MicroRNA-200c exacerbates the ischemia/reperfusion injury of heart through targeting the glutaminase (GLS)-mediated glutamine metabolism

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac ischemia and reperfusion, the common pathophysiological processes during cardiovascular surgery, are followed by oxidative stresses during the restoration of blood flow to the tissue, known as ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. microRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of endogenous, short and noncoding RNAs that post-transcriptionally repress their target mRNA expressions. Currently, the roles of microRNAs in the IR are still under investigated. This study will investigate the roles and mechanisms of miRNAs in the ischemia/reperfusion injury of the heart.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A rat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established in this study. MiR-200c expression was measured by qRT-PCR. MiR-200c mimics was transfected into rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes to test the effects of miR-200c on the glutamine metabolism. The glutamine uptake, glutamine dehydrogenase activity, α-ketoglutarate, and glutaminase were assessed.

RESULTS

Here, we show that endogenous miR-200c expression is stimulated by IR in rat heart. We observed miR-200c expressions were induced by H2O2 treatments in H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of miR-200c increased the ROS levels under H2O2. Moreover, the glutamine metabolism is suppressed by IR in rat heart. We identified miR-200c directly targets the glutaminase (GLS) through complimentary binding to the 3'UTR reagent of GLS. We report either knockdown of GLS by siRNA or overexpression of miR-200c suppresses glutamine metabolism in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Notably, the miR-200c inhibitor-pretreated rat heart exhibits improved heart function in IR.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reports an important function of miR-200c in the regulation of glutamine metabolism during ischemia/reperfusion injury and will contribute to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for the protection of IR.

mTORC1-Dependent Metabolic Reprogramming Underlies Escape from Glycolysis Addiction in Cancer Cells

Although glycolysis is substantially elevated in many tumors, therapeutic targeting of glycolysis in cancer patients has not yet been successful, potentially reflecting the metabolic plasticity of tumor cells. In various cancer cells exposed to a continuous glycolytic block, we identified a recurrent reprogramming mechanism involving sustained mTORC1 signaling that underlies escape from glycolytic addiction. Active mTORC1 directs increased glucose flux via the pentose phosphate pathway back into glycolysis, thereby circumventing a glycolysis block and ensuring adequate ATP and biomass production. Combined inhibition of glycolysis and mTORC1 signaling disrupted metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells and inhibited their growth in vitro and in vivo. These findings reveal novel combinatorial therapeutic strategies to realize the potential benefit from targeting the Warburg effect.

Compensatory glutamine metabolism promotes glioblastoma resistance to mTOR inhibitor treatment

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is hyperactivated in many types of cancer, rendering it a compelling drug target; however, the impact of mTOR inhibition on metabolic reprogramming in cancer is incompletely understood. Here, by integrating metabolic and functional studies in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines, preclinical models, and clinical samples, we demonstrate that the compensatory upregulation of glutamine metabolism promotes resistance to mTOR kinase inhibitors. Metabolomic studies in GBM cells revealed that glutaminase (GLS) and glutamate levels are elevated following mTOR kinase inhibitor treatment. Moreover, these mTOR inhibitor-dependent metabolic alterations were confirmed in a GBM xenograft model. Expression of GLS following mTOR inhibitor treatment promoted GBM survival in an α-ketoglutarate-dependent (αKG-dependent) manner. Combined genetic and/or pharmacological inhibition of mTOR kinase and GLS resulted in massive synergistic tumor cell death and growth inhibition in tumor-bearing mice. These results highlight a critical role for compensatory glutamine metabolism in promoting mTOR inhibitor resistance and suggest that rational combination therapy has the potential to suppress resistance.

Glutaminase: A multifaceted protein not only involved in generating glutamate

The protein glutaminase has been traditionally considered as a mitochondrial enzyme, playing a key role in the energy and nitrogen metabolism of mammalian cells. However, new experimental evidence in the last few years has challenged this simplified view. The recent discovery of novel extramitochondrial localizations, the identification of potential protein interacting partners, the existence of multiple transcripts for mammalian glutaminase genes, and the presence of signature sequences and protein motifs on its sequence support the notion of glutaminase being a multifaceted protein, which may be involved in other functions besides glutamate generation from glutamine. In this short review, we will briefly summarize recent works on glutaminase proteins in mammals, with particular emphasis in brain studies. This experimental evidence will then be used to highlight new potential roles for this classical metabolic enzyme.

