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Gao X, Campasino K, Yourick MR, Cao Y, Yourick JJ, Sprando RL. Oxidative DNA damage contributes to usnic acid-induced toxicity in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:1329-1346. [PMID: 38724177 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4620] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Dietary supplements containing usnic acid have been increasingly marketed for weight loss over the past decades, even though incidences of severe hepatotoxicity and acute liver failure due to their overuse have been reported. To date, the toxic mechanism of usnic acid-induced liver injury at the molecular level still remains to be fully elucidated. Here, we conducted a transcriptomic study on usnic acid using a novel in vitro hepatotoxicity model employing human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatocytes. Treatment with 20 μM usnic acid for 24 h caused 4272 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the cells. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) based on the DEGs and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) using the whole transcriptome expression data concordantly revealed several signaling pathways and biological processes that, when taken together, suggest that usnic acid caused oxidative stress and DNA damage in the cells, which further led to cell cycle arrest and eventually resulted in cell death through apoptosis. These transcriptomic findings were subsequently corroborated by a variety of cellular assays, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and glutathione (GSH) depletion, DNA damage (pH2AX detection and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine [8-OH-dg] assay), cell cycle analysis, and caspase 3/7 activity. Collectively, the results of the current study accord with previous in vivo and in vitro findings, provide further evidence that oxidative stress-caused DNA damage contributes to usnic acid-induced hepatotoxicity, shed new light on molecular mechanisms of usnic acid-induced hepatotoxicity, and demonstrate the usefulness of iPSC-derived hepatocytes as an in vitro model for hepatotoxicity testing and prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiugong Gao
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Kayla Campasino
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Miranda R Yourick
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Yu Cao
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Staff, Office of Analytics and Outreach, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U. S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Yourick
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert L Sprando
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
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Poulsen-Silva E, Gordillo-Fuenzalida F, Atala C, Moreno AA, Otero MC. Bioactive Lichen Secondary Metabolites and Their Presence in Species from Chile. Metabolites 2023; 13:805. [PMID: 37512512 PMCID: PMC10383681 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13070805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens are symbiotic organisms composed of at least one fungal and one algal species. They are found in different environments around the world, even in the poles and deserts. Some species can withstand extreme abiotic conditions, including radiation and the vacuum of space. Their chemistry is mainly due to the fungal metabolism and the production of several secondary metabolites with biological activity, which have been isolated due to an increasing interest from the pharmaceutical community. However, beyond the experimental data, little is known about their mechanisms of action and the potential pharmaceutical use of these kinds of molecules, especially the ones isolated from lesser-known species and/or lesser-studied countries. The main objective of this review is to analyze the bibliographical data of the biological activity of secondary metabolites from lichens, identifying the possible mechanisms of action and lichen species from Chile. We carried out a bibliographic revision of different scientific articles in order to collect all necessary information on the biological activity of the metabolites of these lichen species. For this, validated databases were used. We found the most recent reports where in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the biological properties of these metabolites. The biological activity, namely anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity, of 26 secondary metabolites are described, as well as their reported molecular mechanisms. The most notable metabolites found in this review were usnic acid, atranorin, protolichesterinic acid, and lobaric acid. Usnic acid was the most investigated metabolite, in addition to undergoing toxicological and pharmacological studies, where a hepatotoxicity effect was reported due to uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, no major studies have been made to validate the pharmacological application of these metabolites, and few advancements have been made in their artificial growth in bioreactors. Despite the described biological activities, there is little support to consider these metabolites in pharmaceutical formulations or to evaluate them in clinical trials. Nevertheless, it is important to carry out further studies regarding their possible human health effects. These lichen secondary metabolites present a promising research opportunity to find new pharmaceutical molecules due to their bioactive properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick Poulsen-Silva
- Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andrés Bello, República 252, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Felipe Gordillo-Fuenzalida
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Aplicada, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Avda. San Miguel 3605, Talca 3466706, Chile
| | - Cristian Atala
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Campus Curauma, Av. Universidad 330, Curauma, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile
| | - Adrián A Moreno
- Centro de Biotecnología Vegetal, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 8370146, Chile
| | - María Carolina Otero
- Escuela de Química y Farmacia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andrés Bello, República 252, Santiago 8320000, Chile
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3
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Toxicity of Usnic Acid: A Narrative Review. J Toxicol 2022; 2022:8244340. [PMID: 36310641 PMCID: PMC9605823 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8244340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Usnic acid (UA) is a dibenzofuran derivative naturally present in lichens, organisms resulting from the symbiosis between a fungus and a cyanobacterium, or an alga. UA shows antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory as well as UV-protective activities. Its use as pharmacological agent is widely described in traditional medicine, and in the past few years, the product has been marketed as a food supplement for the induction of weight loss. However, the development of severe hepatotoxicity in a limited number of subjects prompted the FDA to issue a warning letter, which led to the withdrawal of the product from the market in November 2001. Data published in literature on UA toxicology, genotoxicity, mutagenesis, and teratogenicity have been reviewed, as well as the case reports of subjects who developed hepatotoxicity following oral administration of UA as a slimming agent. Finally, we reviewed the most recent studies on the topical use of UA, as well as studies aimed at improving UA pharmacologic activity and reducing toxicity. Indeed, advancements in this field of research could open the possibility to reintroduce the use of UA as therapeutical agent.
