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Cheng X, Wang Y, Gong G, Shen P, Li Z, Bian J. Design strategies and recent development of bioactive modulators for glutamine transporters. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103880. [PMID: 38216118 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Glutamine transporters are integral to the metabolism of glutamine in both healthy tissues and cancerous cells, playing a pivotal role in maintaining amino acid balance, synthesizing biomolecules, and regulating redox equilibrium. Their critical functions in cellular metabolism make them promising targets for oncological therapies. Recent years have witnessed substantial progress in the field of glutamine transporters, marked by breakthroughs in understanding of their protein structures and the discovery of novel inhibitors, prodrugs, and radiotracers. This review provides a comprehensive update on the latest advancements in modulators targeting the glutamine transporter, with special attention given to LAT1 and ASCT2. It also discusses innovative approaches in drug design aimed at these transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinying Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yezhi Wang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Guangyue Gong
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Pei Shen
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Jinlei Bian
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Honda Y, Nomoto T, Takemoto H, Matsui M, Taniwaki K, Guo H, Miura Y, Nishiyama N. Systemically Applicable Glutamine-Functionalized Polymer Exerting Multivalent Interaction with Tumors Overexpressing ASCT2. ACS Appl Bio Mater 2021; 4:7402-7407. [PMID: 35006695 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c00771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Transporter ASCT2, which predominantly imports glutamine (Gln), is overexpressed in a variety of cancer cells, and targeting ASCT2 is expected to be a promising approach for tumor diagnosis and therapy. In this work, we designed a series of glutamine-modified poly(l-lysine) (PLys(Gln)) homopolymers and PEG-PLys(Gln) block copolymers and investigated their tumor-targeting abilities. With increasing degree of polymerization in the PLys(Gln) homopolymers, their cellular uptake was gradually enhanced through multivalent interactions with ASCT2. The performance of PEG-PLys(Gln) in blood circulation and tumor accumulation could be controlled by tuning of the molecular weight of PEG. Our results highlight the utility of molecular recognition in ASCT2/PLys(Gln) for tumor targeting through systemic administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Honda
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.,Department of Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nomoto
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.,Department of Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Takemoto
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.,Department of Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Makoto Matsui
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Kaori Taniwaki
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Haochen Guo
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.,Department of Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Yutaka Miura
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.,Department of Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nishiyama
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.,Department of Life Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.,Innovation Center of Nanomedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan
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3
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Morikawa Y, Morimoto S, Yoshida E, Naka S, Inaba H, Matsumoto-Nakano M. Identification and functional analysis of glutamine transporter in Streptococcus mutans. J Oral Microbiol 2020; 12:1797320. [PMID: 32944153 PMCID: PMC7482851 DOI: 10.1080/20002297.2020.1797320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Streptococcus mutans, a biofilm-forming bacterium, possesses several transporters that function as import/export molecules. Among them, the PII protein family is composed of members that regulate glutamine synthesis in bacterial species. Objective In this study, we characterized the function of the glutamine transporter in S. mutans MT8148. Methods The SMU.732 gene, corresponding to glnP in S. mutans, is homologous to the glutamine transporter gene in Bacillus subtilis. We constructed a glnP-inactivated mutant strain (GEMR) and a complement strain (comp-GEMR) and evaluated their biological functions. Results Growth of GEMR was similar in the presence and absence of glutamine, whereas the growth rates of MT8148 and comp-GEMR were significantly lower in the presence of glutamine as compared to its absence. Furthermore, biofilms formed by MT8148 and comp-GEMR were significantly thicker than that formed by GEMR, while the GEMR strain showed a significantly lower survival rate in an acidic environment than the other strains. Addition of n-phenyl-2-naphthylamine, used to label of the membrane, led to increased fluorescence intensity of MT8148 and GEMR, albeit that was significantly lower in the latter. Conclusions These results suggest that glnP is associated with glutamine transport in S. mutans, especially the import of glutamine involved in biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Morikawa
