A complex interplay between SAM synthetase and the epigenetic regulator SIN3 controls metabolism and transcription.

The SIN3 histone-modifying complex regulates the expression of multiple methionine catabolic genes, including SAM synthetase (Sam-S), as well as SAM levels. To further dissect the relationship between methionine catabolism and epigenetic regulation by SIN3, we sought to identify genes and metabolic pathways controlled by SIN3 and SAM synthetase (SAM-S) in Drosophila melanogaster Using several approaches, including RNAi-mediated gene silencing, RNA-Seq- and quantitative RT-PCR-based transcriptomics, and ultra-high-performance LC-MS/MS- and GC/MS-based metabolomics, we found that, as a global transcriptional regulator, SIN3 impacted a wide range of genes and pathways. In contrast, SAM-S affected only a narrow range of genes and pathways. The expression and levels of additional genes and metabolites, however, were altered in Sin3A+Sam-S dual knockdown cells. This analysis revealed that SIN3 and SAM-S regulate overlapping pathways, many of which involve one-carbon and central carbon metabolisms. In some cases, the factors acted independently; in some others, redundantly; and for a third set, in opposition. Together, these results, obtained from experiments with the chromatin regulator SIN3 and the metabolic enzyme SAM-S, uncover a complex relationship between metabolism and epigenetic regulation.

Cardiolipin-deficient cells depend on anaplerotic pathways to ameliorate defective TCA cycle function.

Previous studies have shown that the cardiolipin (CL)-deficient yeast mutant, crd1Δ, has decreased levels of acetyl-CoA and decreased activities of the TCA cycle enzymes aconitase and succinate dehydrogenase. These biochemical phenotypes are expected to lead to defective TCA cycle function. In this study, we report that signaling and anaplerotic metabolic pathways that supplement defects in the TCA cycle are essential in crd1Δ mutant cells. The crd1Δ mutant is synthetically lethal with mutants in the TCA cycle, retrograde (RTG) pathway, glyoxylate cycle, and pyruvate carboxylase 1. Glutamate levels were decreased, and the mutant exhibited glutamate auxotrophy. Glyoxylate cycle genes were up-regulated, and the levels of glyoxylate metabolites succinate and citrate were increased in crd1Δ. Import of acetyl-CoA from the cytosol into mitochondria is essential in crd1Δ, as deletion of the carnitine-acetylcarnitine translocase led to lethality in the CL mutant. ß-oxidation was functional in the mutant, and oleate supplementation rescued growth defects. These findings suggest that TCA cycle deficiency caused by the absence of CL necessitates activation of anaplerotic pathways to replenish acetyl-CoA and TCA cycle intermediates. Implications for Barth syndrome, a genetic disorder of CL metabolism, are discussed.

Metabolomics connects aberrant bioenergetic, transmethylation, and gut microbiota in sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Granulomatous inflammation in sarcoidosis may affect multiple organs, including the lungs, skin, CNS, and the eyes, leading to severe morbidity and mortality. The underlying mechanisms for sustained inflammation in sarcoidosis are unknown. We hypothesized that metabolic changes play a critical role in perpetuation of inflammation in sarcoidosis. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based untargeted metabolomic analysis was used to identify circulating molecules in serum to discriminate sarcoidosis patients from healthy controls. Principal component analyses (PCA) were performed to identify different metabolic markers and explore the changes of associated biochemical pathways. Using Chenomx 7.6 NMR Suite software, we identified and quantified metabolites responsible for such separation in the PCA models. Quantitative analysis showed that the levels of metabolites, such as 3-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, carnitine, cystine, homocysteine, pyruvate, and trimethylamine N-oxide were significantly increased in sarcoidosis patients. Interestingly, succinate, a major intermediate metabolite involved in the tricyclic acid cycle was significantly decreased in sarcoidosis patients. Application of integrative pathway analyses identified deregulation of butanoate, ketone bodies, citric cycle metabolisms, and transmethylation. This may be used for development of new drugs or nutritional modification.

Oil palm phenolics (OPP) inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation via suppression of NF-κB pathway.