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Xu M, Oppong-Danquah E, Wang X, Oddsson S, Abdelrahman A, Pedersen SV, Szomek M, Gylfason AE, Snorradottir BS, Christensen EA, Tasdemir D, Jameson CJ, Murad S, Andresson OS, Magnusson KP, de Boer HJ, Thorsteinsdottir M, Omarsdottir S, Heidmarsson S, Olafsdottir ES. Novel methods to characterise spatial distribution and enantiomeric composition of usnic acids in four Icelandic lichens. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2022; 200:113210. [PMID: 35439526 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Usnic acid is an antibiotic metabolite produced by a wide variety of lichenized fungal lineages. The enantiomers of usnic acid have been shown to display contrasting bioactivities, and hence it is important to determine their spatial distribution, amounts and enantiomeric ratios in lichens to understand their roles in nature and grasp their pharmaceutical potential. The overall aim of the study was to characterise the spatial distribution of the predominant usnic acid enantiomer in lichens by combining spatial imaging and chiral chromatography. Specifically, separation and quantification of usnic acid enantiomers in four common lichens in Iceland was performed using a validated chiral chromatographic method. Molecular dynamics simulation was carried out to rationalize the chiral separation mechanism. Spatial distribution of usnic acid in the lichen thallus cross-sections were analysed using Desorption Electrospray Ionization-Imaging Mass Spectrometry (DESI-IMS) and fluorescence microscopy. DESI-IMS confirmed usnic acid as a cortical compound, and revealed that usnic acid can be more concentrated around the algal vicinity. Fluorescence microscopy complemented DESI-IMS by providing more detailed distribution information. By combining results from spatial imaging and chiral separation, we were able to visualize the distribution of the predominant usnic acid enantiomer in lichen cross-sections: (+)-usnic acid in Cladonia arbuscula and Ramalina siliquosa, and (-)-usnic acid in Alectoria ochroleuca and Flavocetraria nivalis. This study provides an analytical foundation for future environmental and functional studies of usnic acid enantiomers in lichens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maonian Xu
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, 107, Reykjavik, Iceland.
| | - Ernest Oppong-Danquah
- GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology, Research Unit Marine Natural Product Chemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, 24106, Kiel, Germany
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Sebastian Oddsson
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, 107, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Asmaa Abdelrahman
- Department of Green Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense, Denmark
| | - Simon Vilms Pedersen
- Department of Green Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense, Denmark; Department of Materials, Imperial College London, SW7 2BP, London, UK
| | - Maria Szomek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense, Denmark
| | - Aron Elvar Gylfason
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, 107, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Eva Arnspang Christensen
- Department of Green Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense, Denmark
| | - Deniz Tasdemir
- GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology, Research Unit Marine Natural Product Chemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, 24106, Kiel, Germany; Kiel University, Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4, 24118, Kiel, Germany
| | - Cynthia J Jameson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, 60607, USA
| | - Sohail Murad
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, 60616, USA
| | | | - Kristinn Petur Magnusson
- Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Akureyri Division, 600, Akureyri, Iceland; Faculty of Natural Resource Sciences, University of Akureyri, 600, Akureyri, Iceland
| | - Hugo J de Boer
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0562, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Sesselja Omarsdottir
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, 107, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Starri Heidmarsson
- Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Akureyri Division, 600, Akureyri, Iceland
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Wu Y, Gan D, Leng X, He W, Zhang X, Li C, Gu X, Hu Y, Du S, Han Y. Anti-ageing and Anti-lung Carcinoma Effects of Vulpinic Acid and Usnic Acid Compounds and Biological Investigations with Molecular Modeling Study. J Oleo Sci 2022; 71:247-255. [PMID: 35110467 DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess21276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disorganization and breakdown of extracellular matrix proteins like fibronectin, collagen, and elastin are key characteristics of skin aging due to the increased activation of important proteolytic enzymes like elastases and collagenase enzymes. Also, inhibition of their enzymatic activities by natural molecules might be a promising factor to prevent extrinsic skin aging. All chemicals were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich unless otherwise stated. The assay employed was based on spectrophotometric methods reported in the literature. The collagenase and elastase inhibition assays of some phenolic compounds were performed according to the previous studies. These compounds showed excellent to good inhibitory activities of vulpinic acid against studied these enzymes with IC50 values of 195.36 µM for collagenase and 25.24 µM for elastase. The molecular docking calculations were conducted to investigate the chemical and biological activity of vulpinic acid and usnic acid against collagenase and elastase. The results indicated that these two compounds can interact with the essential residues of the enzymes and affect their activities. The calculations of binding free energies were also performed to obtain more details about the characteristics and free energies of the ligand-enzyme complexes. Additionally, both compounds exhibited the most potent inhibition in the three lung cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 21-68 µM, indicating that vulpinic acid is more potent than Doxorubicin, which exhibited an IC50 value of 21-29 µM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhua Wu
