Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase and choline dehydrogenase gene polymorphisms are associated with human sperm concentration

Choline is a crucial factor in the regulation of sperm membrane structure and fluidity, and this nutrient plays an important role in the maturation and fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa. Transcripts of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase （PEMT） and choline dehydrogenase （CHDH）, two basic enzymes of choline metabolism, have been observed in the human testis, demonstrating their gene expression in this tissue. In the present study, we explored the contribution of the PEMTand CHDHgene variants to sperm parameters. Two hundred oligospermic and 250 normozoospermic men were recruited. DNA was extracted from the spermatozoa, and the PEMT -774G〉C and CHDH ＋432G〉T polymorphisms were genotyped. The genotype distribution of the PEMT-774G〉C polymorphism did not differ between oligospermic and normozoospermic men. In contrast, in the case of the CHDH ＋432G〉T polymorphism, oligospermic men presented the CHDH432GIG genotype more frequently than normozoospermic men （62% vs. 42%, P〈0.001）. The PEMT774GIG genotype was associated with a higher sperm concentration compared to the PEMT774GIC and 774C/C genotypes in oligospermic men （12.5±5.6× 10^6 spermatozoa m1-1 vs. 8.3±5.2×10^6 spermatozoa m1-1, P〈0.002） and normozoospermic men （81.5±55.6×10^6 vs. 68.1±44.5×10^6 spermatozoa m1-1, P〈0.006）. In addition, the CHDH432G/G genotype was associated with higher sperm concentration compared to CHDH432G.T and 432T/T genotypes in oligospermic （11.8±5.1×10^6 vs. 7.8±5.3×10^6 spermatozoa m1-1, P〈0.003） and normozoospermic men （98.6±62.2×10^6 vs. 58.8±＋33.6×10^6 spermatozoa m1-1, P〉0.001）. In our series, the PEMT-774G〈C and CHDH ＋432G〈T polymorphisms were associated with sperm concentration. This finding suggests a possible influence of these genes on sperm quality.

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase and liver diseases

Cellular metabolism-induced epigenetic regulation is essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis.Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase(NNMT)is emerging as a key point of intersection between cellular metabolism and epigenetic regulation and has a central role in various physiological and pathological processes.NNMT catalyzes the methylation of nicotinamide(NAM)using the universal methyl donor S-adenosyl methionine(SAM)to yield S-adeno-syl-L-homocysteine(SAH)and N1-methylnicotinamide(MNAM),directly linking methylation balance with nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide(NAD+)contents.NNMT acts on either the SAM-methylation balance or both NAD+metabolism,depending on the tissue involved or pathological settings where metabolic demand is increased.Under physiological conditions,the liver act as an essential metabolic organ with abundant NNMT expression,while NNMT hepatic function is not mediated by its methyltransferase activity due to other major methyltransferases such as glycine N-methyltransferase(GNMT)in the liver.However,hepatic NNMT,as well as its metabolite is improperly regulated and linked to the worse pathological states in liver diseases,including alcoholic liver disease,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),liver cirrhosis,and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),suggesting a potential role in the process of liver diseases.In this review,we summarize how NNMT regulates cell methylation balance and NAD metabolism,and extensively outline the current knowledge concerning the functions of NNMT in hepatic metabolism including glucose,lipid and energy,with a specific focus on the contribution of NNMT to the pathophysiology of liver-related diseases.NNMT is involved in the development and progression of liver diseases.Understanding the complex NNMT regulatory network and its effects on pathogenesis could provide new therapeutic strategies in the context of liver diseases.

Wistar大鼠脑内各区的Salsolinol氮甲基转移酶活性检测

Parkinson’s disease is a common chronic neurodegenerative disease.N-methylation can enhance the neurotoxiicity to dopaminergic neuron in the metabolic process of catechol isoquinolines and Salsolinol N-methyltransferases (SNMT) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD.A new method including SNMT purification and detecting SNMT activity was developed and displays an excellent sensitivity and stability.In addition,the SNMT activity in Wistar rats substantia nigra,striatum and cerebellum.

Abscisic acid-dependent PMT1 expression regulates salt tolerance by alleviating abscisic acid-mediated reactive oxygen species production in Arabidopsis

Phosphocholine(PCho)is an intermediate metabolite of nonplastid plant membranes that is essential for salt tolerance.However,how PCho metabolism modulates response to salt stress remains unknown.Here,we characterize the role of phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase 1(PMT1)in salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana using a T-DNA insertional mutant,geneediting alleles,and complemented lines.The pmt1 mutants showed a severe inhibition of root elongation when exposed to salt stress,but exogenous ChoCl or lecithin rescued this defect.pmt1 also displayed altered glycerolipid metabolism under salt stress,suggesting that glycerolipids contribute to salt tolerance.Moreover,pmt1 mutants exhibited altered reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and distribution,reduced cell division activity,and disturbed auxin distribution in the primary root compared with wild-type seedlings.We show that PMT1 expression is induced by salt stress and relies on the abscisic acid(ABA)signaling pathway,as this induction was abolished in the aba2-1 and pyl112458 mutants.However,ABA aggravated the salt sensitivity of the pmt1 mutants by perturbing ROS distribution in the root tip.Taken together,we propose that PMT1 is an important phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase participating in root development of primary root elongation under salt stress conditions by balancing ROS production and distribution through ABA signaling.