BACKGROUND: Oil palm phenolics (OPP) or Palm Juice (PJ), a water soluble extract from the palm fruit (Elaies guineensis) has been documented to have anti-carcinogenic activities in various cancer types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate OPP effects in pancreatic cancer (PaCa) cells, two PaCa cell lines (PANC-1 and BxPC-3) were treated with different OPP doses. The anti-proliferative, apoptotic and anti-invasive properties of OPP were evaluated using MTS, cytoplasmic histone-DNA fragmentation and matrigel invasive assays, respectively. RESULTS: OPP suppressed PaCa proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Its anti-invasive effects were validated by decreased expressions of MMP-9 and VEGF. Cell-cycle analysis demonstrated that cells were arrested in the S phase. OPP-induced apoptosis was associated with decrease in survivin and Bcl-XL expressions and increased expression of cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9 and PARP. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results demonstrate the anti-tumor effects of OPP on PaCa cells, providing initial evidence towards its potential therapeutic use.

ProAlgaZyme subfraction improves the lipoprotein profile of hypercholesterolemic hamsters, while inhibiting production of betaine, carnitine, and choline metabolites.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we reported that ProAlgaZyme (PAZ) and its biologically active fraction improved plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic hamsters, by significantly increasing the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) while reducing non-HDL cholesterol and the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL-C. Moreover, hepatic mRNA expression of genes involved in HDL/reverse cholesterol transport were significantly increased, while cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) expression was partially inhibited. In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of the biologically active fraction of PAZ (BaP) on the plasma lipid and plasma metabolomic profiles in diet induced hypercholesterolemic hamsters. METHODS: Fifty male Golden Syrian hamsters were fed a high fat diet for 4 weeks prior to randomization into 6 groups, based on the number of days they received subsequent treatment. Thus animals in T0, T3, T7, T10, T14, and T21 groups received BaP for 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days, respectively, as their drinking fluid. Plasma lipids were assayed enzymatically, while real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) provided the transcription levels of the Apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 gene. The plasma metabolomic profile was determined using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Plasma HDL-C was significantly increased in T3 (P < 0.05) and T21 (P < 0.001), while non-HDL cholesterol was significantly reduced in T3, T7, T10 (P < 0.001) and T14, T21 (P < 0.01). Moreover, the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL-C was significantly lower in all BaP treated groups (P < 0.001) as compared with T0. Quantitative RT-PCR showed an increase in Apo A1 expression in T10 (3-fold) and T21 (6-fold) groups. NMR data followed by multivariate analysis showed a clear separation between T0 and T21 groups, indicating a difference in their metabolomic profiles. Plasma concentrations of metabolites associated with a risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, including choline, phosphocholine, glycerol-phosphocholine, betaine and carnitine metabolites were significantly lower in the T21 group. CONCLUSION: Treatment with BaP significantly improved the plasma lipid profile by increasing HDL-C and lowering non-HDL cholesterol. In addition, BaP potentially improved the plasma metabolomic profile by reducing the concentration of key metabolites associated with risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

Delta-tocotrienol augments cisplatin-induced suppression of non-small cell lung cancer cells via inhibition of the Notch-1 pathway.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), accounting for 80% of lung cancers, is the leading cause of all cancer deaths. Previously, we demonstrated that delta-tocotrienol inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion and induces apoptosis by down-regulation of the Notch-1 signaling pathway. The objective of this study was to investigate whether delta-tocotrienol, could enhance the anticancer effects of cisplatin. Treatment with a combination of delta-tocotrienol and cisplatin resulted in a dose-dependent, significant inhibition of cell growth, migration, invasiveness, and induction of apoptosis in NSCLC cells, as compared to the single agents. This was associated with a decrease in NF-κB DNA binding activity, decrease in Notch-1, Hes-1, Bcl-2 and increase in cleaved Caspase-3 and PARP expressions. These results suggest that down-regulation of Notch-1, via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways by delta-tocotrienol and cisplatin, in combination, could provide a potential novel approach for tumor arrest in NSCLC, while lowering the effective dose of cisplatin.

