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Barata T, Pereira V, Pires das Neves R, Rocha M. Reconstruction of cell-specific models capturing the influence of metabolism on DNA methylation in cancer. Comput Biol Med 2024; 170:108052. [PMID: 38308868 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108052] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
The imbalance of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms such as DNA methylation, which can promote aberrant gene expression profiles without affecting the DNA sequence, may cause the deregulation of signaling, regulatory, and metabolic processes, contributing to a cancerous phenotype. Since some metabolites are substrates and cofactors of epigenetic regulators, their availability can be affected by characteristic cancer cell metabolic shifts, feeding cancer onset and progression through epigenetic deregulation. Hence, there is a need to study the influence of cancer metabolic reprogramming in DNA methylation to design new effective treatments. In this study, a generic Genome-Scale Metabolic Model (GSMM) of a human cell, integrating DNA methylation or demethylation reactions, was obtained and used for the reconstruction of Genome-Scale Metabolic Models enhanced with Enzymatic Constraints using Kinetic and Omics data (GECKOs) of 31 cancer cell lines. Furthermore, cell-line-specific DNA methylation levels were included in the models, as coefficients of a DNA composition pseudo-reaction, to depict the influence of metabolism over global DNA methylation in each of the cancer cell lines. Flux simulations demonstrated the ability of these models to provide simulated fluxes of exchange reactions similar to the equivalent experimentally measured uptake/secretion rates and to make good functional predictions. In addition, simulations found metabolic pathways, reactions and enzymes directly or inversely associated with the gene promoter methylation. Two potential candidates for targeted cancer epigenetic therapy were identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Barata
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal; CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vítor Pereira
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho - Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Pires das Neves
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal; CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal; IIIUC-Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Rocha
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho - Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Department of Informatics, University of Minho, Portugal.
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Genome-Wide Analysis of Yeast Metabolic Cycle through Metabolic Network Models Reveals Superiority of Integrated ATAC-seq Data over RNA-seq Data. mSystems 2022; 7:e0134721. [PMID: 35695574 PMCID: PMC9239220 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01347-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergoes robust oscillations to regulate its physiology for adaptation and survival under nutrient-limited conditions. Environmental cues can induce rhythmic metabolic alterations in order to facilitate the coordination of dynamic metabolic behaviors. Of such metabolic processes, the yeast metabolic cycle enables adaptation of the cells to varying nutritional status through oscillations in gene expression and metabolite production levels. In this process, yeast metabolism is altered between diverse cellular states based on changing oxygen consumption levels: quiescent (reductive charging [RC]), growth (oxidative [OX]), and proliferation (reductive building [RB]) phases. We characterized metabolic alterations during the yeast metabolic cycle using a variety of approaches. Gene expression levels are widely used for condition-specific metabolic simulations, whereas the use of epigenetic information in metabolic modeling is still limited despite the clear relationship between epigenetics and metabolism. This prompted us to investigate the contribution of epigenomic information to metabolic predictions for progression of the yeast metabolic cycle. In this regard, we determined altered pathways through the prediction of regulated reactions and corresponding model genes relying on differential chromatin accessibility levels. The predicted metabolic alterations were confirmed via data analysis and literature. We subsequently utilized RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) data sets in the contextualization of the yeast model. The use of ATAC-seq data considerably enhanced the predictive capability of the model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to use genome-wide chromatin accessibility data in metabolic modeling. The preliminary results showed that epigenomic data sets can pave the way for more accurate metabolic simulations. IMPORTANCE Dynamic chromatin organization mediates the emergence of condition-specific phenotypes in eukaryotic organisms. Saccharomyces cerevisiae can alter its metabolic profile via regulation of genome accessibility and robust transcriptional oscillations under nutrient-limited conditions. Thus, both epigenetic information and transcriptomic information are crucial in the understanding of condition-specific metabolic behavior in this organism. Based on genome-wide alterations in chromatin accessibility and transcription, we investigated the yeast metabolic cycle, which is a remarkable example of coordinated and dynamic yeast behavior. In this regard, we assessed the use of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq data sets in condition-specific metabolic modeling. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to use chromatin accessibility data in the reconstruction of context-specific metabolic models, despite the extensive use of transcriptomic data. As a result of comparative analyses, we propose that the incorporation of epigenetic information is a promising approach in the accurate prediction of metabolic dynamics.
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Chung CH, Lin DW, Eames A, Chandrasekaran S. Next-Generation Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling through Integration of Regulatory Mechanisms. Metabolites 2021; 11:606. [PMID: 34564422 PMCID: PMC8470976 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11090606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) are powerful tools for understanding metabolism from a systems-level perspective. However, GEMs in their most basic form fail to account for cellular regulation. A diverse set of mechanisms regulate cellular metabolism, enabling organisms to respond to a wide range of conditions. This limitation of GEMs has prompted the development of new methods to integrate regulatory mechanisms, thereby enhancing the predictive capabilities and broadening the scope of GEMs. Here, we cover integrative models encompassing six types of regulatory mechanisms: transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs), post-translational modifications (PTMs), epigenetics, protein-protein interactions and protein stability (PPIs/PS), allostery, and signaling networks. We discuss 22 integrative GEM modeling methods and how these have been used to simulate metabolic regulation during normal and pathological conditions. While these advances have been remarkable, there remains a need for comprehensive and widespread integration of regulatory constraints into GEMs. We conclude by discussing challenges in constructing GEMs with regulation and highlight areas that need to be addressed for the successful modeling of metabolic regulation. Next-generation integrative GEMs that incorporate multiple regulatory mechanisms and their crosstalk will be invaluable for discovering cell-type and disease-specific metabolic control mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina H. Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (C.H.C.); (A.E.)
| | - Da-Wei Lin
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Alec Eames
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (C.H.C.); (A.E.)
| | - Sriram Chandrasekaran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (C.H.C.); (A.E.)