Identification of genes downregulated in tumor cells expressing antisense glutaminase mRNA by differential display

Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EATC) is a highly proliferative malignant cell line derived from mouse mammary epithelia, whereas their derivative, 0.28AS-2 cells, expressing antisense glutaminase mRNA, show a less transformed phenotype and loss of their tumorigenic capacity in vivo correlated with an inhibition of glutaminase expression. The mRNA differential display technique was applied to these two cell lines for the identification and isolation of genes whose transcription was altered. Side-by-side comparisons of cDNA patterns among relevant RNA samples revealed four genes significantly downregulated in 0.28AS-2 cells: high-mobility group Hmga2 protein, Fmnl3 or formin-like protein 3, Nedd-4 ubiquitin-protein ligase, and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase Usp-15. These positives were confirmed by Northern analysis. The four targeted genes have relevant functions in cell growth and proliferation. Our results show the validity of mRNA differential display technique to get insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the acquisition of a more differentiated phenotype by tumor cells after inhibition of glutaminase expression.

Role of phosphate-activated glutaminase in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy

Disturbed body nitrogen homeostasis due to impaired hepatic urea synthesis leads to an alteration in inter-organ ammonia trafficking, resulting in hyperammonemia. Glutamine (Gln) synthase is the alternative pathway for ammonia detoxification. Gln taken up by several organs is split by the intramitochondrial phosphate-activated enzyme glutaminase (PAG) into glutamate (Glu) and ammonia. In cirrhotic patients with portosystemic intrahepatic shunt, the main source of systemic hyperammonemia is the small intestine, and ammonia derives mainly from Gln deamidation. Recently, PAG has been found increased in cirrhotics showing minimal hepatic encephalopathy and, therefore, could be implicated in the production of systemic hyperammonemia in these patients. Intestinal PAG activity correlates with psychometric test and magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings. Moreover, nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor seem to be the major factors regulating intestinal ammonia production in cirrhotics. In the brain, PAG localized into the astrocytes is responsible for ammonia and free-radical production. The blockade of PAG, using 6-oxo-5-norleucine, avoids the toxic effects of Gln accumulation in the brain. These data support an important role for intestinal and brain glutaminase in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy and could be a new target for future therapies.

Regulation of transcription and activity of Rhizobium etli glutaminase A

The present study determines the regulatory mechanisms that operate on Rhizobium etli glutaminase A. glsA gene expression levels were evaluated under several metabolic conditions by fusions of the glsA gene promoter and the transcriptional reporter cassette uidA2-aad. glsA expression was directly correlated to the glutaminase A activity found under the tested growth conditions, reaching its maximum level in the presence of glutamine and during exponential growth phase. Glutamine induces glsA expression. The influence of allosteric metabolites on glutaminase A activity was also determined. The purified enzyme was inhibited by 2-oxoglutarate and pyruvate, whereas oxaloacetate and glyoxylate modulate it positively. Glutaminase A is not inhibited by glutamate and is activated by ammonium. Glutaminase A participates in an ATP-consuming cycle where glutamine is continually degraded and resynthesized by glutamine synthetase (GS). GS and glutaminase A activities appear simultaneously during bacterial growth under different metabolic conditions and their control mechanisms are not reciprocal. Slight overproduction in glutaminase A expression causes a reduction in growth yield and a dramatic decrease in bacterial growth. We propose a model for regulation of glutaminase A, and discuss its contribution to glutamine cycle regulation.

Implications for altered glutamate and GABA metabolism in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of aged schizophrenic patients

OBJECTIVE

Pharmacological, clinical, and postmortem studies suggest altered gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic and glutamatergic function in patients with schizophrenia. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is one key locus of abnormality. The precise neurochemical mechanisms underlying neurotransmitter alterations, such as hypoglutamatergia or GABA dysfunction, are not well understood. This study investigated key biochemical elements of GABA and glutamate metabolism in brain specimens from schizophrenic patients. The activities of nine principal GABA and glutamate-associated metabolic enzymes were measured concurrently in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of antemortem-assessed and neuropathologically characterized schizophrenic and comparison subjects.

METHOD

Postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex specimens from schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and normal nonpsychiatric comparison subjects were assayed to determine activities of the principal glutamate and GABA-metabolizing enzymes glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, phosphate-activated glutaminase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamic acid decarboxylase, GABA-transaminase, and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase.

