Increased cardiac PFK-2 protects against high-fat diet-induced cardiomyopathy and mediates beneficial systemic metabolic effects

Mechanistic studies of PFKFB2 reveal a novel inhibitor of its kinase activity

The 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase (PFKFB) family of proteins are bifunctional enzymes that are of clinical relevance because of their roles in regulating glycolysis in insulin sensitive tissues and cancer. Here, we sought to express recombinant PFKFB2 and develop a robust protocol to measure its kinase activity. These studies resulted in the unexpected finding that bacterially expressed PFKFB2 is phosphorylated in situ on Ser483 but is not a result of autophosphorylation. Recombinant PFKFB2 was used to develop an enzymatic assay to test a library of molecules selected by the Atomwise AtomNet® AI platform. This resulted in the identification of a new inhibitor, B2, that inhibits PFKFB2 (IC50 3.29 μM) and PFKFB3 (IC50 11.89 μM). A-498 cells, which express both PFKFB2 and PFKFB3, were treated with B2. Seahorse XFe analysis revealed B2 inhibited cellular glycolysis and glycolytic capacity. Targeted LC/MS analysis showed B2 decreased fructose-1,6-bisphosphate and downstream glycolytic intermediates but increased fructose-6-phosphate levels, which is consistent with an inhibitory effect on PFK-1 activity. The LC/MS metabolic profile of A-498 cells treated under identical conditions with the known PFKFB3 inhibitor, PFK158, was distinct from that induced by B2. These results thus demonstrate the identification and validation of a new PFKFB kinase inhibitor.

The effect of enhanced glycolysis on cardiac aging

Cardiac aging is associated with metabolic changes, including an increased reliance on glycolysis, and an increased susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. This study explores the relationship between enhanced cardiac glycolysis and aging using the GlycoHi mouse model, characterized by constitutively elevated glycolysis. We compared cardiac function, metabolism, mitochondrial performance, and hallmarks of aging between aged (21 and 24 months) GlycoHi and wild-type (WT) mice across sexes. Our findings reveal modest reductions in cardiac function in aged GlycoHi mice compared to WT mice, with sex-specific differences in heart size and collagen concentration. Female GlycoHi hearts exhibited hypertrophy without fibrosis, while males showed elevated collagen levels. Whole-body metabolic assessments revealed similar energy expenditure and respiratory patterns across genotypes, with females displaying less circadian-associated variation in metabolism. Mitochondrial analyses showed that aged GlycoHi hearts maintained metabolic adaptations favoring glycolysis but did not exhibit significant bioenergetic dysfunction or oxidative stress. Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, initially elevated in younger GlycoHi hearts, normalized to WT levels with age. Proteomic and metabolomic analyses highlighted distinct profiles between genotypes, with GlycoHi hearts exhibiting increased glycolytic enzyme levels and reduced abundance of fatty acid oxidation proteins. Despite these differences, indicators of oxidative stress, proteostasis, and cellular senescence were comparable between genotypes, suggesting no acceleration of aging-related dysfunction. This study demonstrates that increased cardiac glycolysis alone does not suffice to drive accelerated cardiac aging. Instead, metabolic and functional changes in aged GlycoHi hearts reflect adaptations rather than pathological declines, providing insights into potential metabolic targets for interventions against cardiac aging.

Energy Metabolism Dysregulation in Myocardial Infarction: An Integrative Analysis of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Myocardial metabolism is closely related to functional changes after myocardial infarction (MI).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to present an integrative examination of human ischemic cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

We used both GSE121893 single-cell suspension sequencing and GSE19303 transcription microarray data sets from the GEO database, along with a murine MI model for full-spectrum metabolite detection. Through a systematic investigation that involved differential metabolite identification and functional enrichment analysis, we shed light on the pivotal role of energy metabolism dysregulation in the progression of MI.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed an association between the core regulatory genes CDKN1A, FOS, ITGB4, and MAP2K1 and the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. These genes are identified as critical elements in the complex landscape of myocardial ischemic disorder, highlighting novel insights into therapeutic targets and the intricate biological mechanisms involved.

CONCLUSION

This analysis provides a framework for future research on the metabolic alterations associated with MI.

Mechanistic studies of PFKFB2 reveals a novel inhibitor of its kinase activity

The 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase (PFKFB) family of proteins are bifunctional enzymes that are of clinical relevance because of their roles in regulating glycolysis in insulin sensitive tissues and cancer. Here, we sought to express recombinant PFKFB2 and develop a robust protocol to measure its kinase activity. These studies resulted in the unexpected finding that bacterially expressed PFKFB2 is phosphorylated in situ on Ser483 but is not a result of autophosphorylation. Recombinant PFKFB2 was used to develop an enzymatic assay to test a library of molecules selected by the Atomwise AtomNet® AI platform. This resulted in the identification of a new inhibitor, B2, that inhibits PFKFB2 (IC50 3.29 μM) and PFKFB3 (IC50 11.89 μM). A-498 cells, which express both PFKFB2 and PFKFB3, were treated with B2. Seahorse XFe analysis revealed B2 inhibited cellular glycolysis and glycolytic capacity. Targeted LC/MS analysis showed B2 decreased fructose-1,6-bisphosphate and downstream glycolytic intermediates but increased fructose-6-phosphate levels, which is consistent with an inhibitory effect on PFK-1 activity. The LC/MS metabolic profile of A-498 cells treated under identical conditions with the known PFKFB3 inhibitor, PFK158, was distinct from that induced by B2. These results thus demonstrate the identification and validation of a new PFKFB kinase inhibitor.

