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Pek JW. The idiosyncrasies of oocytes. Trends Cell Biol 2025; 35:305-315. [PMID: 39142921 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2024.07.006] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Animal oocytes face extreme challenges. They remain dormant in the body for long periods of time. To support offspring development and health, they need to store genetic material and maternal factors stably and at the same time manage cellular damage in a reliable manner. Recent studies have provided new insights on how oocytes cope with such challenges. This review discusses the many unusual or idiosyncratic nature of oocytes and how understanding oocyte biology can help us address issues of reproduction and intergenerational inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wei Pek
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive, 117543, Singapore.
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2
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Eller L, Wang L, Gok MO, Hocaoglu H, Qin S, Gupta P, Sieber MH. GSK3 coordinately regulates mitochondrial activity and nucleotide metabolism in quiescent oocytes. Biol Open 2025; 14:bio061815. [PMID: 40067254 PMCID: PMC11972070 DOI: 10.1242/bio.061815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2025] [Indexed: 03/25/2025] Open
Abstract
As cells transition between periods of growth and quiescence, their metabolic demands change. During this transition, cells must coordinate changes in mitochondrial function with the induction of biosynthetic processes. Mitochondrial metabolism and nucleotide biosynthesis are key rate-limiting factors in regulating early growth. However, it remains unclear what coordinates these mechanisms in developmental systems. Here, we show that during quiescence, as mitochondrial activity drops, nucleotide breakdown increases. However, at fertilization, mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and nucleotide biosynthesis are coordinately activated to support early embryogenesis. We have found that the serine/threonine kinase GSK3 is a key factor in coordinating mitochondrial metabolism with nucleotide biosynthesis during transitions between quiescence and growth. Silencing GSK3 in quiescent oocytes causes increased levels of mitochondrial activity and a shift in the levels of several redox metabolites. Interestingly, silencing GSK3 in quiescent oocytes also leads to a precocious induction of nucleotide biosynthesis in quiescent oocytes. Taken together, these data indicate that GSK3 functions to suppress mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and prevent the premature onset of nucleotide biosynthesis in quiescent eggs. These data reveal a key mechanism that coordinates mitochondrial function and nucleotide synthesis with fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Eller
- UT Southwestern: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- UT Southwestern: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Mehmet Oguz Gok
- UT Southwestern: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Helin Hocaoglu
- UT Southwestern: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Shenlu Qin
- UT Southwestern: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Parul Gupta
- UT Southwestern: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA
| | - Matthew H. Sieber
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Physiology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75390, USA
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3
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Kennedy L, Sandhu JK, Harper ME, Cuperlovic-Culf M. A hybrid machine learning framework for functional annotation of mitochondrial glutathione transport and metabolism proteins in cancers. BMC Bioinformatics 2025; 26:48. [PMID: 39934670 PMCID: PMC11817629 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-025-06051-1] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2025] [Indexed: 02/13/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations of metabolism, including changes in mitochondrial metabolism as well as glutathione (GSH) metabolism are a well appreciated hallmark of many cancers. Mitochondrial GSH (mGSH) transport is a poorly characterized aspect of GSH metabolism, which we investigate in the context of cancer. Existing functional annotation approaches from machine (ML) or deep learning (DL) models based only on protein sequences, were unable to annotate functions in biological contexts. RESULTS We develop a flexible ML framework for functional annotation from diverse feature data. This hybrid ML framework leverages cancer cell line multi-omics data and other biological knowledge data as features, to uncover potential genes involved in mGSH metabolism and membrane transport in cancers. This framework achieves strong performance across functional annotation tasks and several cell line and primary tumor cancer samples. For our application, classification models predict the known mGSH transporter SLC25A39 but not SLC25A40 as being highly probably related to mGSH metabolism in cancers. SLC25A10, SLC25A50, and orphan SLC25A24, SLC25A43 are predicted to be associated with mGSH metabolism in multiple biological contexts and structural analysis of these proteins reveal similarities in potential substrate binding regions to the binding residues of SLC25A39. CONCLUSION These findings have implications for a better understanding of cancer cell metabolism and novel therapeutic targets with respect to GSH metabolism through potential novel functional annotations of genes. The hybrid ML framework proposed here can be applied to other biological function classifications or multi-omics datasets to generate hypotheses in various biological contexts. Code and a tutorial for generating models and predictions in this framework are available at: https://github.com/lkenn012/mGSH_cancerClassifiers .
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Kennedy
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Jagdeep K Sandhu
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Bldg M54, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Mary-Ellen Harper
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Miroslava Cuperlovic-Culf
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada.
- Digital Technologies Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Bldg M50, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada.
