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Kenny TC, Scharenberg S, Abu-Remaileh M, Birsoy K. Cellular and organismal function of choline metabolism. Nat Metab 2025; 7:35-52. [PMID: 39779890 PMCID: PMC11990872 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01203-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025]
Abstract
Choline is an essential micronutrient critical for cellular and organismal homeostasis. As a core component of phospholipids and sphingolipids, it is indispensable for membrane architecture and function. Additionally, choline is a precursor for acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter, and betaine, a methyl donor important for epigenetic regulation. Consistent with its pleiotropic role in cellular physiology, choline metabolism contributes to numerous developmental and physiological processes in the brain, liver, kidney, lung and immune system, and both choline deficiency and excess are implicated in human disease. Mutations in the genes encoding choline metabolism proteins lead to inborn errors of metabolism, which manifest in diverse clinical pathologies. While the identities of many enzymes involved in choline metabolism were identified decades ago, only recently has the field begun to understand the diverse mechanisms by which choline availability is regulated and fuelled via metabolite transport/recycling and nutrient acquisition. This review provides a comprehensive overview of choline metabolism, emphasizing emerging concepts and their implications for human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C Kenny
- Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samantha Scharenberg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- The Institute for Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (Sarafan ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Monther Abu-Remaileh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- The Institute for Chemistry, Engineering and Medicine for Human Health (Sarafan ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- The Phil & Penny Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience at the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Kıvanç Birsoy
- Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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2
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Sharma S, Mahadevan A, Narayanappa G, Debnath M, Govindaraj P, Shivaram S, Seshagiri DV, Siram R, Shroti A, Bindu PS, Chickabasaviah YT, Taly AB, Nagappa M. Exploring the evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction and genetic abnormalities in the etiopathogenesis of tropical ataxic neuropathy. J Neurogenet 2024; 38:27-34. [PMID: 38975939 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2024.2373363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Tropical ataxic neuropathy (TAN) is characterised by ataxic polyneuropathy, degeneration of the posterior columns and pyramidal tracts, optic atrophy, and sensorineural hearing loss. It has been attributed to nutritional/toxic etiologies, but evidence for the same has been equivocal. TAN shares common clinical features with inherited neuropathies and mitochondrial disorders, it may be hypothesised that genetic abnormalities may underlie the pathophysiology of TAN. This study aimed to establish evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction by adopting an integrated biochemical and multipronged genetic analysis. Patients (n = 65) with chronic progressive ataxic neuropathy with involvement of visual and/or auditory pathways underwent deep phenotyping, genetic studies including mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion analysis, mtDNA and clinical exome sequencing (CES), and respiratory chain complex (RCC) assay. The phenotypic characteristics included dysfunction of visual (n = 14), auditory (n = 12) and visual + auditory pathways (n = 29). Reduced RCC activity was present in 13 patients. Mitochondrial DNA deletions were noted in five patients. Sequencing of mtDNA (n = 45) identified a homoplasmic variant (MT-ND6) and a heteroplasmic variant (MT-COI) in one patient each. CES (n = 45) revealed 55 variants in nuclear genes that are associated with neuropathy (n = 27), deafness (n = 7), ataxia (n = 4), and mitochondrial phenotypes (n = 5) in 36 patients. This study provides preliminary evidence that TAN is associated with a spectrum of genetic abnormalities, including those associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, which is in contradistinction from the prevailing hypothesis that TAN is related to dietary toxins. Analysing the functional relevance of these genetic variants may improve the understanding of the pathogenesis of TAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Sharma
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Anita Mahadevan
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Gayathri Narayanappa
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Monojit Debnath
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Periyasamy Govindaraj
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sumanth Shivaram
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Doniparthi V Seshagiri
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Ramesh Siram
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Akhilesh Shroti
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Parayil S Bindu
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Yasha T Chickabasaviah
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Arun B Taly
- Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Madhu Nagappa
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
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Fiorito V, Tolosano E. Unearthing FLVCR1a: tracing the path to a vital cellular transporter. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:166. [PMID: 38581583 PMCID: PMC10998817 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05205-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
The Feline Leukemia Virus Subgroup C Receptor 1a (FLVCR1a) is a member of the SLC49 Major Facilitator Superfamily of transporters. Initially recognized as the receptor for the retrovirus responsible of pure red cell aplasia in cats, nearly two decades since its discovery, FLVCR1a remains a puzzling transporter, with ongoing discussions regarding what it transports and how its expression is regulated. Nonetheless, despite this, the substantial body of evidence accumulated over the years has provided insights into several critical processes in which this transporter plays a complex role, and the health implications stemming from its malfunction. The present review intends to offer a comprehensive overview and a critical analysis of the existing literature on FLVCR1a, with the goal of emphasising the vital importance of this transporter for the organism and elucidating the interconnections among the various functions attributed to this transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Fiorito
- Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC) "Guido Tarone", Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Emanuela Tolosano
- Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC) "Guido Tarone", Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Turin, Italy.