RESULTS

Glutamic acid decarboxylase activities were twofold greater and phosphate-activated glutaminase activities were fourfold greater in the schizophrenic group than in the comparison group. Differences in postmortem interval, tissue pH, inhibition of phosphate-activated glutaminase, and medication effects could not account for the differences. Differences in phosphate-activated glutaminase and glutamic acid decarboxylase activities in equivalent specimens from Alzheimer's patients were not observed. The activities of the remaining enzymes were unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater phosphate-activated glutaminase and glutamic acid decarboxylase activities, specific to schizophrenia patients, provide additional biochemical evidence that dorsolateral prefrontal cortex glutamate and GABA metabolism is altered in schizophrenic subjects. These greater activities are consistent with models of a dysregulated glutamatergic/GABA-ergic state in schizophrenia.

Expression and activity of pH-regulatory glutaminase in the human airway epithelium

Fluid condensed from the breath of patients with acute asthma is acidic. Several features of asthma pathophysiology can be initiated by exposure of the airway to acid. In renal tubular epithelium, glutaminase produces ammonia to buffer urinary acid excretion. We hypothesized that human airway epithelium could also express glutaminase. Here, we demonstrate that human airway epithelial cells in vitro have biochemical evidence for glutaminase activity and express mRNA for two glutaminase isoforms (KGA and GAC). Glutaminase activity increased in response to acidic stress (media pH 5.8) and was associated with both increased culture medium pH and improved cell survival. In contrast, activity was inhibited by interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Glutaminase protein was expressed in the human airway in vivo. Further, ammonia levels in the breath condensate of subjects with acute asthma were low (30 microM [range: 0-233], n = 18, age 23 +/- 2.5 yr) compared with control subjects (327 microM [14-1,220], n = 24, age 24 +/- 2.4 yr, p < 0.001), and correlated with condensate pH (r = 0.58, p < 0.001). These data demonstrate that glutaminase is expressed and active in the human airway epithelium and may be relevant both to the regulation of airway pH and to the pathophysiology of acute asthmatic airway inflammation.

The role of glutaminase in the small intestine

Glutaminase is the enzyme which hydrolyses glutamine, the main respiratory fuel of the intestine, to yield glutamate and ammonia. Glutaminase has a central role in intestinal metabolism: the products of the reaction catalyzed by glutaminase can be transaminated, catabolized to yield energy or used for the biosynthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides. Experimental treatments which deprive the intestine of glutamine induce intestinal atrophy. In this review, attention is paid to the role of glutaminase in intestinal metabolism. Background information on the structure, kinetics and distribution of glutaminase precede a discussion of the metabolism of glutamine within the intestine. In closing, we review the factors known to regulate glutaminase activity and emphasise that the regulation of glutaminase within the intestine is poorly understood.

Phosphate-activated glutaminase immunoreactivity in brainstem respiratory neurons

The aim of this study was to determine if immunoreactivity for phosphate activated glutaminase (PAG), an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of glutamate and a putative marker for neurons that use glutamate as a neurotransmitter, is present within respiratory neurons in the ventrolateral medulla oblongata. Intracellular recordings were obtained from neurons in the ventrolateral medulla of adult anaesthetised Sprague-Dawley rats. Neurons with a respiratory-related modulation of their membrane potential were filled with Neurobiotin (Vector, CA). After histochemical processing, sections of brainstem were examined by fluorescence and light microscopy. Some PAG immunoreactivity was found in all of the four types of respiratory neurons examined. PAG immunoreactivity was graded as strong or weak. (1) Of six inspiratory neurons in the rostral ventral respiratory group five were strongly PAG immunoreactive and one was weakly PAG immunoreactive. (2) Of six expiratory neurons in the caudal ventral respiratory group five were strongly PAG immunoreactive while one was weak. (3) Seven motoneurons in the nucleus ambiguous were all strongly PAG immunoreactive. (4) Five neurons in the Bötzinger area were examined. Four were weakly PAG immunoreactive while one contained strong PAG immunoreactivity. These data demonstrate a heterogeneity of PAG immunoreactivity amongst brainstem respiratory neurons.

Regulation of glutaminase activity and glutamine metabolism

Glutamine is synthesized primarily in skeletal muscle, lungs, and adipose tissue. Plasma glutamine plays an important role as a carrier of nitrogen, carbon, and energy between organs and is used for hepatic urea synthesis, for renal ammoniagenesis, for gluconeogenesis in both liver and kidney, and as a major respiratory fuel for many cells. The catabolism of glutamine is initiated by either of two isoforms of the mitochondrial glutaminase. Liver-type glutaminase is expressed only in periportal hepatocytes of the postnatal liver, where it effectively couples ammonia production with urea synthesis. Kidney-type glutaminase is abundant in kidney, brain, intestine, fetal liver, lymphocytes, and transformed cells, where the resulting ammonia is released without further metabolism. The two isoenzymes have different structural and kinetic properties that contribute to their function and short-term regulation. Although there is a high degree of identity in amino acid sequences, the two glutaminases are the products of different but related genes. The two isoenzymes are also subject to long-term regulation. Hepatic glutaminase is increased during starvation, diabetes, and feeding a high-protein diet, whereas kidney-type glutaminase is increased only in kidney in response to metabolic acidosis. The adaptations in hepatic glutaminase are mediated by changes in the rate of transcription, whereas kidney-type glutaminase is regulated at a posttranscriptional level.