- Southwest Medical University.,Thoracic surgery, Chendu Wenjiang District People's Hospital
| | - Dongmei Gan
- Thoracic surgery, Chendu Wenjiang District People's Hospital
| | | | - Wenwu He
- Thoracic surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital
| | - Xiuqiong Zhang
- Thoracic surgery, Chendu Wenjiang District People's Hospital
| | - Chong Li
- Thoracic surgery, Chendu Wenjiang District People's Hospital
| | - Xiaobo Gu
- Thoracic surgery, Chendu Wenjiang District People's Hospital
| | - Ying Hu
- Thoracic surgery, Chendu Wenjiang District People's Hospital
| | - Shijian Du
- Thoracic surgery, Chendu Wenjiang District People's Hospital
| | - Yongtao Han
- Southwest Medical University.,Thoracic surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital
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6
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Kwong SP, Wang C. Review: Usnic acid-induced hepatotoxicity and cell death. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 80:103493. [PMID: 32961280 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Increasing prevalence of herbal and dietary supplement-induced hepatotoxicity has been reported worldwide. Usnic acid (UA) is a well-known hepatotoxin derived from lichens. Since 2000, more than 20 incident reports have been received by the US Food and Drug Administration after intake of UA containing dietary supplement resulting in severe complications. Scientists and clinicians have been studying the cause, prevention and treatment of UA-induced hepatotoxicity. It is now known that UA decouples oxidative phosphorylation, induces adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, decreases glutathione (GSH), and induces oxidative stress markedly leading to lipid peroxidation and organelle stress. In addition, experimental rat liver tissues have shown massive vacuolization associated with cellular swellings. Additionally, various signaling pathways, such as c-JNK N-terminal kinase (JNK), store-operated calcium entry, nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (Akt/mTOR) pathways are stimulated by UA causing beneficial or harmful effects. Nevertheless, there are controversial issues, such as UA-induced inflammatory or anti-inflammatory responses, cytochrome P450 detoxifying UA into non-toxic or transforming UA into reactive metabolites, and unknown mechanism of the formation of vacuolization and membrane pore. This article focused on the previous and latest comprehensive putative mechanistic findings of UA-induced hepatotoxicity and cell death. New insights on controversial issues and future perspectives are also discussed and summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukfan P Kwong
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Changhong Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai R&D Center for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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7
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Basiouni S, Fayed MAA, Tarabees R, El-Sayed M, Elkhatam A, Töllner KR, Hessel M, Geisberger T, Huber C, Eisenreich W, Shehata AA. Characterization of Sunflower Oil Extracts from the Lichen Usnea barbata. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10090353. [PMID: 32878015 PMCID: PMC7570345 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10090353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing global emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens is categorized as one of the most important health problems. Therefore, the discovery of novel antimicrobials is of the utmost importance. Lichens provide a rich source of natural products including unique polyketides and polyphenols. Many of them display pharmaceutical benefits. The aim of this study was directed towards the characterization of sunflower oil extracts from the fruticose lichen, Usnea barbata. The concentration of the major polyketide, usnic acid, was 1.6 mg/mL extract as determined by NMR analysis of the crude mixture corresponding to 80 mg per g of the dried lichen. The total phenolics and flavonoids were determined by photometric assays as 4.4 mg/mL (gallic acid equivalent) and 0.27 mg/mL (rutin equivalent) corresponding to 220 mg/g and 13.7 mg/g lichen, respectively. Gram-positive (e.g., Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as clinical isolates of infected chickens were sensitive against these extracts as determined by agar diffusion tests. Most of these activities increased in the presence of zinc salts. The data suggest the potential usage of U. barbata extracts as natural additives and mild antibiotics in animal husbandry, especially against enterococcosis in poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shereen Basiouni
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh 13736, Egypt;
| | - Marwa A. A. Fayed
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Sadat 32897, Egypt;
| | - Reda Tarabees
- Institute for Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat 32897, Egypt; (R.T.); (M.E.-S.)
| | - Mohamed El-Sayed
- Institute for Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat 32897, Egypt; (R.T.); (M.E.-S.)
| | - Ahmed Elkhatam
- Department for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat 32897, Egypt;
| | - Klaus-Rainer Töllner
- Research and Development Section, PerNaturam GmbH, An der Trift 8, 56290 Gödenroth, Germany; (K.-R.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Manfred Hessel
- Research and Development Section, PerNaturam GmbH, An der Trift 8, 56290 Gödenroth, Germany; (K.-R.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Thomas Geisberger
- Chair of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany; (T.G.); (C.H.)
| | - Claudia Huber
- Chair of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany; (T.G.); (C.H.)
| | - Wolfgang Eisenreich
- Chair of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany; (T.G.); (C.H.)
