced liver injury and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Briefly, liver injury in mice was induced via RFP and INH administration. We investigated the effects and potential action mechanisms of AA on liver injury using transcriptomics, metabolomics, and various examinations. We found that AA significantly ameliorated the pathological changes in liver tissues and decreased the transaminase activity, inflammation, and oxidative stress damage. Transcriptomics revealed 147 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the AA and model groups that were enriched in metabolic and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Metabolomics revealed 778 differentially expressed metabolites between the AA and model groups. Furthermore, integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses revealed strong correlations between DEGs and differentially expressed metabolites and indicated that AA regulates the sphingolipid metabolism by inhibiting the expression of delta 4-desaturase, sphingolipid 1. Experimental results confirmed that AA inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway. In summary, AA inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress damage by regulating sphingolipid metabolism pathway and blocking the MAPK signaling pathway, thereby relieving the RFP/INH-induced liver injury.PMID:37272388 | DOI:10.1111/bcpt.13909

Distinct global metabolomic profiles of the model organism <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em> during interactions with <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and <em>Salmonella enterica</em> Serovar Typhi

Mon, 05/06/2023 - 12:00
Mol Omics. 2023 Jun 5. doi: 10.1039/d3mo00040k. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe interactive network of hosts with pathogenic microbes is still questionable. It has been hypothesized and reported that the host shows altered regulatory mechanisms for different pathogens. Several studies using transcriptomics and proteomics revealed the altered pathways and sequential regulations displayed by the host during bacterial interactions. Still, there is a gap in understanding the triggering molecule at transcriptomic and proteomic levels due to the lack of the knowledge of the interactive metabolites produced during their interactions. In this study, the global metabolomic approach was performed in the nematode model organism Caenorhabditis elegans upon exposure to a Gram-negative bacteria, Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi, and a Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and the whole metabolome was categorized as endo-metabolome (internally produced) and exo-metabolome (externally releasing). The extracted metabolites were subjected to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (ESI-LC/qToF-MS/MS). In total 5578, 4554 and 4046 endo-metabolites and 4451, 3625 and 1281 exo-metabolites were identified in C. elegans when exposed to E. coli OP50, S. Typhi and S. aureus, respectively. Both the multivariate and univariate analyses were performed. The variation in endo- and exo-metabolome during candidate bacterial interactions was observed. The results indicated that, during S. aureus interaction, the exclusively enriched metabolites were significantly involved in alpha-linoleic acid metabolism. Similarly, the exclusively enriched metabolites during the interaction of S. Typhi were significantly involved in the phosphatidylinositol signalling system. The whole metabolomic profile presented here will build the scope to understand the role of metabolites and the respective pathways in host response during the early period of bacterial infections.PMID:37272185 | DOI:10.1039/d3mo00040k

Plasma metabolomics identifies metabolic alterations associated with the growth and development of cat

Mon, 05/06/2023 - 12:00
Animal Model Exp Med. 2023 Jun 4. doi: 10.1002/ame2.12328. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to study the composition and content of the feline plasma metabolome revealing the critical metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with age during growth and development.METHODS: Blood samples were collected from juvenile and adult groups for blood routine tests and serum biochemistry tests. Non-targeted metabolomics analyses of plasma were also performed to investigate changes in metabolites and metabolic pathways.RESULTS: In this study, we found that the red blood cell counts, liver function indexes (albumin and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase), and the concentration of triglyceride and glucose changed significant with growth and development. The metabolomics results revealed that 1427 metabolites were identified in the plasma of young and adult cats. Most of these metabolites belong to major classes of lipids and lipid-like molecules. The most obvious age-related metabolites include reduced levels of chenodeoxycholate, taurocholate, cholate, and taurochenodeoxycholate but increased levels of L-cysteine and taurocyamine in the adult cat's serum. These metabolites are mainly involved in the primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway, the bile secretion pathway, and the taurine and hypotaurine metabolism pathway.CONCLUSION: This study revealed many age-related metabolite alterations in the feline plasma. These age-varying metabolites, especially in the bile acid biosynthesis and secretion metabolism pathways, indicate that the regulation of these pathways is involved in the growth and development of cats. This study promotes our understanding of the mechanism of feline growth and provides new insights into nutrition and medicine for cats of different ages.PMID:37271879 | DOI:10.1002/ame2.12328

