1
|
Thapa K, Ghimire B, Pokharel K, Cai M, Savontaus E, Rinne P. Hepatocyte-specific loss of melanocortin 1 receptor disturbs fatty acid metabolism and promotes adipocyte hypertrophy. Int J Obes (Lond) 2024:10.1038/s41366-024-01600-9. [PMID: 39117851 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-024-01600-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Melanocortins mediate their biological functions via five different melanocortin receptors (MC1R - MC5R). MC1R is expressed in the skin and leukocytes, where it regulates skin pigmentation and inflammatory responses. MC1R is also present in the liver and white adipose tissue, but its functional role in these tissues is unclear. This study aimed at determining the regulatory role of MC1R in fatty acid metabolism. METHODS Male recessive yellow (Mc1re/e) mice, a model of global MC1R deficiency, and male hepatocyte-specific MC1R deficient mice (Mc1r LKO) were fed a chow or Western diet for 12 weeks. The mouse models were characterized for body weight and composition, liver adiposity, adipose tissue mass and morphology, glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, qPCR and RNA sequencing analyses were used to investigate gene expression profiles in the liver and adipose tissue. HepG2 cells and primary mouse hepatocytes were used to study the effects of pharmacological MC1R activation. RESULTS Chow- and Western diet-fed Mc1re/e showed increased liver weight, white adipose tissue mass and plasma triglyceride (TG) concentration compared to wild type mice. This phenotype occurred without significant changes in food intake, body weight, physical activity or glucose metabolism. Mc1r LKO mice displayed a similar phenotype characterized by larger fat depots, increased adipocyte hypertrophy and enhanced accumulation of TG in the liver and plasma. In terms of gene expression, markers of de novo lipogenesis, inflammation and apoptosis were upregulated in the liver of Mc1r LKO mice, while enzymes regulating lipolysis were downregulated in white adipose tissue of these mice. In cultured hepatocytes, selective activation of MC1R reduced ChREBP expression, which is a central transcription factor for lipogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Hepatocyte-specific loss of MC1R disturbs fatty acid metabolism in the liver and leads to an obesity phenotype characterized by enhanced adipocyte hypertrophy and TG accumulation in the liver and circulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keshav Thapa
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Drug Research Doctoral Programme (DRDP), University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Bishwa Ghimire
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLIFE Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Medicity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Kisun Pokharel
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Minying Cai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Eriika Savontaus
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Petteri Rinne
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao Z, Yang Y, Liu P, Yan T, Li R, Pan C, Li Y, Lan X. A Critical Functional Missense Mutation (T117M) in Sheep MC4R Gene Significantly Leads to Gain-of-Function. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2207. [PMID: 39123733 PMCID: PMC11311007 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene plays a central role in regulating energy homeostasis and food intake in livestock, thereby affecting their economic worth and growth. In a previous study, the p.T117M mutation in the sheep MC4R gene, which leads to the transition of threonine to methionine, was found to affect the body weight at six months and the average daily gain in Hu sheep. However, there are still limited studies on the frequency of the sheep p.T117M missense mutation globally, and the underlying cellular mechanism remains elusive. Therefore, this study first used WGS to investigate the distribution of the MC4R gene p.T117M mutation in 652 individuals across 22 breeds worldwide. The results showed that the mutation frequency was higher in European breeds compared with Chinese sheep breeds, particularly in Poll Dorset sheep (mutation frequency > 0.5). The p.T117M mutation occurs in the first extracellular loop of MC4R. Mechanistically, the basal activity of the mutated receptor is significantly increased. Specifically, upon treatment with α-MSH and ACTH ligands, the cAMP and MAPK/ERK signaling activation of M117 MC4R is enhanced. These results indicate that the T117M mutation may change the function of the gene by increasing the constitutive activity and signaling activation of cAMP and MAPK/ERK, and, thus, may regulate the growth traits of sheep. In conclusion, this study delved into the global distribution and underlying cellular mechanisms of the T117M mutation of the MC4R gene, establishing a scientific foundation for breeding sheep with superior growth, thereby contributing to the advancement of the sheep industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China; (Z.Z.); (Y.Y.); (P.L.); (T.Y.); (R.L.); (C.P.)