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Setsuyo Morimoto
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Eri Yoshida
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shuhei Naka
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Inaba
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Michiyo Matsumoto-Nakano
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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4
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Qureshi T, Bjørkmo M, Nordengen K, Gundersen V, Utheim TP, Watne LO, Storm-Mathisen J, Hassel B, Chaudhry FA. Slc38a1 Conveys Astroglia-Derived Glutamine into GABAergic Interneurons for Neurotransmitter GABA Synthesis. Cells 2020; 9:E1686. [PMID: 32668809 PMCID: PMC7407890 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
GABA signaling is involved in a wide range of neuronal functions, such as synchronization of action potential firing, synaptic plasticity and neuronal development. Sustained GABA signaling requires efficient mechanisms for the replenishment of the neurotransmitter pool of GABA. The prevailing theory is that exocytotically released GABA may be transported into perisynaptic astroglia and converted to glutamine, which is then shuttled back to the neurons for resynthesis of GABA-i.e., the glutamate/GABA-glutamine (GGG) cycle. However, an unequivocal demonstration of astroglia-to-nerve terminal transport of glutamine and the contribution of astroglia-derived glutamine to neurotransmitter GABA synthesis is lacking. By genetic inactivation of the amino acid transporter Solute carrier 38 member a1 (Slc38a1)-which is enriched on parvalbumin+ GABAergic neurons-and by intraperitoneal injection of radiolabeled acetate (which is metabolized to glutamine in astroglial cells), we show that Slc38a1 mediates import of astroglia-derived glutamine into GABAergic neurons for synthesis of GABA. In brain slices, we demonstrate the role of Slc38a1 for the uptake of glutamine specifically into GABAergic nerve terminals for the synthesis of GABA depending on demand and glutamine supply. Thus, while leaving room for other pathways, our study demonstrates a key role of Slc38a1 for newly formed GABA, in harmony with the existence of a GGG cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayyaba Qureshi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (T.Q.); (M.B.); (K.N.); (V.G.); (J.S.-M.)
| | - Mona Bjørkmo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (T.Q.); (M.B.); (K.N.); (V.G.); (J.S.-M.)
| | - Kaja Nordengen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (T.Q.); (M.B.); (K.N.); (V.G.); (J.S.-M.)
| | - Vidar Gundersen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (T.Q.); (M.B.); (K.N.); (V.G.); (J.S.-M.)
| | - Tor Paaske Utheim
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Leiv Otto Watne
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Jon Storm-Mathisen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (T.Q.); (M.B.); (K.N.); (V.G.); (J.S.-M.)
| | - Bjørnar Hassel
- Department of Neurohabilitation, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, 0424 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Farrukh Abbas Chaudhry
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway; (T.Q.); (M.B.); (K.N.); (V.G.); (J.S.-M.)
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway;
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5
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Hussein AM, Wang Y, Mathieu J, Margaretha L, Song C, Jones DC, Cavanaugh C, Miklas JW, Mahen E, Showalter MR, Ruzzo WL, Fiehn O, Ware CB, Blau CA, Ruohola-Baker H. Metabolic Control over mTOR-Dependent Diapause-like State. Dev Cell 2020; 52:236-250.e7. [PMID: 31991105 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of embryonic diapause, dormancy that interrupts the tight connection between developmental stage and time, is still poorly understood. Here, we characterize the transcriptional and metabolite profiles of mouse diapause embryos and identify unique gene expression and metabolic signatures with activated lipolysis, glycolysis, and metabolic pathways regulated by AMPK. Lipolysis is increased due to mTORC2 repression, increasing fatty acids to support cell survival. We further show that starvation in pre-implantation ICM-derived mouse ESCs induces a reversible dormant state, transcriptionally mimicking the in vivo diapause stage. During starvation, Lkb1, an upstream kinase of AMPK, represses mTOR, which induces a reversible glycolytic and epigenetically H4K16Ac-negative, diapause-like state. Diapause furthermore activates expression of glutamine transporters SLC38A1/2. We show by genetic and small molecule inhibitors that glutamine transporters are essential for the H4K16Ac-negative, diapause state. These data suggest that mTORC1/2 inhibition, regulated by amino acid levels, is causal for diapause metabolism and epigenetic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdiasis M Hussein
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Yuliang Wang
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Julie Mathieu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Lilyana Margaretha