Metabolomic Profile of the Healthy Eating Index-2015 in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Sun, 04/06/2023 - 12:00
J Nutr. 2023 Jun 2:S0022-3166(23)72201-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.05.030. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Poor diet quality is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, knowledge of metabolites marking adherence to Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2015 version; DGA-15) are limited. The goal was to determine a pattern of metabolites associated with the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), which measures adherence to the DGA.METHODS: The analysis examined 3557 adult men and women from the longitudinal cohort Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), without known cardiovascular disease and with complete dietary data. Fasting serum specimens, diet and demographic questionnaires were assessed at baseline. Untargeted 1H NMR 1DNMR spectroscopy (600 MHz) was used to generate metabolomics and lipidomics. A metabolome-wide association study (MWAS) specified each spectral feature as outcomes, HEI-2015 score as predictor, adjusting for age, gender, race, and study site in linear regression analyses. Subsequently, hierarchical clustering defined discrete groups of correlated NMR features associated with named metabolites and linear regression analysis assessed for associations with HEI-2015 total and component scores.RESULTS: The sample included 50% women with average age of 63 years, with 40% identifying as White, 23% Black, 24% Hispanic and 13% Chinese American. The average HEI-2015 score was 66. MWAS identified 179 spectral features significantly associated with HEI-2015 score. Cluster analysis identified seven clusters representing 4 metabolites; HEI-2015 score was significantly associated with all. HEI-2015 score was associated with proline betaine (ß 0.12 [0.02]; p=4.70 E-13) and was inversely related to proline (ß -0.13 [0.02]; p=4.45 E-14), 1,5 anhydrosorbitol (ß -0.08 [0.02]; p=4.37 E-07) and unsaturated fatty acyl chains (ß 0.08 [0.02]; p=8.98 E-07). Intake of total fruit, whole grains and seafood and plant proteins was associated with proline betaine.CONCLUSIONS: Diet quality was significantly associated with unsaturated fatty acyl chains, proline betaine, proline. Further analysis may clarify the link between diet quality, metabolites, and pathogenesis of cardiometabolic disease.PMID:37271414 | DOI:10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.05.030

Effects of Aeromonas hydrophila infection on the intestinal microbiota, transcriptome, and metabolomic of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Sun, 04/06/2023 - 12:00
Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2023 Jun 2:108876. doi: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108876. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAeromonas hydrophila frequently has harmful effects on aquatic organisms. The intestine is an important defense against stress. In this study, we investigated the intestinal microbiota and transcriptomic and metabolomic responses of Cyprinus carpio subjected to A. hydrophila infection. The results showed that obvious variation in the intestinal microbiota was observed after infection, with increased levels of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and decreased levels of Proteobacteria. Several genera of putatively beneficial microbiota (Cetobacterium, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus) were abundant, while Demequina, Roseomonas, Rhodobacter, Pseudoxanthomonas, and Cellvibrio were decreased; pathogenic bacteria of the genus Vibrio were increased after microbiota infection. The intestinal transcriptome revealed several immune-related differentially expressed genes associated with the cytokines and oxidative stress. The metabolomic analysis showed that microbiota infection disturbed the metabolic processes of the carp, particularly amino acid metabolism. This study provides insight into the underlying mechanisms associated with the intestinal microbiota, immunity, and metabolism of carp response to A. hydrophila infection; eleven stress-related metabolite markers were identified, including N-acetylglutamic acid, capsidiol, sedoheptulose 7-phosphate, prostaglandin B1, 8,9-DiHETrE, 12,13-DHOME, ADP, cellobiose, 1H-Indole-3-carboxaldehyde, sinapic acid and 5,7-dihydroxyflavone.PMID:37271325 | DOI:10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108876