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Chen L, Ming H, Li B, Yang C, Liu S, Gao Y, Zhang T, Huang C, Lang T, Yang Z. Tumor-Specific Nano-Herb Delivery System with High L-Arginine Loading for Synergistic Chemo and Gas Therapy against Cervical Cancer. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2403869. [PMID: 39101346 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis poses significant challenges in current clinical therapy. Osthole (OST) has demonstrated efficacy in treating cervical cancer and inhibiting metastasis. Despite these positive results, its limited solubility, poor oral absorption, low bioavailability, and photosensitivity hinder its clinical application. To address this limitation, a glutathione (GSH)-responded nano-herb delivery system (HA/MOS@OST&L-Arg nanoparticles, HMOA NPs) is devised for the targeted delivery of OST with cascade-activatable nitric oxide (NO) release. The HMOA NPs system is engineered utilizing enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects and active targeting mediated by hyaluronic acid (HA) binding to glycoprotein CD44. The cargoes, including OST and L-Arginine (L-Arg), are released rapidly due to the degradation of GSH-responsive mesoporous organic silica (MOS). Then abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced from OST in the presence of high concentrations of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), resulting in the generation of NO and subsequently highly toxic peroxynitrite (ONOO-) by catalyzing guanidine groups of L-Arg. These ROS, NO, and ONOO- molecules have a direct impact on mitochondrial function by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibiting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, thereby promoting increased apoptosis and inhibiting metastasis. Overall, the results indicated that HMOA NPs has great potential as a promising alternative for the clinical treatment of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, P. R. China
| | - Hui Ming
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Bowen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Chen Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, P. R. China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, P. R. China
| | - Yajie Gao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315020, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Canhua Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Tingyuan Lang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo Yang
- Department of Gynaecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, P. R. China
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Alhasan BA, Morozov AV, Guzhova IV, Margulis BA. The ubiquitin-proteasome system in the regulation of tumor dormancy and recurrence. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189119. [PMID: 38761982 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189119] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Tumor recurrence is a mechanism triggered in sparse populations of cancer cells that usually remain in a quiescent state after strict stress and/or therapeutic factors, which is affected by a variety of autocrine and microenvironmental cues. Despite thorough investigations, the biology of dormant and/or cancer stem cells is still not fully elucidated, as for the mechanisms of their reawakening, while only the major molecular patterns driving the relapse process have been identified to date. These molecular patterns profoundly interfere with the elements of cellular proteostasis systems that support the efficiency of the recurrence process. As a major proteostasis machinery, we review the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in tumor cell dormancy and reawakening, devoting particular attention to the functions of its components, E3 ligases, deubiquitinating enzymes and proteasomes in cancer recurrence. We demonstrate how UPS components functionally or mechanistically interact with the pivotal proteins implicated in the recurrence program and reveal that modulators of the UPS hold promise to become an efficient adjuvant therapy for eradicating refractory tumor cells to impede tumor relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar A Alhasan
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Alexey V Morozov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Street 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Irina V Guzhova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Boris A Margulis
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia.
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6
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Ng AQE, Chan SN, Pek JW. Nutrient-dependent regulation of a stable intron modulates germline mitochondrial quality control. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1252. [PMID: 38341415 PMCID: PMC10858910 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45651-y] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are inherited exclusively from the mothers and are required for the proper development of embryos. Hence, germline mitochondrial quality is highly regulated during oogenesis to ensure oocyte viability. How nutrient availability influences germline mitochondrial quality control is unclear. Here we find that fasting leads to the accumulation of mitochondrial clumps and oogenesis arrest in Drosophila. Fasting induces the downregulation of the DIP1-Clueless pathway, leading to an increase in the expression of a stable intronic sequence RNA called sisR-1. Mechanistically, sisR-1 localizes to the mitochondrial clumps to inhibit the poly-ubiquitination of the outer mitochondrial protein Porin/VDAC1, thereby suppressing p62-mediated mitophagy. Alleviation of the fasting-induced high sisR-1 levels by either sisR-1 RNAi or refeeding leads to mitophagy, the resumption of oogenesis and an improvement in oocyte quality. Thus, our study provides a possible mechanism by which fasting can improve oocyte quality by modulating the mitochondrial quality control pathway. Of note, we uncover that the sisR-1 response also regulates mitochondrial clumping and oogenesis during protein deprivation, heat shock and aging, suggesting a broader role for this mechanism in germline mitochondrial quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Qi En Ng
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Seow Neng Chan
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Jun Wei Pek
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore.
