Metabolic Regulation of Mammary Gland Epithelial Cells of Dairy Cow by Galactopoietic Compound Isolated from Vaccariae segetalis

In previous experiment, we isolated a compound dibutyl phthalate （DBP） from Vaccaria segetalis which had galactopoietic function on mammary gland epithelial cells of dairy cow （DCMECs）. In this experiment, we ascertained the metabolic regulation function of DBP on DCMECs. Many genes related to lactation including Stat5, AMPK, b-casein, Glut1, SREBP-1, PEPCK, and ACC were detected by real-time PCR. Furthermore, Stat5 and AMPK were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence co-localization, respectively. The results showed that DBP stimulates the expression of Stat5 and p-Stat5, thus activates Stat5 cell signal transduction pathway and stimulates b-casein synthesis. DBP also raises the activities of Glut1 and AMPK to stimulate glucose uptake and glycometabolism and activates the expression of AMPK downstream target genes PEPCK and ACC and expression of SREBP-1 to stimulate milk fat synthesis. In addition, the activities of HK, G-6-PDH, ICDH, ATPase, and energy charges were stimulated by DBP to increase the energy metabolism level of DCMECs. The results showed DBP stimulates energy metabolism related to galactopoietic function in DCMECs.

Promoter engineering enables precise metabolic regulation towards efficientβ-elemene production in Ogataea polymorpha

Precisely controlling gene expression is beneficial for optimizing biosynthetic pathways for improving the production.However,promoters in nonconventional yeasts such as Ogataea polymorpha are always limited,which results in incompatible gene modulation.Here,we expanded the promoter library in O.polymorpha based on transcriptional data,among which 13 constitutive promoters had the strengths ranging from 0–55%of PGAP,the commonly used strong constitutive promoter,and 2 were growth phase-dependent promoters.Subsequently,2 hybrid growth phase-dependent promoters were constructed and characterized,which had 2-fold higher activities.Finally,promoter engineering was applied to precisely regulate cellular metabolism for efficient production ofβ-elemene.The glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene GAP was downregulated to drive more flux into pentose phosphate pathway(PPP)and then to enhance the supply of acetyl-CoA by using phosphoketolase-phosphotransacetylase(PK-PTA)pathway.Coupled with the phase-dependent expression of synthase module(ERG20∼LsLTC2 fusion),the highest titer of 5.24 g/L with a yield of 0.037 g/(g glucose)was achieved in strain YY150U under fed-batch fermentation in shake flasks.This work characterized and engineered a series of promoters,that can be used to fine-tune genes for constructing efficient yeast cell factories.

The secretory function of adipose tissues in metabolic regulation

In addition to their pivotal roles in energy storage and expenditure,adipose tissues play a crucial part in the secretion of bioactive molecules,including peptides,lipids,metabolites,and extracellular vesicles,in response to physiological stimulation and met-abolic stress.These secretory factors,through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms,regulate various processes within adipose tissues.These processes include adipogenesis,glucose and lipid metabolism,inflammation,and adaptive thermogenesis,all of which are essential for the maintenance of the balance and functionality of the adipose tissue micro-environment.A subset of these adipose-derived secretory factors can enter the circulation and target the distant tissues to regulate appetite,cognitive function,energy expenditure,insulin secretion and sensitivity,gluconeogenesis,cardiovascular remodeling,and exercise capac-ity.In this review,we highlight the role of adipose-derived secretory factors and their signaling pathways in modulating meta-bolic homeostasis.Furthermore,we delve into the alterations in both the content and secretion processes of these factors under various physiological and pathological conditions,shedding light on potential pharmacological treatment strategies for related diseases.

Thyroid hormone action in metabolic regulation

Thyroid hormone plays pivotal roles in growth,differentiation,development and metabolic homeostasis via thyroid hormone receptors(TRs)by controlling the expression of TR target genes.The transcriptional activity of TRs is modulated by multiple factors including various TR isoforms,diverse thyroid hormone response elements,different heterodimeric partners,coregulators,and the cellular location of TRs.In the present review,we summarize recent advance in understanding the molecular mechanisms of thyroid hormone action obtained from human subject research,thyroid hormone mimetics application,TR isoform-specific knock-in mouse models,and mitochondrion study with highlights in metabolic regulations.Finally,as future perspectives,we share our thoughts about current challenges and possible approaches to promote our knowledge of thyroid hormone action in metabolism.