Asthma-protective agents in dust from traditional farm environments

Sun, 04/06/2023 - 12:00
J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2023 Jun 2:S0091-6749(23)00706-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.05.013. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Growing up on traditional European, and U.S. Amish, dairy farms, in close contact with cows and hay, protects children against asthma, and airway administration of extracts from dust collected from cowsheds of those farms prevents allergic asthma in mice.OBJECTIVES: This study sought to begin identifying farm-derived asthma-protective agents.METHODS: Our work unfolded along two unbiased, independent but complementary discovery paths. Dust extracts from protective and non-protective farms (European and Amish cowsheds vs. European sheep sheds) were analyzed by comparative nuclear magnetic resonance fingerprinting and differential proteomics. Bioactivity-guided size fractionation focused on protective Amish cowshed dust extracts. Multiple in vitro and in vivo functional assays were used in both paths. Some of the proteins thus identified were characterized by in-solution and in-gel SDS-PAGE enzymatic digestion/peptide mapping followed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The cargo carried by these proteins was analyzed by untargeted liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.RESULTS: Twelve carrier proteins of animal and plant origin, including the bovine lipocalins Bos d2 and odorant binding protein, were enriched in dust extracts from protective European cowsheds. A potent asthma-protective fraction of Amish cowshed dust extracts (≈0.5% of the total carbon content of unfractionated extracts) contained seven animal and plant proteins, including Bos d2 and odorant binding protein loaded with fatty acid metabolites from plants, bacteria and fungi.CONCLUSIONS: Animals and plants from traditional farms produce proteins that transport hydrophobic microbial and plant metabolites. When delivered to mucosal surfaces, these agents might regulate airway responses.PMID:37271318 | DOI:10.1016/j.jaci.2023.05.013

The acute effect of different NAD<sup>+</sup> precursors included in the combined metabolic activators

Sun, 04/06/2023 - 12:00
Free Radic Biol Med. 2023 Jun 2:S0891-5849(23)00473-2. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.05.032. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTNAD+ and glutathione precursors are currently used as metabolic modulators for improving the metabolic conditions associated with various human diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, neurodegenerative diseases, mitochondrial myopathy, and age-induced diabetes. Here, we performed a one-day double blinded, placebo-controlled human clinical study to assess the safety and acute effects of six different Combined Metabolic Activators (CMAs) with 1 g of different NAD+ precursors based on global metabolomics analysis. Our integrative analysis showed that the NAD+ salvage pathway is the main source for boosting the NAD+ levels with the administration of CMAs without NAD+ precursors. We observed that incorporation of nicotinamide (Nam) in the CMAs can boost the NAD+ products, followed by niacin (NA), nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), but not flush free niacin (FFN). In addition, the NA administration led to a flushing reaction, accompanied by decreased phospholipids and increased bilirubin and bilirubin derivatives, which could be potentially risky. In conclusion, this study provided a plasma metabolomic landscape of different CMA formulations, and proposed that CMAs with Nam, NMN as well as NR can be administered for boosting NAD+ levels to improve altered metabolic conditions.PMID:37271226 | DOI:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.05.032

Low-polarity untargeted metabolomic profiling as a tool to gain insight into seminal fluid

Sun, 04/06/2023 - 12:00
Metabolomics. 2023 Jun 5;19(6):53. doi: 10.1007/s11306-023-02020-y.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: A decrease in sperm cell count has been observed along the last several decades, especially in the most developed regions of the world. The use of metabolomics to study the composition of the seminal fluid is a promising approach to gain access to the molecular mechanisms underlying this fact.OBJECTIVES: In the present work, we aimed at relating metabolomic profiles of young healthy men to their semen quality parameters obtained from conventional microscopic analysis.METHODS: An untargeted metabolomics approach focusing on low- to mid-polarity compounds was used to analyze a subset of seminal fluid samples from a cohort of over 2700 young healthy men.RESULTS: Our results show that a broad metabolic profiling comprising several families of compounds (including acyl-carnitines, steroids, and other lipids) can contribute to effectively distinguish samples provided by individuals exhibiting low or high absolute sperm counts.CONCLUSION: A number of metabolites involved in sexual development and function, signaling, and energy metabolism were highlighted as being distinctive of samples coming from either group, proving untargeted metabolomics as a promising tool to better understand the pathophysiological processes responsible for male fertility impairment.PMID:37271779 | DOI:10.1007/s11306-023-02020-y

Targeted metabolomic analysis in Parkinson's disease brain frontal cortex and putamen with relation to cognitive impairment

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2023 Jun 3;9(1):84. doi: 10.1038/s41531-023-00531-y.ABSTRACTWe performed liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis with the targeted metabolomic kit Biocrates MxP Quant 500, in human brain cortex (Brodmann area 9) and putamen, to reveal metabolic changes characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD) and PD-related cognitive decline. This case-control study involved 101 subjects (33 PD without dementia, 32 PD with dementia (cortex only), 36 controls). We found changes associated with PD, cognitive status, levodopa levels, and disease progression. The affected pathways include neurotransmitters, bile acids, homocysteine metabolism, amino acids, TCA cycle, polyamines, β-alanine metabolism, fatty acids, acylcarnitines, ceramides, phosphatidylcholines, and several microbiome-derived metabolites. Previously reported levodopa-related homocysteine accumulation in cortex still best explains the dementia status in PD, which can be modified by dietary supplementation. Further investigation is needed to reveal the exact mechanisms behind this pathological change.PMID:37270646 | DOI:10.1038/s41531-023-00531-y