Canagliflozin treatment prevents follicular exhaustion and attenuates hallmarks of ovarian aging in genetically heterogenous mice

Ovarian aging is characterized by declines in follicular reserve and the emergence of mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species production, inflammation, and fibrosis, which eventually results in menopause. Menopause is associated with increased systemic aging and the development of numerous comorbidities; therefore, the attenuation of ovarian aging could also delay systemic aging processes in women. Recent work has established that the anti-diabetic drug Canagliflozin (Cana), a sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitor, elicits benefits on aging-related outcomes, likely through the modulation of nutrient-sensing pathways and metabolic homeostasis. Given that nutrient-sensing pathways play a critical role in controlling primordial follicle activation, we sought to determine if chronic Cana administration would delay ovarian aging and curtail the emergence of pathological hallmarks associated with reproductive senescence. We found that mice receiving Cana maintained their ovarian reserve through 12 months of age, which was associated with declines in primordial follicles FoxO3a phosphorylation, a marker of activation, when compared to the age-matched controls. Furthermore, Cana treatment led to decreased collagen, lipofuscin, and T cell accumulation at 12 months of age. Whole ovary transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed subtle improvements, predominantly in mitochondrial function and the regulation of cellular proliferation. Pathway analyses of the transcriptomic data revealed a downregulation in cell proliferation and mitochondrial dysfunction signatures, with an upregulation of oxidative phosphorylation. Pathway analyses of the proteomic data revealed declines in signatures associated with PI3K/AKT activity and lymphocyte accumulation. Collectively, we demonstrate that Cana treatment can delay ovarian aging in mice and could potentially have efficacy for delaying ovarian aging in women.

Loss of Cardiac PFKFB2 Drives Metabolic, Functional, and Electrophysiological Remodeling in the Heart

BACKGROUND

Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK-2) is a critical glycolytic regulator responsible for upregulation of glycolysis in response to insulin and adrenergic signaling. PFKFB2, the cardiac isoform of PFK-2, is degraded in the heart in the absence of insulin signaling, contributing to diabetes-induced cardiac metabolic inflexibility. However, previous studies have not examined how the loss of PFKFB2 affects global cardiac metabolism and function.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To address this, we have generated a mouse model with a cardiomyocyte-specific knockout of PFKFB2 (cKO). Using 9-month-old cKO and control mice, we characterized the impacts of PFKFB2 on cardiac metabolism, function, and electrophysiology. cKO mice have a shortened life span of 9 months. Metabolically, cKO mice are characterized by increased glycolytic enzyme abundance and pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, as well as decreased mitochondrial abundance and beta oxidation, suggesting a shift toward glucose metabolism. This was supported by a decrease in the ratio of palmitoyl carnitine to pyruvate-dependent mitochondrial respiration in cKO relative to control animals. Metabolomic, proteomic, and Western blot data support the activation of ancillary glucose metabolism, including pentose phosphate and hexosamine biosynthesis pathways. Physiologically, cKO animals exhibited impaired systolic function and left ventricular dilation, represented by reduced fractional shortening and increased left ventricular internal diameter, respectively. This was accompanied by electrophysiological alterations including increased QT interval and other metrics of delayed ventricular conduction.

CONCLUSIONS

Loss of PFKFB2 results in metabolic remodeling marked by cardiac ancillary pathway activation. This could delineate an underpinning of pathologic changes to mechanical and electrical function in the heart.

Loss of cardiac PFKFB2 drives Metabolic, Functional, and Electrophysiological Remodeling in the Heart

Background

Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK-2) is a critical glycolytic regulator responsible for upregulation of glycolysis in response to insulin and adrenergic signaling. PFKFB2, the cardiac isoform of PFK-2, is degraded in the heart in the absence of insulin signaling, contributing to diabetes-induced cardiac metabolic inflexibility. However, previous studies have not examined how the loss of PFKFB2 affects global cardiac metabolism and function.

Methods

To address this, we have generated a mouse model with a cardiomyocyte-specific knockout of PFKFB2 (cKO). Using 9-month-old cKO and control (CON) mice, we characterized impacts of PFKFB2 on cardiac metabolism, function, and electrophysiology.

Results

cKO mice have a shortened lifespan of 9 months. Metabolically, cKO mice are characterized by increased glycolytic enzyme abundance and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity, as well as decreased mitochondrial abundance and beta oxidation, suggesting a shift toward glucose metabolism. This was supported by a decrease in the ratio of palmitoyl carnitine to pyruvate-dependent mitochondrial respiration in cKO relative to CON animals. Metabolomic, proteomic, and western blot data support the activation of ancillary glucose metabolism, including pentose phosphate and hexosamine biosynthesis pathways. Physiologically, cKO animals exhibited impaired systolic function and left ventricular (LV) dilation, represented by reduced fractional shortening and increased LV internal diameter, respectively. This was accompanied by electrophysiological alterations including increased QT interval and other metrics of delayed ventricular conduction.

Conclusions

Loss of PFKFB2 results in metabolic remodeling marked by cardiac ancillary pathway activation. This could delineate an underpinning of pathologic changes to mechanical and electrical function in the heart.

Clinical Perspective

What is New?: We have generated a novel cardiomyocyte-specific knockout model of PFKFB2, the cardiac isoform of the primary glycolytic regulator Phosphofructokinase-2 (cKO).The cKO model demonstrates that loss of cardiac PFKFB2 drives metabolic reprogramming and shunting of glucose metabolites to ancillary metabolic pathways.The loss of cardiac PFKFB2 promotes electrophysiological and functional remodeling in the cKO heart.What are the Clinical Implications?: PFKFB2 is degraded in the absence of insulin signaling, making its loss particularly relevant to diabetes and the pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy.Changes which we observe in the cKO model are consistent with those often observed in diabetes and heart failure of other etiologies.Defining PFKFB2 loss as a driver of cardiac pathogenesis identifies it as a target for future investigation and potential therapeutic intervention.