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Washington J, Ritch R, Liu Y. Homocysteine and Glaucoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10790. [PMID: 37445966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcy), a non-proteinogenic amino acid, may lead to a host of manifestations across the biological systems, particularly the nervous system. Defects in Hcy metabolism have been associated with many neurodegenerative diseases including glaucoma, i.e., the leading cause of blindness. However, the pathophysiology of elevated Hcy and its eligibility as a risk factor for glaucoma remain unclear. We aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the relationship between elevated Hcy levels and glaucoma. Through a systemic search of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, we found that elevated Hcy might play an important role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Further research will be necessary to help clarify the specific contribution of elevated Hcy in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. A discovery and conceptual understanding of Hcy-associated glaucoma could be the keys to providing better therapeutic treatment, if not prophylactic treatment, for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Washington
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Robert Ritch
- New York Eye & Ear Infirmary, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Yutao Liu
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- James & Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, 4 Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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2
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Ebert T, Painer J, Bergman P, Qureshi AR, Giroud S, Stalder G, Kublickiene K, Göritz F, Vetter S, Bieber C, Fröbert O, Arnemo JM, Zedrosser A, Redtenbacher I, Shiels PG, Johnson RJ, Stenvinkel P. Insights in the regulation of trimetylamine N-oxide production using a comparative biomimetic approach suggest a metabolic switch in hibernating bears. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20323. [PMID: 33230252 PMCID: PMC7684304 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76346-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental studies suggest involvement of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the aetiology of cardiometabolic diseases and chronic kidney disease (CKD), in part via metabolism of ingested food. Using a comparative biomimetic approach, we have investigated circulating levels of the gut metabolites betaine, choline, and TMAO in human CKD, across animal species as well as during hibernation in two animal species. Betaine, choline, and TMAO levels were associated with renal function in humans and differed significantly across animal species. Free-ranging brown bears showed a distinct regulation pattern with an increase in betaine (422%) and choline (18%) levels during hibernation, but exhibited undetectable levels of TMAO. Free-ranging brown bears had higher betaine, lower choline, and undetectable TMAO levels compared to captive brown bears. Endogenously produced betaine may protect bears and garden dormice during the vulnerable hibernating period. Carnivorous eating habits are linked to TMAO levels in the animal kingdom. Captivity may alter the microbiota and cause a subsequent increase of TMAO production. Since free-ranging bears seems to turn on a metabolic switch that shunts choline to generate betaine instead of TMAO, characterisation and understanding of such an adaptive switch could hold clues for novel treatment options in burden of lifestyle diseases, such as CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Ebert
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johanna Painer
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Veterinary University Vienna, Savoyenstreet 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Bergman
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Abdul Rashid Qureshi
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sylvain Giroud
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Veterinary University Vienna, Savoyenstreet 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabrielle Stalder
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Veterinary University Vienna, Savoyenstreet 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karolina Kublickiene
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Frank Göritz
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Ecology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Vetter
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Veterinary University Vienna, Savoyenstreet 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Bieber
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Veterinary University Vienna, Savoyenstreet 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ole Fröbert
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, Koppang, Norway.,Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Bø i Telemark, Norway.,Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Paul G Shiels
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard J Johnson
- Division of Renal Diseases, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Peter Stenvinkel
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Renal Medicine M99, Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Terova G, Ceccotti C, Ascione C, Gasco L, Rimoldi S. Effects of Partially Defatted Hermetia illucens Meal in Rainbow Trout Diet on Hepatic Methionine Metabolism. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10061059. [PMID: 32575530 PMCID: PMC7341315 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary For sustainable aquaculture development, fish meal from the sea in aquafeed should be replaced with other sustainable materials such as insect larvae. The authors fed black soldier fly maggot meal to rainbow trout and examined the expression of three genes and two metabolites involved in turn-over of methionine that is an essential amino acid in fish. According to the increase in the maggot content in the aquafeed, gene expression was modulated to maintain an optimal level of methionine metabolites. Dietary replacement of up to 50% of fish meal with the maggot meal was acceptable, implying future development of a new aquafeed for sustainable aquaculture. Abstract This study investigated, for the first time, the effects of replacement of fishmeal (FM) with insect meal from Hermetia illucens (HI) on the transcript levels of three genes involved in methionine (Met) metabolism in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver. Two target genes—betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT) and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH)—are involved in Met resynthesis and the third one—cystathionine β synthase (CBS)—is involved in net Met loss (taurine synthesis). We also investigated the levels of two Met metabolites involved in the maintenance of methyl groups and homocysteine homeostasis in the hepatic tissue: S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). Three diets were formulated, an FM-based diet (HI0) and two diets in which 25% (HI25) and 50% (HI50) of FM was replaced with HI larvae meal. A 78-day feeding trial involved 360 rainbow trout with 178.9 ± 9.81 g initial average weight. Dietary replacement of up to 50% of FM with HI larvae meal, without any Met supplementation, did not negatively affect rainbow trout growth parameters and hepatic Met metabolism. In particular, Met availability from the insect-based diets directly modulated the transcript levels of two out of three target genes (CBS, SAHH) to maintain an optimal level of one-carbon metabolic substrates, i.e., the SAM:SAH ratio in the hepatic tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genciana Terova
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100 Varese, Italy; (C.C.); (C.A.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0332421428
| | - Chiara Ceccotti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100 Varese, Italy; (C.C.); (C.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Chiara Ascione
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100 Varese, Italy; (C.C.); (C.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Laura Gasco
- Department of Agricultural, Forestry, and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo P. Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095 Turin, Italy;
| | - Simona Rimoldi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant, 3, 21100 Varese, Italy; (C.C.); (C.A.); (S.R.)