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Chaozhong Song
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Daniel C Jones
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Christopher Cavanaugh
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jason W Miklas
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Elisabeth Mahen
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Megan R Showalter
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Walter L Ruzzo
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Oliver Fiehn
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Carol B Ware
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - C Anthony Blau
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hannele Ruohola-Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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6
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Zeden MS, Kviatkovski I, Schuster CF, Thomas VC, Fey PD, Gründling A. Identification of the main glutamine and glutamate transporters in Staphylococcus aureus and their impact on c-di-AMP production. Mol Microbiol 2020; 113:1085-1100. [PMID: 31997474 PMCID: PMC7299772 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A Staphylococcus aureus strain deleted for the c‐di‐AMP cyclase gene dacA is unable to survive in rich medium unless it acquires compensatory mutations. Previously identified mutations were in opuD, encoding the main glycine‐betaine transporter, and alsT, encoding a predicted amino acid transporter. Here, we show that inactivation of OpuD restores the cell size of a dacA mutant to near wild‐type (WT) size, while inactivation of AlsT does not. AlsT was identified as an efficient glutamine transporter, indicating that preventing glutamine uptake in rich medium rescues the growth of the S. aureus dacA mutant. In addition, GltS was identified as a glutamate transporter. By performing growth curves with WT, alsT and gltS mutant strains in defined medium supplemented with ammonium, glutamine or glutamate, we revealed that ammonium and glutamine, but not glutamate promote the growth of S. aureus. This suggests that besides ammonium also glutamine can serve as a nitrogen source under these conditions. Ammonium and uptake of glutamine via AlsT and hence likely a higher intracellular glutamine concentration inhibited c‐di‐AMP production, while glutamate uptake had no effect. These findings provide, besides the previously reported link between potassium and osmolyte uptake, a connection between nitrogen metabolism and c‐di‐AMP signalling in S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve S Zeden
- Section of Molecular Microbiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Igor Kviatkovski
- Section of Molecular Microbiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher F Schuster
- Section of Molecular Microbiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Vinai C Thomas
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Paul D Fey
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Angelika Gründling
- Section of Molecular Microbiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, UK
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7
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Yoneda Y, Kawada K, Kuramoto N. Selective Upregulation by Theanine of Slc38a1 Expression in Neural Stem Cell for Brain Wellness. Molecules 2020; 25:E347. [PMID: 31952134 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25020347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Theanine is an amino acid abundant in green tea with an amide moiety analogous to glutamine (GLN) rather than glutamic acid (Glu) and GABA, which are both well-known as amino acid neurotransmitters in the brain. Theanine has no polyphenol and flavonoid structures required for an anti-oxidative property as seen with catechins and tannins, which are more enriched in green tea. We have shown marked inhibition by this exogenous amino acid theanine of the uptake of [3H]GLN, but not of [3H]Glu, in rat brain synaptosomes. Beside a ubiquitous role as an endogenous amino acid, GLN has been believed to be a main precursor for the neurotransmitter Glu sequestered in a neurotransmitter pool at glutamatergic neurons in the brain. The GLN transporter solute carrier 38a1 (Slc38a1) plays a crucial role in the incorporation of extracellular GLN for the intracellular conversion to Glu by glutaminase and subsequent sequestration at synaptic vesicles in neurons. However, Slc38a1 is also expressed by undifferentiated neural progenitor cells (NPCs) not featuring a neuronal phenotype. NPCs are derived from a primitive stem cell endowed to proliferate for self-renewal and to commit differentiation to several daughter cell lineages such as neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. In vitro culture with theanine leads to the marked promotion of the generation of new neurons together with selective upregulation of Slc38a1 transcript expression in NPCs. In this review, we will refer to a possible novel neurogenic role of theanine for brain wellness through a molecular mechanism relevant to facilitated neurogenesis with a focus on Slc38a1 expressed by undifferentiated NPCs on the basis of our accumulating findings to date.