The crucial role of metabolic regulation in differential hepatotoxicity induced by furanoids in Dioscorea bulbifera

Diterpenoid lactones(DLs),a group of furan-containing compounds found in Dioscorea bulbifera L.(DB),have been reported to be associated with hepatotoxicity.Different hepatotoxicities of these DLs have been observed in vitro,but reasonable explanations for the differential hepatotoxicity have not been provided.Herein,the present study aimed to confirm the potential factors that contribute to varied hepatotoxicity of four representative DLs(diosbulbins A,B,C,F).In vitro toxic effects were evaluated in various cell models and the interactions between DLs and CYP3 A4 at the atomic level were simulated by molecular docking.Results showed that DLs exhibited varied cytotoxicities,and that CYP3 A4 played a modulatory role in this process.Moreover,structural variation may cause different affinities between DLs and CYP3 A4,which was positively correlated with the observation of cytotoxicity.In addition,analysis of the glutathione(GSH)conjugates indicated that reactive intermediates were formed by metabolic oxidation that occurred on the furan moiety of DLs,whereas,GSH consumption analysis reflected the consistency between the reactive metabolites and the hepatotoxicity.Collectively,our findings illustrated that the metabolic regulation played a crucial role in generating the varied hepatotoxicity of DLs.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals metabolic regulation of prodigiosin in Serratia marcescens

Prodigiosin is a secondary metabolite mainly produced at 30°C in Serratia marcescens,but it can hardly be synthetized at 37°C or higher.In this study,we provide insight into the metabolic regulation of prodigiosin synthesis in response to temperature through transcriptome sequencing.The analysis of the function of differentially expressed genes suggested that temperature resulted in significant alteration of the metabolic pathways between 30 and 37°C.Specifically,30°C favored transcriptional expression of the pig gene cluster.At the same time,the carbon flux was redistributed to pathways of pyruvate,proline,serine,especially homoserine,cystathionine,homocysteine,methionine,and s-adenosylmethionine metabolism,all involved in prodigiosin biosynthesis,and was finally increased towards the prodigiosin synthesis pathway in S.marcescens at 30°C.Interestingly,results further confirmed increased transcriptional level of five regulators(LuxS,RpoS,Hfq,EepR,CRP),and decreased content of hexS through qPCR.Finally,successful co-overexpression of mmuM and metK,related to homocysteine,methionine,and s-adenosylmethionine metabolism,in the chromosome of JNB5-1(JNB5-1/MK)resulted in increased prodigiosin titer up to 7.57 g/L in JNB5-1/MK at 30°C,which was 41.2%higher than that in JNB5-1.Our transcriptome analysis provides further insight into the strain’s response to temperature changes at the transcription level,which is of great significance for improving the production of prodigiosin.

Metabolic Regulation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome

The progression of many diseases is accompanied by inflammation,in which inflammasomes play an important role.Inflammasomes are large multimolecular complexes present in the cytosol of stimulated immune cells,which mediate the activation of caspase-1 and the secretion of cytokines,leading to cellular pyroptosis.During this process,metabolic regulation of the inflammasome is gaining increasing attention in this field.This review focuses on a major inflammasome,NOD-,LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3),and discusses the role and significance of its metabolic regulation.

Microbiota regulation in constipation and colorectal cancer

The relevance of constipation to the development and progression of colorectal cancer(CRC)is currently a controversial issue.Studies have shown that changes in the composition of the gut microbiota,a condition known as ecological imbalance,are correlated with an increasing number of common human diseases,including CRC and constipation.CRC is the second leading cause of cancerrelated deaths worldwide,and constipation has been receiving widespread attention as a risk factor for CRC.Early colonoscopy screening of constipated patients,with regular follow-ups and timely intervention,can help detect early intestinal lesions and reduce the risks of developing colorectal polyps and CRC.As an important regulator of the intestinal microenvironment,the gut microbiota plays a critical role in the onset and progression of CRC.An increasing amount of evidence supports the thought that gut microbial composition and function are key determinants of CRC development and progression,with alterations inducing changes in the expression of host genes,metabolic regulation,and local and systemic immunological responses.Furthermore,constipation greatly affects the composition of the gut microbiota,which in turn influences the susceptibility to intestinal diseases such as CRC.However,the crosstalk between the gut microbiota,constipation,and CRC is still unclear.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists:A new hope towards the management of alcoholic liver disease

In this editorial,we examine a paper by Koizumi et al,on the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR)agonists in alcoholic liver disease(ALD).The study determined whether elafibranor protected the intestinal barrier and reduced liver fibrosis in a mouse model of ALD.The study also underlines the role of PPARs in intestinal barrier function and lipid homeostasis,which are both affected by ALD.Effective therapies are necessary for ALD because it is a critical health issue that affects people worldwide.This editorial analyzes the possibility of PPAR agonists as treatments for ALD.As key factors of inflammation and metabolism,PPARs offer multiple methods for managing the complex etiology of ALD.We assess the abilities of PPARα,PPARγ,and PPARβ/δagonists to prevent steatosis,inflammation,and fibrosis due to liver diseases.Recent research carried out in preclinical and clinical settings has shown that PPAR agonists can reduce the severity of liver disease.This editorial discusses the data analyzed and the obstacles,advantages,and mechanisms of action of PPAR agonists for ALD.Further research is needed to understand the efficacy,safety,and mechanisms of PPAR agonists for treating ALD.

