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Guan J, Li M, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Que Y, Lu S, Wang J, Zhu J, Huang J, Zhen Z, Sun F, Song M, Zhang Y. MTHFD1 regulates the NADPH redox homeostasis in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:124. [PMID: 38336749 PMCID: PMC10858228 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06490-3] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
MYCN amplification is an independent poor prognostic factor in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB). Further exploring the molecular regulatory mechanisms in MYCN-amplified NB will help to develop novel therapy targets. In this study, methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1) was identified as the differentially expressed gene (DEG) highly expressed in MYCN-amplified NB, and it showed a positive correlation with MYCN and was associated with a poor prognosis of NB patients. Knockdown of MTHFD1 inhibited proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis of NB cells in vitro. Mouse model experiments validated the tumorigenic effect of MTHFD1 in NB in vivo. In terms of the mechanism, ChIP-qPCR and dual-luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that MTHFD1 was directly activated by MYCN at the transcriptional level. As an important enzyme in the folic acid metabolism pathway, MTHFD1 maintained the NADPH redox homeostasis in MYCN-amplified NB. Knockdown of MTHFD1 reduced cellular NADPH/NADP+ and GSH/GSSG ratios, increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and triggered the apoptosis of NB cells. Moreover, genetic knockdown of MTHFD1 or application of the anti-folic acid metabolism drug methotrexate (MTX) potentiated the anti-tumor effect of JQ1 both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, MTHFD1 as an oncogene is a potential therapeutic target for MYCN-amplified NB. The combination of MTX with JQ1 is of important clinical translational significance for the treatment of patients with MYCN-amplified NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinqiu Guan
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengzhen Li
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Que
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suying Lu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Zhu
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junting Huang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zijun Zhen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feifei Sun
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Mengjia Song
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yizhuo Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
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2
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Wang J, Yu Z, Jiang Y, Le T, Wu Y, Li Z, Zhang G, Wu F, Ma H. Downregulation of MTHFD2 Inhibits Proliferation and Enhances Chemosensitivity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via PI3K/AKT Pathway. FRONT BIOSCI-LANDMRK 2024; 29:35. [PMID: 38287824 DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2901035] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the substantial impact of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) on cancer progression, its significance in the regulation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation and chemosensitivity remains poorly defined. METHODS We evaluated MTHFD2 expression in a total of 95 HCC tissues by immunohistochemistry and analyzed the association of MTHFD2 with clinicopathologic features. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were conducted to verify MTHFD2 expression levels. Bioinformatics analysis such as gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were used to predict the signaling pathways involved in MTHFD2. In addition, to investigate the anti-tumor effects of MTHFD2 knockdown, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and EdU assays were used. RESULTS We found that MTHFD2 was frequently upregulated in HCC, and the combination of increased expression of MTHFD2 and Ki67 was associated with poor HCC prognosis. MTHFD2 knockdown significantly inhibited HCC cell proliferation and effectively sensitized HCC cells to sorafenib and lenvatinib. PI3K/AKT pathway was involved in MTHFD2-mediated modulation of proliferation and chemosensitivity. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that MTHFD2 plays an important role in proliferation and chemosensitivity of HCC, indicating that it may serve as a novel pharmacological target for improving HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 316021 Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ze Yu
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 316021 Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yixiao Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhoushan Hospital, 316021 Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Le
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 316021 Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yixin Wu
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 316021 Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ziqi Li
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 316021 Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhoushan Hospital, 316021 Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feiyue Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhoushan Hospital, 316021 Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haijie Ma
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, 316021 Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
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3
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Ramos L, Henriksson M, Helleday T, Green AC. Targeting MTHFD2 to Exploit Cancer-Specific Metabolism and the DNA Damage Response. Cancer Res 2024; 84:9-16. [PMID: 37922465 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
The one-carbon folate enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase 2 (MTHFD2) is a promising therapeutic target in cancer. MTHFD2 is upregulated across numerous cancer types, promotes growth and metastasis of cancer, and correlates with poorer survival. Recent studies have developed small-molecule inhibitors to the isozymes MTHFD2 and MTHFD1 that show promise as anticancer agents through different mechanisms. This review discusses the current understanding of the function of MTHFD2 in cancer and the status of inhibitors for treating MTHFD2-overexpressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Ramos
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Vancouver Prostate Centre and Department of Experimental Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Martin Henriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Thomas Helleday
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Alanna C Green
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Mellanby Centre for Bone Research, University of Sheffield Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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4
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Rather GM. Folate trapping is lethal to cancer cells. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 102:1588-1591. [PMID: 37620162 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14329] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of formate flux by a key folate enzyme, MTHFD2 (methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2) in cancer cells remains poorly understood. Green et al. (Nature Metabolism, 2023; 5: 642-659) showed an interesting phenomenon of "folate trapping" toxicity leads to cancer cell kill using a potent inhibitor (TH9619) against the dehydrogenase and cyclohydrolase (DC) activities of cytosolic methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (cMTHFD1) and nuclear methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (nMTHFD2), but not the mitochondrial MTHFD2 (mTHFD2). But, mMTHFD2 is required for formate flow to cytosol which leads to the trapping of 10-formyl tetrahydrofolate and causes toxicity by TH9619 treatment, to kill cancer cells expressing mMTHFD2. This article opens new avenues to be evaluated for therapeutic benefits of cancer patients where MTHFD2 shows overexpression viz-a-viz breast, prostate, colorectal, acute myeloid leukemia, and other cancer types.
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5
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Wang Y, Hongu T, Nishimura T, Takeuchi Y, Takano H, Daikoku T, Yao R, Gotoh N. Mitochondrial one-carbon metabolic enzyme MTHFD2 facilitates mammary gland development during pregnancy. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 674:183-189. [PMID: 37450958 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.06.074] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism is crucial for embryonic development and tumorigenesis, as it supplies one-carbon units necessary for nucleotide synthesis and rapid cell proliferation. However, its contribution to adult tissue homeostasis remains largely unknown. To examine its role in adult tissue homeostasis, we specifically investigated mammary gland development during pregnancy, as it involves heightened cell proliferation. We discovered that MTHFD2, a mitochondrial one-carbon metabolic enzyme, is expressed in both luminal and basal/myoepithelial cell layers, with upregulated expression during pregnancy. Using the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-Cre recombinase system, we generated mice with a specific mutation of Mthfd2 in mammary epithelial cells. While the mutant mice were capable of properly nurturing their offspring, the pregnancy-induced expansion of mammary glands was significantly delayed. This indicates that MTHFD2 contributes to the rapid development of mammary glands during pregnancy. Our findings shed light on the role of mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism in facilitating rapid cell proliferation, even in the context of the adult tissue homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuming Wang
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa Univerisity, Japan
| | - Tsunaki Hongu
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa Univerisity, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Nishimura
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa Univerisity, Japan
| | - Yasuto Takeuchi
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa Univerisity, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takano
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR), Japan
| | - Takiko Daikoku
- Division of Animal Disease Model, Research Center for Experimental Modeling of Human Disease, Kanazawa University, Japan
| | - Ryoji Yao
- Department of Cell Biology, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR), Japan
| | - Noriko Gotoh
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa Univerisity, Japan.
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6
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Green AC, Marttila P, Kiweler N, Chalkiadaki C, Wiita E, Cookson V, Lesur A, Eiden K, Bernardin F, Vallin KSA, Borhade S, Long M, Ghahe EK, Jiménez-Alonso JJ, Jemth AS, Loseva O, Mortusewicz O, Meyers M, Viry E, Johansson AI, Hodek O, Homan E, Bonagas N, Ramos L, Sandberg L, Frödin M, Moussay E, Slipicevic A, Letellier E, Paggetti J, Sørensen CS, Helleday T, Henriksson M, Meiser J. Formate overflow drives toxic folate trapping in MTHFD1 inhibited cancer cells. Nat Metab 2023; 5:642-659. [PMID: 37012496 PMCID: PMC10132981 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00771-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells fuel their increased need for nucleotide supply by upregulating one-carbon (1C) metabolism, including the enzymes methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase 1 and 2 (MTHFD1 and MTHFD2). TH9619 is a potent inhibitor of dehydrogenase and cyclohydrolase activities in both MTHFD1 and MTHFD2, and selectively kills cancer cells. Here, we reveal that, in cells, TH9619 targets nuclear MTHFD2 but does not inhibit mitochondrial MTHFD2. Hence, overflow of formate from mitochondria continues in the presence of TH9619. TH9619 inhibits the activity of MTHFD1 occurring downstream of mitochondrial formate release, leading to the accumulation of 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate, which we term a 'folate trap'. This results in thymidylate depletion and death of MTHFD2-expressing cancer cells. This previously uncharacterized folate trapping mechanism is exacerbated by physiological hypoxanthine levels that block the de novo purine synthesis pathway, and additionally prevent 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate consumption for purine synthesis. The folate trapping mechanism described here for TH9619 differs from other MTHFD1/2 inhibitors and antifolates. Thus, our findings uncover an approach to attack cancer and reveal a regulatory mechanism in 1C metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alanna C Green
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Petra Marttila
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Nicole Kiweler
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Christina Chalkiadaki
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Elisée Wiita
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Victoria Cookson
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Antoine Lesur
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Kim Eiden
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - François Bernardin
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Karl S A Vallin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Södertälje, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Borhade
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- RedGlead Discover, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maeve Long
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Elahe Kamali Ghahe
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julio J Jiménez-Alonso
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Ann-Sofie Jemth
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Olga Loseva
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Oliver Mortusewicz
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Marianne Meyers
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Elodie Viry
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Annika I Johansson
- Swedish Metabolomics Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ondřej Hodek
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Evert Homan
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Nadilly Bonagas
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Louise Ramos
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Lars Sandberg
- Drug Discovery and Development Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Organic Chemistry, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
| | - Morten Frödin
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Etienne Moussay
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Ana Slipicevic
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- One-carbon Therapeutics AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Letellier
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Molecular Disease Mechanisms Group, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Jérôme Paggetti
- Tumor Stroma Interactions, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | | | - Thomas Helleday
- Weston Park Cancer Centre and Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Martin Henriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Johannes Meiser
- Cancer Metabolism Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
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7