Metabolic and functional changes in lymphocytes and macrophages as induced by ageing

Key enzyme activities of glycolysis, pentosephosphate pathway, Krebs cycle, and glutaminolysis were measured in lymphocytes and macrophages of 3- and 15-month-old rats from the control, thioglycollate-injected, and Walker 256 tumor-implanted groups. The percentage of phagocytosis, phagocytic index, and production of H2O2 in macrophages and the rates of [2-14C]-thymidine and [5-3H]-uridine incorporation in cultured lymphocytes were also determined. The results indicate that the percentage of phagocytosis was not affected but the phagocytic index increased by twofold as a consequence of ageing, whereas the production of H2O2 reduced. The rates of both [2-14C]-thymidine and [5-3H]-uridine incorporation in lymphocytes from aged rats were lower as compared to those of mature animals in the three groups. Taken as a whole, the results of enzyme activities suggest that ageing may reduce the capacity for glucose utilization in lymphocytes and macrophages under the three conditions. Lymphocyte and macrophage glutamine metabolism was not markedly affected by ageing. Therefore, an impaired glucose metabolism during ageing may be one important mechanism for the alteration in lymphocyte proliferation and macrophage phagocytosis observed and also for the modification of the response to inflammatory and tumor challenges.

Glutamate production in islets of Langerhans: properties of phosphate-activated glutaminase

Homogenates of rat pancreas, pancreatic islets, and HIT-T15 cells (a clonal line derived from B cells) catalyzed the breakdown of glutamine to glutamate. This activity was markedly stimulated by the addition of orthophosphate and was much greater in homogenates from islets and the B-cell-derived clonal cell line than in those from whole pancreas. Islet glutaminase was half-maximally stimulated with 40 mmol/L phosphate. Kinetic analyses of the rates of glutamine hydrolysis showed that the Vmax for the reaction increased with the increase in phosphate concentration, whereas the Km for glutamine (2.6 +/- 0.2 mmol/L) was unaltered. The pH optimum for enzyme activity was 8.0 to 8.5 at all phosphate concentrations studied. Glutamine breakdown was enhanced by adenosine triphosphate ([ATP] approximately 100% at 10 mmol/L) and citrate (approximately 30% at 10 mmol/L), but it was unaffected by malate, 2-oxoglutarate, lactate, and ammonia. Glutamate significantly inhibited glutamine hydrolysis. Freshly isolated islets had a low content of both glutamate and glutamine. After culturing for 1 hour in an amino acid-containing medium, the concentrations of glutamine and glutamate increased. Subsequent perifusion without amino acids caused a loss of glutamine and a concomitant increase in glutamate level. Perifusion with 1 mmol/L glutamine led to an increase in both internal glutamine and glutamate. The addition to the perifusion medium of either 10 mmol/L glutamine, 10 mmol/L orthophosphate, or both substantially enhanced insulin release evoked by 10 mmol/L leucine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Metabolic changes of several adipose depots as caused by aging

In this study, metabolic changes of several adipose depots as caused by aging were investigated. Key enzyme activity of glutaminolysis, pentose-phosphate pathway and Krebs cycle were measured. The rates of lipogenesis from 3H2O, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and rate of lipolysis in vitro were also determined. The results obtained indicate a reduced capacity for lipogenesis in several adipose depots by aging. The authors concluded that hypertrophy of adipose tissue reported during aging is possible due to increased LPL activity and reduced rate of lipolysis.

The effect of Heparegen and D-penicillamine on the activity of some ammonia metabolizing enzymes in liver and brain of rats intoxicated with ethanol

This paper reports data on the effect of two drugs: Heparegen (thiazalidine-4-carboxylic acid) and D-penicillamine on the blood ammonia concentration and on some ammonia metabolizing enzymes in liver and brain of rats intoxicated with ethanol. It seems, that both drugs decrease ammonia concentration and simultaneously elevate liver and brain glutamine synthetase activity. The effect of D-penicillamine on the nitrogen metabolism in the damaged liver appears to be more favorable than that of Heparegen.