| | - Xianyong Lan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China; (Z.Z.); (Y.Y.); (P.L.); (T.Y.); (R.L.); (C.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Singh J, Vanlallawmzuali, Singh A, Biswal S, Zomuansangi R, Lalbiaktluangi C, Singh BP, Singh PK, Vellingiri B, Iyer M, Ram H, Udey B, Yadav MK. Microbiota-brain axis: Exploring the role of gut microbiota in psychiatric disorders - A comprehensive review. Asian J Psychiatr 2024; 97:104068. [PMID: 38776563 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Mental illness is a hidden epidemic in modern science that has gradually spread worldwide. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10% of the world's population suffers from various mental diseases each year. Worldwide, financial and health burdens on society are increasing annually. Therefore, understanding the different factors that can influence mental illness is required to formulate novel and effective treatments and interventions to combat mental illness. Gut microbiota, consisting of diverse microbial communities residing in the gastrointestinal tract, exert profound effects on the central nervous system through the gut-brain axis. The gut-brain axis serves as a conduit for bidirectional communication between the two systems, enabling the gut microbiota to affect emotional and cognitive functions. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the gut microbiota, is associated with an increased susceptibility to mental health disorders and psychiatric illnesses. Gut microbiota is one of the most diverse and abundant groups of microbes that have been found to interact with the central nervous system and play important physiological functions in the human gut, thus greatly affecting the development of mental illnesses. The interaction between gut microbiota and mental health-related illnesses is a multifaceted and promising field of study. This review explores the mechanisms by which gut microbiota influences mental health, encompassing the modulation of neurotransmitter production, neuroinflammation, and integrity of the gut barrier. In addition, it emphasizes a thorough understanding of how the gut microbiome affects various psychiatric conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jawahar Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Vanlallawmzuali
- Department of Biotechnology, Mizoram Central University, Pachhunga University College Campus, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - Amit Singh
- Department of Microbiology Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India
| | - Suryanarayan Biswal
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India
| | - Ruth Zomuansangi
- Department of Microbiology Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India
| | - C Lalbiaktluangi
- Department of Microbiology Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India
| | - Bhim Pratap Singh
- Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (AES), National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Sonepat, Haryana, India
| | - Prashant Kumar Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Pachhunga University College Campus, Mizoram University (A Central University), Aizawl 796001, Mizoram, India
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Stem cell and Regenerative Medicine/Translational Research, Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab (CUPB), Bathinda, Punjab 151401, India
| | - Mahalaxmi Iyer
- Department of Microbiology Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India
| | - Heera Ram
- Department of Zoology, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001, India
| | - Bharat Udey
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Mukesh Kumar Yadav
- Department of Microbiology Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ng TF, Cho JY, Zhao JL, Gardiner JR, Wang ES, Leung E, Xu Z, Fineman SL, Lituchy M, Lo AC, Taylor AW. Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Maintains Retinal Homeostasis after Ischemia/Reperfusion. Biomolecules 2024; 14:525. [PMID: 38785932 PMCID: PMC11118772 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Augmenting the natural melanocortin pathway in mouse eyes with uveitis or diabetes protects the retinas from degeneration. The retinal cells are protected from oxidative and apoptotic signals of death. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a therapeutic application of the melanocortin alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) on an ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) model of retinal degenerative disease. Eyes were subjected to an I/R procedure and were treated with α-MSH. Retinal sections were histopathologically scored. Also, the retinal sections were immunostained for viable ganglion cells, activated Muller cells, microglial cells, and apoptosis. The I/R caused retinal deformation and ganglion cell loss that was significantly reduced in I/R eyes treated with α-MSH. While α-MSH treatment marginally reduced the number of GFAP-positive Muller cells, it significantly suppressed the density of Iba1-positive microglial cells in the I/R retinas. Within one hour after I/R, there was apoptosis in the ganglion cell layer, and by 48 h, there was apoptosis in all layers of the neuroretina. The α-MSH treatment significantly reduced and delayed the onset of apoptosis in the retinas of I/R eyes. The results demonstrate that therapeutically augmenting the melanocortin pathways preserves retinal structure and cell survival in eyes with progressive neuroretinal degenerative disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tat Fong Ng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (T.F.N.)
