Inhibition of Glutamate-to-Glutathione Flux Promotes Tumor Antigen Presentation in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells display remarkable adaptability, orchestrating metabolic changes that confer growth advantages, pro-tumor microenvironment, and therapeutic resistance. One such metabolic change occurs in glutamine metabolism. Colorectal tumors with high glutaminase (GLS) expression exhibited reduced T cell infiltration and cytotoxicity, leading to poor clinical outcomes. However, depletion of GLS in CRC cells has minimal effect on tumor growth in immunocompromised mice. By contrast, remarkable inhibition of tumor growth is observed in immunocompetent mice when GLS is knocked down. It is found that GLS knockdown in CRC cells enhanced the cytotoxicity of tumor-specific T cells. Furthermore, the single-cell flux estimation analysis (scFEA) of glutamine metabolism revealed that glutamate-to-glutathione (Glu-GSH) flux, downstream of GLS, rather than Glu-to-2-oxoglutarate flux plays a key role in regulating the immune response of CRC cells in the tumor. Mechanistically, inhibition of the Glu-GSH flux activated reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related signaling pathways in tumor cells, thereby increasing the tumor immunogenicity by promoting the activity of the immunoproteasome. The combinatorial therapy of Glu-GSH flux inhibitor and anti-PD-1 antibody exhibited a superior tumor growth inhibitory effect compared to either monotherapy. Taken together, the study provides the first evidence pointing to Glu-GSH flux as a potential therapeutic target for CRC immunotherapy.

The Role and Treatment Strategies of Ammonia-Related Metabolism in Tumor Microenvironment

Tumor cells achieve their adaptability through various metabolic reprogramming processes. Among them, ammonia, as a traditional metabolic waste, plays an increasingly important role in the tumor microenvironment along with its associated metabolites. Other cells in the microenvironment can also reshape the immune status of the microenvironment by regulating ammonia- related metabolism, and targeting this metabolic aspect has emerged as a potential strategy for tumor treatment. In this study, we have systematically reviewed the source and destination of ammonia in tumor cells, as well as the links between ammonia and other biological processes. We have also analyzed the ammonia-related metabolic regulation of other cells (including T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and stromal cells) in the tumor microenvironment, and summarized the tumor treatment methods that target this metabolism. Through ammonia-related metabolic reprogramming, tumor cells obtain the energy they need for rapid growth and proliferation. Multiple immune cells and stromal cells in the microenvironment also interact with each other through this metabolic regulation, ultimately leading to immune suppression. Despite the heterogeneity of tumors and the complexity of cellular functions, further research into therapeutic interventions targeting ammonia-related metabolism is warranted. This review has focused on the role and regulation of ammonia-related metabolism in tumor cells and other cells in the microenvironment, and highlighted the efficacy and prospects of targeted ammonia- related metabolism therapy.

Human blood metabolites and gastric cancer: a Mendelian randomization analysis

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the predominant malignant tumors within the digestive tract, yet its underlying biological mechanisms remain elusive. The primary objective of this study is to delineate the causal relationship between circulating metabolites and GC.

METHOD

The primary Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was based on three large GWAS datasets. While the inverse variance weighted served as the primary analysis technique for investigating causal relationships, additional sensitivity analyses were facilitated through methods such as MR-PRESSO, the weighted median, and MR-Egger. Subsequently, replication, meta-analysis, and multivariable MR were executed using another GC GWAS.

RESULTS

The results of this study indicated significant associations between three metabolites 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate (OR 5.8, 95%CI: 1.53-22.05, p = 0.0099), piperine (OR 2.05, 95%CI: 1.13-3.7, p = 0.0175), Phe-Phe dipeptide (OR 0.16, 95%CI: 0.03-0.93, p = 0.0409) and GC.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides evidence supporting a causal relationship between these three circulating metabolites and GC risk. Elevated levels of 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate and piperine may increase the risk of GC, while Phe-Phe dipeptide may have a protective effect. By integrating genomics and metabolomics, we offer a novel perspective on the biological mechanisms underlying GC. Such insights have the potential to enhance strategies for the screening, prevention, and treatment of GC.

Genome-scale modeling identifies dynamic metabolic vulnerabilities during the epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a conserved cellular process critical for embryogenesis, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. During EMT, cells undergo large-scale metabolic reprogramming that supports multiple functional phenotypes including migration, invasion, survival, chemo-resistance and stemness. However, the extent of metabolic network rewiring during EMT is unclear. In this work, using genome-scale metabolic modeling, we perform a meta-analysis of time-course transcriptomics, time-course proteomics, and single-cell transcriptomics EMT datasets from cell culture models stimulated with TGF-β. We uncovered temporal metabolic dependencies in glycolysis and glutamine metabolism, and experimentally validated isoform-specific dependency on Enolase3 for cell survival during EMT. We derived a prioritized list of metabolic dependencies based on model predictions, literature mining, and CRISPR-Cas9 essentiality screens. Notably, enolase and triose phosphate isomerase reaction fluxes significantly correlate with survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients. Our study illustrates how integration of heterogeneous datasets using a mechanistic computational model can uncover temporal and cell-state-specific metabolic dependencies.

Effective Targeting of Glutamine Synthetase with Amino Acid Analogs as a Novel Therapeutic Approach in Breast Cancer

Cancer cells undergo metabolic rewiring to support rapid proliferation and survival in challenging environments. Glutamine is a preferred resource for cancer metabolism, as it provides both carbon and nitrogen for cellular biogenesis. Recent studies suggest the potential anticancer activity of amino acid analogs. Some of these analogs disrupt cellular nucleotide synthesis, thereby inhibiting the formation of DNA and RNA in cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer properties of Acivicin and Azaserine in the breast cancer MCF-7 cell line, comparing their effects to those on the non-tumorigenic MCF-10 epithelial cell line in vitro. Interestingly, at lower concentrations, both Acivicin and Azaserine showed potent inhibition of MCF-7 cell proliferation, as assessed by the MTT assay, without detectable toxicity to normal cells. In contrast, Sorafenib (Nexavar), a commonly used drug for solid tumors, showed harmful effects on normal cells, as indicated by increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production in treated cells. Furthermore, unlike Sorafenib, treatment with Acivicin and Azaserine significantly affected apoptotic signaling in treated cells, indicating the role of both amino acid analogs in activating programmed cell death (PCD), as assessed by the Annexin-V assay, DAPI staining, and the relative expression of tumor suppressor genes PTEN and P53. ELISA analysis of MCF-7 cells revealed that both Acivicin and Azaserine treatments promoted the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-4 and IL-10, while significantly reducing the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Mechanistically, both Acivicin and Azaserine treatment led to a significant reduction in the expression of glutamine synthetase (GS) at both the RNA and protein levels, resulting in a decrease in intracellular glutamine concentrations over time. Additionally, both treatments showed comparable effects on Raf-1 gene expression and protein phosphorylation when compared with Sorafenib, a Raf-1 inhibitor. Moreover, docking studies confirmed the strong binding affinity between Acivicin, Azaserine, and glutamine synthetase, as evidenced by their docking scores and binding interactions with the enzyme crystal. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for the anticancer activity of the two amino acid analogs Acivicin and Azaserine as antagonists of glutamine synthetase, offering novel insights into potential therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.

The impact of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by metabolic processes and intracellular signaling pathways on chemo-resistance, metastasis, and recurrence in solid tumors

The intricate cellular process, known as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), significantly influences solid tumors development. Changes in cell shape, metabolism, and gene expression linked to EMT facilitate tumor cell invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence. So, a better understanding of the intricate processes underlying EMT and its role in tumor growth may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of solid tumors. This review article focuses on the signals that promote EMT and metabolism, the intracellular signaling pathways leading to EMT, and the network of interactions between EMT and cancer cell metabolism. Furthermore, the functions of EMT in treatment resistance, recurrence, and metastasis of solid cancers are covered. Lastly, treatment approaches that focus on intracellular signaling networks and metabolic alterations brought on by EMT will be discussed.