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Tang N, Chen P, Zhao C, Liu P, Tan L, Song C, Qiu X, Liao Y, Liu X, Luo T, Sun Y, Ding C. Newcastle Disease Virus Manipulates Mitochondrial MTHFD2-Mediated Nucleotide Metabolism for Virus Replication. J Virol 2023; 97:e0001623. [PMID: 36794935 PMCID: PMC10062132 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00016-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses require host cell metabolic reprogramming to satisfy their replication demands; however, the mechanism by which the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) remodels nucleotide metabolism to support self-replication remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that NDV relies on the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (oxPPP) and the folate-mediated one-carbon metabolic pathway to support replication. In concert with [1,2-13C2] glucose metabolic flow, NDV used oxPPP to promote pentose phosphate synthesis and to increase antioxidant NADPH production. Metabolic flux experiments using [2,3,3-2H] serine revealed that NDV increased one-carbon (1C) unit synthesis flux through the mitochondrial 1C pathway. Interestingly, methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD2) was upregulated as a compensatory mechanism for insufficient serine availability. Unexpectedly, direct knockdown of enzymes in the one-carbon metabolic pathway, except for cytosolic MTHFD1, significantly inhibited NDV replication. Specific complementation rescue experiments on small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown further revealed that only a knockdown of MTHFD2 strongly restrained NDV replication and was rescued by formate and extracellular nucleotides. These findings indicated that NDV replication relies on MTHFD2 to maintain nucleotide availability. Notably, nuclear MTHFD2 expression was increased during NDV infection and could represent a pathway by which NDV steals nucleotides from the nucleus. Collectively, these data reveal that NDV replication is regulated by the c-Myc-mediated 1C metabolic pathway and that the mechanism of nucleotide synthesis for viral replication is regulated by MTHFD2. IMPORTANCE Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a dominant vector for vaccine and gene therapy that accommodates foreign genes well but can only infect mammalian cells that have undergone cancerous transformation. Understanding the remodeling of nucleotide metabolic pathways in host cells by NDV proliferation provides a new perspective for the precise use of NDV as a vector or in antiviral research. In this study, we demonstrated that NDV replication is strictly dependent on pathways involved in redox homeostasis in the nucleotide synthesis pathway, including the oxPPP and the mitochondrial one-carbon pathway. Further investigation revealed the potential involvement of NDV replication-dependent nucleotide availability in promoting MTHFD2 nuclear localization. Our findings highlight the differential dependence of NDV on enzymes for one-carbon metabolism, and the unique mechanism of action of MTHFD2 in viral replication, thereby providing a novel target for antiviral or oncolytic virus therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Tang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology and Animal Infectious Diseases, College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Department of Avian Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Pingyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, P. R. China
| | - Changrun Zhao
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology and Animal Infectious Diseases, College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Panrao Liu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Lei Tan
- Department of Avian Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Cuiping Song
- Department of Avian Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xusheng Qiu
- Department of Avian Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Ying Liao
- Department of Avian Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Xiufan Liu
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Tingrong Luo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology and Animal Infectious Diseases, College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yingjie Sun
- Department of Avian Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Chan Ding
- Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology and Animal Infectious Diseases, College of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Department of Avian Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, P. R. China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, P. R. China
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8
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Achreja A, Yu T, Mittal A, Choppara S, Animasahun O, Nenwani M, Wuchu F, Meurs N, Mohan A, Jeon JH, Sarangi I, Jayaraman A, Owen S, Kulkarni R, Cusato M, Weinberg F, Kweon HK, Subramanian C, Wicha MS, Merajver SD, Nagrath S, Cho KR, DiFeo A, Lu X, Nagrath D. Metabolic collateral lethal target identification reveals MTHFD2 paralogue dependency in ovarian cancer. Nat Metab 2022; 4:1119-1137. [PMID: 36131208 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00636-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent loss-of-function deletions cause frequent inactivation of tumour suppressor genes but often also involve the collateral deletion of essential genes in chromosomal proximity, engendering dependence on paralogues that maintain similar function. Although these paralogues are attractive anticancer targets, no methodology exists to uncover such collateral lethal genes. Here we report a framework for collateral lethal gene identification via metabolic fluxes, CLIM, and use it to reveal MTHFD2 as a collateral lethal gene in UQCR11-deleted ovarian tumours. We show that MTHFD2 has a non-canonical oxidative function to provide mitochondrial NAD+, and demonstrate the regulation of systemic metabolic activity by the paralogue metabolic pathway maintaining metabolic flux compensation. This UQCR11-MTHFD2 collateral lethality is confirmed in vivo, with MTHFD2 inhibition leading to complete remission of UQCR11-deleted ovarian tumours. Using CLIM's machine learning and genome-scale metabolic flux analysis, we elucidate the broad efficacy of targeting MTHFD2 despite distinct cancer genetic profiles co-occurring with UQCR11 deletion and irrespective of stromal compositions of tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Achreja
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tao Yu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Anjali Mittal
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Srinadh Choppara
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Olamide Animasahun
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Minal Nenwani
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Fulei Wuchu
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Noah Meurs
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Aradhana Mohan
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jin Heon Jeon
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Itisam Sarangi
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anusha Jayaraman
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sarah Owen
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Reva Kulkarni
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michele Cusato
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Frank Weinberg
- Hematology and Oncology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hye Kyong Kweon
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chitra Subramanian
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Max S Wicha
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sofia D Merajver
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sunitha Nagrath
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kathleen R Cho
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Analisa DiFeo
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xiongbin Lu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Melvin & Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Deepak Nagrath
- Laboratory for Systems Biology of Human Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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9
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Huang Q, Alengebawy A, Zhu X, Raza AF, Chen L, Chen W, Guo J, Ai P, Li D. Performance of Paracoccus pantotrophus MA3 in heterotrophic nitrification-anaerobic denitrification using formic acid as a carbon source. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2022; 45:1661-1672. [PMID: 35984504 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02771-3] [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: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Excess amount of nitrogen in wastewater has caused serious concerns, such as water eutrophication. Paracoccus pantotrophus MA3, a novel isolated strain of heterotrophic nitrification-anaerobic denitrification bacteria, was evaluated for nitrogen removal using formic acid as the sole carbon source. The results showed that the maximum ammonium removal efficiency was observed under the optimum conditions of 26.25 carbon to nitrogen ratio, 3.39% (v/v) inoculation amount, 34.64 °C temperature, and at 180 rpm shaking speed, respectively. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR technique analysis assured that the gene expression level of formate dehydrogenase, formate tetrahydrofolate ligase, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase, serine hydroxymethyltransferase, respiratory nitrate reductase beta subunit, L-glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and glutamate synthase were up-regulated compared to the control group, and combined with nitrogen mass balance analysis to conclude that most of the ammonium was removed by assimilation. A small amount of nitrate and nearly no nitrite were accumulated during heterotrophic nitrification. MA3 exhibited significant denitrification potential under anaerobic conditions with a maximum nitrate removal rate of 4.39 mg/L/h, and the only gas produced was N2. Additionally, 11.50 ± 0.06 mg/L/h of NH4+-N removal rate from biogas slurry was achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Huang
- College of Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological, Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 32, West Seven Road, Airport Economic District, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Ahmed Alengebawy
- College of Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological, Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 32, West Seven Road, Airport Economic District, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Amin Farrukh Raza
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological, Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 32, West Seven Road, Airport Economic District, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Limei Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological, Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 32, West Seven Road, Airport Economic District, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Wuxi Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological, Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 32, West Seven Road, Airport Economic District, Tianjin, China
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiahao Guo
- College of Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Ping Ai
- College of Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Demao Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Industrial Biological, Systems and Bioprocessing Engineering, Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 32, West Seven Road, Airport Economic District, Tianjin, China.
- National Innovation Centre for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin, China.
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10
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Sugiura A, Andrejeva G, Voss K, Heintzman DR, Xu X, Madden MZ, Ye X, Beier KL, Chowdhury NU, Wolf MM, Young AC, Greenwood DL, Sewell AE, Shahi SK, Freedman SN, Cameron AM, Foerch P, Bourne T, Garcia-Canaveras JC, Karijolich J, Newcomb DC, Mangalam AK, Rabinowitz JD, Rathmell JC. MTHFD2 is a metabolic checkpoint controlling effector and regulatory T cell fate and function. Immunity 2022; 55:65-81.e9. [PMID: 34767747 PMCID: PMC8755618 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [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: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Antigenic stimulation promotes T cell metabolic reprogramming to meet increased biosynthetic, bioenergetic, and signaling demands. We show that the one-carbon (1C) metabolism enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) regulates de novo purine synthesis and signaling in activated T cells to promote proliferation and inflammatory cytokine production. In pathogenic T helper-17 (Th17) cells, MTHFD2 prevented aberrant upregulation of the transcription factor FoxP3 along with inappropriate gain of suppressive capacity. MTHFD2 deficiency also promoted regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation. Mechanistically, MTHFD2 inhibition led to depletion of purine pools, accumulation of purine biosynthetic intermediates, and decreased nutrient sensor mTORC1 signaling. MTHFD2 was also critical to regulate DNA and histone methylation in Th17 cells. Importantly, MTHFD2 deficiency reduced disease severity in multiple in vivo inflammatory disease models. MTHFD2 is thus a metabolic checkpoint to integrate purine metabolism with pathogenic effector cell signaling and is a potential therapeutic target within 1C metabolism pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Sugiura
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Gabriela Andrejeva
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kelsey Voss
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Darren R Heintzman
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Xincheng Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig Cancer Research Institute Princeton Branch, Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Matthew Z Madden
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Xiang Ye
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Katherine L Beier
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Nowrin U Chowdhury
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Melissa M Wolf
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Arissa C Young
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Dalton L Greenwood
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Allison E Sewell
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Shailesh K Shahi
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | - Alanna M Cameron
- Sitryx Therapeutics Limited, Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, UK
| | - Patrik Foerch
- Sitryx Therapeutics Limited, Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, UK
| | - Tim Bourne
- Sitryx Therapeutics Limited, Magdalen Centre, Oxford Science Park, Oxford, UK
| | - Juan C Garcia-Canaveras
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig Cancer Research Institute Princeton Branch, Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - John Karijolich
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Dawn C Newcomb
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | | | - Joshua D Rabinowitz
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig Cancer Research Institute Princeton Branch, Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Rathmell
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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11
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Lee J, Chen X, Wang Y, Nishimura T, Li M, Ishikawa S, Daikoku T, Kawai J, Tojo A, Gotoh N. A novel oral inhibitor for one-carbon metabolism and checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitor as a rational combination treatment for breast cancer. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 584:7-14. [PMID: 34753066 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer have a poor prognosis as only a few efficient targeted therapies are available. Cancer cells are characterized by their unregulated proliferation and require large amounts of nucleotides to replicate their DNA. One-carbon metabolism contributes to purine and pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis by supplying one carbon atom. Although mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism has recently been focused on as an important target for cancer treatment, few specific inhibitors have been reported. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of DS18561882 (DS18), a novel, orally active, specific inhibitor of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD2), a mitochondrial enzyme involved in one-carbon metabolism. Treatment with DS18 led to a marked reduction in cancer-cell proliferation; however, it did not induce cell death. Combinatorial treatment with DS18 and inhibitors of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), an activator of the S phase checkpoint pathway, efficiently induced apoptotic cell death in breast cancer cells and suppressed tumorigenesis in a triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft model. Mechanistically, MTHFD2 inhibition led to cell cycle arrest and slowed nucleotide synthesis. This finding suggests that DNA replication stress occurs due to nucleotide shortage and that the S-phase checkpoint pathway is activated, leading to cell-cycle arrest. Combinatorial treatment with both inhibitors released cell-cycle arrest, but induced accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks, leading to apoptotic cell death. Collectively, a combination of MTHFD2 and Chk1 inhibitors would be a rational treatment option for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Lee
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Xiaoxi Chen
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Yuming Wang
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Nishimura
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Mengjiao Li
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Satoko Ishikawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Takiko Daikoku
- Research Center for Experimental Modeling of Human Disease, Institute for Experimental Animals, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Junya Kawai
- R&D Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-8710, Japan
| | - Arinobu Tojo
- Division of Molecular Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Noriko Gotoh
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan.