| | - Jenna Y. Cho
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (T.F.N.)
| | - John L. Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (T.F.N.)
| | - John R. Gardiner
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (T.F.N.)
| | - Eric S. Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (T.F.N.)
| | - Elman Leung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (T.F.N.)
| | - Ziqian Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (T.F.N.)
| | - Samantha L. Fineman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (T.F.N.)
| | - Melinda Lituchy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (T.F.N.)
| | - Amy C. Lo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Andrew W. Taylor
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA; (T.F.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sin SYW, Ke F, Chen G, Huang PY, Enbody ED, Karubian J, Webster MS, Edwards SV. Genetic Basis and Evolution of Structural Color Polymorphism in an Australian Songbird. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae046. [PMID: 38415852 PMCID: PMC10962638 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Island organisms often evolve phenotypes divergent from their mainland counterparts, providing a useful system for studying adaptation under differential selection. In the white-winged fairywren (Malurus leucopterus), subspecies on two islands have a black nuptial plumage whereas the subspecies on the Australian mainland has a blue nuptial plumage. The black subspecies have a feather nanostructure that could in principle produce a blue structural color, suggesting a blue ancestor. An earlier study proposed independent evolution of melanism on the islands based on the history of subspecies divergence. However, the genetic basis of melanism and the origin of color differentiation in this group are still unknown. Here, we used whole-genome resequencing to investigate the genetic basis of melanism by comparing the blue and black M. leucopterus subspecies to identify highly divergent genomic regions. We identified a well-known pigmentation gene ASIP and four candidate genes that may contribute to feather nanostructure development. Contrary to the prediction of convergent evolution of island melanism, we detected signatures of a selective sweep in genomic regions containing ASIP and SCUBE2 not in the black subspecies but in the blue subspecies, which possesses many derived SNPs in these regions, suggesting that the mainland subspecies has re-evolved a blue plumage from a black ancestor. This proposed re-evolution was likely driven by a preexisting female preference. Our findings provide new insight into the evolution of plumage coloration in island versus continental populations, and, importantly, we identify candidate genes that likely play roles in the development and evolution of feather structural coloration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Yung Wa Sin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Fushi Ke
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guoling Chen
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pei-Yu Huang
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Erik D Enbody
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Jordan Karubian
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Michael S Webster
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Scott V Edwards
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jiménez T, Peña-Villalobos I, Arcila J, Del Basto F, Palma V, Sabat P. The effects of urban thermal heterogeneity and feather coloration on oxidative stress and metabolism of pigeons (Columba livia). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169564. [PMID: 38142996 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization stands out as a significant anthropogenic factor, exerting selective pressures on ecosystems and biotic components. A notable outcome of urbanization is thermal heterogeneity where the emergence of Urban Heat Islands is characterized by elevated air and surface temperatures compared to adjacent rural areas. Investigating the influence of thermal heterogeneity on urban animals could offer insights into how temperature variations can lead to phenotypic shifts. Urban pigeons (Columba livia) serve as an excellent model for studying urban thermal effects, given the melanism variations, which are associated with the pleiotropy of the melanocortin system. To examine the development of physiological plasticity in response to urban thermal variations, we conducted a study on pigeons in Santiago, Chile, during the rainy season. We assessed the influence of habitat on physiological traits related to metabolism and antioxidant capacities, which are theoretically affected by feather coloration. Our findings reveal that variations in melanism significantly impact pigeon physiology, affecting both antioxidant capacities and the mitochondrial activity of red blood cells. It was found that higher urban temperatures, from both the current sampling month and the prior sampling month (from CRU TS dataset), were negatively and strongly associated with lower antioxidant and metabolic activities. This suggests that elevated urban temperatures likely benefit the energetic budgets of pigeon populations and mitigate the negative effects of oxidative metabolism, with differential effects depending on feather colorations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Jiménez
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Isaac Peña-Villalobos
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Laboratorio de Células troncales y Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Javiera Arcila
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Del Basto
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Palma