Liver glutamine metabolism

A fundamental conceptional change in the field of hepatic glutamine metabolism is derived from an understanding of the unique regulatory properties of hepatic glutaminase, the occurrence of glutamine cycling, and the discovery of marked hepatocyte heterogeneities in nitrogen metabolism, with metabolic interactions between differently localized subacinar hepatocyte populations. This change provided new insight into the role of the liver in maintaining ammonia and bicarbonate homeostasis under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Glutamine synthetase is present only in a specialized cell population at the hepatic venous outflow of the liver acinus; these cells act as scavengers for ammonia and probably also for various signal molecules ("perivenous scavenger cell hypothesis"). The function of mitochondrial glutaminase is that of a pH- and hormone-modulated ammonia amplification system that controls carbamoylphosphate synthesis and urea cycle flux in periportal hepatocytes. Not only is hepatic glutamine metabolism essential for maintenance of bicarbonate and ammonia homeostasis, but glutamine itself can act in the liver as a signal modulating hepatic metabolism. This article summarizes some major aspects of hepatic glutamine metabolism, based on previous reviews.

Quantitative distributions of aspartate aminotransferase and glutaminase activities in the guinea pig cochlea

Distributions of aspartate aminotransferase and glutaminase activities in the guinea pig cochlea have been examined with use of quantitative microchemical techniques to evaluate their roles in cochlear energy metabolism and neurotransmission. Other enzyme activities analyzed were those of choline acetyltransferase and malate dehydrogenase. It is concluded that aspartate aminotransferase activity appears to be especially concerned with cochlear energy metabolism, while glutaminase activity may function in transmitter metabolism in the guinea pig cochlea. Neither enzyme shows a clear association with the olivocochlear bundle.

Formation and excretion of NH3----NH4+. New aspects of an old problem

The proximal tubule cell is the major site of renal ammoniagenesis. Glutamine is the major substrate. Deamidation by mitochondrial glutaminase yields glutamate- and NH4+ (not NH3, as traditionally taught). A second NH4+ ion is obtained by deamination of glutamate- to 2-oxo-glutarate2-. NH4+ preferentially enters the tubule lumen primarily, but probably not exclusively, by non-ionic diffusion of NH3. For each NH3 formed in the cell one H+ ion is left behind. H+ and NH3 are secreted on separate routes, but recombine in the lumen to NH4+ and reach the final urine in this form. This process per se does not net-remove H+ from the organism. For this purpose, the anionic products of ammoniagenesis (2-oxo-glutarate2- and others) have to be converted into neutral compounds (CO2, glucose). This metabolism again takes place usually in the tubule cell. For each negative charge one HCO3- is formed which enters the peritubular blood. Luminal gamma-glutamyl transferase-mediated ammoniagenesis contributes to NH4+ accumulation in the proximal tubule to a small extent. The endproximal NH4+ delivery exceeds the filtered load by a factor of 9. Only 1/3 of it reaches the distal convoluted tubule mainly because NH+4 as such is reabsorbed from the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop by secondary active transport or electrodiffusion. Both processes are energized by the active Na+ transport in this segment. Thereby NH3----NH4+ is accumulated in the medullary interstitium, which establishes the chemical gradient for non-ionic diffusion of NH3 into the lumen of the collecting ducts. This is favoured by the acidic disequilibrium pH in the lumen of this segment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ammonia metabolism

The pathways responsible for an the mechanisms underlying the adaptive increase in ammonia production in response to acidosis are considered. It seems unlikely that the cytosolic pathways (glutamine synthetase, glutaminase II, phosphate-independent glutaminase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase) are of primary importance in the adaptive process, but the role of the purine nucleotide cycle has not been resolved. The intramitochondrially located phosphate-dependent glutaminase pathway is generally believed to be of primary importance. Adaptation involved either enhanced glutamine entry into the mitrochondria and/or activation of phosphate-dependent glutaminase, but the relative importance of each has not been resolved definitively. The overall adaptive response is probably modulated by factors regulating alpha-ketoglutarate metabolism to phosphoenolpyruvate, and possibly also by metabolism of TCA cycle intermediates. It seems unlikely that a decrease in systemic pH is the direct effector for the acidosis-induced increase in ammonia formation; however, the resulting decrease in urine pH may play a critical role. Other potential messengers, including potassium, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, cyclic AMP, and calcium probably do not serve a primary function, but the importance of other circulating factor(s) is unclear.