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12
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Cui L, Zhao X, Jin Z, Wang H, Yang SF, Hu S. Melatonin modulates metabolic remodeling in HNSCC by suppressing MTHFD1L-formate axis. J Pineal Res 2021; 71:e12767. [PMID: 34533844 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic remodeling is now widely recognized as a hallmark of cancer, yet its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains largely unknown. In this study, metabolomic analysis of melatonin-treated HNSCC cell lines revealed that exogenous melatonin inhibited many important metabolic pathways including folate cycle in HNSCC cells. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 like (MTHFD1L), a metabolic enzyme of the folate cycle regulating the production of formate, was identified as a downstream target of melatonin. MTHFD1L was found to be markedly upregulated in HNSCC, and MTHFD1L overexpression was significantly associated with unfavorable clinical outcome of HNSCC patients. In addition, MTHFD1L promoted HNSCC progression in vitro and in vivo and reversed the oncostatic effects of exogenous melatonin. More importantly, the malignant phenotypes suppressed by knockdown of MTHFD1L or exogenous melatonin could be partially rescued by formate. Furthermore, we found that melatonin inhibited the expression of MTHFD1L in HNSCC cells through the downregulation of cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) phosphorylation. Lastly, this novel regulatory axis of melatonin-p-CREB1-MTHFD1L-formate was also verified in HNSCC tissues. Collectively, our findings have demonstrated that MTHFD1L-formate axis promotes HNSCC progression and melatonin inhibits HNSCC progression through CREB1-mediated downregulation of MTHFD1L and formate. These findings have revealed new metabolic mechanisms in HNSCC and may provide novel insights on the therapeutic intervention of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Cui
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenning Jin
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hailin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shen Hu
- School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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13
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Liu X, Liu S, Piao C, Zhang Z, Zhang X, Jiang Y, Kong C. Non-metabolic function of MTHFD2 activates CDK2 in bladder cancer. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:4909-4919. [PMID: 34632667 PMCID: PMC8645701 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is a common tumor with a high recurrence rate and high fatality rate, and its mechanism of occurrence and development remains unclear. Many proteins and metabolites reprogram at different stages of tumor development to support tumor cell growth. The moonlighting effect happens when a protein performs multiple functions simultaneously in a cell. In this study, we identified a metabolic protein, MTHFD2, which participates in the cell cycle by binding to CDK2 in bladder cancer. MTHFD2 has been shown to affect bladder cancer cell growth, which is independent of its metabolic function. We found that MTHFD2 was involved in cell cycle regulation and could encourage cell cycle progression by activating CDK2 and sequentially affecting E2F1 activation. In addition, moonlighting MTHFD2 might be regulated by the dynamics of the mitochondria. In conclusion, MTHFD2 localizes in the nucleus to perform a distinct function of catalyzing metabolic reactions. Moreover, the nuclear MTHFD2 activates CDK2 and promotes bladder cancer cell growth by modulating the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Liu
- Department of UrologyThe First Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Shuangjie Liu
- Department of UrologyThe First Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Chiyuan Piao
- Department of UrologyThe First Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of UrologyThe First Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Xiaotong Zhang
- Department of UrologyThe First Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Yuanjun Jiang
- Department of UrologyThe First Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Chuize Kong
- Department of UrologyThe First Hospital of China Medical UniversityShenyangChina
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14
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Zhang Z, TeSlaa T, Xu X, Zeng X, Yang L, Xing G, Tesz GJ, Clasquin MF, Rabinowitz JD. Serine catabolism generates liver NADPH and supports hepatic lipogenesis. Nat Metab 2021; 3:1608-1620. [PMID: 34845393 PMCID: PMC8721747 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-021-00487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Carbohydrate can be converted into fat by de novo lipogenesis, a process upregulated in fatty liver disease. Chemically, de novo lipogenesis involves polymerization and reduction of acetyl-CoA, using NADPH as the electron donor. The feedstocks used to generate acetyl-CoA and NADPH in lipogenic tissues remain, however, unclear. Here we show using stable isotope tracing in mice that de novo lipogenesis in adipose is supported by glucose and its catabolism via the pentose phosphate pathway to make NADPH. The liver, in contrast, derives acetyl-CoA for lipogenesis from acetate and lactate, and NADPH from folate-mediated serine catabolism. Such NADPH generation involves the cytosolic serine pathway in liver running in the opposite direction to that observed in most tissues and tumours, with NADPH made by the SHMT1-MTHFD1-ALDH1L1 reaction sequence. SHMT inhibition decreases hepatic lipogenesis. Thus, liver folate metabolism is distinctively wired to support cytosolic NADPH production and lipogenesis. More generally, while the same enzymes are involved in fat synthesis in liver and adipose, different substrates are used, opening the door to tissue-specific pharmacological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyue Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Tara TeSlaa
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Xincheng Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Xianfeng Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Lifeng Yang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Gang Xing
- Pfizer Inc. Internal Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Joshua D Rabinowitz
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton Branch, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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15
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Murphy MSQ, Muldoon KA, Sheyholislami H, Behan N, Lamers Y, Rybak N, White RR, Harvey ALJ, Gaudet LM, Smith GN, Walker MC, Wen SW, MacFarlane AJ. Impact of high-dose folic acid supplementation in pregnancy on biomarkers of folate status and 1-carbon metabolism: An ancillary study of the Folic Acid Clinical Trial (FACT). Am J Clin Nutr 2021; 113:1361-1371. [PMID: 33675351 PMCID: PMC8106758 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation is recommended to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects. Currently, most over-the-counter FA supplements in Canada and the United States contain 1 mg FA and some women are prescribed 5 mg FA/d. High-dose FA is hypothesized to impair 1-carbon metabolism. We aimed to determine folate and 1-carbon metabolism biomarkers in pregnant women exposed to 1 mg or 5 mg FA. OBJECTIVES This was an ancillary study within the Folic Acid Clinical Trial (FACT), a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase III trial designed to assess the efficacy of high-dose FA to prevent preeclampsia. METHODS For FACT, women were randomized at 8-16 gestational weeks to receive daily 4.0 mg FA (high dose) or placebo (low dose) plus their usual supplementation (≤1.1 mg). Women were recruited from 3 Canadian FACT centers and provided nonfasting blood samples at 24-26 gestational weeks for measurement of RBC and serum total folate, serum unmetabolized FA (UMFA), tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5-methylTHF, 5-formylTHF, 5,10-methenylTHF, and MeFox (pyrazino-s-triazine derivative of 4α-hydroxy-5-methylTHF, a 5-methylTHF oxidation product); total vitamins B-12 and B-6; and plasma total homocysteine. Group differences were determined using χ2, Fisher exact, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. RESULTS Nineteen (38%) women received high-dose FA and 31 (62%) received low-dose FA. The median RBC folate concentration was 2701 (IQR: 2243-3032) nmol/L and did not differ between groups. The high-dose group had higher serum total folate (median: 148.4 nmol/L, IQR: 110.4-181.2; P = 0.007), UMFA (median: 4.6 nmol/L, IQR: 2.5-33.8; P = 0.008), and 5-methylTHF (median: 126.6 nmol/L, IQR: 98.8-158.6; P = 0.03) compared with the low-dose group (median: 122.8 nmol/L, IQR: 99.5-136.0; median: 1.9 nmol/L, IQR: 0.9-4.1; median: 108.6 nmol/L, IQR: 96.4-123.2, respectively). Other biomarkers of 1-carbon metabolism did not differ. CONCLUSIONS High-dose FA supplementation in early pregnancy increases maternal serum folate but not RBC folate concentrations, suggesting tissue saturation. Higher UMFA concentrations in women receiving high-dose FA supplements suggest that these doses are supraphysiologic but with no evidence of altered 1-carbon metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malia S Q Murphy
- OMNI Research Group, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katherine A Muldoon
- OMNI Research Group, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hauna Sheyholislami
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathalie Behan
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yvonne Lamers
- Food, Nutrition, and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Natalie Rybak
- OMNI Research Group, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Newborn Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth Rennicks White
- OMNI Research Group, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Newborn Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alysha L J Harvey
- OMNI Research Group, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura M Gaudet
- OMNI Research Group, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graeme N Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark C Walker
- OMNI Research Group, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Newborn Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- BORN Ontario, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shi Wu Wen
- OMNI Research Group, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Bidla G, Watkins D, Chéry C, Froese DS, Ells C, Kerachian M, Saskin A, Christensen KE, Gilfix BM, Guéant JL, Rosenblatt DS. Biochemical analysis of patients with mutations in MTHFD1 and a diagnosis of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 deficiency. Mol Genet Metab 2020; 130:179-182. [PMID: 32414565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2020.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
MTHFD1 is a trifunctional protein containing 10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase, 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase activities. It is encoded by MTHFD1 and functions in the cytoplasmic folate cycle where it is involved in de novo purine synthesis, synthesis of thymidylate and remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. Since the first reported case of severe combined immunodeficiency resulting from MTHFD1 mutations, seven additional patients ascertained through molecular analysis have been reported with variable phenotypes, including megaloblastic anemia, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, hyperhomocysteinemia, microangiopathy, infections and autoimmune diseases. We determined the level of MTHFD1 expression and dehydrogenase specific activity in cell extracts from cultured fibroblasts of three previously reported patients, as well as a patient with megaloblastic anemia and recurrent infections with compound heterozygous MTHFD1 variants that were predicted to be deleterious. MTHFD1 protein expression determined by Western blotting in fibroblast extracts from three of the patients was markedly decreased compared to expression in wild type cells (between 4.8 and 14.3% of mean control values). MTHFD1 expression in the fourth patient was approximately 44% of mean control values. There was no detectable methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase specific activity in extracts from any of the four patients. This is the first measurement of MTHFD1 function in MTHFD1 deficient patients and confirms the previous molecular diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gawa Bidla
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David Watkins
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.; Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada..