- Laboratorio de Células troncales y Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Sabat
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago, Chile; Millennium Nucleus of Patagonian Limit of Life (LiLi)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Huang L, Deng X, Yang X, Tang Z, Fan S, Zhou Z, Tao M, Liu S. Cloning, distribution, and effects of growth regulation of MC3R and MC4R in red crucian carp ( Carassius auratus red var.). Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1310000. [PMID: 38322156 PMCID: PMC10846643 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1310000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R and MC4R), G protein-coupled receptors, play vital roles in the regulation of energy homeostasis. To understand the functions of mc3r and mc4r in the energy homeostasis of red crucian carp (Carassius auratus red var., RCC), we cloned mc3r and mc4r, analyzed the tissue expression and localization of the genes, and investigated the effects of knockout of mc3r (mc3r +/-) and mc4r (mc4r +/-) in RCC. Results The full-length cDNAs of RCC mc3r and mc4r were 1459 base pairs (bp) and 1894 bp, respectively. qRT-PCR indicated that mc3r and mc4r were profusely expressed in the brain, but lower expressed in the periphery tissues. ISH revealed that mc3r and mc4r were located in NPP, NPO, NAPv, NSC, NAT, NRL, NLTl, and NLTp of the brain, suggesting that mc3r and mc4r might regulate many physiological and behavioral aspects in RCC. To further verify the roles of mc3r and mc4r in energy homeostasis, the mc3r+/- and mc4r+/- fish were obtained by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The average body weights, total lengths, body depths, and food intake of mc4r+/- fish were significantly higher than those of mc3r+/- and the normal wild-type (WT) fish, but there was no difference between the mc3r+/- and WT fish, indicating that the RCC phenotype and food intake were mainly influenced by mc4r but not mc3r. Interestingly, mc4r+/- fish displayed more visceral fat mass than mc3r+/- and WT fish, and mc3r+/- fish also exhibited slightly more visceral fat mass compared to WT. RNA-seq of the liver and muscle revealed that a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) differed in WT vs. mc3r+/-, WT vs. mc4r+/-, and mc3r+/- vs. mc4r+/-, mainly related to lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism. The KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways such as steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, wnt signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway, thereby affecting lipid accumulation and growth. Conclusion In conclusion, these results will assist in the further investigation of the molecular mechanisms in which MC3R and MC4R were involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis in fish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Min Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shaojun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sandbaumhüter F, Nezhyva M, Andrén PE, Jansson ET. Label-Free Quantitative Thermal Proteome Profiling Reveals Target Transcription Factors with Activities Modulated by MC3R Signaling. Anal Chem 2023; 95:15400-15408. [PMID: 37804223 PMCID: PMC10585664 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Thermal proteome profiling with label-free quantitation using ion-mobility-enhanced LC-MS offers versatile data sets, providing information on protein differential expression, thermal stability, and the activities of transcription factors. We developed a multidimensional data analysis workflow for label-free quantitative thermal proteome profiling (TPP) experiments that incorporates the aspects of gene set enrichment analysis, differential protein expression analysis, and inference of transcription factor activities from LC-MS data. We applied it to study the signaling processes downstream of melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) activation by endogenous agonists derived from the proopiomelanocortin prohormone: ACTH, α-MSH, and γ-MSH. The obtained information was used to map signaling pathways downstream of MC3R and to deduce transcription factors responsible for cellular response to ligand treatment. Using our workflow, we identified differentially expressed proteins and investigated their thermal stability. We found in total 298 proteins with altered thermal stability, resulting from MC3R activation. Out of these, several proteins were transcription factors, indicating them as being downstream target regulators that take part in the MC3R signaling cascade. We found transcription factors CCAR2, DDX21, HMGB2, SRSF7, and TET2 to have altered thermal stability. These apparent target transcription factors within the MC3R signaling cascade play important roles in immune responses. Additionally, we inferred the activities of the transcription factors identified in our data set. This was done with Bayesian statistics using the differential expression data we obtained with label-free quantitative LC-MS. The inferred transcription factor activities were validated in our bioinformatic pipeline by the phosphorylated peptide abundances that we observed, highlighting the importance of post-translational modifications in transcription factor regulation. Our multidimensional data analysis workflow allows for a comprehensive characterization of the signaling processes downstream of MC3R activation. It provides insights into protein differential expression, thermal stability, and activities of key transcription factors. All proteomic data generated in this study are publicly available at DOI: 10.6019/PXD039945.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariya Nezhyva
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per E. Andrén