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8
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Yu X, Plotnikova O, Bonin PD, Subashi TA, McLellan TJ, Dumlao D, Che Y, Dong YY, Carpenter EP, West GM, Qiu X, Culp JS, Han S. Cryo-EM structures of the human glutamine transporter SLC1A5 (ASCT2) in the outward-facing conformation. eLife 2019; 8:e48120. [PMID: 31580259 PMCID: PMC6800002 DOI: 10.7554/elife.48120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2, SLC1A5) is the primary transporter of glutamine in cancer cells and regulates the mTORC1 signaling pathway. The SLC1A5 function involves finely tuned orchestration of two domain movements that include the substrate-binding transport domain and the scaffold domain. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of human SLC1A5 and its complex with the substrate, L-glutamine in an outward-facing conformation. These structures reveal insights into the conformation of the critical ECL2a loop which connects the two domains, thus allowing rigid body movement of the transport domain throughout the transport cycle. Furthermore, the structures provide new insights into substrate recognition, which involves conformational changes in the HP2 loop. A putative cholesterol binding site was observed near the domain interface in the outward-facing state. Comparison with the previously determined inward-facing structure of SCL1A5 provides a basis for a more integrated understanding of substrate recognition and transport mechanism in the SLC1 family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Yu
- Medicine DesignPfizer IncGrotonUnited States
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ye Che
- Medicine DesignPfizer IncGrotonUnited States
| | - Yin Yao Dong
- Structural Genomics ConsortiumUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Xiayang Qiu
- Medicine DesignPfizer IncGrotonUnited States
| | | | - Seungil Han
- Medicine DesignPfizer IncGrotonUnited States
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9
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Osanai-Sasakawa A, Hosomi K, Sumitomo Y, Takizawa T, Tomura-Suruki S, Imaizumi M, Kasai N, Poh TW, Yamano K, Yong WP, Kono K, Nakamura S, Ishii T, Nakai R. An anti-ASCT2 monoclonal antibody suppresses gastric cancer growth by inducing oxidative stress and antibody dependent cellular toxicity in preclinical models. Am J Cancer Res 2018; 8:1499-1513. [PMID: 30210919 PMCID: PMC6129496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamine is a major nutrient for cancer cells during rapid proliferation. Alanine-serine-cysteine (ASC) transporter 2 (ASCT2; SLC1A5) mediates glutamine uptake in a variety of cancer cells. We previously reported that KM8094, a novel anti-ASCT2 humanized monoclonal antibody, possesses anti-tumor efficacy in gastric cancer patient-derived xenografts. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of KM8094 and to further substantiate the preclinical feasibility of using KM8094 as a potential therapeutic agent against gastric cancer. First, ASCT2 was found to be highly expressed in cancer tissues derived from gastric cancer patients by an immunohistochemical analysis. Next, we performed in vitro studies using multiple gastric cancer cell lines and observed that several gastric cancer cells expressing ASCT2 showed glutamine-dependent cell growth, which was repressed by KM8094. We found that KM8094 inhibited the glutamine uptake, leading to the reduction of glutathione (GSH) level and the elevation of oxidative stress. KM8094 suppressed the cell cycle progression and increased the apoptosis. Furthermore, KM8094 exerted antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against human gastric cancer cells in vitro. Finally, in vivo studies revealed that KM8094 suppressed tumor growth in several gastric cancer xenografts. This effect was enhanced by docetaxel, one of the agents commonly used in gastric cancer therapy. Thus, our findings suggest that KM8094 is a potential new therapeutic agent for gastric cancer expressing ASCT2, which blocks the cellular glutamine metabolism and possesses ADCC activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Osanai-Sasakawa
- R&D Division, Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd.Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of TechnologyTokyo, Japan
| | - Kenta Hosomi
- R&D Division, Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd.Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tze Wei Poh