| | - Céline Chéry
- Inserm-U954, National reference centre for inherited metabolic diseases, University Hospital Centre, Nancy, France
| | - D Sean Froese
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Courtney Ells
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Matin Kerachian
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Avi Saskin
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Karen E Christensen
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brian M Gilfix
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.; Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Specialized Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Louis Guéant
- Inserm-U954, National reference centre for inherited metabolic diseases, University Hospital Centre, Nancy, France
| | - David S Rosenblatt
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.; Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Specialized Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.; Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Specialized Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Huemer M, Baumgartner MR. The clinical presentation of cobalamin-related disorders: From acquired deficiencies to inborn errors of absorption and intracellular pathways. J Inherit Metab Dis 2019; 42:686-705. [PMID: 30761552 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This review gives an overview of clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of nutritional and acquired cobalamin (Cbl; synonym: vitamin B12) deficiencies, inborn errors of Cbl absorption and intracellular trafficking, as well as methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD1) and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiencies, which impair Cbl-dependent remethylation. Acquired and inborn Cbl-related disorders and MTHFR deficiency cause multisystem, often severe disease. Failure to thrive, neurocognitive or psychiatric symptoms, eye disease, bone marrow alterations, microangiopathy and thromboembolic events are characteristic. The recently identified MTHFD1 defect additionally presents with severe immune deficiency. Deficient Cbl-dependent enzymes cause reduced methylation capacity and metabolite toxicity. Further net-effects of perturbed Cbl function or reduced Cbl supply causing oxidative stress, altered cytokine regulation or immune functions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Huemer
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Paediatrics, Landeskrankenhaus Bregenz, Bregenz, Austria
| | - Matthias R Baumgartner
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Ding K, Jiang J, Chen L, Xu X. Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase 1 Silencing Expedites the Apoptosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells via Modulating DNA Methylation. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:7499-7507. [PMID: 30343310 PMCID: PMC6206813 DOI: 10.12659/msm.910265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all types of lung cancer. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1) is involved in DNA methylation, and DNA methylation is related to tumorigenesis. The role of MTHFD1 in NSCLC was examined in our study. MATERIAL AND METHODS The correlation between the expression of MTHFD1 and the clinicopathological features of patients diagnosed with lung cancer was investigated using the chi-square test. The viability and apoptosis of NCI-H1299 cells was respectively detected using cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry assays. The expression levels of MTHFD1, apoptosis-related factors and DNA methyltransferase-related factors were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot assays. RESULTS We found that MTHFD1 expression in the tumor tissues and cells was higher than that of adjacent normal tissues and cells. The survival time of patients with high MTHFD1 expression was shorter than those with low MTHFD1 expression. The expression level of MTHFD1 was related to tumor size, TNM stage, histologic grade, and metastasis, but not linked to gender and age. Besides, si-MTHFD1 significantly decreased the viability of cells in a time-dependent manner, and increased cell apoptosis. When cells were transfected with MTHFD1-siRNA, the levels of surviving and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) were attenuated, while p53 and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) levels were enhanced. Moreover, si-MTHFD1 markedly downregulated the expression levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), DNMT3a, and DNMT3b. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our results proved that MTHFD1 silencing obviously reduced the proliferation and enhanced the apoptosis of NSCLC via suppressing DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Ding
- Dispensary of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Jianyang Jiang
- Department of Respiration, Quzhou People’s Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Liang Chen
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohua Xu
- Department of Respiration, Quzhou People’s Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
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Sen N, Cross AM, Lorenzi PL, Khan J, Gryder BE, Kim S, Caplen NJ. EWS-FLI1 reprograms the metabolism of Ewing sarcoma cells via positive regulation of glutamine import and serine-glycine biosynthesis. Mol Carcinog 2018; 57:1342-1357. [PMID: 29873416 PMCID: PMC6175245 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is a soft tissue and bone tumor that occurs primarily in adolescents and young adults. In most cases of EWS, the chimeric transcription factor, EWS-FLI1 is the primary oncogenic driver. The epigenome of EWS cells reflects EWS-FLI1 binding and activation or repression of transcription. Here, we demonstrate that EWS-FLI1 positively regulates the expression of proteins required for serine-glycine biosynthesis and uptake of the alternative nutrient source glutamine. Specifically, we show that EWS-FLI1 activates expression of PHGDH, PSAT1, PSPH, and SHMT2. Using cell-based studies, we also establish that EWS cells are dependent on glutamine for cell survival and that EWS-FLI1 positively regulates expression of the glutamine transporter, SLC1A5 and two enzymes involved in the one-carbon cycle, MTHFD2 and MTHFD1L. Inhibition of serine-glycine biosynthesis in EWS cells impacts their redox state leading to an accumulation of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Importantly, analysis of EWS primary tumor transcriptome data confirmed that the aforementioned genes we identified as regulated by EWS-FLI1 exhibit increased expression compared with normal tissues. Furthermore, retrospective analysis of an independent data set generated a significant stratification of the overall survival of EWS patients into low- and high-risk groups based on the expression of PHGDH, PSAT1, PSPH, SHMT2, SLC1A5, MTHFD2, and MTHFD1L. In summary, our study demonstrates that EWS-FLI1 reprograms the metabolism of EWS cells and that serine-glycine metabolism or glutamine uptake are potential targetable vulnerabilities in this tumor type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmalya Sen
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
| | - Allison M. Cross
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
| | - Philip L. Lorenzi
- Proteomic and Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics and Computational BiologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexas
| | - Javed Khan
- Oncogenomics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
| | - Berkley E. Gryder
- Oncogenomics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
| | - Suntae Kim
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
| | - Natasha J. Caplen
- Functional Genetics Section, Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR)National Cancer Institute (NCI)BethesdaMaryland
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Lin H, Huang B, Wang H, Liu X, Hong Y, Qiu S, Zheng J. MTHFD2 Overexpression Predicts Poor Prognosis in Renal Cell Carcinoma and is Associated with Cell Proliferation and Vimentin-Modulated Migration and Invasion. Cell Physiol Biochem 2018; 51:991-1000. [PMID: 30466107 DOI: 10.1159/000495402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [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: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS To investigate the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (MTHFD2) in the clinical prognosis and cell biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS A total of 137 RCC tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between MTHFD2 overexpression and clinical parameters and vimentin expression was assessed. Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test were applied for survival analysis according to MTHFD2 and vimentin expression in RCC tissues. The expression of MTHFD2 mRNA and protein was examined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blotting, respectively. To determine further the biological activity of MTHFD2 in RCC, 786-O cells were transfected with short hairpin RNA specifically targeting MTHFD2 (shMTHFD2) with or without tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulation. Cell proliferation, cell migration and invasion and drug sensitivity were subsequently assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays. RESULTS Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that both MTHFD2 and vimentin overexpression was positively associated with clinical staging, pathological grade, and poor overall survival (all P < 0.05). MTHFD2 expression was closely correlated with vimentin overexpression in RCC (r = 0.402, P < 0.001). After knocking down MTHFD2 expression in 786-O cells, decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were observed and accompanied by the reduced expression of vimentin. The effects of MTHFD2 down-regulation could be partially restrained by TNF-α treatment. Vimentin expression and cell migration and invasion, but not cell proliferation, were reversed by TNF-α stimulation. Furthermore, treatment of 786-O cells with shMTHFD2 increased their sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. CONCLUSION The current results demonstrated that MTHFD2 was overexpressed in RCC and associated with poor clinical characteristics, vimentin expression, and cellular features connected to malignant disease, thus, implicating MTHFD2 as a potential target for RCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Lin
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou,
| | - Bin Huang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xincheng Liu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Yuxiang Hong
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Shaopeng Qiu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junhong Zheng
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
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Lee D, Xu IMJ, Chiu DKC, Lai RKH, Tse APW, Lan Li L, Law CT, Tsang FHC, Wei LL, Chan CYK, Wong CM, Ng IOL, Wong CCL. Folate cycle enzyme MTHFD1L confers metabolic advantages in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Clin Invest 2017; 127:1856-1872. [PMID: 28394261 DOI: 10.1172/jci90253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells preferentially utilize glucose and glutamine, which provide macromolecules and antioxidants that sustain rapid cell division. Metabolic reprogramming in cancer drives an increased glycolytic rate that supports maximal production of these nutrients. The folate cycle, through transfer of a carbon unit between tetrahydrofolate and its derivatives in the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial compartments, produces other metabolites that are essential for cell growth, including nucleotides, methionine, and the antioxidant NADPH. Here, using hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a cancer model, we have observed a reduction in growth rate upon withdrawal of folate. We found that an enzyme in the folate cycle, methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1-like (MTHFD1L), plays an essential role in support of cancer growth. We determined that MTHFD1L is transcriptionally activated by NRF2, a master regulator of redox homeostasis. Our observations further suggest that MTHFD1L contributes to the production and accumulation of NADPH to levels that are sufficient to combat oxidative stress in cancer cells. The elevation of oxidative stress through MTHFD1L knockdown or the use of methotrexate, an antifolate drug, sensitizes cancer cells to sorafenib, a targeted therapy for HCC. Taken together, our study identifies MTHFD1L in the folate cycle as an important metabolic pathway in cancer cells with the potential for therapeutic targeting.