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
- Science
for Life Laboratory, Spatial Mass Spectrometry, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik T. Jansson
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ullah R, Shen Y, Zhou YD, Fu J. Perinatal metabolic inflammation in the hypothalamus impairs the development of homeostatic feeding circuitry. Metabolism 2023; 147:155677. [PMID: 37543245 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, there has been a global increase in childhood obesity. This rise in childhood obesity contributes to the susceptibility of impaired metabolism during both childhood and adulthood. The hypothalamus, specifically the arcuate nucleus (ARC), houses crucial neurons involved in regulating homeostatic feeding. These neurons include proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related peptide (AGRP) secreting neurons. They play a vital role in sensing nutrients and metabolic hormones like insulin, leptin, and ghrelin. The neurogenesis of AGRP and POMC neurons completes at birth; however, axon development and synapse formation occur during the postnatal stages in rodents. Insulin, leptin, and ghrelin are the essential regulators of POMC and AGRP neurons. Maternal obesity and postnatal overfeeding or a high-fat diet (HFD) feeding cause metabolic inflammation, disrupted signaling of metabolic hormones, netrin-1, and neurogenic factors, neonatal obesity, and defective neuronal development in animal models; however, the mechanism is unclear. Within the hypothalamus and other brain areas, there exists a wide range of interconnected neuronal populations that regulate various aspects of feeding. However, this review aims to discuss how perinatal metabolic inflammation influences the development of POMC and AGRP neurons within the hypothalamus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahim Ullah
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310052, China; Institute of Neuroscience, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Shen
- Institute of Neuroscience, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Yu-Dong Zhou
- Institute of Neuroscience, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, Zhejiang University School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Junfen Fu
- Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310052, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Galimova E, Rätsep R, Traks T, Chernov A, Gaysina D, Kingo K, Kõks S. Polymorphisms in corticotrophin-releasing hormone-proopiomalanocortin (CRH-POMC) system genes: Neuroimmune contributions to psoriasis disease. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2023; 37:2028-2040. [PMID: 37319102 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin is a target organ and source of the corticotropin-releasing hormone-proopiomelanocortin (CRH-POMC) system, operating as a coordinator and executor of responses to stress. Environmental stress exacerbates and triggers inflammatory skin diseases through modifying the cellular components of the immune system supporting the importance of CRH-POMC system in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The aim of this study was to analyse the association of CRH-POMC polymorphisms with psoriasis and evaluate transcript expression of lesional psoriatic and normal skin in RNA-seq data. METHODS Samples of 104 patients with psoriasis and 174 healthy controls were genotyped for 42 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CRH-POMC using Applied Biosystems SNPlex™ method. The transcript quantification was performed using Salmon software v1.3.0. RESULTS This study demonstrated the associations between melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) polymorphisms rs2228479, rs3212369, dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) polymorphisms rs7987802, rs2031526, rs9524501 and psoriasis in the Tatar population. Very strong association was evident for the SNP rs7987802 in the DCT gene (pc = 5.95е-006) in psoriasis patients. Additionally, the haplotype analysis provided AT DCT (rs7992630 and rs7987802) and AGA MC1R (rs3212358, 2228479 and 885479) haplotypes significantly associated (pc ˂ 0.05) with psoriasis in the Tatar population, supporting the involvement of DCT and MC1R to the psoriasis susceptibility. Moreover, MC1R-203 and DCT-201 expression levels were decreased in psoriasis lesional skin compared with healthy control skin. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to identify genetic variants of the MC1R and DCT genes significantly associated with psoriasis in Tatar population. Our results support potential roles of CRH-POMC system genes and DCT in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Galimova
- Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ranno Rätsep
- Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tanel Traks
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alexandr Chernov
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Darya Gaysina
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Külli Kingo
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sulev Kõks