A Research Overview on Arachidonic Acid:Fermentation Regulation and Purification

Arachidonic acid （ARA or AA）, one of the most important polyunsaturated fatty acids （PUFAs）, has various physiological activities and positive effects on human health. ARA production by Mortierella alpina has become a hot topic in recent years, owing to that it is effective, safe and easy to control. How to improve ARA yield and purification efficiency is important to ARA production in M. alpina. Therefore, in this review, we summarized some methods to improve ARA yield： optimization of culture conditions, mycelium aging technologies and metabolic regulation, and the commonly used methods for ARA isolation and purification, to provide a theoretical basis for ARA production by M. alpina fermentation.

Efficient production of chemicals from microorganism by metabolic engineering and synthetic biology

The use of traditional chemical catalysis to produce chemicals has a series of drawbacks,such as high dependence on fossil resources,high energy consumption,and environmental pollution.With the development of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering,the use of renewable biomass raw materials for chemicals synthesis by constructing efficient microbial cell factories is a green way to replace traditional chemical catalysis and traditional microbial fermentation.This review mainly summarizes several types of bulk chemicals and high value-added chemicals using metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies to achieve efficient microbial production.In addition,this review also summarizes several strategies for effectively regulating microbial cell metabolism.These strategies can achieve the coupling balance of material and energy by regulating intracellular material metabolism or energy metabolism,and promote the efficient production of target chemicals by microorganisms.

Metabolic Cycles: Effect of a Simultaneous Input and Output of Two Substrates

The metabolic cycle firstly considered here is composed of a unique initial substrate, six enzymes, and five empty boxes to accommodate the substrates derived from the transformation of the initial substrate. This cycle was considered as a pre-Closed Metabolic Cycle (CMC). Using this model, the influence of changing the kinetic constant values of any enzyme on the substrate concentration was explored. This model was transformed into an open metabolic cycle (OMC) by the input and output of two metabolites catalyzed by two external enzymes. In this case, the relative rates of input and output of metabolites were also examined;it can be concluded that the OMC cycles form delicate and fragile structures which can be theoretically disrupted, making them metabolically unfeasible.

Effect of Insulin on the Differential Expression of VLDL Receptor Isoforms of SGC7901 Cell and Its Biological Implication

This study examined the effect of insulin on the expression of very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) subtypes of SGC7901 cells and discussed its biological implication.In vitro, moderately or poorly-differentiated human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line SGC7901 was incubated with insulin for different lengths of time, and then the expression of protein and RNA level in VLDLR subtypes were detected by Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively.The results showed that, at certain time interval, insulin could down-regulate expression of type Ⅰ VLDLR and up-regulate the expression of type Ⅱ VLDLR in SGC7901 cells, at both protein and RNA level.We are led to conclude that insulin serves as a regulator in maintaining the balance between glucose and lipid metabolism in vivo, possibly through its effect on the differential expression of VLDLR subtypes.

Germplasm resources and secondary metabolism regulation in Reishi mushroom(Ganoderma lucidum)

Ganoderma lucidum is a valuable medical macrofungus with a myriad of diverse secondary metabolites,in which triterpenoids are the major constituents.This paper introduced the germplasm resources of genus Ganoderma from textual research,its distribution and identification at the molecular level.Also we overviewed G.lucidum in the components,the biological activities and biosynthetic pathways of ganoderic acid,aiming to provide scientific evidence for the development and utilization of G.lucidum germplasm resources and the biosynthesis of ganoderic acid.

Progress of Alzheimer＇s disease related glucose metabolism regulating hormones and a research perspective in nootropics of herbal medicine

Alzheimer’s disease as one of the neurodegenerative diseases, its pathological mechanisms still remains unclear. There’s evidence that diabetes is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the fundamental cause of diabetes is abnormal glucose metabolism. There may be an inseparable relationship between glucose metabolism regulating hormones and Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we review the studies that connect the glucose metabolism regulating hormones to Alzheimer’s disease, and that suggest the quality of Alzheimer’s patients is improved by regulating glucose metabolism.

Inhibiting Human Copper Transfer and Tumor Growth

Copper is a trace element that is required by almost all forms of life.Acting as cofactors for various key metabolism enzymes,copper takes part in many vital biological processes.Previous studies have found the concentration of copper is significantly higher in tumor cells than in normal cells.In addition,copper can promote angiogenesis by activating VEGF and FGF signaling.