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
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7
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Berg C, Sieber M, Sun J. Finishing the egg. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad183. [PMID: 38000906 PMCID: PMC10763546 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad183] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Gamete development is a fundamental process that is highly conserved from early eukaryotes to mammals. As germ cells develop, they must coordinate a dynamic series of cellular processes that support growth, cell specification, patterning, the loading of maternal factors (RNAs, proteins, and nutrients), differentiation of structures to enable fertilization and ensure embryonic survival, and other processes that make a functional oocyte. To achieve these goals, germ cells integrate a complex milieu of environmental and developmental signals to produce fertilizable eggs. Over the past 50 years, Drosophila oogenesis has risen to the forefront as a system to interrogate the sophisticated mechanisms that drive oocyte development. Studies in Drosophila have defined mechanisms in germ cells that control meiosis, protect genome integrity, facilitate mRNA trafficking, and support the maternal loading of nutrients. Work in this system has provided key insights into the mechanisms that establish egg chamber polarity and patterning as well as the mechanisms that drive ovulation and egg activation. Using the power of Drosophila genetics, the field has begun to define the molecular mechanisms that coordinate environmental stresses and nutrient availability with oocyte development. Importantly, the majority of these reproductive mechanisms are highly conserved throughout evolution, and many play critical roles in the development of somatic tissues as well. In this chapter, we summarize the recent progress in several key areas that impact egg chamber development and ovulation. First, we discuss the mechanisms that drive nutrient storage and trafficking during oocyte maturation and vitellogenesis. Second, we examine the processes that regulate follicle cell patterning and how that patterning impacts the construction of the egg shell and the establishment of embryonic polarity. Finally, we examine regulatory factors that control ovulation, egg activation, and successful fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Berg
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-5065 USA
| | - Matthew Sieber
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Jianjun Sun
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 USA
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8
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Sniegowski T, Rajasekaran D, Sennoune SR, Sunitha S, Chen F, Fokar M, Kshirsagar S, Reddy PH, Korac K, Mahmud Syed M, Sharker T, Ganapathy V, Bhutia YD. Amino acid transporter SLC38A5 is a tumor promoter and a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16863. [PMID: 37803043 PMCID: PMC10558479 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43983-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells have a great demand for nutrients in the form of sugars, amino acids, and lipids. Particularly, amino acids are critical for cancer growth and, as intermediates, connect glucose, lipid and nucleotide metabolism. PDAC cells meet these requirements by upregulating selective amino acid transporters. Here we show that SLC38A5 (SN2/SNAT5), a neutral amino acid transporter is highly upregulated and functional in PDAC cells. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of SLC38A5, we show its tumor promoting role in an in vitro cell line model as well as in a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. Using metabolomics and RNA sequencing, we show significant reduction in many amino acid substrates of SLC38A5 as well as OXPHOS inactivation in response to SLC38A5 deletion. Experimental validation demonstrates inhibition of mTORC1, glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration in KO cells, suggesting a serious metabolic crisis associated with SLC38A5 deletion. Since many SLC38A5 substrates are activators of mTORC1 as well as TCA cycle intermediates/precursors, we speculate amino acid insufficiency as a possible link between SLC38A5 deletion and inactivation of mTORC1, glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, and the underlying mechanism for PDAC attenuation. Overall, we show that SLC38A5 promotes PDAC, thereby identifying a novel, hitherto unknown, therapeutic target for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Sniegowski
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Devaraja Rajasekaran
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Souad R Sennoune
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Sukumaran Sunitha
- Center for Biotechnology & Genomics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Fang Chen
- Center for Biotechnology & Genomics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Mohamed Fokar
- Center for Biotechnology & Genomics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Sudhir Kshirsagar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - P Hemachandra Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Ksenija Korac
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Mosharaf Mahmud Syed
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Tanima Sharker
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Vadivel Ganapathy
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA
| | - Yangzom D Bhutia
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA.