Crosstalk and communication of cancer-associated fibroblasts with natural killer and dendritic cells: New frontiers and unveiled opportunities for cancer immunotherapy

Natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) are critical mediators of anti-cancer immune responses. In addition to their individual roles, NK cells and DCs are involved in intercellular crosstalk which is essential for the initiation and coordination of adaptive immunity against cancer. However, NK cell and DC activity is often compromised in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recently, much attention has been paid to one of the major components of the TME, the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which not only contribute to extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and tumor progression but also suppress immune cell functions. It is now well established that CAFs support T cell exclusion from tumor nests and regulate their cytotoxic activity. In contrast, little is currently known about their interaction with NK cells, and DCs. In this review, we describe the interaction of CAFs with NK cells and DCs, by secreting and expressing various mediators in the TME of adult solid tumors. We also provide a detailed overview of ongoing clinical studies evaluating the targeting of stromal factors alone or in combination with immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint inhibitors. Finally, we discuss currently available strategies for the selective depletion of detrimental CAFs and for a better understanding of their interaction with NK cells and DCs.

Targeting the glutamine-arginine-proline metabolism axis in cancer

Metabolic abnormalities are an important feature of tumours. The glutamine-arginine-proline axis is an important node of cancer metabolism and plays a major role in amino acid metabolism. This axis also acts as a scaffold for the synthesis of other nonessential amino acids and essential metabolites. In this paper, we briefly review (1) the glutamine addiction exhibited by tumour cells with accelerated glutamine transport and metabolism; (2) the methods regulating extracellular glutamine entry, intracellular glutamine synthesis and the fate of intracellular glutamine; (3) the glutamine, proline and arginine metabolic pathways and their interaction; and (4) the research progress in tumour therapy targeting the glutamine-arginine-proline metabolic system, with a focus on summarising the therapeutic research progress of strategies targeting of one of the key enzymes of this metabolic system, P5CS (ALDH18A1). This review provides a new basis for treatments targeting the metabolic characteristics of tumours.

From metabolic byproduct to immune modulator: the role of lactate in tumor immune escape

Lactic acid, a key metabolic byproduct within the tumor microenvironment, has garnered significant attention for its role in immune evasion mechanisms. Tumor cells produce and release large amounts of lactic acid into the tumor microenvironment through aberrant glycolysis via the Warburg effect, leading to a drop in pH. Elevated lactic acid levels profoundly suppress proliferation capacity, cytotoxic functions, and migratory abilities of immune effector cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells at the tumor site. Moreover, lactic acid can modulate the expression of surface molecules on immune cells, interfering with their recognition and attack of tumor cells, and it regulates signaling pathways that promote the expansion and enhanced function of immunosuppressive cells like regulatory T cells, thereby fostering immune tolerance within the tumor microenvironment. Current research is actively exploring strategies targeting lactic acid metabolism to ameliorate tumor immune evasion. Key approaches under investigation include inhibiting the activity of critical enzymes in lactic acid production to reduce its synthesis or blocking lactate transporters to alter intracellular and extracellular lactate distribution. These methods hold promise when combined with existing immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies to enhance the immune system's ability to eliminate tumor cells. This could pave the way for novel combinatorial treatment strategies in clinical cancer therapy, effectively overcoming tumor immune evasion phenomena, and ultimately improving overall treatment efficacy.

Metabolic reprogramming and therapeutic resistance in primary and metastatic breast cancer

Metabolic alterations, a hallmark of cancer, enable tumor cells to adapt to their environment by modulating glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, which fuels rapid growth and contributes to treatment resistance. In primary breast cancer, metabolic shifts such as the Warburg effect and enhanced lipid synthesis are closely linked to chemotherapy failure. Similarly, metastatic lesions often display distinct metabolic profiles that not only sustain tumor growth but also confer resistance to targeted therapies and immunotherapies. The review emphasizes two major aspects: the mechanisms driving metabolic resistance in both primary and metastatic breast cancer, and how the unique metabolic environments in metastatic sites further complicate treatment. By targeting distinct metabolic vulnerabilities at both the primary and metastatic stages, new strategies could improve the efficacy of existing therapies and provide better outcomes for breast cancer patients.

A glutamine metabolish-associated prognostic model to predict prognosis and therapeutic responses of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks among the most lethal malignancies around the world. However, the current management strategies for predicting prognosis in HCC patients remain unreliable. Our study developed a robust prognostic model based on glutamine metabolism associated-genes (GMAGs), utilizing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The prognostic values of model were validated through the databases of the Gene Expression Omnibus and International Cancer Genome Consortium via Kaplan‒Meier curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC). The potential biological pathways associated with prognostic risk were investigated through different enrichment analysis, and Gene variation analysis. The correlation between prognostic model and therapeutic responses were analyzed. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and cellular experiments were measured to analyze the GMAGs. Consequently, a prognostic model was constructed of 4 GMAGs (RRM1, RRM2, G6PD, and GPX7) through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. The Kaplan‒Meier curves and ROC curves showed a reliable predictive capacity of prognosis for HCC patients (p < 0.05). The enrichment analyses revealed a multitude of biological pathways that are significantly associated with cancer. Patients with high prognostic risk might be sensitive to immunotherapy (p < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR revealed that all 4 GMAGs exhibited significantly higher expression levels in HCC samples compared to normal samples (p < 0.05). Moreover, the knockdown of RRM1 suppresses the progression of HCC cells. In this study, we developed a robust prognostic model for predicting the prognosis of HCC patients based on GMAGs, and identified RRM1 as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.

SLC38A5 suppresses ferroptosis through glutamine-mediated activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Solute carrier family 38 member 5 (SLC38A5) is an amino acid transporter that plays a significant role in various cellular biological processes and may be involved in regulating the progression of tumors However, its function and underlying mechanism in osteosarcoma remain unexplored.

METHODS

Utilizing various database analyses and experiments, we have explored the dysregulation of SLC38A5 in osteosarcoma and its prognostic value. A series of in vitro functional experiments, including CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, and transwell invasion assays, were conducted to evaluate the effects of SLC38A5 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. Downstream pathways of SLC38A5 were explored through methods such as western blot and metabolic assays, followed by a series of validations. Finally, we constructed a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in nude mice to explore SLC38A5 function in vivo.

RESULTS

SLC38A5 is upregulated in osteosarcoma and is associated with poor prognosis in patients. Upregulation of SLC38A5 promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells, while the PI3K inhibitor BKM120 can counteract these effects. Additionally, silencing of SLC38A5 inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, SLC38A5 mediates the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by transporting glutamine, which subsequently enhances the SREBP1/SCD-1 signaling pathway, thereby suppressing ferroptosis in osteosarcoma cells.

CONCLUSION

SLC38A5 promotes osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via the glutamine-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and inhibits ferroptosis. Targeting SLC38A5 and the PI3K/AKT signaling axis may provide a meaningful therapeutic strategy for the future treatment of osteosarcoma.

Dissecting L-glutamine metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia: single-cell insights and therapeutic implications

BACKGROUND

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rapidly progressing blood cancer. The prognosis of AML can be challenging, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and innovative approaches to improve outcomes in individuals affected by this formidable hematologic malignancy.