Bacteriophage targeting microbiota alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high alcohol-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
Nat Commun. 2023 Jun 3;14(1):3215. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-39028-w.ABSTRACTOur previous studies have shown that high alcohol-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (HiAlc Kpn) in the intestinal microbiome could be one of the causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Considering antimicrobial resistance of K. pneumoniae and dysbacteriosis caused by antibiotics, phage therapy might have potential in treatment of HiAlc Kpn-induced NAFLD, because of the specificity targeting the bacteria. Here, we clarified the effectiveness of phage therapy in male mice with HiAlc Kpn-induced steatohepatitis. Comprehensive investigations including transcriptomes and metabolomes revealed that treatment with HiAlc Kpn-specific phage was able to alleviate steatohepatitis caused by HiAlc Kpn, including hepatic dysfunction and expression of cytokines and lipogenic genes. In contrast, such treatment did not cause significantly pathological changes, either in functions of liver and kidney, or in components of gut microbiota. In addition to reducing alcohol attack, phage therapy also regulated inflammation, and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Our data suggest that phage therapy targeting gut microbiota is an alternative to antibiotics, with potential efficacy and safety, at least in HiAlc Kpn-caused NAFLD.PMID:37270557 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-023-39028-w

A ketogenic diet substantially reshapes the human metabolome

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
Clin Nutr. 2023 May 4:S0261-5614(23)00141-3. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.04.027. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Western dietary habits (WD) have been shown to promote chronic inflammation, which favors the development of many of today's non-communicable diseases. Recently, ketogenic diets (KD) have emerged as an immune-regulating countermeasure for WD-induced metaflammation. To date, beneficial effects of KD have been solely attributed to the production and metabolism of ketone bodies. Given the drastic change in nutrient composition during KD, it is reasonable to assume that there are widespread changes in the human metabolome also contributing to the impact of KD on human immunity. The current study was conducted to gain insight into the changes of the human metabolic fingerprint associated with KD. This could allow to identify metabolites that may contribute to the overall positive effects on human immunity, but also help to recognize potential health risks of KD.METHODS: We conducted a prospective nutritional intervention study enrolling 40 healthy volunteers to perform a three-week ad-libitum KD. Prior to the start and at the end of the nutritional intervention serum metabolites were quantified, untargeted mass spectrometric metabolome analyses and urine analyses of the tryptophan pathway were performed.RESULTS: KD led to a marked reduction of insulin (-21.45% ± 6.44%, p = 0.0038) and c-peptide levels (-19.29% ± 5.45%, p = 0.0002) without compromising fasting blood glucose. Serum triglyceride concentration decreased accordingly (-13.67% ± 5.77%, p = 0.0247), whereas cholesterol parameters remained unchanged. LC-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomic analyses revealed a profound shift of the human metabolism towards mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, comprising highly elevated levels of free fatty acids and acylcarnitines. The serum amino acid (AA) composition was rearranged with lower abundance of glucogenic AA and an increase of BCAA. Furthermore, an increase of anti-inflammatory fatty acids eicosatetraenoic acid (p < 0.0001) and docosahexaenoic acid (p = 0.0002) was detected. Urine analyses confirmed higher utilization of carnitines, indicated by lower carnitine excretion (-62.61% ± 18.11%, p = 0.0047) and revealed changes to the tryptophan pathway depicting reduced quinolinic acid (-13.46% ± 6.12%, p = 0.0478) and elevated kynurenic acid concentrations (+10.70% ± 4.25%, p = 0.0269).CONCLUSIONS: A KD fundamentally changes the human metabolome even after a short period of only three weeks. Besides a rapid metabolic switch to ketone body production and utilization, improved insulin and triglyceride levels and an increase in metabolites that mediate anti-inflammation and mitochondrial protection occurred. Importantly, no metabolic risk factors were identified. Thus, a ketogenic diet could be considered as a safe preventive and therapeutic immunometabolic tool in modern medicine.TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register; DRKS-ID: DRKS00027992 (www.drks.de).PMID:37270344 | DOI:10.1016/j.clnu.2023.04.027