- Correspondence: (W.E.); (A.A.S.); Tel.: +49-089-289-13336 (W.E.); +49-06762-96362-137 (A.A.S.)
| | - Awad A. Shehata
- Research and Development Section, PerNaturam GmbH, An der Trift 8, 56290 Gödenroth, Germany; (K.-R.T.); (M.H.)
- Avian and Rabbit Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat 32897, Egypt
- Correspondence: (W.E.); (A.A.S.); Tel.: +49-089-289-13336 (W.E.); +49-06762-96362-137 (A.A.S.)
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8
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Kuhn V, Geisberger T, Huber C, Beck A, Eisenreich W. A facile in vivo procedure to analyze metabolic pathways in intact lichens. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2019; 224:1657-1667. [PMID: 31135955 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Lichen secondary metabolites show important biological activities as well as pharmaceutical and chemotaxonomic potential. In order to utilize such substances of interest, detailed knowledge of their biosynthetic pathways is essential. 13 CO2 -pulse/chase experiments using intact thalli of the lichen Usnea dasopoga resulted in multiple 13 C-labeled isotopologs in amino acids, but not in the dibenzofuran derivative usnic acid - one of the best-studied lichen metabolites, with considerable and renewed interest for pharmaceutical and lifestyle applications. Spraying an aqueous solution of [U-13 C6 ]glucose onto the thalli of U. dasopoga afforded a specific mixture of multiple 13 C-labeled isotopologs in usnic acid. One- and two-dimensional NMR analysis of the crude lichen extract corroborated the polyketide biosynthetic pathway via methylphloroacetophenone but not via phloroacetophenone. With usnic acid as an exemplar, we provide proof-of-principle experiments that can be used in general to study metabolic pathways and fluxes in intact lichens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Kuhn
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, D-85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Thomas Geisberger
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, D-85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Claudia Huber
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, D-85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Andreas Beck
- Department of Lichenology and Bryology, Botanische Staatssammlung München, SNSB-BSM, Menzinger Str. 67, Munich, D-80638, Germany
- GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, D-80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Eisenreich
- Lehrstuhl für Biochemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, D-85747, Garching, Germany
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Vlahakis C, Hazebroek J, Beecher C, de Jong F. Isotopic ratio outlier analysis improves metabolomics prediction of nitrogen treatment in maize. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2019; 164:130-135. [PMID: 31128492 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated Isotope Ratio Outlier Analysis (IROA) as a metabolome-wide internal standard approach to improve the quality of LC/MS data collected from a large-scale greenhouse experiment designed to metric the ability of metabolomics to model quantitatively nitrogen treatments. We further looked at how IROA would be incorporated into a metabolomics workflow. For this we compared IROA processed data with that generated without the benefit of metabolome-wide internal standards using our current tool, Genedata Expressionist, from the same raw LC/MS data files. In our experiment, 367 maize plants were grown from kernel in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. Plants were treated from germination on with varying concentrations of nutrient nitrogen as one (treatment) variable. A second variable was the presence of one of two transgenes. Metabolomics analysis of leaves was performed by LC/MS positive and negative electrospray ionization modes, and raw data were processed with both our routine and IROA protocols. IROA data analysis detected 184 metabolites in each ionization mode. Analysis without IROA yielded 281 metabolites in positive ionization mode and 172 in negative ionization mode. Data from both protocols were normalized for sample dry weight, location in the greenhouse, extraction batch, sample run order, and internal standard. Normalized results were subjected to partial least squares (PLS) analysis to model the relationship between the metabolome and nitrogen treatment. Without IROA, regression coefficients of 0.819 and 0.849 for positive and negative modes, respectively were achieved. The IROA protocol improved on the values, yielding regression coefficients of 0.876 and 0.879 for positive and negative modes, respectively. In addition, IROA corrected for detector saturation for several high abundant peaks. Our experiment demonstrates that incorporating IROA into an LC/MS metabolomics experiment improves data quality and facilitates more precise modeling of a biological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Vlahakis
- DuPont Pioneer, 8325 NW 62nd, Avenue, Johnston, IA, 50131-1004, USA.