Potential role of garcinol as an anticancer agent.

Garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone, is extracted from the rind of the fruit of Garcinia indica, a plant found extensively in tropical regions. Although the fruit has been consumed traditionally over centuries, its biological activities, specifically its anticancer potential is a result of recent scientific investigations. The anticarcinogenic properties of garcinol appear to be moderated via its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and proapoptotic activities. In addition, garcinol displays effective epigenetic influence by inhibiting histone acetyltransferases (HAT 300) and by possible posttranscriptional modulation by mi RNA profiles involved in carcinogenesis. In vitro as well as some in vivo studies have shown the potential of this compound against several cancers types including breast, colon, pancreatic, and leukemia. Although this is a promising molecule in terms of its anticancer properties, investigations in relevant animal models, and subsequent human trials are warranted in order to fully appreciate and confirm its chemopreventative and/or therapeutic potential.

Delta-tocotrienol suppresses Notch-1 pathway by upregulating miR-34a in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play critical roles in regulating various cellular functions by transcriptional silencing. miRNAs can function as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors (oncomirs), depending on cancer types. In our study, using miRNA microarray, we observed that downregulation of the Notch-1 pathway, by delta-tocotrienol, correlated with upregulation of miR-34a, in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC). Moreover, re-expression of miR-34a by transfection in NSCLC cells resulted in inhibition of cell growth and invasiveness, induction of apoptosis and enhanced p53 activity. Furthermore, cellular mechanism studies revealed that induction of miR-34a decreased the expression of Notch-1 and its downstream targets including Hes-1, Cyclin D1, Survivin and Bcl-2. Our findings suggest that delta-tocotrienol is a nontoxic activator of mir-34a which can inhibit NSCLC cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and inhibit invasion, and thus offering a potential starting point for the design of novel anticancer agents.

Differences in metabolomic profiles of male db/db and s/s, leptin receptor mutant mice.

Leptin, a protein hormone secreted by adipose tissue, plays an important role in regulating energy metabolism and the immune response. Despite similar extremes of adiposity, mutant mouse models, db/db, carrying spontaneous deletion of the active form of the leptin receptor (LEPR-B) intracellular signaling domain, and the s/s, carrying a specific point mutation leading to a dysfunctional LEPR-B-STAT3 signaling pathway, have been shown to have robust differences in glucose homeostasis. This suggests specific effects of leptin, mediated by non-STAT3 LEPR-B pathways. Differences in the LEPR-B signaling pathways in these two LEPR-B mutant mice models are expected to lead to differences in metabolism. In the current study, the hypothesized differences in metabolism were investigated using the metabolomics approach. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)HNMR) was conducted on 24 h urine samples in deuterium oxide using a 500 MHz instrument at 25°C. Principle Component Analysis showed clear separation of urine NMR spectra between the groups (P < 0.05). The CHENOMX metabolite database was used to identify several metabolites that differed between the two mouse models. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in metabolites associated with the glycine, serine, and homocysteine metabolism were observed. The results demonstrate that the metabolomic profile of db/db and s/s mice are fundamentally different and provide insight into the unique metabolic effects of leptin exerted through non-STAT3 LEPR-B pathways.

Inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells by delta-tocotrienol is associated with notch-1 down-regulation.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among all cancers. Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 80% of lung cancer with a 5-year survival rate of 16%. Notch pathway, especially Notch-1 is up-regulated in a subgroup of non-small cell lung cancer patients. Since Notch-1 signaling plays an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, down-regulation of Notch-1 may exert anti-tumor effects. The objective of this study was to investigate whether delta-tocotrienol, a naturally occurring isoform of Vitamin E, inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cell growth via Notch signaling. Treatment with delta-tocotrienol resulted in a dose and time dependent inhibition of cell growth, cell migration, tumor cell invasiveness, and induction of apoptosis. Real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis showed that antitumor activity by delta-tocotrienol was associated with a decrease in Notch-1, Hes-1, Survivin, MMP-9, VEGF, and Bcl-XL expression. In addition, there was a decrease in NF-κB-DNA binding activity. These results suggest that down-regulation of Notch-1, via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways by delta-tocotrienol, could provide a potential novel approach for prevention of tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer.