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Li B, Baba T, Miyabayashi K, Sato T, Shima Y, Ichinose T, Miura D, Ohkawa Y, Suyama M, Morohashi KI. Role of Ad4-binding protein/steroidogenic factor 1 in regulating NADPH production in adrenocortical Y-1 cells. Endocr J 2017; 64:315-324. [PMID: 28202838 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej16-0467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ad4-binding protein/steroidogenic factor 1 (Ad4BP/SF-1), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is expressed in steroidogenic cells and regulates all steroidogenic gene expression. We recently employed mRNA and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequence (ChIP-seq) to demonstrate that Ad4BP/SF-1 directly regulates the expression of nearly all glycolytic genes. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) contributes to the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). Although the expression of PPP genes and intracellular NADPH were decreased by Ad4BP/SF-1 knockdown, these genes were not the direct targets of Ad4BP/SF-1. This study therefore investigates whether Ad4BP/SF-1 directly regulates genes implicated in NADPH production. Examination of previously published data sets of mRNA sequence (mRNA-seq) and ChIP-seq strongly suggested a possibility that other NADPH-producing genes, such as malic enzyme 1 (Me1) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2 (Mthfd2), are the direct targets of Ad4BP/SF-1. Reporter gene assays and determination of intracellular NADPH concentration supported the notion that Ad4BP/SF-1 regulates NADPH production by regulating these genes. NADPH is required for macromolecule synthesis of compounds such as steroids, and for detoxification of reactive oxygen species. When synthesizing steroid hormones, steroidogenic cells consume NADPH through enzymatic reactions mediated by steroidogenic P450s. NADPH is also consumed through elimination of reactive oxygen species produced as the byproducts of the P450 reactions. Overall, Ad4BP/SF-1 potentially maintains the intracellular NADPH level through cooperative regulation of genes involved in the biological processes for consumption and supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Li
- Division of Systems Life Sciences, Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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Kamynina E, Lachenauer ER, DiRisio AC, Liebenthal RP, Field MS, Stover PJ. Arsenic trioxide targets MTHFD1 and SUMO-dependent nuclear de novo thymidylate biosynthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E2319-E2326. [PMID: 28265077 PMCID: PMC5373342 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1619745114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Arsenic exposure increases risk for cancers and is teratogenic in animal models. Here we demonstrate that small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)- and folate-dependent nuclear de novo thymidylate (dTMP) biosynthesis is a sensitive target of arsenic trioxide (As2O3), leading to uracil misincorporation into DNA and genome instability. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1) and serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) generate 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate for de novo dTMP biosynthesis and translocate to the nucleus during S-phase, where they form a multienzyme complex with thymidylate synthase (TYMS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), as well as the components of the DNA replication machinery. As2O3 exposure increased MTHFD1 SUMOylation in cultured cells and in in vitro SUMOylation reactions, and increased MTHFD1 ubiquitination and MTHFD1 and SHMT1 degradation. As2O3 inhibited de novo dTMP biosynthesis in a dose-dependent manner, increased uracil levels in nuclear DNA, and increased genome instability. These results demonstrate that MTHFD1 and SHMT1, which are key enzymes providing one-carbon units for dTMP biosynthesis in the form of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, are direct targets of As2O3-induced proteolytic degradation, providing a mechanism for arsenic in the etiology of cancer and developmental anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Kamynina
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Erica R Lachenauer
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
- Graduate Field of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Aislyn C DiRisio
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | | | - Martha S Field
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Patrick J Stover
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853;
- Graduate Field of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
- Graduate Field of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
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Tedeschi PM, Vazquez A, Kerrigan JE, Bertino JR. Mitochondrial Methylenetetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase (MTHFD2) Overexpression Is Associated with Tumor Cell Proliferation and Is a Novel Target for Drug Development. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:1361-6. [PMID: 26101208 PMCID: PMC4618031 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-15-0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [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: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Rapidly proliferating tumors attempt to meet the demands for nucleotide biosynthesis by upregulating folate pathways that provide the building blocks for pyrimidine and purine biosynthesis. In particular, the key role of mitochondrial folate enzymes in providing formate for de novo purine synthesis and for providing the one-carbon moiety for thymidylate synthesis has been recognized in recent studies. We have shown a significant correlation between the upregulation of the mitochondrial folate enzymes, high proliferation rates, and sensitivity to the folate antagonist methotrexate (MTX). Burkitt lymphoma and diffuse large-cell lymphoma tumor specimens have the highest levels of mitochondrial folate enzyme expression and are known to be sensitive to treatment with MTX. A key enzyme upregulated in rapidly proliferating tumors but not in normal adult cells is the mitochondrial enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD2). This perspective outlines the rationale for specific targeting of MTHFD2 and compares known and generated crystal structures of MTHFD2 and closely related enzymes as a molecular basis for developing therapeutic agents against MTHFD2. Importantly, the development of selective inhibitors of mitochondrial methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase is expected to have substantial activity, and this perspective supports the investigation and development of MTHFD2 inhibitors for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M Tedeschi
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Alexei Vazquez
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - John E Kerrigan
- Department of Bioinformatics, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Joseph R Bertino
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
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Izci Ay O, Ay ME, Erdal ME, Cayan F, Tekin S, Soylemez F, Sungur MA, Derici Yıldırım D. Folate metabolism gene polymorphisms and risk for down syndrome offspring in Turkish women. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2015; 19:191-7. [PMID: 25671679 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2014.0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality. Many studies have assessed the association between maternal gene polymorphisms involved in folate metabolism and the risk of having a DS offspring, but data are conflicting. Six common polymorphisms in folate-metabolizing genes were analayzed to determine possible risk factors for a child to be born having DS (DS mothers); these samples were taken from 47 Turkish mothers having DS children (case group) and 49 control mothers. Investigated polymorphisms include methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T (rs1801133), A1298C (rs1801131), methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) A66G (rs1801394), methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD1) G1958A (rs2236225), reduced folate carrier (RFC1) A80G (rs1051266), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) 844ins68. RESULTS The frequency of the MTHFR 677C allele in DS mothers (79.8%) was significantly higher than in controls (66.3%), with a 0.499-fold increased risk of having a DS offspring (p=0.038 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.259-0.961). Mothers with the MTHFD1 1958A allele had a 1.880-fold increased risk of having a child with DS (p=0.031 and 95% CI, 1.060-3.335). No significant association was found for the other polymorphic variants in this study. Gene-gene interactions were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Polymorphic variants of the enzymes involved in folate metabolism may play an important role in determining the susceptibility of having a DS offspring. The gene-nutrition, gene-gene interactions and ethnicity are important variables to be considered in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Izci Ay
- 1 Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University , Mersin, Turkey
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Kong B, Bruns P, Raulefs S, Rieder S, Paul L, Prazeresda Costa O, Buch T, Theis FJ, Michalski CW, Kleeff J. Metabolism gene signatures and surgical site infections in abdominal surgery. Int J Surg 2015; 14:67-74. [PMID: 25599917 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 12/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Surgical site infections (SSI) represent a significant cause of morbidity in abdominal surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the gene expression signature in subcutaneous tissues in relation to SSI. METHODS To determine differences in gene expression, microarray analysis were performed from bulk tissue mRNA of subcutaneous tissues prospectively collected in 92 patients during open abdominal surgery. 10 patients (11%) developed incisional (superficial and deep) SSI. RESULTS Preoperative risk factors in patients with SSI were not significantly different from those in patients without wound infections. 1025 genes were differentially expressed between the groups, of which the AZGP1 and ALDH1A3 genes were the highest down- and upregulated ones. Hierarchical clustering demonstrated strong similarity within the respective groups (SSI vs. no-SSI) indicating inter-group distinctness. In a functional classification, genes controlling cell metabolism were mostly down-regulated in subcutaneous tissues of patients that subsequently developed SSI. CONCLUSION Altered expression of metabolism genes in subcutaneous tissues might constitute a risk factor for postoperative abdominal SSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Kong
- Department of Surgery, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Bruns
- Department of Surgery, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Raulefs
- Department of Surgery, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Simon Rieder
- Department of Surgery, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Paul
- Department of Surgery, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Thorsten Buch
- Institute of Microbiology, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabian J Theis
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Kleeff
- Department of Surgery, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- J David Spence
- Stroke Prevention & Atherosclerosis Research Centre, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, 1400 Western Rd, London, ON, Canada N6G 2V2.
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28
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Liang S, Ren YY. [Genes involved in folate metabolim and neural tube defects]. Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi 2011; 46:301-303. [PMID: 21609581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
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29
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Murta SMF, Vickers TJ, Scott DA, Beverley SM. Methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase and the synthesis of 10-CHO-THF are essential in Leishmania major. Mol Microbiol 2009; 71:1386-401. [PMID: 19183277 PMCID: PMC2692627 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06610.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
10-Formyl tetrahydrofolate (10-CHO-THF) is a key metabolite in C1 carbon metabolism, arising through the action of formate-tetrahydrofolate ligase (FTL) and/or 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase/5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (DHCH). Leishmania major possesses single DHCH1 and FTL genes encoding exclusively cytosolic proteins, unlike other organisms where isoforms occur in the mitochondrion as well. Recombinant DHCH1 showed typical NADP(+)-dependent methylene tetrahydrofolate DH and 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate CH activities, and the DH activity was potently inhibited by a substrate analogue 5,10-CO-THF (K(i) 105 nM), as was Leishmania growth (EC(50) 1.1 microM). Previous studies showed null ftl(-) mutants were normal, raising the possibility that loss of the purine synthetic pathway had rendered 10-CHO-THF dispensable in evolution. We were unable to generate dhch1(-) null mutants by gene replacement, despite using a wide spectrum of nutritional supplements expected to bypass DHCH function. We applied an improved method for testing essential genes in Leishmania, based on segregational loss of episomal complementing genes rather than transfection; analysis of approximately 1400 events without successful loss of DHCH1 again established its requirement. Lastly, we employed 'genetic metabolite complementation' using ectopically expressed FTL as an alternative source of 10-CHO-THF; now dhch1(-) null parasites were readily obtained. These data establish a requirement for 10-CHO-THF metabolism in L. major, and provide genetic and pharmacological validation of DHCH as a target for chemotherapy, in this and potentially other protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Stephen M. Beverley
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Box 8230, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Kim JH, Sung MW, Lee EH, Nam KH, Hwang KY. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of 5,10- methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase from Thermoplasma acidophilum DSM 1728. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2008; 18:283-286. [PMID: 18309272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/ cyclohydrolase (MTHFDC) from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum is a 30.6 kDa molecular-mass enzyme that sequentially catalyzes the conversion of formyltetrahydrofolate to methylenetetrahydrofolate, with a preference for NADP as a cofactor, rather than NAD. In order to elucidate the functional and structural features of MTHFDC from archaeons at a molecular level, it was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and crystallized in the presence of its cofactor, NADP, at 295 K using polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 as a precipitant. The crystal is a member of the monoclinic space group P21, with the following unit cell parameters: a=66.333 A, b=52.868 A, c=86.099 A, and beta= 97.570o, and diffracts to a resolution of at least 2.40 A at the synchrotron. Assuming a dimer in the crystallographic asymmetric unit, the calculated Matthews parameter (VM) was 2.44 A3/Da and the solvent content was 49.7%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hee Kim
- Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 136-701, Korea
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31
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Christensen KE, Mackenzie RE. Mitochondrial methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase, methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase, and formyltetrahydrofolate synthetases. Vitam Horm 2008; 79:393-410. [PMID: 18804703 DOI: 10.1016/s0083-6729(08)00414-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Folate-mediated metabolism involves enzyme-catalyzed reactions that occur in the cytoplasmic, mitochondrial, and nuclear compartments in mammalian cells. Which of the folate-dependent enzymes are expressed in these compartments depends on the stage of development, cell type, cell cycle, and whether or not the cell is transformed. Mitochondria become formate-generating organelles in cells and tissues expressing the MTHFD2 and MTHFD1L genes. The products of these nuclear genes were derived from trifunctional precursor proteins, expressing methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase, and formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase activities. The MTHFD2 protein is a bifunctional protein with dehydrogenase and cyclohydrolase activities that arose from a trifunctional precursor through the loss of the synthetase domain and a novel adaptation to NAD rather than NADP specificity for the dehydrogenase. The MTHFD1L protein retains the size of its trifunctional precursor, but through the mutation of critical residues, both the dehydrogenase and cyclohydrolase activities have been silenced. MTHFD1L is thus a monofunctional formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase. This review discusses the properties and functions of these mitochondrial proteins and their role in supporting cytosolic purine synthesis during embryonic development and in cells undergoing rapid growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Christensen
- Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada H3Z 2Z3
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Abstract
The major mechanism of action of 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-based therapies is thought to be inhibition of thymidylate synthase (TS). This enzyme catalyzes synthesis of the thymidine nucleotide precursor using a methyl group provided by a folate cofactor. In addition to TS activity levels, various elements of methyl-group metabolism could also be predictive for the response of colorectal cancer (CRC) to 5FU. These include the activity of enzymes involved in folate metabolism, the concentrations of intracellular folate intermediates, and surrogate markers of aberrant methyl-group metabolism, such as DNA methylation and microsatellite instability. The factors of age, gender, common genetic variants, and diet have been shown to influence both systemic and tumor methyl-group metabolism. This has important implications for the prediction of toxicity and response to 5FU, respectively. Identification of predictive factors within the methyl-group metabolism pathway should assist in targeting 5FU treatment to the most responsive CRC patient groups. This is particularly important for early-stage disease where conclusive demonstration of a survival benefit from 5FU in the overall CRC group has thus far proven difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Iacopetta
- School of Surgery and Pathology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands.