| | - Jan Hazebroek
- DuPont Pioneer, 8325 NW 62nd, Avenue, Johnston, IA, 50131-1004, USA
| | - Chris Beecher
- IROA Technologies, 184 Century Mill Road, Bolton, MA, 01740, USA
| | - Felice de Jong
- IROA Technologies, 184 Century Mill Road, Bolton, MA, 01740, USA
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10
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Piska K, Galanty A, Koczurkiewicz P, Żmudzki P, Potaczek J, Podolak I, Pękala E. Usnic acid reactive metabolites formation in human, rat, and mice microsomes. Implication for hepatotoxicity. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 120:112-118. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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11
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Wu W, Hou B, Tang C, Liu F, Yang J, Pan T, Si K, Lu D, Wang X, Wang J, Xiong X, Liu J, Xie C. (+)-Usnic Acid Inhibits Migration of c-KIT Positive Cells in Human Colorectal Cancer. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2018; 2018:5149436. [PMID: 30298093 PMCID: PMC6157178 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5149436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Revised: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of tumor cell migration is a treatment strategy for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). SCF-dependent activation of c-KIT is responsible for migration of c-KIT positive [c-KIT(+)] cells of CRC. Drug resistance to Imatinib Mesylate (c-KIT inhibitor) has emerged. Inhibition of mTOR can induce autophagic degradation of c-KIT. (+)-usnic acid [(+)-UA], isolated from lichens, has two major functions including induction of proton shuttle and targeting inhibition of mTOR. To reduce hepatotoxicity, the treatment concentration of (+)-UA should be lower than 10 μM. HCT116 cells and LS174 cells were employed to investigate the inhibiting effect of (+)-UA (<10 μM) on SCF-mediated migration of c-KIT(+) CRC cells. HCT116 cells were employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms. The results indicated that firstly, 8 μM (+)-UA decreased ATP content via uncoupling; secondly, 8 μM (+)-UA induced mTOR inhibition, thereby mediated activation suppression of PKC-A, and induced the autophagy of the completed autophagic flux that resulted in the autophagic degradation and transcriptional inhibition of c-KIT and the increase in LDH release; ultimately, 8 μM (+)-UA inhibited SCF-mediated migration of CRC c-KIT(+) cells. Taken together, 8 μM could be determined as the effective concentration for (+)-UA to inhibit SCF-mediated migration of CRC c-KIT(+) cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
- Chengdu Easton Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., Chengdu 611731, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Remeadjohn Technology Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610044, China
| | - Bing Hou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Changli Tang
- Chengdu Easton Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., Chengdu 611731, China
- Pharmacy Department, Xichang People's Hospital, Xichang 615000, China
| | - Fucheng Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tao Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ke Si
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Deyun Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xing Xiong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ji Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine/Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
- Chengdu Easton Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., Chengdu 611731, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chunguang Xie
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
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Luzina OA, Salakhutdinov NF. Biological activity of usnic acid and its derivatives: Part 2. effects on higher organisms. Molecular and physicochemical aspects. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162016030109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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13
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Xu M, Heidmarsson S, Olafsdottir ES, Buonfiglio R, Kogej T, Omarsdottir S. Secondary metabolites from cetrarioid lichens: Chemotaxonomy, biological activities and pharmaceutical potential. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2016; 23:441-459. [PMID: 27064003 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2016.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lichens, as a symbiotic association of photobionts and mycobionts, display an unmatched environmental adaptability and a great chemical diversity. As an important morphological group, cetrarioid lichens are one of the most studied lichen taxa for their phylogeny, secondary chemistry, bioactivities and uses in folk medicines, especially the lichen Cetraria islandica. However, insufficient structure elucidation and discrepancy in bioactivity results could be found in a few studies. PURPOSE This review aimed to present a more detailed and updated overview of the knowledge of secondary metabolites from cetrarioid lichens in a critical manner, highlighting their potentials for pharmaceuticals as well as other applications. Here we also highlight the uses of molecular phylogenetics, metabolomics and ChemGPS-NP model for future bioprospecting, taxonomy and drug screening to accelerate applications of those lichen substances. CHAPTERS The paper starts with a short introduction in to the studies of lichen secondary metabolites, the biological classification of cetrarioid lichens and the aim. In light of ethnic uses of cetrarioid lichens for therapeutic purposes, molecular phylogeny is proposed as a tool for future bioprospecting of cetrarioid lichens, followed by a brief discussion of the taxonomic value of lichen substances. Then a delicate description of the bioactivities, patents, updated chemical structures and lichen sources is presented, where lichen substances are grouped by their chemical structures and discussed about their bioactivity in comparison with reference compounds. To accelerate the discovery of bioactivities and potential drug targets of lichen substances, the application of the ChemGPS NP model is highlighted. Finally the safety concerns of lichen substances (i.e. toxicity and immunogenicity) and future-prospects in the field are exhibited. CONCLUSION While the ethnic uses of cetrarioid lichens and the pharmaceutical potential of their secondary metabolites have been recognized, the knowledge of a large number of lichen substances with interesting structures is still limited to various in vitro assays with insufficient biological annotations, and this area still deserves more research in bioactivity, drug targets and screening. Attention should be paid on the accurate interpretation of their bioactivity for further applications avoiding over-interpretations from various in vitro bioassays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maonian Xu
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, Hagi, Hofsvallagata 53, IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Starri Heidmarsson
- Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Akureyri Division, IS-600 Akureyri, Iceland
| | - Elin Soffia Olafsdottir
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, Hagi, Hofsvallagata 53, IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Rosa Buonfiglio
- Chemistry Innovation Centre, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | - Thierry Kogej
- Chemistry Innovation Centre, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca R&D Mölndal, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal SE-43183, Sweden
| | - Sesselja Omarsdottir
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, Hagi, Hofsvallagata 53, IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland.