Phenotypic characteristics of asthma and morbidity are associated with distinct longitudinal changes in L-arginine metabolism

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
BMJ Open Respir Res. 2023 Jun;10(1):e001683. doi: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001683.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: The L-arginine metabolome is dysregulated in asthma, though it is not understood how longitudinal changes in L-arginine metabolism differ among asthma phenotypes and relate to disease outcomes.OBJECTIVES: To determine the longitudinal associations between phenotypic characteristics with L-arginine metabolites and their relationships with asthma morbidity.METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 321 patients with asthma followed semiannually for over 18 months with assessments of plasma L-arginine metabolites, asthma control, spirometry, quality of life and exacerbations. Metabolite concentrations and ratios were transformed using the natural logarithm.RESULTS: There were many differences in L-arginine metabolism among asthma phenotypes in the adjusted models. Increasing body mass index was associated with increased asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and depleted L-citrulline. Latinx was associated with increased metabolism via arginase, with higher L-ornithine, proline and L-ornithine/L-citrulline levels, and was found to have higher L-arginine availability compared with white race. With respect to asthma outcomes, increasing L-citrulline was associated with improved asthma control and increasing L-arginine and L-arginine/ADMA were associated with improved quality of life. Increased variability in L-arginine, L-arginine/ADMA, L-arginine/L-ornithine and L-arginine availability index over 12 months were associated with increased exacerbations, OR 4.70 (95% CI 1.35 to 16.37), OR 8.69 (95% CI 1.98 to 38.08), OR 4.17 (95% CI 1.40 to 12.41) and OR 4.95 (95% CI 1.42 to 17.16), respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that L-arginine metabolism is associated with multiple measures of asthma control and may explain, in part, the relationship between age, race/ethnicity and obesity with asthma outcomes.PMID:37270184 | DOI:10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001683

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate ameliorates polystyrene microplastics-induced anxiety-like behavior in mice by modulating gut microbe homeostasis

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
Sci Total Environ. 2023 Jun 1:164619. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164619. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPolystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) have emerged as a concerning pollutant in modern society due to their widespread production and usage. Despite ongoing research efforts, the impact of PS-MPs on mammalian behavior and the mechanisms driving these effects remain incompletely elucidated. Consequently, effective strategies for prevention have yet to be developed. To fill these gaps, C57BL/6 mice were orally administered with 5 μm PS-MPs for 28 consecutive days in this study. The open-field test and the elevated plus-maze test were performed to evaluate the anxiety-like behavior, 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis were used to detect the changes of gut microbiota and serum metabolites. Our results indicated that PS-MPs exposure activated hippocampal inflammation and induced anxiety-like behavior in mice. Meanwhile, PS-MPs disturbed the gut microbiota, impaired the intestinal barrier, and aroused peripheral inflammation. Specifically, PS-MPs increased the abundance of pathogenic microbiota Tuzzerella, while lowered the abundance of probiotics Faecalibaculum and Akkermansia. Interestingly, eliminating the gut microbiota protected against the deleterious effects of PS-MPs on intestinal barrier integrity, reduced the levels of peripheral inflammatory cytokines, and ameliorated anxiety-like behavior. Additionally, green tea's primary bioactive constituent, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), optimized gut microbial composition, improved intestinal barrier function, reduced peripheral inflammation, and exerted anti-anxiety effects by inhibiting the hippocampal TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling cascade. EGCG also remodeled serum metabolism, especially modulated purine metabolism. These findings suggested that gut microbiota participates in PS-MPs-induced anxiety-like behavior by modulating the gut-brain axis, and that EGCG could serve as a potential preventive strategy.PMID:37269995 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164619

Loss of the mitochondrial protein Abcb10 results in altered arginine metabolism in MEL and K562 cells and nutrient stress signaling through ATF4