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Patel H, Di Pietro E, Mejia N, MacKenzie RE. NAD- and NADP-dependent mitochondrially targeted methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolases can rescue mthfd2 null fibroblasts. Arch Biochem Biophys 2005; 442:133-9. [PMID: 16150419 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2005.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2005] [Revised: 07/26/2005] [Accepted: 07/30/2005] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Mouse fibroblasts in which the mthfd2 gene encoding mitochondrial NAD-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase (NMDMC) was previously inactivated were infected with retroviral expression constructs of dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase cDNA. Cellular fractionation confirmed that the expressed proteins were properly targeted to the mitochondria. Expression of the NAD-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase enzyme in mitochondria corrected the glycine auxotrophy of the null mutant cells. A construct in which the cyclohydrolase activity of NMDMC was inactivated by point mutation also rescued the glycine auxotrophy, although poorly. This suggests that the cyclohydrolase activity is also required to ensure optimal production of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate. The expression of the NADP-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase-synthetase in the mitochondria also reversed the glycine requirement of the null cells demonstrating that the use of the NAD cofactor is not absolutely essential to maintain the flux of one-carbon metabolites. All rescued cells demonstrated a decrease in the ratio of incorporation of exogenous formate to serine in standardized radiolabeling studies. This ratio, which is approximately 2.5 for nmdmc(-/-) cells and 0.3 for the wild type cells under the conditions used, is a qualitative indicator of the ability of the mitochondria of the cells to generate formate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshila Patel
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montréal, Que., Canada H3G 1Y6
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Walkup AS, Appling DR. Enzymatic characterization of human mitochondrial C1-tetrahydrofolate synthase. Arch Biochem Biophys 2005; 442:196-205. [PMID: 16171773 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2005.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2005] [Accepted: 08/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A human mitochondrial isozyme of C1-tetrahydrofolate (THF) synthase was previously identified by its similarity to the human cytoplasmic C1-THF synthase. All C1-THF synthases characterized to date, from yeast to human, are trifunctional, containing the activities of 5,10-methylene-THF dehydrogenase, 5,10-methenyl-THF cyclohydrolase, and 10-formyl-THF synthetase. Here we report on the enzymatic characterization of the recombinant human mitochondrial isozyme. Enzyme assays of purified human mitochondrial C1-THF synthase protein revealed only the presence of 10-formyl-THF synthetase activity. Gel filtration and crosslinking studies indicated that human mitochondrial C1-THF synthase exists as a homodimer in solution. Steady-state kinetic characterization of the 10-formyl-THF synthetase activity was performed using (6R,S)-H4-PteGlu1, (6R,S)-H4-PteGlu3, and (6R,S)-H4-PteGlu5 substrates. The (6R,S)-H4-PteGlun Km dropped from greater than 500 microM for the monoglutamate to 15 microM and 3.6 microM for the tri- and pentaglutamates, respectively. The Km values for formate and ATP also are lowered when THF polyglutamates are used. The formate Km dropped 79-fold and the ATP Km dropped more than 5-fold when (6R,S)-H4-PteGlu5 was used as the substrate in place of (6R,S)-H4-PteGlu1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addie S Walkup
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A5300, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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35
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Christensen KE, Mirza IA, Berghuis AM, Mackenzie RE. Magnesium and phosphate ions enable NAD binding to methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:34316-23. [PMID: 16100107 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m505210200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial NAD-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase (NMDMC) is believed to have evolved from a trifunctional NADP-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase-synthetase. It is unique in its absolute requirement for inorganic phosphate and magnesium ions to support dehydrogenase activity. To enable us to investigate the roles of these ions, a homology model of human NMDMC was constructed based on the structures of three homologous proteins. The model supports the hypothesis that the absolutely required Pi can bind in close proximity to the 2'-hydroxyl of NAD through interactions with Arg166 and Arg198. The characterization of mutants of Arg166, Asp190, and Arg198 show that Arg166 is primarily responsible for Pi binding, while Arg198 plays a secondary role, assisting in binding and properly orienting the ion in the cofactor binding site. Asp190 helps to properly position Arg166. Mutants of Asp133 suggest that the magnesium ion interacts with both Pi and the aspartate side chain and plays a role in positioning Pi and NAD. NMDMC uses Pi and magnesium to adapt an NADP binding site for NAD binding. This adaptation represents a novel variation of the classic Rossmann fold.
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Li Y, Cheng J, Zhu WL, Dao JJ, Yan LY, Li MY, Li SQ. [Study of serum Hcy and polymorphisms of Hcy metabolic enzymes in 192 families affected by congenital heart disease]. Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2005; 37:75-80. [PMID: 15719048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore genotype distributions at MTHFR C677T, MS A2756G, MTHFD G1958A and CBS 844 ins68bp loci in healthy Chinese living in northern area, and to assess the association of single or combined gene mutations with folic acid, Vit.B(12), Hcy levels and CHD. METHODS 192 patients having CHD and their biological parents in Liaoning province registered as birth defects were included in this study as case group, and 124 healthy subjects (age and gender matched) and their biological parents were simultaneously selected from the same geographic area as control. To all subjects, the gene polymorphism at MTHFR C677T, MS A2756G, MTHFD G1958A and CBS 844 ins68bp loci was examined with PCR-RFLP. The serum folic acid and homocysteine (Hcy) level were analyzed with Radioimmunoassay or fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). RESULTS In healthy Chinese living in northern China, the mutant allele frequencies of these four loci were MTHFR 51.18%, MS 7.58%, MTHFD 24.32%, and CBS insertion 2.36%, respectively. The heterozygosity of CBS 844 ins68bp was more prevalent in case than in control (12.57% vs 2.97% in children, 10.88% vs 3.09% in father and 11.54% vs 1.02% in mother, respectively), and yielded an odds ratio (OR) of 4.70 (95% CI 1.34-25.15) in children, 3.83 (95% CI 1.05-20.98) in fathers and 12.65 (95% CI 1.92-532.47) in mothers. There is no existed significant difference at the other three loci. The percents of mothers with MTHFR, CBS and MTHFD gene polymorphisms, of mothers with MTHFR and CBS being polymorphisms (OR=8.44, 95aCI 1.23-362.26), of mothers with MTHFD and CBS being polymorphisms in case were higher than those in control. Serum folic acid levels of mothers and fathers in case were significantly higher than those of counterparts in control. Serum Hcy level of mothers in case was higher than that of counterparts in control without significant difference. Homozygous mutation at MTHFR and MTHFD loci made serum folic acid and Vit.B(12) levels slightly decreased and serum Hcy level increased. CONCLUSION The study showed presence of ethnic and district difference of gene polymorphisms at these four loci. 68 bp insertion at exon 8 of CBS gene base 844 could be a risk factor for CHD, and the insertion in parents (especially in mothers) could increase CHD risk in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Li
- Department of Nutrition, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing 100083, China.