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Program in Chemical Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Chandrasekaran S. Tying Metabolic Branches With Histone Tails Using Systems Biology. Epigenet Insights 2019; 12:2516865719869683. [PMID: 31448363 PMCID: PMC6689906 DOI: 10.1177/2516865719869683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone modifications represent an innate cellular mechanism to link nutritional status to gene expression. Metabolites such as acetyl-CoA and S-adenosyl methionine influence gene expression by serving as substrates for modification of histones. Yet, we lack a predictive model for determining histone modification levels based on cellular metabolic state. The numerous metabolic pathways that intersect with histone marks makes it highly challenging to understand their interdependencies. Here, we highlight new systems biology tools to unravel the impact of nutritional cues and metabolic fluxes on histone modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Chandrasekaran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Vijayakumar S, Conway M, Lió P, Angione C. Seeing the wood for the trees: a forest of methods for optimization and omic-network integration in metabolic modelling. Brief Bioinform 2019; 19:1218-1235. [PMID: 28575143 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbx053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic modelling has entered a mature phase with dozens of methods and software implementations available to the practitioner and the theoretician. It is not easy for a modeller to be able to see the wood (or the forest) for the trees. Driven by this analogy, we here present a 'forest' of principal methods used for constraint-based modelling in systems biology. This provides a tree-based view of methods available to prospective modellers, also available in interactive version at http://modellingmetabolism.net, where it will be kept updated with new methods after the publication of the present manuscript. Our updated classification of existing methods and tools highlights the most promising in the different branches, with the aim to develop a vision of how existing methods could hybridize and become more complex. We then provide the first hands-on tutorial for multi-objective optimization of metabolic models in R. We finally discuss the implementation of multi-view machine learning approaches in poly-omic integration. Throughout this work, we demonstrate the optimization of trade-offs between multiple metabolic objectives, with a focus on omic data integration through machine learning. We anticipate that the combination of a survey, a perspective on multi-view machine learning and a step-by-step R tutorial should be of interest for both the beginner and the advanced user.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Max Conway
- Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Pietro Lió
- Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Claudio Angione
- Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, Teesside University, UK
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Computational methods for Gene Regulatory Networks reconstruction and analysis: A review. Artif Intell Med 2019; 95:133-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Chen Y, Li G, Nielsen J. Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling from Yeast to Human Cell Models of Complex Diseases: Latest Advances and Challenges. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 2049:329-345. [PMID: 31602620 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9736-7_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) are mathematical models that enable systematic analysis of metabolism. This modeling concept has been applied to study the metabolism of many organisms including the eukaryal model organism, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that also serves as an important cell factory for production of fuels and chemicals. With the application of yeast GEMs, our knowledge of metabolism is increasing. Therefore, GEMs have also been used for modeling human cells to study metabolic diseases. Here we introduce the concept of GEMs and provide a protocol for reconstructing GEMs. Besides, we show the historic development of yeast GEMs and their applications. Also, we review human GEMs as well as their uses in the studies of complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jens Nielsen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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Wang Z, Gudibanda A, Ugwuowo U, Trail F, Townsend JP. Using evolutionary genomics, transcriptomics, and systems biology to reveal gene networks underlying fungal development. FUNGAL BIOL REV 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbr.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Sen P, Kemppainen E, Orešič M. Perspectives on Systems Modeling of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. Front Mol Biosci 2018; 4:96. [PMID: 29376056 PMCID: PMC5767226 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2017.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are the key drivers of the immune responses. These cells undergo activation, proliferation and differentiation into various subsets. During these processes they initiate metabolic reprogramming, which is coordinated by specific gene and protein activities. PBMCs as a model system have been widely used to study metabolic and autoimmune diseases. Herein we review various omics and systems-based approaches such as transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics as applied to PBMCs, particularly T helper subsets, that unveiled disease markers and the underlying mechanisms. We also discuss and emphasize several aspects of T cell metabolic modeling in healthy and disease states using genome-scale metabolic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partho Sen
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Esko Kemppainen
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Matej Orešič
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland.,School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Sánchez BJ, Nielsen J. Genome scale models of yeast: towards standardized evaluation and consistent omic integration. Integr Biol (Camb) 2016; 7:846-58. [PMID: 26079294 DOI: 10.1039/c5ib00083a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Genome scale models (GEMs) have enabled remarkable advances in systems biology, acting as functional databases of metabolism, and as scaffolds for the contextualization of high-throughput data. In the case of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast), several GEMs have been published and are currently used for metabolic engineering and elucidating biological interactions. Here we review the history of yeast's GEMs, focusing on recent developments. We study how these models are typically evaluated, using both descriptive and predictive metrics. Additionally, we analyze the different ways in which all levels of omics data (from gene expression to flux) have been integrated in yeast GEMs. Relevant conclusions and current challenges for both GEM evaluation and omic integration are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamín J Sánchez
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE41296 Gothenburg, Sweden.
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