Garcinol inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

Garcinol, or polyisoprenylated benzophenone, isolated from the rind of fruiting bodies of Garcinia indica, has been used in traditional medicine for its potential antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of garcinol on pancreatic cancer (PaCa) cell viability and proliferation. For this, 2 human PaCa cell lines, BxPC-3 and Panc-1, with wild and mutant k-ras, respectively, were treated with garcinol (0-40 µM). Garcinol significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited cell growth (trypan blue exclusion) by induction of apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis revealed G0-G1 phase cell cycle arrest in both cell lines. The molecular mechanism of garcinol's action on PaCa cells was investigated by targeting signaling moieties involved in apoptosis (X-IAP, cIAP, caspase-3, 9, and PARP cleavage), transcription factor NF-κB, believed to contribute toward a chemoresistance phenotype in pancreatic tumors, and molecules associated with neovascularization and metastasis (MMP-9, VEGF, IL-8, and PGE(2)). Garcinol significantly (P < 0.05) augmented antiproliferative, proapoptotic, antimetastatic, and antiangiogenic effects in both PaCa cell types relative to untreated cells. These effects were more pronounced in Panc-1. This is the first report on the therapeutically relevant effect of garcinol in PaCa. Further studies are warranted, based on our findings.

Quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay for NF-kappaB-DNA binding activity.

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a ubiquitous redox-sensitive transcription factor involved in the pro-inflammatory response to several factors, including cytokines and oxidative stress. Upon activation, NF-kappaB translocates into the nucleus and binds to specific nucleotide sequences. The cellular responses to inflammatory and stress signals have been implicated in disease conditions, such as atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. The conventional method for detection of NF-kappaB -DNA binding activity is the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), which is time-consuming and non-quantitative. Here, we report (a) development of a rapid, sensitive and quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay (QCI) for analysis of NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity, and (b) validation of the QCI with the EMSA using nuclear and cytosolic extracts from cultured prostate cancer cells (PC3), rat liver homogenates and human lymphocytes. The QCI for analysis of NF-kappaB DNA binding activity has advantages over the EMSA: (1) Higher speed: 3-5h post sample preparation, (2) Greater sensitivity: 10pg NF-kappaB/well, (3) Quantitative: linear range: 10-1000pg NF-kappaB; r2 = 0.999 (4) High throughput adaptability: 96-well plate format can analyze up to 40 samples in duplicate, (5) SAFETY: No radioactive isotopes, (6) Simplicity, and (7) Capability of measurement of both activated (free) NF-KB which is translocated into the nucleus and total (bound + unbound) NF-kappaB present in the cytosol/cell.

Quantification of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid by colorimetric competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Analysis of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), a potent vasoconstrictor produced by the cytochrome P450 pathway, presently requires high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS). To simplify 20-HETE analysis, competitive ELISAs were developed using polyclonal anti-20-HETE coated ELISA plates to which free 20-HETE and 20-HETE conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or alkaline phosphatase (AP) were added. Assays were developed with and without a pro prietary enhancer solution which allows for the extraction-free measurement of 20-HETE in urine samples. The bound 20-HETE-HRP or 20-HETE-AP was detected using 3,3 ,5,5, -tetramethylbenzidine and p-nitrophenyl phosphate, respectively. Sensitivities expressed as 80% B/B0, were 0.1 ng/ml for the HRP assay, and 0 5 ng/ml for the AP assay, with r2 = 0 99 for both formats. Of the 17 lipids tested for cross-reactivity, arachidonic acid showed the highest (0.32%) followed by racemic 5-HETE (0.07%) and 8,9-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (DHET) (0.04%). Preliminary validation experiments examining serum and urine concentrations of 20-HETE yield values that fall within the ranges established by GC/MS in the literature. These ELISAs provide simple and inexpensive methods for the analysis of 20-HETE in biological samples.