- R&D Division, Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd.Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuya Yamano
- R&D Division, Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. Ltd.Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wei Peng Yong
- Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer InstituteSingapore
| | - Koji Kono
- Department of Surgery, National University of SingaporeSingapore
| | - Satoshi Nakamura
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of TechnologyTokyo, Japan
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10
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Garibsingh RAA, Otte NJ, Ndaru E, Colas C, Grewer C, Holst J, Schlessinger A. Homology Modeling Informs Ligand Discovery for the Glutamine Transporter ASCT2. Front Chem 2018; 6:279. [PMID: 30137742 PMCID: PMC6066518 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Alanine-Serine-Cysteine transporter (SLC1A5, ASCT2), is a neutral amino acid exchanger involved in the intracellular homeostasis of amino acids in peripheral tissues. Given its role in supplying glutamine to rapidly proliferating cancer cells in several tumor types such as triple-negative breast cancer and melanoma, ASCT2 has been identified as a key drug target. Here we use a range of computational methods, including homology modeling and ligand docking, in combination with cell-based assays, to develop hypotheses for structure-function relationships in ASCT2. We perform a phylogenetic analysis of the SLC1 family and its prokaryotic homologs to develop a useful multiple sequence alignment for this protein family. We then generate homology models of ASCT2 in two different conformations, based on the human EAAT1 structures. Using ligand enrichment calculations, the ASCT2 models are then compared to crystal structures of various homologs for their utility in discovering ASCT2 inhibitors. We use virtual screening, cellular uptake and electrophysiology experiments to identify a non-amino acid ASCT2 inhibitor that is predicted to interact with the ASCT2 substrate binding site. Our results provide insights into the structural basis of substrate specificity in the SLC1 family, as well as a framework for the design of future selective and potent ASCT2 inhibitors as cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel-Ann A Garibsingh
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nicholas J Otte
- Origins of Cancer Program, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elias Ndaru
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - Claire Colas
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christof Grewer
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - Jeff Holst
- Origins of Cancer Program, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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11
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Hayashi MK. Structure-Function Relationship of Transporters in the Glutamate-Glutamine Cycle of the Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041177. [PMID: 29649168 PMCID: PMC5979278 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many kinds of transporters contribute to glutamatergic excitatory synaptic transmission. Glutamate is loaded into synaptic vesicles by vesicular glutamate transporters to be released from presynaptic terminals. After synaptic vesicle release, glutamate is taken up by neurons or astrocytes to terminate the signal and to prepare for the next signal. Glutamate transporters on the plasma membrane are responsible for transporting glutamate from extracellular fluid to cytoplasm. Glutamate taken up by astrocyte is converted to glutamine by glutamine synthetase and transported back to neurons through glutamine transporters on the plasma membranes of the astrocytes and then on neurons. Glutamine is converted back to glutamate by glutaminase in the neuronal cytoplasm and then loaded into synaptic vesicles again. Here, the structures of glutamate transporters and glutamine transporters, their conformational changes, and how they use electrochemical gradients of various ions for substrate transport are summarized. Pharmacological regulations of these transporters are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Kato Hayashi
- School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, 4-3 Kozunomori, Narita, Chiba 286-8686, Japan.
