Yeast Nuak1 phosphorylates histone H3 threonine 11 in low glucose stress by the cooperation of AMPK and CK2 signaling

Coordination of cross-talk between metabolism and epigenetic regulation by the SIN3 complex

Post-translational modifications of histone proteins control the expression of genes. Metabolites from central and one-carbon metabolism act as donor moieties to modify histones and regulate gene expression. Thus, histone modification and gene regulation are connected to the metabolite status of the cell. Histone modifiers, such as the SIN3 complex, regulate genes involved in proliferation and metabolism. The SIN3 complex contains a histone deacetylase and a histone demethylase, which regulate the chromatin landscape and gene expression. In this chapter, we review the cross-talk between metabolic pathways that produce donor moieties, and epigenetic complexes regulating proliferation and metabolic genes. This cross-talk between gene regulation and metabolism is tightly controlled, and disruption of this cross-talk leads to metabolic diseases. We discuss promising therapeutics that directly regulate histone modifiers, and can affect the metabolic status of the cell, alleviating some metabolic diseases.

Dynamic regulation of DNA methylation and histone modifications in response to abiotic stresses in plants

DNA methylation and histone modification are evolutionarily conserved epigenetic modifications that are crucial for the expression regulation of abiotic stress-responsive genes in plants. Dynamic changes in gene expression levels can result from changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications. In the last two decades, how epigenetic machinery regulates abiotic stress responses in plants has been extensively studied. Here, based on recent publications, we review how DNA methylation and histone modifications impact gene expression regulation in response to abiotic stresses such as drought, abscisic acid, high salt, extreme temperature, nutrient deficiency or toxicity, and ultraviolet B exposure. We also review the roles of epigenetic mechanisms in the formation of transgenerational stress memory. We posit that a better understanding of the epigenetic underpinnings of abiotic stress responses in plants may facilitate the design of more stress-resistant or -resilient crops, which is essential for coping with global warming and extreme environments.

Proteomic consequences of TDA1 deficiency in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Protein kinase Tda1 is essential for Hxk1 and Hxk2 serine 15 phosphorylation

Hexokinase 2 (Hxk2) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a dual function hexokinase, acting as a glycolytic enzyme and being involved in the transcriptional regulation of glucose-repressible genes. Relief from glucose repression is accompanied by phosphorylation of Hxk2 at serine 15, which has been attributed to the protein kinase Tda1. To explore the role of Tda1 beyond Hxk2 phosphorylation, the proteomic consequences of TDA1 deficiency were investigated by difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) comparing a wild type and a Δtda1 deletion mutant. To additionally address possible consequences of glucose repression/derepression, both were grown at 2% and 0.1% (w/v) glucose. A total of eight protein spots exhibiting a minimum twofold enhanced or reduced fluorescence upon TDA1 deficiency was detected and identified by mass spectrometry. Among the spot identities are-besides the expected Hxk2-two proteoforms of hexokinase 1 (Hxk1). Targeted proteomics analyses in conjunction with 2D-DIGE demonstrated that TDA1 is indispensable for Hxk2 and Hxk1 phosphorylation at serine 15. Thirty-six glucose-concentration-dependent protein spots were identified. A simple method to improve spot quantification, approximating spots as rotationally symmetric solids, is presented along with new data on the quantities of Hxk1 and Hxk2 and their serine 15 phosphorylated forms at high and low glucose growth conditions. The Δtda1 deletion mutant exhibited no altered growth under high or low glucose conditions or on alternative carbon sources. Also, invertase activity, serving as a reporter for glucose derepression, was not significantly altered. Instead, an involvement of Tda1 in oxidative stress response is suggested.

Discovery of a novel NUAK1 inhibitor against pancreatic cancer

The novel (nua) kinase family 1 (NUAK1) is an AMPK-related kinase and its expression is associated with tumor malignancy and poor prognosis in several types of cancer, suggesting its potential as a target for cancer therapy. Therefore, the development of NUAK1-targeting inhibitors could improve therapeutic outcomes in cancer. We synthesized KI-301670, a novel NUAK1 inhibitor, and assessed its anticancer effects and mechanism of action in pancreatic cancer. It effectively inhibited pancreatic cancer growth and proliferation, and induced cell cycle arrest, markedly G0/G1 arrest, by increasing the expression of p27 and decreasing expression of p-Rb and E2F1. Additionally, the apoptotic effect of KI-301670 was observed by an increase in cleaved PARP, TUNEL-positive cells, and annexin V cell population, as well as the release of cytochrome c via the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. KI-301670 inhibited the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Mechanistically, KI-301670 effectively inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway in pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, it significantly attenuated tumor growth in a mouse xenograft tumor model. Our results demonstrate that a novel NUAK1 inhibitor, KI-301670, exerts anti-tumor effects by directly suppressing cancer cell growth by affecting the PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting that it could be a novel therapeutic candidate for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Mechanisms of gene regulation by histone degradation in adaptation of yeast: an overview of recent advances

Histones are important component of eukaryotic cells chromatin and consist of arginine and lysine residues. Histones play an important role in the protection of DNA. Their contents significantly affect high-level chromatin structure formation, gene expression, DNA replication, and other important life activities. Protein degradation is an important regulatory mechanism of histone content. Recent studies have revealed that modification of amino acid sequence is directly related to histone breakdown. In addition, histone degradation is closely related to covalent modifications, such as ubiquitination and acetylation, which are considered to be driving factors in gene regulation. Gene regulation is an important mechanism in adaptation to the environment and survival of species. With the introduction of highly efficient technology, various mutations in histones have been identified in yeast. In the field of epigenetics and the transmission of chromatin states, two widely used model organisms are the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Higher eukaryotes can use their silent loci to maintain their epigenetic states and providing the base to investigate mechanisms underlying development. Therfore, both species have contributed a plethora of information on these mechanisms in both yeast and higher eukaryotes. This study focuses on the role of histone modifications in controlling telomeric silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and centromeric silencing in S. pombe as examples of genetic loci that demonstrate epigenetic inheritance. In view of recent advances, this review focuses on the post-translational modification of histone amino acid residues and reviews the relationship between histone degradation and amino acid residue modification.