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Lagunas-Rangel FA. Why do bats live so long?-Possible molecular mechanisms. Biogerontology 2019; 21:1-11. [PMID: 31602545 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-019-09840-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Contrasting with several theories of ageing, bats are mammals with remarkable longevity despite their high metabolic rate, living on average three times more than other mammals of equal size. The question of how bats live a long time has attracted considerable attention, and they have thus been related to immortal fantasy characters like Dracula in the novel by Bram Stoker. Several ecological and physiological features, such as reduction in mortality risks, delayed sexual maturation and hibernation, have been linked to bats' long lifespan. However, there is still very little information about the molecular mechanisms associated with the longevity of bats. In this regard, the present work tries to summarize current knowledge about how bats can live for so long, taking into consideration nutritional factors, oxidative metabolism, protein homeostasis, stress resistance, DNA repair, mitochondrial physiology and cancer resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Alejandro Lagunas-Rangel
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Changes in Methionine Metabolism and Histone H3 Trimethylation Are Linked to Mitochondrial Defects in Multiple Sclerosis. J Neurosci 2016; 35:15170-86. [PMID: 26558787 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4349-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Mitochondrial changes, including decreased expression of electron transport chain subunit genes and impaired energetic, have been reported in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the mechanisms involved in these changes are not clear. To determine whether epigenetic mechanisms are involved, we measured the concentrations of methionine metabolites by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, histone H3 methylation patterns, and markers of mitochondrial respiration in gray matter from postmortem MS and control cortical samples. We found decreases in respiratory markers as well as decreased concentrations of the methionine metabolites S-adenosylmethionine, betaine, and cystathionine in MS gray matter. We also found expression of the enzyme betaine homocysteine methyltransferase in cortical neurons. This enzyme catalyzes the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, with betaine as the methyl donor, and has previously been thought to be restricted to liver and kidney in the adult human. Decreases in the concentration of the methyl donor betaine were correlated with decreases in histone H3 trimethylation (H3K4me3) in NeuN+ neuronal nuclei in MS cortex compared with controls. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that H3K4me3 levels and mitochondrial respiration were reduced in SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside, and betaine was able to rescue H3K4me3 levels and respiratory capacity in these cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showed that betaine regulates metabolic genes in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. These data suggest that changes to methionine metabolism may be mechanistically linked to changes in neuronal energetics in MS cortex. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT For decades, it has been observed that vitamin B12 deficiency and multiple sclerosis (MS) share certain pathological changes, including conduction disturbances. In the present study, we have found that vitamin B12-dependent methionine metabolism is dysregulated in the MS brain. We found that concentrations of the methyl donor betaine are decreased in MS cortex and are correlated with reduced levels of the histone H3 methyl mark H3K4me3 in neurons. Cell culture and chromatin immunoprecipitation-seq data suggest that these changes may lead to defects in mitochondria and impact neuronal energetics. These data have uncovered a novel pathway linking methionine metabolism with mitochondrial respiration and have important implications for understanding mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration in MS.