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14
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Chen S, Zhang Z, Wu Y, Shi Q, Yan H, Mei N, Tolleson WH, Guo L. Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Store-Operated Calcium Entry Contribute to Usnic Acid-Induced Toxicity in Hepatic Cells. Toxicol Sci 2015; 146:116-26. [PMID: 25870318 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfv075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of usnic acid as a weight loss agent is a safety concern due to reports of acute liver failure in humans. Previously we demonstrated that usnic acid induces apoptosis and cytotoxicity in hepatic HepG2 cells. We also demonstrated that usnic acid induces autophagy as a survival mechanism against its cytotoxicity. In this study, we investigated and characterized further molecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity of usnic acid in HepG2 cells. We found that usnic acid causes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress demonstrated by the increased expression of typical ER stress markers, including CHOP, ATF-4, p-eIF2α, and spliced XBP1. Usnic acid inhibited the secretion of Gaussia luciferase measured by an ER stress reporter assay. An ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyrate attenuated usnic acid-induced apoptosis. Moreover, usnic acid significantly increased the cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration. Usnic acid increased the expression of calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1 (CRAM1 or ORAI1) and stromal interaction molecule 1, two key components of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), which is the major Ca(2+) influx pathway in non-excitable cells, this finding was also confirmed in primary rat hepatocytes. Furthermore, knockdown of ORAI1 prevented ER stress and ATP depletion in response to usnic acid. In contrast, overexpression of ORAI1 increased ER stress and ATP depletion caused by usnic acid. Taken together, our results suggest that usnic acid disturbs calcium homeostasis, induces ER stress, and that usnic acid-induced cellular damage occurs at least partially via activation of the Ca(2+) channel of SOCE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Chen
- *Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China and Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079
| | - Zhuhong Zhang
- *Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China and Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079 *Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China and Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079
| | - Yuanfeng Wu
- *Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China and Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079
| | - Qiang Shi
- *Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China and Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079
| | - Hua Yan
- *Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China and Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079
| | - Nan Mei
- *Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China and Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079
| | - William H Tolleson
- *Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China and Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079
| | - Lei Guo
- *Division of Biochemical Toxicology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China and Division of Systems Biology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, AR 72079
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15
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Araújo AAS, de Melo MGD, Rabelo TK, Nunes PS, Santos SL, Serafini MR, Santos MRV, Quintans-Júnior LJ, Gelain DP. Review of the biological properties and toxicity of usnic acid. Nat Prod Res 2015; 29:2167-80. [DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2015.1007455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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16
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Weng Z, Luo Y, Yang X, Greenhaw JJ, Li H, Xie L, Mattes WB, Shi Q. Regorafenib impairs mitochondrial functions, activates AMP-activated protein kinase, induces autophagy, and causes rat hepatocyte necrosis. Toxicology 2015; 327:10-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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17
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Laderoute KR, Calaoagan JM, Chao WR, Dinh D, Denko N, Duellman S, Kalra J, Liu X, Papandreou I, Sambucetti L, Boros LG. 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) supports the growth of aggressive experimental human breast cancer tumors. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:22850-22864. [PMID: 24993821 PMCID: PMC4132788 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.576371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rapid tumor growth can establish metabolically stressed microenvironments that activate 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a ubiquitous regulator of ATP homeostasis. Previously, we investigated the importance of AMPK for the growth of experimental tumors prepared from HRAS-transformed mouse embryo fibroblasts and for primary brain tumor development in a rat model of neurocarcinogenesis. Here, we used triple-negative human breast cancer cells in which AMPK activity had been knocked down to investigate the contribution of AMPK to experimental tumor growth and core glucose metabolism. We found that AMPK supports the growth of fast-growing orthotopic tumors prepared from MDA-MB-231 and DU4475 breast cancer cells but had no effect on the proliferation or survival of these cells in culture. We used in vitro and in vivo metabolic profiling with [(13)C]glucose tracers to investigate the contribution of AMPK to core glucose metabolism in MDA-MB-231 cells, which have a Warburg metabolic phenotype; these experiments indicated that AMPK supports tumor glucose metabolism in part through positive regulation of glycolysis and the nonoxidative pentose phosphate cycle. We also found that AMPK activity in the MDA-MB-231 tumors could systemically perturb glucose homeostasis in sensitive normal tissues (liver and pancreas). Overall, our findings suggest that the contribution of AMPK to the growth of aggressive experimental tumors has a critical microenvironmental component that involves specific regulation of core glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Laderoute
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, California 94025,.