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
J Biol Chem. 2023 Jun 1:104877. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104877. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAbcb10 is a mitochondrial membrane protein involved in hemoglobinization of red cells. Abcb10 topology and ATPase domain localization suggest it exports a substrate, likely biliverdin, out of mitochondria that is necessary for hemoglobinization. In this study we generated Abcb10 deletion cell lines in both mouse murine erythroleukemia (MEL) and human erythroid precursor human myelogenous leukemia (K562) cells to better understand the consequences of Abcb10 loss. Loss of Abcb10 resulted in an inability to hemoglobinize upon differentiation in both K562 and MEL cells with reduced heme and intermediate porphyrins and decreased levels of aminolevulinic acid synthase 2 activity. Metabolomic and transcriptional analyses revealed that Abcb10 loss gave rise to decreased cellular arginine levels, increased transcripts for cationic and neutral amino acid transporters with reduced levels of the citrulline to arginine converting enzymes argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase. The reduced arginine levels in Abcb10 null cells gave rise to decreased proliferative capacity. Arginine supplementation improved both Abcb10 null proliferation and hemoglobinization upon differentiation. Abcb10 null cells showed increased phosphorylation of Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 2 Subunit Alpha (eIF2A), increased expression of nutrient sensing transcription factor ATF4 and downstream targets DNA damage inducible transcript 3 (Chop), ChaC glutathione specific gamma-glutamylcyclotransferase 1 (Chac1) and arginyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (Rars). These results suggest that when the Abcb10 substrate is trapped in the mitochondria, the nutrient sensing machinery is turned on remodeling transcription to block protein synthesis necessary for proliferation and hemoglobin biosynthesis in erythroid models.PMID:37269954 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104877

A chemical study of yoghurt produced under isostatic pressure during storage

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
Food Chem. 2023 May 23;425:136434. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136434. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTYoghurt fermented under sub-lethal high pressure (10, 20, 30 and 40 MPa at 43 °C), and afterward placed under refrigeration (4 °C for 23 days) was studied and compared with yoghurt fermented at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa). For a deeper analysis, metabolite fingerprinting by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), sugars and organic acids assessment by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), total fatty acids (TFA) determination and quantification by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) were performed. Metabolomic analyses revealed that only 2,3-butanediol, acetoin, diacetyl and formate vary with the increase of pressure and probable relation with pressure influenced diacetyl reductase, acetoin reductase and acetolactate decarboxylase. Yoghurts fermented at 40 MPa had the lowest content in lactose (39.7 % of total sugar reduction) and the less content in TFA (56.1 %). Further research is of interest to understand more about fermentation processes under sub-lethal high pressure.PMID:37269638 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136434

Perfluorooctanoic acid dominates the molecular-level effects of a mixture of equal masses of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in earthworm

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
J Hazard Mater. 2023 May 26;457:131718. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131718. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an important class of emerging contaminants in the environment. Most studies on the impact of PFAS mixtures considered phenotypic endpoints, which may not adequately reflect the sublethal effects on organisms. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the subchronic impact of environmentally relevant concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)-as individual compounds and a mixture (PFOS+PFOA)-on earthworm (Eisenia fetida), using phenotypic and molecular endpoints. PFAS decreased the survival (12.2-16.3%), biomass (9.0-9.8%), and reproduction (15.6-19.8%) of E. fetida after 28 d of exposure. The bioaccumulation of PFOS after 28 d increased (from 2790.7 ng/g-dw to 5224.9 ng/g-dw) while that of PFOA decreased (from 780.2 ng/g-dw to 280.5 ng/g-dw) when E. fetida was exposed to the mixture compared to the individual compounds. These bioaccumulation trends were partly attributed to changes in the soil distribution coefficient (Kd) of PFOS and PFOA when present in the mixture. Eighty percent of the (p and FDR < 0.05) altered metabolites after 28 d were similarly perturbed by both PFOA and PFOS+PFOA. The pathways dysregulated are related to the metabolism of amino acids, energy, and sulfur. We showed that PFOA dominates the molecular-level impact of the binary PFAS mixture.PMID:37269561 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131718

Molecular Characterization and Landscape of Breast cancer Models from a multi-omics Perspective