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Di Pietro E, Wang XL, MacKenzie RE. The expression of mitochondrial methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase supports a role in rapid cell growth. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2004; 1674:78-84. [PMID: 15342116 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2004.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2004] [Revised: 06/02/2004] [Accepted: 06/04/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Deletion of the gene encoding NAD-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase (NMDMC) in mice was demonstrated previously to result in failure to establish definitive erythropoiesis in the developing liver. We examined the expression pattern of nmdmc to look for evidence that would support a tissue specific role for this activity. However, whole mount in situ hybridization revealed ubiquitous expression of nmdmc in the tissues of E9.5 and E10.5 embryos suggesting a broader role. Analysis of chimeras demonstrated that nmdmc-/- cells can survive in liver and other tissues of chimeras establishing that the null defect can be rescued by metabolites supplied by surrounding normal cells. Both the expression pattern and metabolite rescue support the proposal that mitochondrial NMDMC provides one-carbon units for purine synthesis during embryogenesis. The elevated expression of NMDMC in tumour cells, but not in surrounding normal cells, is predicted to result in significant differences in folate-mediated support for purine synthesis in the two cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erminia Di Pietro
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1Y6
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Buchenau B, Thauer RK. Tetrahydrofolate-specific enzymes in Methanosarcina barkeri and growth dependence of this methanogenic archaeon on folic acid or p-aminobenzoic acid. Arch Microbiol 2004; 182:313-25. [PMID: 15349715 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-004-0714-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2004] [Revised: 07/15/2004] [Accepted: 07/15/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea are generally thought to use tetrahydromethanopterin or tetrahydrosarcinapterin (H4SPT) rather than tetrahydrofolate (H4F) as a pterin C1 carrier. However, the genome sequence of Methanosarcina species recently revealed a cluster of genes, purN, folD, glyA and metF, that are predicted to encode for H4F-specific enzymes. We show here for folD and glyA from M. barkeri that this prediction is correct: FolD (bifunctional N5,N10-methylene-H4F dehydrogenase/N5,N10-methenyl-H4F cyclohydrolase) and GlyA (serine:H4F hydroxymethyltransferase) were heterologously overproduced in Escherichia coli, purified and found to be specific for methylene-H4F and H4F, respectively (apparent Km below 5 microM). Western blot analyses and enzyme activity measurements revealed that both enzymes were synthesized in M. barkeri. The results thus indicate that M. barkeri should contain H4F, which was supported by the finding that growth of M. barkeri was dependent on folic acid and that the vitamin could be substituted by p-aminobenzoic acid, a biosynthetic precursor of H4F. From the p-aminobenzoic acid requirement, an intracellular H4F concentration of approximately 5 M was estimated. Evidence is presented that the p-aminobenzoic acid taken up by the growing cells was not required for the biosynthesis of H4SPT, which was found to be present in the cells at a concentration above 3 mM. The presence of both H4SPT and H4F in M. barkeri is in agreement with earlier isotope labeling studies indicating that there are two separate C1 pools in these methanogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bärbel Buchenau
- Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie and Laboratorium für Mikrobiologie, Fachbereich Biologie, Philipps-Universität, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse, Marburg, Germany
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Abstract
Serine (Ser) biosynthesis in C(3) plants can occur via several pathways. One major route involves the tetrahydrofolate (THF)-dependent activities of the glycine decarboxylase complex (GDC, EC 2.1.1.10) and serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT, EC 2.1.2.1) with glycine (Gly) as one-carbon (1-C) source. An alternative THF-dependent pathway involves the C1-THF synthase/SHMT activities with formate as 1-C source. Here, we have investigated aspects of the regulation of these two folate-mediated pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Columbia using two approaches. Firstly, transgenic plants overexpressing formate dehydrogenase (FDH, EC 1.2.1.2) were used to continue our previous studies on the function of FDH in formate metabolism. The formate pool size was approximately 73 nmol (g FW)(-1) in wild type (WT) Arabidopsis plants; three independent transgenic lines had similar-sized pools of formate. Transgenic plants produced more (13)CO(2) from supplied [(13)C]formate than did WT plants but were not significantly different from WT plants in their synthesis of Ser. We concluded that FDH has no direct role in the regulation of the above two pathways of Ser synthesis; the breakdown of formate to CO(2) by the FDH reaction is the primary and preferred fate of the organic acid in Arabidopsis. The ratio between the GDC/SHMT and C1-THF synthase/SHMT pathways of Ser synthesis from [alpha-(13)C]Gly and [(13)C]formate, respectively, in Arabidopsis shoots was 21 : 1; in roots, 9 : 1. In shoots, therefore, the pathway from formate plays only a small role in Ser synthesis; in the case of roots, results indicated that the 9 : 1 ratio was as a result of greater fluxes of (13)C through both pathways together with a relatively higher contribution from the C1-THF synthase/SHMT route than in shoots. We also examined the synthesis of Ser in a GDC-deficient mutant of Arabidopsis (glyD) where the GDC/SHMT pathway was impaired. Compared with WT, glyD plants accumulated 5-fold more Gly than WT after supplying [alpha-(13)C]Gly for 24 h; the accumulation of Ser from [alpha-(13)C]Gly was reduced by 25% in the same time period. On the other hand, the accumulation of Ser through the C1-THF synthase/SHMT pathway in glyD plants was 2.5-fold greater than that in WT plants. Our experiments confirmed that the GDC/SHMT and C1-THF synthase/SHMT pathways normally operate independently in Arabidopsis plants but that when the primary GDC/SHMT pathway is impaired the alternative C1-THF synthase/SHMT pathway can partially compensate for deficiencies in the synthesis of Ser.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Li
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E2 Canada.
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Gos M, Szpecht-Potocka A. Genetic basis of neural tube defects. II. Genes correlated with folate and methionine metabolism. J Appl Genet 2003; 43:511-24. [PMID: 12441636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Effective supplementation with folate, which prevents neural tube defect (NTD) occurrence, and high homocysteine levels in the blood of NTD children's mothers suggest that genes involved in folate and homocysteine metabolism can be involved in NTD aetiology. Genes encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) or methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD) belong to the first group. Genes encoding methionine synthase (MTR), its regulator - methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) and also cystathionine synthase (CBS) can be included in the second group. We present a current list of the folate and homocysteine metabolism genes that are known to be involved in NTD and pay special attention to primary and secondary NTD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Gos
- The Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Department of Cell Biology, ul. Roentgena 5, 02-781 Warszawa, Poland.
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Sliwerska E, Szpecht-Potocka A. [Genetic risk factors of neural tube defects]. Med Wieku Rozwoj 2002; 6:349-70. [PMID: 12810987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of diseases caused by a failure of closure of the neural tube. Its aetiology contains both environmental and genetic factors. NTDs have a polygenic background. Genes, which are linked with NTDs occurrence, are both directly and indirectly connected with controlling the process of closure of the neural tube. Ones of those are genes of metabolism of folic acid as MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, CBS, MTHFD, folic acid receptors (FR) regulator genes from PAX family, T, PDGFRA and BRCA1 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Sliwerska
- Zaklad Genetyki Medycznej, Instytut Matki i Dziecka, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warszawa, Poland
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Studer A, McAnulla C, Büchele R, Leisinger T, Vuilleumier S. Chloromethane-induced genes define a third C1 utilization pathway in Methylobacterium chloromethanicum CM4. J Bacteriol 2002; 184:3476-84. [PMID: 12057941 PMCID: PMC135114 DOI: 10.1128/jb.184.13.3476-3484.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2002] [Accepted: 03/27/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylobacterium chloromethanicum CM4 is an aerobic alpha-proteobacterium capable of growth with chloromethane as the sole carbon and energy source. Two proteins, CmuA and CmuB, were previously purified and shown to catalyze the dehalogenation of chloromethane and the vitamin B12-mediated transfer of the methyl group of chloromethane to tetrahydrofolate. Three genes located near cmuA and cmuB, designated metF, folD and purU and encoding homologs of methylene tetrahydrofolate (methylene-H4folate) reductase, methylene-H4folate dehydrogenase-methenyl-H4folate cyclohydrolase and formyl-H4folate hydrolase, respectively, suggested the existence of a chloromethane-specific oxidation pathway from methyl-tetrahydrofolate to formate in strain CM4. Hybridization and PCR analysis indicated that these genes were absent in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, which is unable to grow with chloromethane. Studies with transcriptional xylE fusions demonstrated the chloromethane-dependent expression of these genes. Transcriptional start sites were mapped by primer extension and allowed to define three transcriptional units, each likely comprising several genes, that were specifically expressed during growth of strain CM4 with chloromethane. The DNA sequences of the deduced promoters display a high degree of sequence conservation but differ from the Methylobacterium promoters described thus far. As shown previously for purU, inactivation of the metF gene resulted in a CM4 mutant unable to grow with chloromethane. Methylene-H4folate reductase activity was detected in a cell extract of strain CM4 only in the presence of chloromethane but not in the metF mutant. Taken together, these data provide evidence that M. chloromethanicum CM4 requires a specific set of tetrahydrofolate-dependent enzymes for growth with chloromethane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Studer
- Institut für Mikrobiologie, ETH Zürich, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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Di Pietro E, Sirois J, Tremblay ML, MacKenzie RE. Mitochondrial NAD-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase is essential for embryonic development. Mol Cell Biol 2002; 22:4158-66. [PMID: 12024029 PMCID: PMC133862 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.22.12.4158-4166.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Folate-dependent enzymes are compartmentalized between the cytoplasm and mitochondria of eukaryotes. The role of mitochondrial folate-dependent metabolism and the extent of its contribution to cytoplasmic processes are areas of active investigation. NAD-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase (NMDMC) catalyzes the interconversion of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate and 10-formyltetrahydrofolate in mitochondria of mammalian cells, but its metabolic role is not yet clear. Its expression in embryonic tissues but not in most adult tissues as well as its stringent transcriptional regulation led us to postulate that it may play a role in embryonic development. To investigate the metabolic role of NMDMC, we used a knockout approach to delete the nmdmc gene in mice. Heterozygous mice appear healthy, but homozygous NMDMC knockout mice die in utero. At embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5), homozygous null embryos exhibit no obvious developmental defects but are smaller and pale and die soon thereafter. Mutant fetal livers contain fewer nucleated cells and lack the characteristic redness of wild-type or heterozygous livers. The frequencies of CFU-erythroid (CFU-E) and burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) from fetal livers of E12.5 null mutants were not reduced compared with those of wild-type or heterozygous embryos. It has been assumed that initiation of protein synthesis in mitochondria requires a formylated methionyl-tRNA(fmet). One role postulated for NMDMC is to provide 10-formyltetrahydrofolate as a formyl group donor for the synthesis of this formylmethionyl-tRNA(fmet). To determine if the loss of NMDMC impairs protein synthesis and thus could be a cause of embryonic lethality, mitochondrial translation products were examined in cells in culture. Mitochondrial protein synthesis was unaffected in NMDMC-null mutant cell lines compared with the wild type. These results show that NMDMC is not required to support initiation of protein synthesis in mitochondria in isolated cells but instead demonstrate an essential role for mitochondrial folate metabolism during embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Di Pietro
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1Y6