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Ong JLY, Woo JM, Hiong KC, Ching B, Wong WP, Chew SF, Ip YK. Molecular characterization of betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase 1 from the liver, and effects of aestivation on its expressions and homocysteine concentrations in the liver, kidney and muscle, of the African lungfish, Protopterus annectens. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 183:30-41. [PMID: 25575738 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2014.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Homocysteine accumulation has numerous deleterious effects, and betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT) catalyses the synthesis of methionine from homocysteine and betaine. This study aimed to determine homocysteine concentrations, and mRNA expression levels and protein abundances of bhmt1/Bhmt1 in the liver, kidney and muscle of the African lungfish, Protopterus annectens, during the induction (6 days), maintenance (6 months) or arousal (3 days after arousal) phase of aestivation. The homocysteine concentration decreased significantly in the liver of P. annectens after 6 days or 6 months of aestivation, but it returned to the control level upon arousal. By contrast, homocysteine concentrations in the kidney and muscle remained unchanged during the three phases of aestivation. The complete coding cDNA sequence of bhmt1 from P. annectens consisted of 1236 bp, coding for 412 amino acids. The Bhmt1 from P. annectens had a close phylogenetic relationship with those from tetrapods and Callorhinchus milii. The expression of bhmt1 was detected in multiple organs/tissues of P. annectens, and this is the first report on the expression of bhmt1/Bhmt1 in animal skeletal muscle. The mRNA and protein expression levels of bhmt1/Bhmt1 were up-regulated in the liver of P. annectens during the induction and maintenance phases of aestivation, possibly to regulate the hepatic homocysteine concentration. The significant increase in hepatic Bhmt1 protein abundance during the arousal phase could be a response to increased cellular methylation for the purpose of tissue reconstruction. Unlike the liver, Bhmt1 expression in the kidney and muscle of P. annectens was regulated translationally, and its up-regulation could be crucial to prevent homocysteine accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine L Y Ong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jia M Woo
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore
| | - Kum C Hiong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore
| | - Biyun Ching
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore
| | - Wai P Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore
| | - Shit F Chew
- Natural Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616, Republic of Singapore
| | - Yuen K Ip
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore; The Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore 119227, Republic of Singapore.
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Zhang Y, Pan YH, Yin Q, Yang T, Dong D, Liao CC, Zhang S. Critical roles of mitochondria in brain activities of torpid Myotis ricketti bats revealed by a proteomic approach. J Proteomics 2014; 105:266-84. [PMID: 24434588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Revised: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Bats are the only mammals that fly and hibernate. Little is known about their overall metabolism in the brain during hibernation. In this study, brain proteins of torpid and active Myotis ricketti bats were fractionated and compared using a proteomic approach. Results showed that 21% (23 proteins) of identified proteins with significant expression changes were associated with amino acid metabolism and proteostasis. The expression levels of proteins involved in energy metabolism (15 proteins), cytoskeletal structure (18 proteins), and stress response (13 proteins) were also significantly altered in torpid bats. Over 30% (34 proteins) of differentially expressed proteins were associated with mitochondrial functions. Various post-translational modifications (PTMs) on PDHB, DLD, and ARG1 were detected, suggesting that bats use PTMs to regulate protein functions during torpor. Antioxidation and stress responses in torpid bats were similar to those of hibernated squirrels, suggesting a common strategy adopted by small hibernators against brain dysfunction. Since many amino acids that metabolize in mitochondria modulate neuronal transmissions, results of this study reveal pivotal roles of mitochondria in neural communication, metabolic regulation, and brain cell survival during bat hibernation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteomics of non-model organisms. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE This study reveals the mechanisms used by bats to regulate brain activities during torpor. These mechanisms include post-translational modifications and differential expression of proteins involved in mitochondrial electron transport, anaerobic glycolysis, TCA cycle efflux, cytoskeletal plasticity, amino acid metabolism, vesicle structure, antioxidation defense, stress response, and proteostasis. Our study provides insights in metabolic regulation of flying mammals during torpor and common strategies used by small hibernators in response to hibernation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Proteomics of non-model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijian Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute for Advanced Studies in Multidisciplinary Science and Technology, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yi-Hsuan Pan
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute for Advanced Studies in Multidisciplinary Science and Technology, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Qiuyuan Yin
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute for Advanced Studies in Multidisciplinary Science and Technology, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Tianxiao Yang
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute for Advanced Studies in Multidisciplinary Science and Technology, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Dong Dong
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute for Advanced Studies in Multidisciplinary Science and Technology, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Chen-Chung Liao
- Proteomic Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Shuyi Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Institute for Advanced Studies in Multidisciplinary Science and Technology, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
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