METHODS

In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) from AML patients to investigate the impact of L-glutamine metabolism-related genes on disease progression.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed increased glutamine-related activity in CD34 + pre-B cells, suggesting a potential regulatory role in tumorigenesis and AML progression. Furthermore, intercellular communication analysis revealed a significant signaling pathway involving macrophage migration inhibitory factor signaling through CD74 + CD44 within CD34 + pre-B cells, which transmit signals to pre-dendritic cells and monocytes. Ligands for this pathway were predominantly expressed in stromal cells, naïve T cells, and CD34 + pre-B cells. CD74, the pertinent receptor, was predominantly detected in a variety of cellular components, including stromal cells, pre-dendritic cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and hematopoietic progenitors. The study's results provide insights into the possible interplay among these cell types and their collective contribution to the pathogenesis of AML. Moreover, we identified 10 genes associated with AML prognosis, including CCL5, CD52, CFD, FABP5, LGALS1, NUCB2, PSAP, S100A4, SPINK2, and VCAN. Among these, CCL5 and CD52 have been implicated in AML progression and are potential therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSIONS

This thorough examination of AML biology significantly deepens our grasp of the disease and presents pivotal information that could guide the creation of innovative treatment strategies for AML patients.

Integrated stress response-upregulated mitochondrial SLC1A5var enhances glucose dependency in human breast cancer cells in vitro

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. The growth of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells is glucose-dependent. The integrated stress response (ISR) is a cellular stress response to glucose depletion. The ISR-solute carrier family 7 member 11 pathway is activated during glucose depletion and contributes to glucose dependence by decreasing intracellular glutamate levels. Solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5) and the mitochondrial solute carrier family 1 member 5 variant (SLC1A5var) are glutamine transporters that play essential roles in the reprogramming of cancer metabolism. However, whether ISR can regulate mitochondrial SLC1A5var expression and further affect glucose dependence remains unclear. Glucose depletion-, oligomycin-, and salubrinal-activated activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4) induced SLC1A5var expression. ATF4 is critical for SLC1A5var regulation, as it binds to specific regulatory elements in its promoter. SLC1A5var knockdown decreases glucose depletion-induced cell death, whereas SLC1A5var overexpression increases glucose depletion-induced cell death in TNBC cells. SLC1A5var knockdown reduced cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration, whereas SLC1A5var overexpression increased cell proliferation and migration. Moreover, the knockdown of SLC1A5var reduces the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) while increasing the maximal OCR and ECAR under glucose depletion. These results suggest that activated ISR-induced increased expression of SLC1A5var may regulate mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolytic metabolic characteristics to enhance glucose depletion-induced cell death. In conclusion, SLC1A5var plays a vital role in metabolic reprogramming and may be a potential target for breast cancer treatment.

Association of glutaminase expression with immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment, clinicopathologic features, and clinical outcomes in endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

Increased glutamine metabolism by cancer cells via upregulation of the drug-targetable enzyme glutaminase may contribute to an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Inhibiting glutamine metabolism can not only suppress tumor growth, but also enhance tumor-specific immunity. We investigated the relationship between glutaminase expression, the immune tumor microenvironment, and clinicopathologic features in endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Tissue microarrays constructed from 87 primary endometrial cancer specimens were stained by immunohistochemistry for glutaminase, c-Myc, mutL homolog 1 (MLH1), mutS homolog 2 (MSH2), mutS homolog 6 (MSH6), postmeiotic segregation increased 2 (PMS2), estrogen receptor (ER), progresterone receptor (PR), CD8, FoxP3, CD68, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). We compared the immune tumor microenvironment and clinicopathologic features between glutaminase-high (H-score≥median) versus glutaminase-low (H-score

RESULTS

In the tissue microarray analysis, glutaminase expression was positively correlated with c-Myc expression (r=0.4226, p<0.0001). Glutaminase-high endometrial cancers were associated with non-endometrioid histology (p=0.0001), high histologic grade (p=0.0004), myometrial invasion (p=0.017), advanced stage (p=0.012), increased FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (p=0.008), increased CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages (p=0.010), and higher PD-L1 combined positive scores (p=0.043). In the TCGA analysis, glutaminase-high (RNA-Seq Z-score≥median) patients showed worse overall (p=0.004) and progression-free (p=0.032) survival than glutaminase-low (RNA-Seq score

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that increased glutaminase expression is associated with an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment, poor clinicopathologic features, and worse long-term outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer.

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Key Words

• Immunotherapy
• Pathology
• Uterine Cancer

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MESH Headings

• Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
• Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
• Tumor Escape/genetics
• Tumor Escape/immunology
• Endometrial Neoplasms/genetics
• Endometrial Neoplasms/immunology
• Endometrial Neoplasms/mortality
• Endometrial Neoplasms/pathology
• Glutaminase/analysis
• Glutaminase/genetics
• Glutaminase/metabolism
• RNA-Seq
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/immunology
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/analysis
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/metabolism
• Endometrium/immunology
• Endometrium/pathology
• Myometrium/immunology
• Myometrium/pathology
• Neoplasm Invasiveness/genetics
• Neoplasm Invasiveness/immunology
• B7-H1 Antigen/analysis
• B7-H1 Antigen/genetics
• B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism
• Neoplasm Staging
• Progression-Free Survival
• Follow-Up Studies
• Prognosis
• Humans
• Female
• Adult
• Middle Aged
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Tissue Array Analysis

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Grants

• P30 CA006973 NCI NIH HHS
• P50 CA228991 NCI NIH HHS

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Affiliation(s)

Shiho Asaka Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
Neha Verma Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Ting-Tai Yen Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Jessica L Hicks Department of Pathology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Hiro Nonogaki Department of Pathology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Yao-An Shen Department of Pathology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Department of Pathology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Jiaxin Hong Department of Pathology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Ryoichi Asaka Department of Pathology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
Angelo M DeMarzo Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Department of Pathology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Tian-Li Wang Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Department of Pathology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Ie-Ming Shih Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Department of Pathology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Stephanie Gaillard Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

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Collaborators Collapse

Mechanisms governing lineage plasticity and metabolic reprogramming in cancer

Dynamic alterations in cellular phenotypes during cancer progression are attributed to a phenomenon known as 'lineage plasticity'. This process is associated with therapeutic resistance and involves concurrent shifts in metabolic states that facilitate adaptation to various stressors inherent in malignant growth. Certain metabolites also serve as synthetic reservoirs for chromatin modification, thus linking metabolic states with epigenetic regulation. There remains a critical need to understand the mechanisms that converge on lineage plasticity and metabolic reprogramming to prevent the emergence of lethal disease. This review attempts to offer an overview of our current understanding of the interplay between metabolic reprogramming and lineage plasticity in the context of cancer, highlighting the intersecting drivers of cancer hallmarks, with an emphasis on solid tumors.

Fighting ischemia-reperfusion injury: Focusing on mitochondria-derived ferroptosis

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Current treatments for IRI have limited efficacy and novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Mitochondrial dysfunction not only initiates IRI but also plays a significant role in ferroptosis pathogenesis. Recent studies have highlighted that targeting mitochondrial pathways is a promising therapeutic approach for ferroptosis-induced IRI. The association between ferroptosis and IRI has been reviewed many times, but our review provides the first comprehensive overview with a focus on recent mitochondrial research. First, we present the role of mitochondria in ferroptosis. Then, we summarize the evidence on mitochondrial manipulation of ferroptosis in IRI and review recent therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting mitochondria-related ferroptosis to mitigate IRI. We hope our review will provide new ideas for the treatment of IRI and accelerate the transition from bench to bedside.

Differential regulation of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 in cancer cells

The persistent growth of cancer cells is underscored by complex metabolic reprogramming, with mitochondria playing a key role in the transition to aerobic glycolysis and representing new therapeutic targets. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) has attracted interest because of its abundance in rapidly proliferating cells, including cancer cells, and its involvement in cellular metabolism. However, the specific contributions of UCP2 to cancer biology remain poorly defined. Our investigation of UCP2 expression in various human and mouse cancer cell lines aimed to elucidate its links to metabolic states, proliferation, and adaptation to environmental stresses such as hypoxia and nutrient deprivation. We observed significant variability in UCP2 expression across cancer types, with no direct correlation to their metabolic activity or proliferation rates. UCP2 abundance was also differentially affected by nutrient availability in different cancer cells, but UCP2 was generally downregulated under hypoxia. These findings challenge the notion that UCP2 is a marker of malignant potential and suggest its more complex involvement in the metabolic landscape of cancer.