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Sundararajan S, MacKenzie RE. Residues involved in the mechanism of the bifunctional methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase: the roles of glutamine 100 and aspartate 125. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:18703-9. [PMID: 11904299 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m200127200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The human bifunctional dehydrogenase-cyclohydrolase domain catalyzes the interconversion of 5,10-methylene-H(4)folate and 10-formyl-H(4)folate. Although previous structure and mutagenesis studies indicated the importance of lysine 56 in cyclohydrolase catalysis, the role of several surrounding residues had not been explored. In addition to further defining the role of lysine 56, the work presented in this study explores the functions of glutamine 100 and aspartate 125 through the use of site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification. Mutants at position 100 are inactive with respect to cyclohydrolase activity while preserving significant dehydrogenase levels. We succeeded in producing a K56Q/Q100K double mutant, which has no cyclohydrolase yet retains more than two-thirds of wild type dehydrogenase activity. Neither activity is detectable in aspartate 125 mutants with the exception of D125E. The results indicate that the function of glutamine 100 is to activate lysine 56 for cyclohydrolase catalysis and that aspartate 125 is involved in the binding of the H(4)folate substrates. In highlighting the importance of these residues, catalytic mechanisms are proposed for both activities as well as an explanation for the differences in channeling efficiency in the forward and reverse directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saravanan Sundararajan
- Department of Biochemistry, McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
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Bartoschek S, Buurman G, Thauer RK, Geierstanger BH, Weyrauch JP, Griesinger C, Nilges M, Hutter MC, Helms V. Re-face stereospecificity of methylenetetrahydromethanopterin and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenases is predetermined by intrinsic properties of the substrate. Chembiochem 2001; 2:530-41. [PMID: 11828486 DOI: 10.1002/1439-7633(20010803)2:7/8<530::aid-cbic530>3.0.co;2-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Four different dehydrogenases are known that catalyse the reversible dehydrogenation of N5,N10-methylenetetrahydromethanopterin (methylene-H4MPT) or N5,N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (methylene-H4F) to the respective N5,N10-methenyl compounds. Sequence comparison indicates that the four enzymes are phylogenetically unrelated. They all catalyse the Re-face-stereospecific removal of the pro-R hydrogen atom of the coenzyme's methylene group. The Re-face stereospecificity is in contrast to the finding that in solution the pro-S hydrogen atom of methylene-H4MPT and of methylene-H4F is more reactive to heterolytic cleavage. For a better understanding we determined the conformations of methylene-H4MPT in solution and when enzyme-bound by using NMR spectroscopy and semiempirical quantum mechanical calculations. For the conformation free in solution we find an envelope conformation for the imidazolidine ring, with the flap at N10. The methylene pro-S C-H bond is anticlinal and the methylene pro-R C-H bond is synclinal to the lone electron pair of N10. Semiempirical quantum mechanical calculations of heats of formation of methylene-H4MPT and methylene-H4F indicate that changing this conformation into an activated one in which the pro-S C-H bond is antiperiplanar, resulting in the preformation of the leaving hydride, would require a deltadeltaH(f) of +53 kJ mol-1 for methylene-H4MPT and of +51 kJ mol-1 for methylene-H4F. This is almost twice the energy required to force the imidazolidine ring in the enzyme-bound conformation of methylene-H4MPT (+29 kJ mol-1) or of methylene-H4F (+35 kJ mol-1) into an activated conformation in which the pro-R hydrogen atom is antiperiplanar to the lone electron pair of N10. The much lower energy for pro-R hydrogen activation thus probably predetermines the Re-face stereospecificity of the four dehydrogenases. Results are also presented explaining why the chemical reduction of methenyl-H4MPT+ and methenyl-H4F+ with NaBD4 proceeds Si-face-specific, in contrast to the enzyme-catalysed reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bartoschek
- Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie and Laboratorium für Mikrobiologie, des Fachbereichs Biologie der Philipps-Universität Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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Buccianti G, Bamonti Catena F, Patrosso C, Corghi E, Novembrino C, Baragetti I, Lando G, De Franceschi M, Maiolo AT. Reduction of the homocysteine plasma concentration by intravenously administered folinic acid and vitamin B(12) in uraemic patients on maintenance haemodialysis. Am J Nephrol 2001; 21:294-9. [PMID: 11509801 DOI: 10.1159/000046264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperhomocysteinaemia is an independent cardiovascular risk factor which can induce vascular lesions, thus contributing to the early development of atherosclerosis. Low-dose folic acid supplementation reduces the pretreatment homocysteine plasma levels by 25-35%. Recent studies report that higher intravenous or oral administration of the active form of folic acid reduces the homocysteine plasma concentration by nearly 70%. The reduction could also be influenced by the thermolabile variant of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (tMTHFR) and by the dialysis modality. METHODS A cross-sectional clinical study was performed to evaluate the effect of a drug containing folinic acid and vitamin B(12) on the plasma homocysteine concentration and whether this variable could also be influenced by the presence of a genetic variant of the methionine pathway and the use of different dialysis modalities. The plasma homocysteine concentration was measured in 55 patients undergoing haemodialysis, 27 of whom have been treated intravenously for megaloblastic anaemia using a drug containing low concentrations of folinic acid and vitamin B(12) at the end of each dialysis session for 6 months. The presence of tMTHFR was sought by molecular analysis, and the role of the dialysis modality was also investigated. RESULTS The patients given the folic acid treatment had lower homocysteine plasma levels than those not so treated. The plasma homocysteine concentration was significantly higher in the tMRHFR homozygotes than in the patients with a normal genotype, significantly lower in the treated than in the untreated homozygotes, and significantly higher in the untreated homozygotes than in the untreated subgroup with a normal genotype. The homocysteine level was also significantly lower in the patients who underwent convective haemodialysis than in those who received standard bicarbonate dialysis. CONCLUSIONS A drug containing low concentrations of folinic acid combined with vitamin B(12) using an intermittent intravenous regimen is effective in reducing the homocysteine plasma concentration in uraemic patients. The homocysteine levels seem also to depend on genotype and dialysis modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Buccianti
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, S. Gerardo Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Italy.
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Abstract
The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in renal disease patients, its treatment by folate administration, and its aggravation by the 677 C-->T mutation of methylene-tetrahydrofolate (methylene-THF) reductase has established the folate cycle as an important factor in the pathogenesis and management of renal disease. Proper function of the folate cycle depends on normal function of involved enzymes adequate of the vitamin and its correct disposition within the body. Vital processes in folate disposition include conversion of dietary folylpolyglutamates to monoglutamates, intestinal absorption, receptor and carrier-mediated transport across cell membranes, and cellular export. Folate coenzymes are responsible for the one-carbon unit transfer in intermediary metabolism and are required for several reactions in key metabolic processes, for example of purine, pyrimidine and methionine synthesis, and glycine and serine metabolism. Methionine synthase and its recently discovered reducing protein as well as methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase are key folate enzymes in homocysteine metabolism. Deficiencies of these enzymes are important causes of severe disease in the rare remethylation defects causing homocystinuria. Knowledge of their catalytic and molecular properties is important in understanding possible causes of moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, as for example, the well-known 677 C-->T transition of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Fowler
- Metabolic Unit, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations of DNA methylation are very frequent in prostatic carcinoma. A possible cause underlying altered DNA methylation could be an insufficient level of S-adenosylmethionine as a consequence of nutritional imbalances or of weaker alleles of genes for its synthesis, i.e., encoding methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MS), and beta-cystathione synthetase (CBS). Therefore, homozygosity or heterozygosity for such weaker alleles may underlie susceptibility to prostatic carcinoma. METHODS The distribution of the two most frequent MTHFR, MS, and CBS alleles was determined in 132 prostatic carcinoma patients and 150 population controls by restriction fragment length polymorphism-(RFLP) PCR. RESULTS In the controls, a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed for each allele pair. No significant differences were observed with respect to age or gender. No significant differences for single genes or combinations were found between prostatic carcinoma patients and controls, although the MTHFR Val allele was slightly overrepresented among the tumor patients. Neither did the allele distribution significantly differ among the prostatic carcinoma patients stratified according to age, clinical stage, or presence of metastases. However, the MTHFR Val allele tended to be associated with higher tumor grade. CONCLUSIONS In general, the data do not support the hypothesis that weaker alleles in methyl group metabolism genes constitute a major factor in the high prevalence of DNA methylation alterations found in prostatic carcinoma. However, a potential association with the MTHFR genotype deserves further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Kimura
- Urologische Klinik, Heinrich Heine Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Abstract
One-carbon metabolism in yeast is an essential process that relies on at least one of three one-carbon donor molecules: serine, glycine, or formate. By a combination of genetics and biochemistry we have shown how cells regulate the balance of one-carbon flow between the donors by regulating cytoplasmic serine hydroxymethyltransferase activity in a side reaction occurring in the presence of excess glycine. This control governs the level of 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate (5,10-CH(2)-H(4)folate) in the cytoplasm, which has a direct role in signaling transcriptional control of the expression of key genes, particularly those encoding the unique components of the glycine decarboxylase complex (GCV1, GCV2, and GCV3). Based on these and other observations, we propose a model for how cells balance the need to supplement their one-carbon pools when charged folates are limiting or when glycine is in excess. We also propose that under normal conditions, cytoplasmic 5,10-CH(2)-H(4)folate is mainly directed to generating methyl groups via methionine, whereas one-carbon units generated from glycine in mitochondria are more directed to purine biosynthesis. When glycine is in excess, 5, 10-CH(2)-H(4)folate is decreased, and the regulation loop shifts the balance of generation of one-carbon units into the mitochondrion.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Piper
- School of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and the NMR Facility, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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Monzingo AF, Breksa A, Ernst S, Appling DR, Robertus JD. The X-ray structure of the NAD-dependent 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Protein Sci 2000; 9:1374-81. [PMID: 10933503 PMCID: PMC2144683 DOI: 10.1110/ps.9.7.1374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Eucaryotes possess one or more NADP-dependent methylene-THF dehydrogenases as part of multifunctional enzymes. In addition, yeast expresses an unusual monofunctional NAD-dependent enzyme, yMTD. We report X-ray structures for the apoenzyme and its complex with NAD+ at 2.8 and 3.0 A resolution, respectively. The protein fold resembles that seen for the human and Escherichia coli dehydrogenase/cyclohydrolase bifunctional enzymes. The enzyme has two prominent domains, with the active site cleft between them. yMTD has a noncanonical NAD-binding domain that has two inserted strands compared with the NADP-binding domains of the bifunctional enzymes. This insert precludes yMTD from dimerizing in the same way as the bifunctional enzymes. yMTD functions as a dimer, but the mode of dimerization is novel. It does not appear that the difference in dimerization accounts for the difference in cofactor specificity or for the loss of cyclohydrolase activity. These functional differences are probably accounted for by minor differences within the tertiary structure of the active site of the monomeric protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F Monzingo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, 78712, USA
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