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4
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Li Z, Li Y, Chu X, Du K, Tang Y, Xie Z, Yu M, Deng J, Lv H, Zhang W, Wang Z, Meng L, Yuan Y. Novel mutations in FLVCR1 cause tremors, sensory neuropathy with retinitis pigmentosa. Neuropathology 2024; 44:87-95. [PMID: 37469134 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The mutations of the feline leukemia virus subgroup C receptor-related protein 1 (FLVCR1) cause ataxia with retinitis pigmentosa. Recent studies indicated a large variation in the phenotype of FLVCR1-associated diseases. In this report, we describe an adult male who manifested first with tremors in his third decade, followed by retinitis pigmentosa, sensory ataxia, and sensory neuropathy in his fourth decade. While retinitis pigmentosa and sensory ataxia are well-recognized features of FLVCR1-associated disease, tremor is rarely described. Whole-exome sequencing revealed novel compound heterozygous pathogenic FLVCR1 variants: c.498 G > A; p.(Trp166*) and c.369 T > G; p.(Phe123Leu). In addition, we have highlighted the ultrastructural abnormalities of the sural biopsy in this patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yize Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xujun Chu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Du
- Department of Neurology, Qujing First People's Hospital, Qujing, China
| | - Yuwei Tang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiying Xie
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwen Deng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - He Lv
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Peking University, Beijing, China
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5
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Lischka A, Lassuthova P, Çakar A, Record CJ, Van Lent J, Baets J, Dohrn MF, Senderek J, Lampert A, Bennett DL, Wood JN, Timmerman V, Hornemann T, Auer-Grumbach M, Parman Y, Hübner CA, Elbracht M, Eggermann K, Geoffrey Woods C, Cox JJ, Reilly MM, Kurth I. Genetic pain loss disorders. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2022; 8:41. [PMID: 35710757 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-022-00365-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Genetic pain loss includes congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP), hereditary sensory neuropathies and, if autonomic nerves are involved, hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN). This heterogeneous group of disorders highlights the essential role of nociception in protecting against tissue damage. Patients with genetic pain loss have recurrent injuries, burns and poorly healing wounds as disease hallmarks. CIP and HSAN are caused by pathogenic genetic variants in >20 genes that lead to developmental defects, neurodegeneration or altered neuronal excitability of peripheral damage-sensing neurons. These genetic variants lead to hyperactivity of sodium channels, disturbed haem metabolism, altered clathrin-mediated transport and impaired gene regulatory mechanisms affecting epigenetic marks, long non-coding RNAs and repetitive elements. Therapies for pain loss disorders are mainly symptomatic but the first targeted therapies are being tested. Conversely, chronic pain remains one of the greatest unresolved medical challenges, and the genes and mechanisms associated with pain loss offer new targets for analgesics. Given the progress that has been made, the coming years are promising both in terms of targeted treatments for pain loss disorders and the development of innovative pain medicines based on knowledge of these genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Lischka
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Petra Lassuthova
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Arman Çakar
- Neuromuscular Unit, Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Christopher J Record
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Jonas Van Lent
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jonathan Baets
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, Antwerp, Belgium
- Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Neuromuscular Reference Centre, Department of Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maike F Dohrn
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, Department of Human Genetics and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jan Senderek
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Angelika Lampert
- Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - David L Bennett
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - John N Wood
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vincent Timmerman
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thorsten Hornemann
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Auer-Grumbach
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yesim Parman
- Neuromuscular Unit, Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Miriam Elbracht
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Katja Eggermann
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - C Geoffrey Woods
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - James J Cox
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mary M Reilly
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Ingo Kurth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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6
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Lachmann ES, Mautone L, Dulz S. Isolated juvenile macular dystrophy without posterior column ataxia associated with FLVCR1 mutation. Ophthalmic Genet 2021; 42:784-786. [PMID: 34433355 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2021.1970196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eva S Lachmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luca Mautone
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simon Dulz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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