Aberrant Energy Metabolism in Tumors and Potential Therapeutic Targets

Energy metabolic reprogramming is frequently observed during tumor progression as tumor cells necessitate adequate energy production for rapid proliferation. Although current medical research shows promising prospects in studying the characteristics of tumor energy metabolism and developing anti-tumor drugs targeting energy metabolism, there is a lack of systematic compendiums and comprehensive reviews in this field. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review on the characteristics of tumor cells' energy metabolism, with a specific focus on comparing abnormalities between tumor and normal cells, as well as summarizing potential targets for tumor therapy. Additionally, this review also elucidates the aberrant mechanisms underlying four major energy metabolic pathways (glucose, lipid, glutamine, and mitochondria-dependent) during carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Through the utilization of graphical representations, we have identified anomalies in crucial energy metabolism pathways, encompassing transporter proteins (glucose transporter, CD36, and ASCT2), signaling molecules (Ras, AMPK, and PTEN), as well as transcription factors (Myc, HIF-1α, CREB-1, and p53). The key molecules responsible for aberrant energy metabolism in tumors may serve as potential targets for cancer therapy. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the distinct energy-generating pathways within tumor cells, laying the groundwork for developing innovative strategies for precise cancer treatment.

Amino acid metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment and its implication for cancer therapy

Amino acids are essential building blocks for proteins, crucial energy sources for cell survival, and key signaling molecules supporting the resistant growth of tumor cells. In tumor cells, amino acid metabolic reprogramming is characterized by the enhanced uptake of amino acids as well as their aberrant synthesis, breakdown, and transport, leading to immune evasion and malignant progression of tumor cells. This article reviews the altered amino acid metabolism in tumor cells and its impact on tumor microenvironment, and also provides an overview of the current clinical applications of amino acid metabolism. Innovative drugs targeting amino acid metabolism hold great promise for precision and personalized cancer therapy.

In silico analysis shows slc1a4 as a potential target of hsa-mir-133a for regulating glutamine metabolism in gastric cancer

Cutting-edge research has spotlighted glutamine metabolism as a promising therapeutic target in managing gastric cancer. This investigation highlights the upregulated glutamine transporters by leveraging clinical data from the TCGA Database and the expression analysis of the transcriptome profile of stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) patients. Notably, it identifies SLC1A4 as a potential glutamine transporter in STAD. The screening of human miRNAs conducted using the TargetScan database, and the subsequent docking analysis present multiple miRNAs with the potential of being explored as therapeutic agents. By integrating transcriptome profiling, miRNA screening, and molecular docking, this study reveals, for the first time, the potential of hsa-mir-133a-1 in targeting slc1a4, along with its known target mTOR, in stomach cancer. The myriad interactions that can be regulated by this silencing mechanism are anticipated to ultimately reduce glutamine uptake in STAD. This study provides compelling evidence of glutamine transport via SLC1A4 in stomach cancer and delves into how it might impact mTOR and some of its pivotal downstream molecules. Considering these findings, novel therapeutic strategies can be devised to further enhance existing methods for combating gastric cancer.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Metabolic Disturbances Induced by Viral Infections

Viruses are intracellular parasites that utilize organelles, signaling pathways, and the bioenergetics machinery of the cell to replicate the genome and synthesize proteins to build up new viral particles. Mitochondria are key to supporting the virus life cycle by sustaining energy production, metabolism, and synthesis of macromolecules. Mitochondria also contribute to the antiviral innate immune response. Here, we describe the different mechanisms involved in virus-mitochondria interactions. We analyze the effects of viral infections on the metabolism of glucose in the Warburg phenotype, glutamine, and fatty acids. We also describe how viruses directly regulate mitochondrial function through modulation of the activity of the electron transport chain, the generation of reactive oxygen species, the balance between fission and fusion, and the regulation of voltage-dependent anion channels. In addition, we discuss the evasion strategies used to avoid mitochondrial-associated mechanisms that inhibit viral replication. Overall, this review aims to provide a comprehensive view of how viruses modulate mitochondrial function to maintain their replicative capabilities.

Mass spectrometry-based multi-omics analysis reveals distinct molecular features in early and advanced stages of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a serious primary solid tumor that is prevalent worldwide. Due to its high mortality rate, it is crucial to explore both early diagnosis and advanced treatment for HCC. In recent years, multi-omics approaches have emerged as promising tools to identify biomarkers and investigate molecular mechanisms of biological processes and diseases. In this study, we performed proteomics, phosphoproteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics to reveal the molecular features of early- and advanced-stage HCC. The data obtained from these omics were analyzed separately and then integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disease. The multi-omics results unveiled intricate biological pathways and interaction networks underlying the initiation and progression of HCC. Moreover, we proposed specific potential biomarker panels for both early- and advanced-stage HCC by overlapping our data with CPTAC database for HCC diagnosis, and deduced novel insights and mechanisms related to HCC origination and development, such as glucose depletion during tumor progression, ROCK1 deactivation and GSK3A activation.

Peroxisomal homeostasis in metabolic diseases and its implication in ferroptosis

Peroxisomes are dynamic organelles involved in various cellular processes, including lipid metabolism, redox homeostasis, and intracellular metabolite transfer. Accumulating evidence suggests that peroxisomal homeostasis plays a crucial role in human health and disease, particularly in metabolic disorders and ferroptosis. The abundance and function of peroxisomes are regulated by a complex interplay between biogenesis and degradation pathways, involving peroxins, membrane proteins, and pexophagy. Peroxisome-dependent lipid metabolism, especially the synthesis of ether-linked phospholipids, has been implicated in modulating cellular susceptibility to ferroptosis, a newly discovered form of iron-dependent cell death. This review discusses the current understanding of peroxisome homeostasis, its roles in redox regulation and lipid metabolism, and its implications in human diseases. We also summarize the main mechanisms of ferroptosis and highlight recent discoveries on how peroxisome-dependent metabolism and signaling influence ferroptosis sensitivity. A better understanding of the interplay between peroxisomal homeostasis and ferroptosis may provide new insights into disease pathogenesis and reveal novel therapeutic strategies for peroxisome-related metabolic disorders and ferroptosis-associated diseases.

Glutamine maintains the stability of alveolar structure and function after lung transplantation by inhibiting autophagy

Excessive autophagy may lead to degradation and damage of alveolar epithelial cells after lung transplantation, eventually leading to alveolar epithelial cell loss, affecting the structural integrity and function of alveoli. Glutamine (Gln), a nutritional supplement, regulates autophagy through multiple signaling pathways. In this study, we explored the protective role of Gln on alveolar epithelial cells by inhibiting autophagy. In vivo, a rat orthotopic lung transplant model was carried out to evaluate the therapeutic effect of glutamine. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced alveolar collapse, edema, epithelial cell apoptosis, and inflammation, which led to a reduction of alveolar physiological function, such as an increase in peak airway pressure, and a decrease in lung compliance and oxygenation index. In comparison, Gln preserved alveolar structure and function by reducing alveolar apoptosis, inflammation, and edema. In vitro, a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) cell model was performed to simulate IR injury on mouse lung epithelial (MLE) cells and human lung bronchus epithelial (Beas-2B) cells. H/R impaired the proliferation of epithelial cells and triggered cell apoptosis. In contrast, Gln normalized cell proliferation and suppressed I/R-induced cell apoptosis. The activation of mTOR and the downregulation of autophagy-related proteins (LC3, Atg5, Beclin1) were observed in Gln-treated lung tissues and alveolar epithelial cells. Both in vivo and in vitro, rapamycin, a classical mTOR inhibitor, reversed the beneficial effects of Gln on alveolar structure and function. Taken together, Glnpreserved alveolar structure and function after lung transplantation by inhibiting autophagy.