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 2023 Jun 3;28(1):12. doi: 10.1007/s10911-023-09540-2.ABSTRACTBreast cancer is well-known to be a highly heterogenous disease. This facet of cancer makes finding a research model that mirrors the disparate intrinsic features challenging. With advances in multi-omics technologies, establishing parallels between the various models and human tumors is increasingly intricate. Here we review the various model systems and their relation to primary breast tumors using available omics data platforms. Among the research models reviewed here, breast cancer cell lines have the least resemblance to human tumors since they have accumulated many mutations and copy number alterations during their long use. Moreover, individual proteomic and metabolomic profiles do not overlap with the molecular landscape of breast cancer. Interestingly, omics analysis revealed that the initial subtype classification of some breast cancer cell lines was inappropriate. In cell lines the major subtypes are all well represented and share some features with primary tumors. In contrast, patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and patient-derived organoids (PDO) are superior in mirroring human breast cancers at many levels, making them suitable models for drug screening and molecular analysis. While patient derived organoids are spread across luminal, basal- and normal-like subtypes, the PDX samples were initially largely basal but other subtypes have been increasingly described. Murine models offer heterogenous tumor landscapes, inter and intra-model heterogeneity, and give rise to tumors of different phenotypes and histology. Murine models have a reduced mutational burden compared to human breast cancer but share some transcriptomic resemblance, and representation of many breast cancer subtypes can be found among the variety subtypes. To date, while mammospheres and three- dimensional cultures lack comprehensive omics data, these are excellent models for the study of stem cells, cell fate decision and differentiation, and have also been used for drug screening. Therefore, this review explores the molecular landscapes and characterization of breast cancer research models by comparing recent published multi-omics data and analysis.PMID:37269418 | DOI:10.1007/s10911-023-09540-2

Mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling reveals functional seasonal shifts in the metabolome of Zygophyllum dumosum Boiss and its relation to environmental conditions

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
Planta. 2023 Jun 3;258(1):10. doi: 10.1007/s00425-023-04168-2.ABSTRACTA multi-year study of perennial Z. dumosum shows a consistent seasonal pattern in the changes of petiole metabolism, involving mainly organic acids, polyols, phenylpropanoids, sulfate conjugates, and piperazines. GC-MS and UPLC-QTOF-MS-based metabolite profiling was performed on the petioles of the perennial desert shrub Zygophyllum dumosum Boiss (Zygophyllaceae). The petioles, which are physiologically functional throughout the year and, thus, exposed to seasonal rhythms, were collected every month for 3 years from their natural ecosystem on a southeast-facing slope. Results showed a clear multi-year pattern following seasonal successions, despite different climate conditions, i.e., rainy and drought years, throughout the research period. The metabolic pattern of change encompassed an increase in the central metabolites, including most polyols, e.g., stress-related D-pinitol, organic and sugar acids, and in the dominant specialized metabolites, which were tentatively identified as sulfate, flavonoid, and piperazine conjugates during the summer-autumn period, while significantly high levels of free amino acids were detected during the winter-spring period. In parallel, the levels of most sugars (including glucose and fructose) increased in the petioles at the flowering stage at the beginning of the spring, while most of the di- and tri-saccharides accumulated at the beginning of seed development (May-June). Analysis of the conserved seasonal metabolite pattern of change shows that metabolic events are mostly related to the stage of plant development and its interaction with the environment and less to environmental conditions per se.PMID:37269337 | DOI:10.1007/s00425-023-04168-2

Recent advances in mass spectrometry imaging of single cells

Sat, 03/06/2023 - 12:00
Anal Bioanal Chem. 2023 Jun 3. doi: 10.1007/s00216-023-04774-9. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTMass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a sensitive, specific, label-free imaging analysis technique that can simultaneously obtain the spatial distribution, relative content, and structural information of hundreds of biomolecules in cells and tissues, such as lipids, small drug molecules, peptides, proteins, and other compounds. The study of molecular mapping of single cells can reveal major scientific issues such as the activity pattern of living organisms, disease pathogenesis, drug-targeted therapy, and cellular heterogeneity. Applying MSI technology to the molecular mapping of single cells can provide new insights and ideas for the study of single-cell metabolomics. This review aims to provide an informative resource for those in the MSI community who are interested in single-cell imaging. Particularly, we discuss advances in imaging schemes and sample preparation, instrumentation improvements, data processing and analysis, and 3D MSI over the past few years that have allowed MSI to emerge as a powerful technique in the molecular imaging of single cells. Also, we highlight some of the most cutting-edge studies in single-cell MSI, demonstrating the future potential of single-cell MSI. Visualizing molecular distribution at the single-cell or even sub-cellular level can provide us with richer cell information, which strongly contributes to advancing research fields such as biomedicine, life sciences, pharmacodynamic testing, and metabolomics. At the end of the review, we summarize the current development of single-cell MSI technology and look into the future of this technology.PMID:37269305 | DOI:10.1007/s00216-023-04774-9

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