| | - Joy M Calaoagan
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, California 94025
| | - Wan-Ru Chao
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, California 94025
| | - Dominc Dinh
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, California 94025
| | - Nicholas Denko
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Sarah Duellman
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, California 94025
| | - Jessica Kalra
- Department of Biology, Langara College, Vancouver, British Columbia V5W 2Z6, Canada
| | - Xiaohe Liu
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, California 94025
| | - Ioanna Papandreou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210
| | - Lidia Sambucetti
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Menlo Park, California 94025
| | - Laszlo G Boros
- Department of Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90509,; Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California 90502, and; SIDMAP, LLC, Los Angeles, California 90064
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18
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Chen S, Dobrovolsky VN, Liu F, Wu Y, Zhang Z, Mei N, Guo L. The role of autophagy in usnic acid-induced toxicity in hepatic cells. Toxicol Sci 2014; 142:33-44. [PMID: 25078063 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfu154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of usnic acid and usnic acid-containing products is associated with acute liver failure; however, mechanistic studies of hepatotoxicity caused by usnic acid are limited. In this study, we investigated and characterized the possible mechanisms, especially the role of autophagy in usnic acid's toxicity in human HepG2 cells. Usnic acid caused apoptosis as demonstrated by an increased caspase-3/7 activity and an increased subdiploid nucleus formation. Usnic acid-induced autophagy as demonstrated by the conversion of LC3B-I to LC3B-II, degradation of P62, and an increased number of puncta. Inhibition of autophagy by treating cells with autophagy inhibitors (3-methyladenine or chloroquine) or by small interfering RNA against Atg7 aggravated usnic acid-induced apoptosis and decreased cell viability, indicating that autophagy plays a protective role against usnic acid-induced toxicity. Moreover, usnic acid activated the MAPK signaling pathway. Usnic acid-elicited apoptosis was enhanced and autophagy was decreased when JNK was suppressed by a specific inhibitor. Additionally, inhibition of autophagy decreased the activity of JNK. Taken together, our results suggest that usnic acid perturbs various interrelated signaling pathways and that autophagy induction is a defensive mechanism against usnic acid-induced cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Chen
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology
| | | | - Fang Liu
- Division of Neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/U.S. FDA, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079
| | | | | | - Nan Mei
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology
| | - Lei Guo
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology
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Abstract
Liver injury resulting from exposure to drugs and chemicals is a major health problem. Autophagy is an important factor in a wide range of diseases, such as cancer, liver disease, muscular disorder, neurodegeneration, pathogen infection, and aging, and emerging evidence indicates that autophagy makes a substantial contribution to the pathogenesis of drug- and chemical-induced liver toxicity. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on autophagy triggered by toxicants/toxins, the protective role of autophagy in liver toxicity, and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We also highlight experimental approaches for studying autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Chen
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - William B Melchior
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Yuanfeng Wu
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Lei Guo
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research/US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Jefferson, AR, USA
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20
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Abstract
Activated T cells require increased energy to proliferate and mediate effector functions, but the metabolic changes that occur in T cells following stimulation in vivo are poorly understood, particularly in the context of inflammation. We have previously shown that T cells activated during graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) primarily rely on oxidative phosphorylation to synthesize adenosine 5'-triphosphate. Here, we demonstrate that alloreactive effector T cells (Teff) use fatty acids (FAs) as a fuel source to support their in vivo activation. Alloreactive T cells increased FA transport, elevated levels of FA oxidation enzymes, up-regulated transcriptional coactivators to drive oxidative metabolism, and increased their rates of FA oxidation. Importantly, increases in FA transport and up-regulation of FA oxidation machinery occurred specifically in T cells during GVHD and were not seen in Teff following acute activation. Pharmacological blockade of FA oxidation decreased the survival of alloreactive T cells but did not influence the survival of T cells during normal immune reconstitution. These studies suggest that pathways controlling FA metabolism might serve as therapeutic targets to treat GVHD and other T-cell-mediated immune diseases.