What Makes Us Human: Insights from the Evolution and Development of the Human Neocortex

"What makes us human?" is a central question of many research fields, notably anthropology. In this review, we focus on the development of the human neocortex, the part of the brain with a key role in cognition, to gain neurobiological insight toward answering this question. We first discuss cortical stem and progenitor cells and human-specific genes that affect their behavior. We thus aim to understand the molecular foundation of the expansion of the neocortex that occurred in the course of human evolution, as this expansion is generally thought to provide a basis for our unique cognitive abilities. We then review the emerging evidence pointing to differences in the development of the neocortex between present-day humans and Neanderthals, our closest relatives. Finally, we discuss human-specific genes that have been implicated in neuronal circuitry and offer a perspective for future studies addressing the question of what makes us human.

Glioblastoma Sensitization to Therapeutic Effects by Glutamine Deprivation Depends on Cellular Phenotype and Metabolism

Glutamine plays an important role in tumor metabolism. It is known that the core region of solid tumors is deprived of glutamine, which affects tumor growth and spread. Here we investigated the effect of glutamine deprivation on cellular metabolism and sensitivity of human glioblastoma cells U87MG and T98G to drugs of various origin: alkylating cytostatic agent temozolomide; cytokine TRAIL DR5-B - agonist of the DR5 receptor; and GMX1778 - a targeted inhibitor of the enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), limiting NAD biosynthesis. Bioinformatics analysis of the cell transcriptomes showed that U87MG cells have a more differentiated phenotype than T98G, and also differ in the expression profile of the genes associated with glutamine metabolism. Upon glutamine deprivation, growth rate of the U87MG and T98G cells decreased. Analysis of cellular metabolism by FLIM microscopy of NADH as well as assessment of lactate content in the medium showed that glutamine deprivation shifted metabolic status of the U87MG cells towards glycolysis. This was accompanied by the increase in expression of the stemness marker CD133, which collectively could indicate de-differentiation of these cells. At the same time, we observed increase in both expression of the DR5 receptor and sensitivity of the U87MG cells to DR5-B. On the contrary, glutamine deprivation of T98G cells induced metabolic shift towards oxidative phosphorylation, decrease in the DR5 expression and resistance to DR5-B. The effects of NAMPT inhibition also differed between the two cell lines and were opposite to the effects of DR5-B: upon glutamine deprivation, U87MG cells acquired resistance, while T98G cells were sensitized to GMX1778. Thus, phenotypic and metabolic differences between the two human glioblastoma cell lines caused divergent metabolic changes and contrasting responses to different targeted drugs during glutamine deprivation. These data should be considered when developing treatment strategies for glioblastoma via drug-mediated deprivation of amino acids, as well as when exploring novel therapeutic targets.

YTHDF1 regulates GID8-mediated glutamine metabolism to promote colorectal cancer progression in m6A-dependent manner

Dysregulation of epigenetics is a hallmark of cancer development, and YTHDF1 stands out as a crucial epigenetic regulator with the highest DNA copy number variation among all N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Here, we aimed to investigate the specific contribution of YTHDF1 overexpression to CRC progression and its consequences. Through multiple bioinformatic analyses of human cancer databases and clinical CRC samples, we identified GID8/Twa1 as a crucial downstream target of YTHDF1. YTHDF1 manipulates GID8 translation efficiency in an m6A-dependent manner, and high expression of GID8 is associated with more aggressive tumor progression and poor overall survival. Mechanistically, GID8 is intimately associated with glutamine metabolic demands by maintaining active glutamine uptake and metabolism through the regulation of excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (SLC1A3) and glutaminase (GLS), thereby facilitating the malignant progression of CRC. Inhibition of GID8 attenuated CRC proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, we identified a previously unknown target pertaining to glutamine uptake and metabolism in tumor cells, underscoring the potential of GID8 in the treatment of CRC.

The MCIB Model: A Novel Theory for Describing the Spatial Heterogeneity of the Tumor Microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment (TME) can be regarded as a complex and dynamic microecosystem generated by the interactions of tumor cells, interstitial cells, the extracellular matrix, and their products and plays an important role in the occurrence, progression and metastasis of tumors. In a previous study, we constructed an IEO model (prI-, prE-, and pOst-metastatic niche) according to the chronological sequence of TME development. In this paper, to fill the theoretical gap in spatial heterogeneity in the TME, we defined an MCIB model (Metabolic, Circulatory, Immune, and microBial microenvironment). The MCIB model divides the TME into four subtypes that interact with each other in terms of mechanism, corresponding to the four major links of metabolic reprogramming, vascular remodeling, immune response, and microbial action, providing a new way to assess the TME. The combination of the MCIB model and IEO model comprehensively depicts the spatiotemporal evolution of the TME and can provide a theoretical basis for the combination of clinical targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other comprehensive treatment modalities for tumors according to the combination and crosstalk of different subtypes in the MCIB model and provide a powerful research paradigm for tumor drug-resistance mechanisms and tumor biological behavior.

Metabolomics for hematologic malignancies: Advances and perspective

With the use of advanced technology, metabolomics allows for a thorough examination of metabolites and other small molecules found in biological specimens, blood, and tissues. In recent years, metabolomics has been recognized that is closely related to the development of malignancies in the hematological system. Alterations in metabolomic pathways and networks are important in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies and can also provide a theoretical basis for early diagnosis, efficacy evaluation, accurate staging, and individualized targeted therapy. In this review, we summarize the progress of metabolomics, including glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and lipid metabolism in lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia through specific mechanisms and pathways. The research of metabolomics gives a new insight and provides therapeutic targets for the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies.

LC-MS analysis of chiral amino acids in human urine reveals D-amino acids as potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. Changes in amino acid metabolites have been implicated in tumorigenesis and disease progression. Biomarkers on the basis of chiral amino acids, especially D-amino acids, have not been established for early diagnosis of CRC. Quantification of chiral amino acids, especially very low concentrations of endogenous D-amino acids, is technically challenging. We report here the quantification of L- and D-amino acids in urine samples collected from 115 CRC patients and 155 healthy volunteers, using an improved method. The method of chiral labeling, liquid chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry enabled separation and detection of 28 amino acids (14 L-amino acids, 13 D-amino acids and Gly). Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis identified 14 targeted variables among these chiral amino acids that distinguished the CRC from the healthy controls. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that D-α-aminobutyric acid (D-AABA), L-alanine (L-Ala), D-alanine (D-Ala), D-glutamine (D-Gln) and D-serine (D-Ser) could be potential biomarkers for CRC. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of combined multi-variables contributed to an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.995 with 98.3 % sensitivity and 96.8 % specificity. A model constructed with D-AABA, D-Ala, D-Gln, and D-Ser achieved an AUC of 0.988, indicating important contributions of D-amino acids to the association with CRC. Further analysis also demonstrated that the metabolic aberration was associated with age and the development of CRC, D-methionine (D-Met) was decreased in CRC patients with age over 50, and D/L-Gln in patients at stage IV was higher than patients at stage I. This study provides the signature of D-amino acids in urine samples and offers a promising strategy for developing non-invasive diagnosis of CRC.