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Du Y, Gupta P, Qin S, Sieber M. The role of metabolism in cellular quiescence. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs260787. [PMID: 37589342 PMCID: PMC10445740 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260787] [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] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular quiescence is a dormant, non-dividing cell state characterized by significant shifts in physiology and metabolism. Quiescence plays essential roles in a wide variety of biological processes, ranging from microbial sporulation to human reproduction and wound repair. Moreover, when the regulation of quiescence is disrupted, it can drive cancer growth and compromise tissue regeneration after injury. In this Review, we examine the dynamic changes in metabolism that drive and support dormant and transiently quiescent cells, including spores, oocytes and adult stem cells. We begin by defining quiescent cells and discussing their roles in key biological processes. We then examine metabolic factors that influence cellular quiescence in both healthy and disease contexts, and how these could be leveraged in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yipeng Du
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, MC9040 ND13.214, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Parul Gupta
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, MC9040 ND13.214, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Shenlu Qin
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, MC9040 ND13.214, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Matthew Sieber
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, MC9040 ND13.214, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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Rinaldi L, Senatore E, Iannucci R, Chiuso F, Feliciello A. Control of Mitochondrial Activity by the Ubiquitin Code in Health and Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:234. [PMID: 36672167 PMCID: PMC9856579 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular homeostasis is tightly connected to the broad variety of mitochondrial functions. To stay healthy, cells need a constant supply of nutrients, energy production and antioxidants defenses, undergoing programmed death when a serious, irreversible damage occurs. The key element of a functional integration of all these processes is the correct crosstalk between cell signaling and mitochondrial activities. Once this crosstalk is interrupted, the cell is not able to communicate its needs to mitochondria, resulting in oxidative stress and development of pathological conditions. Conversely, dysfunctional mitochondria may affect cell viability, even in the presence of nutrients supply and energy production, indicating the existence of feed-back control mechanisms between mitochondria and other cellular compartments. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is a multi-step biochemical pathway that, through the conjugation of ubiquitin moieties to specific protein substrates, controls cellular proteostasis and signaling, removing damaged or aged proteins that might otherwise accumulate and affect cell viability. In response to specific needs or changed extracellular microenvironment, the UPS modulates the turnover of mitochondrial proteins, thus influencing the organelle shape, dynamics and function. Alterations of the dynamic and reciprocal regulation between mitochondria and UPS underpin genetic and proliferative disorders. This review focuses on the mitochondrial metabolism and activities supervised by UPS and examines how deregulation of this control mechanism results in proliferative disorders and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Antonio Feliciello
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
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11
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Li Q, Hoppe T. Role of amino acid metabolism in mitochondrial homeostasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1127618. [PMID: 36923249 PMCID: PMC10008872 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1127618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are central hubs for energy production, metabolism and cellular signal transduction in eukaryotic cells. Maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis is important for cellular function and survival. In particular, cellular metabolic state is in constant communication with mitochondrial homeostasis. One of the most important metabolic processes that provide energy in the cell is amino acid metabolism. Almost all of the 20 amino acids that serve as the building blocks of proteins are produced or degraded in the mitochondria. The synthesis of the amino acids aspartate and arginine depends on the activity of the respiratory chain, which is essential for cell proliferation. The degradation of branched-chain amino acids mainly occurs in the mitochondrial matrix, contributing to energy metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as protein quality control in both mitochondria and cytosol. Dietary supplementation or restriction of amino acids in worms, flies and mice modulates lifespan and health, which has been associated with changes in mitochondrial biogenesis, antioxidant response, as well as the activity of tricarboxylic acid cycle and respiratory chain. Consequently, impaired amino acid metabolism has been associated with both primary mitochondrial diseases and diseases with mitochondrial dysfunction such as cancer. Here, we present recent observations on the crosstalk between amino acid metabolism and mitochondrial homeostasis, summarise the underlying molecular mechanisms to date, and discuss their role in cellular functions and organismal physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaochu Li
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thorsten Hoppe
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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12
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Satouh Y, Sato K. Reorganization, specialization, and degradation of oocyte maternal components for early development. Reprod Med Biol 2023; 22:e12505. [PMID: 36726596 PMCID: PMC9884333 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Oocyte components are maternally provided, solely determine oocyte quality, and coordinately determine embryo quality with zygotic gene expression. During oocyte maturation, maternal organelles are drastically reorganized and specialized to support oocyte characteristics. A large number of maternal components are actively degraded after fertilization and gradually replaced by zygotic gene products. The molecular basis and the significance of these processes on oocyte/embryo quality are not fully understood. Methods Firstly, recent findings in organelle characteristics of other cells or oocytes from model organisms are introduced for further understanding of oocyte organelle reorganization/specialization. Secondly, recent progress in studies on maternal components degradation and their molecular mechanisms are introduced. Finally, future applications of these advancements for predicting mammalian oocyte/embryo quality are discussed. Main findings The significance of cellular surface protein degradation via endocytosis for embryonic development, and involvement of biogenesis of lipid droplets in embryonic quality, were recently reported using mammalian model organisms. Conclusion Identifying key oocyte component characteristics and understanding their dynamics may lead to new applications in oocyte/embryo quality prediction and improvement. To implement these multidimensional concepts, development of new technical approaches that allow us to address the complexity and efficient studies using model organisms are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhkoh Satouh
- Laboratory of Molecular Traffic, Institute for Molecular and Cellular RegulationGunma UniversityMaebashiJapan
| | - Ken Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Traffic, Institute for Molecular and Cellular RegulationGunma UniversityMaebashiJapan
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