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Moreira CT, Oliveira AL, Comar JF, Peralta RM, Bracht A. Harmful effects of usnic acid on hepatic metabolism. Chem Biol Interact 2013; 203:502-11. [PMID: 23422721 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Revised: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Usnic acid is a naturally occurring dibenzofuran derivative found in several lichen species. The compound has been marketed as an ingredient of food supplements for weight reduction. There is evidence that the compound acts as an uncoupler of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and it is also clear that consumption of the drug can lead to severe hepatotoxicity depending on the doses. Based on these and other ideas the objective of the present work was to investigate the possible effects of usnic acid on liver metabolism. Livers of male Wistar rats were perfused in a non-recirculating system. Usnic acid stimulated oxygen consumption at low concentrations, diminished the cellular ATP levels, increased the cytosolic but diminished the mitochondrial NADH/NAD(+) ratio, strongly inhibited gluconeogenesis from three different substrates (IC(50) between 1.33 and 3.61 μM), stimulated glycolysis, fructolysis, glycogenolysis and ammoniagenesis and inhibited ureogenesis. The (14)CO(2) production from [1-(14)C]octanoate and [1-(14)C]oleate was increased by usnic acid, but ketogenesis from octanoate was diminished and that from oleate was not affected. It may be concluded that the effects of usnic acid up to 2.5 μM reflect predominantly its activity as an uncoupler. At higher concentrations, however, several other effects may become significant, including inhibition of mitochondrial electron flow and inhibition of medium-chain fatty acid oxidation. In metabolic terms, toxicity of usnic acid can be predicted to be especially dangerous in the fasted state due to the combination of several deleterius events such as diminished hepatic glucose and ketone bodies output to the brain and increased ammonia production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline T Moreira
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Maringá, 87020900 Maringá, Brazil
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Addressing the current bottlenecks of metabolomics: Isotopic Ratio Outlier Analysis™, an isotopic-labeling technique for accurate biochemical profiling. Bioanalysis 2013; 4:2303-14. [PMID: 23046270 DOI: 10.4155/bio.12.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics or biochemical profiling is a fast emerging science; however, there are still many associated bottlenecks to overcome before measurements will be considered robust. Advances in MS resolution and sensitivity, ultra pressure LC-MS, ESI, and isotopic approaches such as flux analysis and stable-isotope dilution, have made it easier to quantitate biochemicals. The digitization of mass spectrometers has simplified informatic aspects. However, issues of analytical variability, ion suppression and metabolite identification still plague metabolomics investigators. These hurdles need to be overcome for accurate metabolite quantitation not only for in vitro systems, but for complex matrices such as biofluids and tissues, before it is possible to routinely identify biomarkers that are associated with the early prediction and diagnosis of diseases. In this report, we describe a novel isotopic-labeling method that uses the creation of distinct biochemical signatures to eliminate current bottlenecks and enable accurate metabolic profiling.
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Liu Q, Zhao X, Lu X, Fan X, Wang Y. Proteomic study on usnic-acid-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2012; 60:7312-7317. [PMID: 22758371 DOI: 10.1021/jf2046834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Usnic acid, a lichen metabolite, is used as a dietary supplement for weight loss. However, clinical studies have shown that usnic acid causes hepatotoxicity. The present study aims to investigate the mechanism of usnic acid hepatotoxicity in vivo. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to analyze the expression profiles of differentially regulated and expressed proteins in rat liver after usnic acid administration. The results reveal the differential expression of 10 proteins in usnic-acid-treated rats compared to the normal controls. These proteins are associated with oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and several other molecular pathways. The endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria may be the primary targets of usnic-acid-induced hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
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Sahu SC, O'Donnell MW, Sprando RL. Interactive toxicity of usnic acid and lipopolysaccharides in human liver HepG2 cells. J Appl Toxicol 2012; 32:739-49. [PMID: 22777745 DOI: 10.1002/jat.2768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Usnic acid (UA), a natural botanical product, is a constituent of some dietary supplements used for weight loss. It has been associated with clinical hepatotoxicity leading to liver failure in humans. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the interactive toxicity, if any, of UA with lipopolysaccarides (LPS), a potential contaminant of food, at low non-toxic concentrations. The human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells were treated with the vehicle control and test agents, separately and in a binary mixture, for 24 h at 37°C in 5% CO2. After the treatment period, the cells were evaluated by the traditional biochemical endpoints of toxicity in combination with the toxicogenomic endpoints that included cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial injury and changes in pathway-focused gene expression profiles. Compared with the controls, low non-toxic concentrations of UA and LPS separately showed no effect on the cells as determined by the biochemical endpoints. However, the simultaneous mixed exposure of the cells to their binary mixture resulted in increased cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury. The pathway-focused gene expression analysis resulted in the altered expression of several genes out of 84 genes examined. Most altered gene expressions induced by the binary mixture of UA and LPS were different from those induced by the individual constituents. The genes affected by the mixture were not modulated by either UA or LPS. The results of the present study suggest that the interactions of low nontoxic concentrations of UA and LPS produce toxicity in HepG2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saura C Sahu
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U. S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA.
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