Evidence for metabolism of creatine by the conceptus, placenta, and uterus for production of adenosine triphosphate during conceptus development in pigs†

In pigs, the majority of embryonic mortality occurs when free-floating conceptuses (embryos/fetuses and associated placental membranes) elongate, and the uterine-placental interface undergoes folding and develops areolae. Both periods involve proliferation, migration, and changes in morphology of cells that require adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We hypothesize that insufficient ATP in conceptus and uterine tissues contributes to conceptus loss in pigs. Creatine is stored in cells as phosphocreatine for ATP regeneration through the creatine-creatine kinase- phosphocreatine pathway. However, the expression of components of this pathway in pigs has not been examined throughout gestation. Results of qPCR analyses indicated increases in AGAT, GAMT, CKM, CKB, and SLC6A8 mRNAs in elongating porcine conceptuses, and immunofluorescence microscopy localized guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase, creatine kinase M, and creatine kinase B proteins to the trophectoderm of elongating conceptuses, to the columnar chorionic epithelial cells at the bottom of chorioallantoic troughs, and to endometrial luminal epithelium at the tops of the endometrial ridges of uterine-placental folds on Days 40, 60, and 90 of gestation. Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase protein is expressed in endometrial luminal epithelium at the uterine-placental interface, but immunostaining is more intense in luminal epithelium at the bottoms of the endometrial ridges. Results of this study indicate that key elements of the pathway for creatine metabolism are expressed in cells of the conceptus, placenta, and uterus for potential production of ATP during two timepoints in pregnancy with a high demand for energy; elongation of the conceptus for implantation and development of uterine-placental folding during placentation.

Unraveling the Mystery of Energy-Sensing Enzymes and Signaling Pathways in Tumorigenesis and Their Potential as Therapeutic Targets for Cancer

Cancer research has advanced tremendously with the identification of causative genes, proteins, and signaling pathways. Numerous antitumor drugs have been designed and screened for cancer therapeutics; however, designing target-specific drugs for malignant cells with minimal side effects is challenging. Recently, energy-sensing- and homeostasis-associated molecules and signaling pathways playing a role in proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and angiogenesis have received increasing attention. Energy-metabolism-based studies have shown the contribution of energetics to cancer development, where tumor cells show increased glycolytic activity and decreased oxidative phosphorylation (the Warburg effect) in order to obtain the required additional energy for rapid division. The role of energy homeostasis in the survival of normal as well as malignant cells is critical; therefore, fuel intake and expenditure must be balanced within acceptable limits. Thus, energy-sensing enzymes detecting the disruption of glycolysis, AMP, ATP, or GTP levels are promising anticancer therapeutic targets. Here, we review the common energy mediators and energy sensors and their metabolic properties, mechanisms, and associated signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis, and explore the possibility of identifying drugs for inhibiting the energy metabolism of tumor cells. Furthermore, to corroborate our hypothesis, we performed meta-analysis based on transcriptomic profiling to search for energy-associated biomarkers and canonical pathways.

The tRNA Gm18 methyltransferase TARBP1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via metabolic reprogramming of glutamine

Cancer cells rely on metabolic reprogramming to sustain the prodigious energetic requirements for rapid growth and proliferation. Glutamine metabolism is frequently dysregulated in cancers and is being exploited as a potential therapeutic target. Using CRISPR/Cas9 interference (CRISPRi) screening, we identified TARBP1 (TAR (HIV-1) RNA Binding Protein 1) as a critical regulator involved in glutamine reliance of cancer cell. Consistent with this discovery, TARBP1 amplification and overexpression are frequently observed in various cancers. Knockout of TARBP1 significantly suppresses cell proliferation, colony formation and xenograft tumor growth. Mechanistically, TARBP1 selectively methylates and stabilizes a small subset of tRNAs, which promotes efficient protein synthesis of glutamine transporter-ASCT2 (also known as SLC1A5) and glutamine import to fuel the growth of cancer cell. Moreover, we found that the gene expression of TARBP1 and ASCT2 are upregulated in combination in clinical cohorts and their upregulation is associated with unfavorable prognosis of HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma). Taken together, this study reveals the unexpected role of TARBP1 in coordinating the tRNA availability and glutamine uptake during HCC progression and provides a potential target for tumor therapy.

Role of cell metabolism in the pathophysiology of brain size-associated neurodevelopmental disorders

Cell metabolism is a key regulator of human neocortex development and evolution. Several lines of evidence indicate that alterations in neural stem/progenitor cell (NPC) metabolism lead to abnormal brain development, particularly brain size-associated neurodevelopmental disorders, such as microcephaly. Abnormal NPC metabolism causes impaired cell proliferation and thus insufficient expansion of NPCs for neurogenesis. Therefore, the production of neurons, which is a major determinant of brain size, is decreased and the size of the brain, especially the size of the neocortex, is significantly reduced. This review discusses recent progress understanding NPC metabolism, focusing in particular on glucose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and amino acid metabolism (e.g., glutaminolysis and serine metabolism). We provide an overview of the contributions of these metabolic pathways to brain development and evolution, as well as to the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various experimental models to study cell metabolism in the developing brain.

YAP1 inhibits RSL3-induced castration-resistant prostate cancer cell ferroptosis by driving glutamine uptake and metabolism to GSH

High levels of YAP1 and ferroptosis activation in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) can inhibit CRPC progression and improve its sensitivity toward chemotherapeutics drugs. However, whether YAP1 regulates ferroptosis in CRPC cells and the underlying mechanisms are unknown. The protein levels of YAP1, SLC1A5, and GLS1 in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer (PCa) that did not progress to CRPC, and CRPC tissue samples were evaluated using western blotting. In PC-3 and DU-145 cells, YAP1 overexpression vector, small-interfering RNA, specific inhibitor verteporfin, ferroptosis-inducer RSL3, SLC1A5-inhibitor V-9302, and GLS1-inhibitor CB-839 were used. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, dual-luciferase reporter gene, and related kits were used to investigate the effect of YAP1 on the ferroptosis activity in CRPC cells and its underlying mechanisms. YAP1 promoted extracellular glutamine uptake and subsequent production of glutamate and glutathione (GSH), and increases the GPX4 activity. For the activation of ferroptosis by RSL3, YAP1 decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and lipid peroxidation, and the proportion of dead cells. Mechanistically, YAP1 promoted the expression of SCL1A5 and GLS1 and further increased the GSH levels and GPX4 activity. Thus, inhibiting SLC1A5 or GLS1 activity could alleviate the antagonistic effect of YAP1 on the ferroptosis of RSL3-induced CRPC cells. In CRPC, the YAP1 level is high, which enters the nucleus and promotes the expressions of SLC1A5 and GLS1, thereby promoting cellular glutamine uptake and metabolism to generate glutamate and further synthesizing GSH, increasing GPX4 activity, improving cellular antioxidant capacity, and inhibiting cell death.

Unravelling the molecular landscape of endometrial cancer subtypes: insights from multiomics analysis

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer (EC) as one of the most common gynecologic malignancies is increasing in incidence during the past 10 years. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) extended to metabolic and protein phenotypes inspired us to employ multiomics methods to analyze the causal relationships of plasma metabolites and proteins with EC to advance our understanding of EC biology and pave the way for more targeted approaches to its diagnosis and treatment by comparing the molecular profiles of different EC subtypes.

METHODS

Two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) was performed to investigate the effects of plasma metabolites and proteins on risks of different subtypes of EC (endometrioid and nonendometrioid). Pathway analysis, transcriptomic analysis, and network analysis were further employed to illustrate gene-protein-metabolites interactions underlying the pathogenesis of distinct EC histological types.