Extracellular matrix stiffness as an energy metabolism regulator drives osteogenic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells

The biophysical factors of biomaterials such as their stiffness regulate stem cell differentiation.Energy metabolism has been revealed an essential role in stem cell lineage commitment.However,whether and how extracellular matrix(ECM)stiffness regulates energy metabolism to determine stem cell differentiation is less known.Here,the study reveals that stiff ECM promotes glycolysis,oxidative phosphorylation,and enhances antioxidant defense system during osteogenic differentiation in MSCs.Stiff ECM increases mitochondrial fusion by enhancing mitofusin 1 and 2 expression and inhibiting the dynamin-related protein 1 activity,which contributes to osteogenesis.Yes-associated protein(YAP)impacts glycolysis,glutamine metabolism,mitochondrial dynamics,and mitochondrial biosynthesis to regulate stiffness-mediated osteogenic differentiation.Furthermore,glycolysis in turn regulates YAP activity through the cytoskeletal tension-mediated deformation of nuclei.Overall,our findings suggest that YAP is an important mechanotransducer to integrate ECM mechanical cues and energy metabolic signaling to affect the fate of MSCs.This offers valuable guidance to improve the scaffold design for bone tissue engineering constructs.

Regulation of Sulfate Uptake and Assimilation——the Same or Not the Same？

Plant take up the essential nutrient sulfur as sulfate from the soil, reduce it, and assimilate into bioorganic compounds, with cysteine being the first product. Both sulfate uptake and assimilation are highly regulated by the demand for the reduced sulfur, by availability of nutrients, and by environmental conditions. In the last decade, great prog- ress has been achieved in dissecting the regulation of sulfur metabolism. Sulfate uptake and reduction of activated sulfate, adenosine 5＇-phosphosulfate （APS）, to sulfite by APS reductase appear to be the key regulatory steps. Here, we review the current knowledge on regulation of these processes, with special attention given to similarities and differences.

Energy Signaling in the Regulation of Gene Expression during Stress

Maintenance of homeostasis is pivotal to all forms of life. In the case of plants, homeostasis is constantly threatened by the inability to escape environmental fluctuations, and therefore sensitive mechanisms must have evolved to allow rapid perception of environmental cues and concomitant modification of growth and developmental patterns for adaptation and survival. Re-establishment of homeostasis in response to environmental perturbations requires reprog- ramming of metabolism and gene expression to shunt energy sources from growth-related biosynthetic processes to defense, acclimation, and, ultimately, adaptation. Failure to mount an initial ＇emergency＇ response may result in nutrient deprivation and irreversible senescence and cell death. Early signaling events largely determine the capacity of plants to orchestrate a successful adaptive response. Early events, on the other hand, are likely to be shared by different conditions through the generation of similar signals and before more specific responses are elaborated. Recent studies lend credence to this hypothesis, underpinning the importance of a shared energy signal in the transcriptional response to various types of stress. Energy deficiency is associated with most environmental perturbations due to their direct or indirect deleterious impact on photosynthesis and/or respiration. Several systems are known to have evolved for monitoring the available resources and triggering metabolic, growth, and developmental decisions accordingly. In doing so, energy-sensing systems regulate gene expression at multiple levels to allow flexibility in the diversity and the kinetics of the stress response.

PLEIOTROPIC REGULATORY LOCUS 1 （PRL1） Integrates the Regulation of Sugar Responses with Isoprenoid Metabolism in Arabidopsis

The biosynthesis of isoprenoids in plant cells occurs from precursors produced in the cytosol by the mevalonate （MVA） pathway and in the plastid by the methylerythritol 4-phosphate （MEP） pathway, but little is known about the mechanisms coordinating both pathways. Evidence of the importance of sugar signaling for such coordination in Arabi- dopsis thaliana is provided here by the characterization of a mutant showing an increased accumulation of MEP-derived isoprenoid products （chlorophylls and carotenoids） without changes in the levels of relevant MEP pathway transcripts, proteins, or enzyme activities. This mutant was found to be a new loss-of-function allele of PRL1 （Pleiotropic Regulatory Locus 1）, a gene encoding a conserved WD-protein that functions as a global regulator of sugar, stress, and hormone responses, in part by inhibition of SNFl-related protein kinases （SnRK1）. Consistent with the reported role of SnRK1 kinases in the phosphorylation and inactivation of the main regulatory enzyme of the MVA pathway （hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase）, its activity but not transcript or protein levels was reduced in prll seedlings. However, the accumulation of MVA-derived end products （sterols） was unaltered in mutant seedlings. Sucrose supplementation to wild- type seedlings phenocopied the prll mutation in terms of isoprenoid metabolism, suggesting that the observed isoprenoid phenotypes result from the increased sugar accumulation in the prll mutant. In summary, PRL1 appears to coordinate isoprenoid metabolism with sugar, hormone, and stress responses.