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12
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Esaki N, Ohkawa Y, Hashimoto N, Tsuda Y, Ohmi Y, Bhuiyan RH, Kotani N, Honke K, Enomoto A, Takahashi M, Furukawa K, Furukawa K. ASC amino acid transporter 2, defined by enzyme-mediated activation of radical sources, enhances malignancy of GD2-positive small-cell lung cancer. Cancer Sci 2018; 109:141-153. [PMID: 29151270 PMCID: PMC5765286 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ganglioside GD2 is specifically expressed in small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells, leading to enhancement of malignant phenotypes, such as cell proliferation and migration. However, how GD2 promotes malignant phenotypes in SCLC cells is not well known. In this study, to reveal the mechanisms by which GD2 increases malignant phenotypes in SCLC cells, we used enzyme‐mediated activation of radical sources combined with mass spectrometry in GD2+SCLC cells. Consequently, we identified ASC amino acid transporter 2 (ASCT2), a major glutamine transporter, which coordinately works with GD2. We showed that ASCT2 was highly expressed in glycolipid‐enriched microdomain/rafts in GD2+SCLC cells, and colocalized with GD2 in both proximity ligation assay and immunocytostaining, and bound with GD2 in immunoprecipitation/TLC immunostaining. Malignant phenotypes of GD2+SCLC cells were enhanced by glutamine uptake, and were suppressed by L‐γ‐glutamyl‐p‐nitroanilide, a specific inhibitor of ASCT2, through reduced phosphorylation of p70 S6K1 and S6. These results suggested that ASCT2 enhances glutamine uptake in glycolipid‐enriched microdomain/rafts in GD2+SCLC cells, leading to the enhancement of cell proliferation and migration through increased phosphorylation of the mTOR complex 1 signaling axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobutoshi Esaki
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chubu University College of Life and Health Sciences, Kasugai, Japan.,Departments of Biochemistry 2, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuki Ohkawa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chubu University College of Life and Health Sciences, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Noboru Hashimoto
- Departments of Biochemistry 2, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuhsuke Tsuda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chubu University College of Life and Health Sciences, Kasugai, Japan.,Departments of Biochemistry 2, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuhsuke Ohmi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chubu University College of Life and Health Sciences, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Robiul H Bhuiyan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chubu University College of Life and Health Sciences, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Norihiro Kotani
- Department of Biochemistry, Saitama Medical University, Moroyama, Japan
| | - Koichi Honke
- Department of Biochemistry, Kochi University School of Medicine, Kochi, Japan
| | - Atsushi Enomoto
- Departments of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahide Takahashi
- Departments of Pathology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keiko Furukawa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chubu University College of Life and Health Sciences, Kasugai, Japan
| | - Koichi Furukawa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chubu University College of Life and Health Sciences, Kasugai, Japan
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13
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Zhou J, Fan S, Cao Y, Zhu M, Han Y, Cao X, Li Y. Tumor necrosis factor-α suppresses the protein fractional synthesis rate of the small intestine stimulated by glutamine in rats. Exp Ther Med 2014; 9:547-552. [PMID: 25574232 PMCID: PMC4280961 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2014.2129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine whether and how TNF-α affects glutamine-enhanced protein synthesis and the expression of the amino acid transporter ASCT2 in the small intestine at the mRNA and protein levels. A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups, namely the total parenteral nutrition (TPN; control), glutamine-treated (Gln), and glutamine- and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-treated (TNF-α) groups. At 30 min prior to examination, all rats were mainlined with [L-15N]leucine. The concentration of TNF-α in plasma and of glutamine in plasma and the small intestine was measured. The fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of protein and the mRNA and protein expression levels of ASCT2 in the small intestine were assessed. The level of TNF-α was highest in the TNF-α group and the glutamine concentration was elevated to a greater extent in the TNF-α group than in the other two groups. However, the FSR of protein in the small intestine was significantly higher in the Gln group compared with that in the TNF-α group. The mRNA and protein expression levels of ASCT2 in the experimental groups were significantly higher that those in the control group, but did not differ significantly between the Gln and TNF-α groups. These results indicate that TNF-α may attenuate glutamine-stimulated protein synthesis in the small intestine in the early stage of sepsis in rats. The mechanism may be that TNF-α inhibits the function of the glutamine transporter in the uptake the glutamine into target cells for protein synthesis. This inhibition may occur at or following protein translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihong Zhou
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Shengxian Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Yacheng Cao
- Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Mingfang Zhu
- Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Yong Han
- Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Xueying Cao
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
| | - Yousheng Li
- Department of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, P.R. China
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