RESULTS

The authors identified 66 causal relationships between plasma metabolites and endometrioid EC, and 132 causal relationships between plasma proteins and endometrioid EC. Additionally, 40 causal relationships between plasma metabolites and nonendometrioid EC, and 125 causal relationships between plasma proteins and nonendometrioid EC were observed. Substantial differences were observed between endometrioid and nonendometrioid histological types of EC at both the metabolite and protein levels. The authors identified seven overlapping proteins (RGMA, NRXN2, EVA1C, SLC14A1, SLC6A14, SCUBE1, FGF8) in endometrioid subtype and six overlapping proteins (IL32, GRB7, L1CAM, CCL25, GGT2, PSG5) in nonendometrioid subtype and conducted network analysis of above proteins and metabolites to identify coregulated nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings observed substantial differences between endometrioid and nonendometrioid EC at the metabolite and protein levels, providing novel insights into gene-protein-metabolites interactions that could influence future EC treatments.

Single-cell analysis revealing the metabolic landscape of prostate cancer

ABSTRACT

Tumor metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer development, and targeting metabolic vulnerabilities has been proven to be an effective approach for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) treatment. Nevertheless, treatment failure inevitably occurs, largely due to cellular heterogeneity, which cannot be deciphered by traditional bulk sequencing techniques. By employing computational pipelines for single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrated that epithelial cells within the prostate are more metabolically active and plastic than stromal cells. Moreover, we identified that neuroendocrine (NE) cells tend to have high metabolic rates, which might explain the high demand for nutrients and energy exhibited by neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), one of the most lethal variants of prostate cancer (PCa). Additionally, we demonstrated through computational and experimental approaches that variation in mitochondrial activity is the greatest contributor to metabolic heterogeneity among both tumor cells and nontumor cells. These results establish a detailed metabolic landscape of PCa, highlight a potential mechanism of disease progression, and emphasize the importance of future studies on tumor heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment from a metabolic perspective.

The interplay of the circadian clock and metabolic tumorigenesis

The circadian clock and cell metabolism are both dysregulated in cancer cells through intrinsic cell-autonomous mechanisms and external influences from the tumor microenvironment. The intricate interplay between the circadian clock and cancer cell metabolism exerts control over various metabolic processes, including aerobic glycolysis, de novo nucleotide synthesis, glutamine and protein metabolism, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial metabolism, and redox homeostasis in cancer cells. Importantly, oncogenic signaling can confer a moonlighting function on core clock genes, effectively reshaping cellular metabolism to fuel cancer cell proliferation and drive tumor growth. These interwoven regulatory mechanisms constitute a distinctive feature of cancer cell metabolism.

Glutamine and leukemia research: progress and clinical prospects

Leukemia is an abnormal proliferation of white blood cells that occurs in bone marrow and expands through the blood. It arises from dysregulated differentiation, uncontrolled growth, and inhibition of apoptosis. Glutamine (GLN) is a "conditionally essential" amino acid that promotes growth and proliferation of leukemic cells. Recently, details about the role of GLN and its metabolism in the diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid, chronic lymphocytic, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia have emerged. The uptake of GLN by leukemia cells and the dynamic changes of glutamine-related indexes in leukemia patients may be able to assist in determining whether the condition of leukemia is in a state of progression, remission or relapse. Utilizing the possible differences in GLN metabolism in different subtypes of leukemia may help to differentiate between different subtypes of leukemia, thus providing a basis for accurate diagnosis. Targeting GLN metabolism in leukemia requires simultaneous blockade of multiple metabolic pathways without interfering with the normal cellular and immune functions of the body to achieve effective leukemia therapy. The present review summarizes recent advances, possible applications, and clinical perspectives of GLN metabolism in leukemia. In particular, it focuses on the prospects of GLN metabolism in the diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. The review provides new directions and hints at potential roles for future clinical treatments and studies.

From Crypts to Cancer: A Holistic Perspective on Colorectal Carcinogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a significant global health burden, with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Recent progress in research highlights the distinct clinical and molecular characteristics of colon versus rectal cancers, underscoring tumor location's importance in treatment approaches. This article provides a comprehensive review of our current understanding of CRC epidemiology, risk factors, molecular pathogenesis, and management strategies. We also present the intricate cellular architecture of colonic crypts and their roles in intestinal homeostasis. Colorectal carcinogenesis multistep processes are also described, covering the conventional adenoma-carcinoma sequence, alternative serrated pathways, and the influential Vogelstein model, which proposes sequential APC, KRAS, and TP53 alterations as drivers. The consensus molecular CRC subtypes (CMS1-CMS4) are examined, shedding light on disease heterogeneity and personalized therapy implications.

A genome-wide CRISPR screen reveals that antagonism of glutamine metabolism sensitizes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to ferroptotic cell death

Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid for the growth and survival of rapidly proliferating cancer cells. Many cancers are addicted to glutamine, and as a result, targeting glutamine metabolism has been explored clinically as a therapeutic approach. Glutamine-catalyzing enzymes are highly expressed in primary and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the nature of the glutamine-associated pathways in this aggressive cancer type has not been elucidated. Here, we explored the therapeutic potential of a broad glutamine antagonist, DRP-104 (sirpiglenastat), in HNSCC tumors and aimed at shedding light on glutamine-dependent pathways in this disease. We observed a potent antitumoral effect of sirpiglenastat in HPV- and HPV + HNSCC xenografts. We conducted a whole-genome CRISPR screen and metabolomics analyses to identify mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to glutamine metabolism blockade. These approaches revealed that glutamine metabolism blockade results in the rapid buildup of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) via autophagy nutrient-sensing pathways. Finally, our analysis demonstrated that GPX4 mediates the protection of HNSCC cells from accumulating toxic lipid peroxides; hence, glutamine blockade sensitizes HNSCC cells to ferroptosis cell death upon GPX4 inhibition. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of sirpiglenastat in HNSCC and establish a novel link between glutamine metabolism and ferroptosis, which may be uniquely translated into targeted glutamine-ferroptosis combination therapies.

Aerobic glycolysis but not GLS1-dependent glutamine metabolism is critical for anti-tumor immunity and response to checkpoint inhibition

Tumor cells undergo uncontrolled proliferation driven by enhanced anabolic metabolism including glycolysis and glutaminolysis. Targeting these pathways to inhibit cancer growth is a strategy for cancer treatment. Critically, however, tumor-responsive T cells share metabolic features with cancer cells, making them susceptible to these treatments as well. Here, we assess the impact on anti-tumor T cell immunity and T cell exhaustion by genetic ablation of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and glutaminase1 (GLS1), key enzymes in aerobic glycolysis and glutaminolysis. Loss of LDHA severely impairs expansion of T cells in response to tumors and chronic infection. In contrast, T cells lacking GLS1 can compensate for impaired glutaminolysis by engaging alternative pathways, including upregulation of asparagine synthetase, and thus efficiently respond to tumor challenge and chronic infection as well as immune checkpoint blockade. Targeting GLS1-dependent glutaminolysis, but not aerobic glycolysis, may therefore be a successful strategy in cancer treatment, particularly in combination with immunotherapy.

Regulatory mechanisms of amino acids in ferroptosis

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent non-apoptotic regulated cell death process, is associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. Amino acids, which are indispensable substrates of vital activities, significantly regulate ferroptosis. Amino acid metabolism is involved in maintaining iron and lipid homeostasis and redox balance. The regulatory effects of amino acids on ferroptosis are complex. An amino acid may exert contrasting effects on ferroptosis depending on the context. This review systematically and comprehensively summarized the distinct roles of amino acids in regulating ferroptosis and highlighted the emerging opportunities to develop clinical therapeutic strategies targeting amino acid-mediated ferroptosis.

