Changes in levels of metabolic pathway gene expression under conditions of clear cell renal carcinoma.

A whole-transcriptome analysis of gene expression in six samples of clear cell renal cancer was performed. Using bioinformatics methods, we established a relationship between gene expression data and changes in activity of metabolic pathways: in this cancer type, the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids as well as in energy metabolism changed most significantly.

[The effect of fenofibrate on expression of genes involved in fatty acids beta-oxidation and associated free-radical processes]. / Vliianie fenofibrata na ékspressiiu genov beta-okisleniia zhirnykh kislot i sviazannye s nim svobodnoradikal'nye protsessy.

Fenofibrate is a synthetic ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors subtype alpha (PPARa); it is used for the treatment of a wide range of metabolic diseases such as hypertriglyceridemia, dyslipidemia, diabetes and various neurodegenerative diseases. We have studied the effect of fenofibrate on b-oxidation of fatty acids and related free-radical processes. The most effective concentration of fenofibrate (0.3%) added to the chow caused a significant decrease of the body weight of mice. The data obtained by quantitative PCR demonstrated increased hepatic gene expression responsible for b-oxidation of fatty acids in peroxisomes and mitochondria. Enhancement of oxidative processes caused a 2-fold increase in the rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as evidenced by determination of the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products in the liver. Mitochondrial antioxidant systems are more sensitive to elevated ROS production, as they respond by increased expression of SOD2 and PRDX3 genes, than cytoplasmic and peroxisomal antioxidant systems, where expression of CAT1, SOD1, PRDX5 genes remained unaltered.

Mitochondrial energy-dissipating systems (alternative oxidase, uncoupling proteins, and external NADH dehydrogenase) are involved in development of frost-resistance of winter wheat seedlings.

Gene expression, protein synthesis, and activities of alternative oxidase (AOX), uncoupling proteins (UCP), adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT), and non-coupled NAD(P)H dehydrogenases (NDex, NDPex, and NDin) were studied in shoots of etiolated winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings after exposure to hardening low positive (2°C for 7 days) and freezing (-2°C for 2 days) temperatures. The cold hardening efficiently increased frost-resistance of the seedlings and decreased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during further cold shock. Functioning of mitochondrial energy-dissipating systems can represent a mechanism responsible for the decrease in ROS under these conditions. These systems are different in their response to the action of the hardening low positive and freezing temperatures. The functioning of the first system causes induction of AOX and UCP synthesis associated with an increase in electron transfer via AOX in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and also with an increase in the sensitivity of mitochondrial non-phosphorylating respiration to linoleic and palmitic acids. The increase in electron transfer via AOX upon exposure of seedlings to hardening freezing temperature is associated with retention of a high activity of NDex. It seems that NDex but not the NDPex and NDin can play an important role in maintaining the functional state of mitochondria in heterotrophic tissues of plants under the influence of freezing temperatures. The involvement of the mitochondrial energy-dissipating systems and their possible physiological role in the adaptation of winter crops to cold and frost are discussed.