High-Performance Metabolic Profiling of High-Risk Thyroid Nodules by ZrMOF Hybrids

Thyroid nodules (TNs) have emerged as the most prevalent endocrine disorder in China. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) remains the standard diagnostic method for assessing TN malignancy, although a majority of FNA results indicate benign conditions. Balancing diagnostic accuracy while mitigating overdiagnosis in patients with benign nodules poses a significant clinical challenge. Precise, noninvasive, and high-throughput screening methods for high-risk TN diagnosis are highly desired but remain less explored. Developing such approaches can improve the accuracy of noninvasive methods like ultrasound imaging and reduce overdiagnosis of benign nodule patients caused by invasive procedures. Herein, we investigate the application of gold-doped zirconium-based metal-organic framework (ZrMOF/Au) nanostructures for metabolic profiling of thyroid diseases. This approach enables the efficient extraction of urine metabolite fingerprints with high throughput, low background noise, and reproducibility. Utilizing partial least-squares discriminant analysis and four machine learning models, including neural network (NN), random forest (RF), logistic regression (LR), and support vector machine (SVM), we achieved an enhanced diagnostic accuracy (98.6%) for discriminating thyroid cancer (TC) from low-risk TNs by using a diagnostic panel. Through the analysis of metabolic differences, potential pathway changes between benign nodule and malignancy are identified. This work explores the potential of rapid thyroid disease screening using the ZrMOF/Au-assisted LDI-MS platform, providing a potential method for noninvasive screening of thyroid malignant tumors. Integrating this approach with imaging technologies such as ultrasound can enhance the reliability of noninvasive diagnostic methods for malignant tumor screening, helping to prevent unnecessary invasive procedures and reducing the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in patients with benign nodules.

Glutathione-Dependent Pathways in Cancer Cells

The most abundant tripeptide-glutathione (GSH)-and the major GSH-related enzymes-glutathione peroxidases (GPxs) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs)-are highly significant in the regulation of tumor cell viability, initiation of tumor development, its progression, and drug resistance. The high level of GSH synthesis in different cancer types depends not only on the increasing expression of the key enzymes of the γ-glutamyl cycle but also on the changes in transport velocity of its precursor amino acids. The ability of GPxs to reduce hydroperoxides is used for cellular viability, and each member of the GPx family has a different mechanism of action and site for maintaining redox balance. GSTs not only catalyze the conjugation of GSH to electrophilic substances and the reduction of organic hydroperoxides but also take part in the regulation of cellular signaling pathways. By catalyzing the S-glutathionylation of key target proteins, GSTs are involved in the regulation of major cellular processes, including metabolism (e.g., glycolysis and the PPP), signal transduction, transcription regulation, and the development of resistance to anticancer drugs. In this review, recent findings in GSH synthesis, the roles and functions of GPxs, and GST isoforms in cancer development are discussed, along with the search for GST and GPx inhibitors for cancer treatment.

Exploring the mystery of tumor metabolism: Warburg effect and mitochondrial metabolism fighting side by side

The metabolic reconfiguration of tumor cells constitutes a pivotal aspect of tumor proliferation and advancement. This study delves into two primary facets of tumor metabolism: the Warburg effect and mitochondrial metabolism, elucidating their contributions to tumor dominance. The Warburg effect facilitates efficient energy acquisition by tumor cells through aerobic glycolysis and lactic acid fermentation, offering metabolic advantages conducive to growth and proliferation. Simultaneously, mitochondrial metabolism, serving as the linchpin of sustained tumor vitality, orchestrates the tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain, furnishing a steadfast and dependable wellspring of biosynthesis for tumor cells. Regarding targeted therapy, this discourse examines extant strategies targeting tumor glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism, underscoring their potential efficacy in modulating tumor metabolism while envisaging future research trajectories and treatment paradigms in the realm of tumor metabolism. By means of a thorough exploration of tumor metabolism, this study aspires to furnish crucial insights into the regulation of tumor metabolic processes, thereby furnishing valuable guidance for the development of novel therapeutic modalities. This comprehensive deliberation is poised to catalyze advancements in tumor metabolism research and offer novel perspectives and pathways for the formulation of cancer treatment strategies in the times ahead.

Microbiota and metabolite alterations in pancreatic head and body/tail cancer patients

Pancreatic head cancer (PHC) and pancreatic body/tail cancer (PBTC) have distinct clinical and biological behaviors. The microbial and metabolic differences in PHC and PBTC have not been studied. The pancreatic microbiota and metabolome of 15 PHC and 8 PBTC tissues and their matched nontumor tissues were characterized using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. At the genus level, Bradyrhizobium was increased while Corynebacterium and Ruminococcus were decreased in the PHC tissues (Head T) compared with the matched nontumor tissues (Head N) significantly. Shuttleworthia, Bacillus, and Bifidobacterium were significantly decreased in the PBTC tissues (Body/Tail T) compared with the matched nontumor tissues (Body/Tail N). Significantly, Ileibacterium was increased whereas Pseudoxanthomonas was decreased in Head T and Body/Tail T, and Lactobacillus was increased in Head T but decreased in Body/Tail T. A total of 102 discriminative metabolites were identified between Head T and Head N, which were scattered through linoleic acid metabolism and purine metabolism pathways. However, there were only four discriminative metabolites between Body/Tail T and Body/Tail N, which were related to glycerophospholipid metabolism and autophagy pathways. The differential metabolites in PHC and PBTC were commonly enriched in alpha-linolenic acid metabolism and choline metabolism in cancer pathways. Eubacterium decreased in Head T was positively correlated with decreased linoleic acid while negatively correlated with increased arachidyl carnitine and stearoylcarnitine. Bacillus decreased in Body/Tail T was negatively correlated with increased L-carnitine. These microbiota and metabolites deserve further investigations to reveal their roles in the pathogenesis of PHC and PBTC, providing clues for future treatments.

Glutaminolysis is a Potential Therapeutic Target for Kidney Diseases

Metabolic reprogramming contributes to the progression and prognosis of various kidney diseases. Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid in the body and participates in more metabolic processes than other amino acids. Altered glutamine metabolism is a prominent feature in different kidney diseases. Glutaminolysis converts glutamine into the TCA cycle metabolite, alpha-ketoglutarate, via a cascade of enzymatic reactions. This metabolic pathway plays pivotal roles in inflammation, maladaptive repair, cell survival and proliferation, redox homeostasis, and immune regulation. Given the crucial role of glutaminolysis in bioenergetics and anaplerotic fluxes in kidney pathogenesis, studies on this cascade could provide a better understanding of kidney diseases, thus inspiring the development of potential methods for targeted therapy. Emerging evidence has shown that targeting glutaminolysis is a promising therapeutic strategy for ameliorating kidney disease. In this narrative review, equation including keywords related to glutamine, glutaminolysis and kidney are subjected to an exhaustive search on Pubmed database, we identified all relevant articles published before 1 April, 2024. Afterwards, we summarize the regulation of glutaminolysis in major kidney diseases and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, we highlight therapeutic strategies targeting glutaminolysis and their potential clinical applications.

Roles of Critical Amino Acids Metabolism in The Interactions Between Intracellular Bacterial Infection and Macrophage Function

Macrophages, as crucial participants in the innate immune system, respond to pathogenic challenges through their dynamic metabolic adjustments, demonstrating the intimate interplay between cellular metabolism and immune function. Bacterial infection of macrophages causes changes in macrophage metabolism, affecting both macrophage function and bacterial virulence and intracellular survival. This review explores the reprogramming of amino acid metabolism in macrophages in response to bacterial infection, with a particular focus on the influence of critical amino acids such as serine, glutamine, and arginine on the immune functions of macrophages; highlights the roles of these metabolic pathways in macrophage functions such as phagocytosis, inflammatory response, immune regulation, and pathogen clearance; reveals how pathogens exploit and manipulate the amino acid metabolism within macrophages to support their own growth and replication, thereby showcasing the intricate interplay between macrophages and pathogens. It provides a foundation for understanding the interactions between macrophages amino acid metabolism and pathogens, offering potential strategies and therapeutic targets for the development of novel anti-infection therapies.