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ross RA, Kim A, Das P, Li Y, Choi YK, Thompson AT, Douglas E, Subramanian S, Ramos K, Callahan K, Bolshakov VY, Ressler KJ. Prefrontal cortex melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) mediate food intake behavior in male mice. Physiol Behav 2023; 269:114280. [PMID: 37369302 PMCID: PMC10528493 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) activity in the hypothalamus is crucial for regulation of metabolism and food intake. The peptide ligands for the MC4R are associated with feeding, energy expenditure, and also with complex behaviors that orchestrate energy intake and expenditure, but the downstream neuroanatomical and neurochemical targets associated with these behaviors are elusive. In addition to strong expression in the hypothalamus, the MC4R is highly expressed in the medial prefrontal cortex, a region involved in executive function and decision-making. METHODS Using viral techniques in genetically modified male mice combined with molecular techniques, we identify and define the effects on feeding behavior of a novel population of MC4R expressing neurons in the infralimbic (IL) region of the cortex. RESULTS Here, we describe a novel population of MC4R-expressing neurons in the IL of the mouse prefrontal cortex that are glutamatergic, receive input from melanocortinergic neurons, and project to multiple regions that coordinate appetitive responses to food-related stimuli. The neurons are stimulated by application of MC4R-specific peptidergic agonist, THIQ. Deletion of MC4R from the IL neurons causes increased food intake and body weight gain and impaired executive function in simple food-related behavior tasks. CONCLUSION Together, these data suggest that MC4R neurons of the IL play a critical role in the regulation of food intake in male mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Ross
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Angela Kim
- Department of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Priyanka Das
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Kat Ramos
- Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Callahan
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Vadim Y Bolshakov
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cui Y, Miao Y, Cao L, Guo L, Cui Y, Yan C, Zeng Z, Xu M, Han T. Activation of melanocortin-1 receptor signaling in melanoma cells impairs T cell infiltration to dampen antitumor immunity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5740. [PMID: 37714844 PMCID: PMC10504282 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41101-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of T cell infiltration dampens antitumor immunity and causes resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. By in vivo CRISPR screening in B16F10 melanoma in female mice, here we report that loss of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) in melanoma cells activates antitumor T cell response and overcomes resistance to ICB. Depletion of MC1R from another melanocytic melanoma model HCmel1274 also enhances ICB efficacy. By activating the GNAS-PKA axis, MC1R inhibits interferon-gamma induced CXCL9/10/11 transcription, thus impairing T cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. In human melanomas, high MC1R expression correlates with reduced CXCL9/10/11 expression, impaired T cell infiltration, and poor patient prognosis. Whereas MC1R activation is restricted to melanoma, GNAS activation by hotspot mutations is observed across diverse cancer types and is associated with reduced CXCL9/10/11 expression. Our study implicates MC1R as a melanoma immunotherapy target and suggests GNAS-PKA signaling as a pan-cancer oncogenic pathway inhibiting antitumor T cell response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yazhong Cui
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100730, Beijing, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Miao
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206, Beijing, China
- PTN Joint Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Longzhi Cao
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100730, Beijing, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206, Beijing, China
| | - Lifang Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100020, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Cui
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206, Beijing, China
- Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanzhe Yan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206, Beijing, China
- PTN Joint Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi Zeng
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100730, Beijing, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206, Beijing, China
| | - Mo Xu
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100730, Beijing, China.
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, 102206, Beijing, China.
| | - Ting Han
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100730, Beijing, China.
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, 102206, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, 102206, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kim EM, Quinn JG, Reid RE, O'Hare E. Evidence for a feeding related association between melanocortin in the NTS and Neuropeptide-Y in the PVN. Appetite 2023; 188:106618. [PMID: 37257508 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Melanocortin and neuropeptide-Y (NPY) are both involved in feeding and energy regulation, and they have opposite effects in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). The present study examined an interaction between melanocortin in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and NPY in the PVN. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with cannulae in the injection sites of interest. In Experiment 1, subjects received either the melanocortin 3/4-receptor (MC3/4) antagonist SHU9119 (0, 10, 50 and 100 pmol/0.5 μl) or the MC3/4 agonist MTII (0, 10, 50, 100 and 200 pmol/0.5 μl) into the NTS. Food intake was measured at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24-h post-injection. Administration of SHU9119 into the NTS significantly and dose-dependently increased food intake at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 6-24-h, and administration of MTII into the NTS significantly and dose-dependently decreased 24-h free feeding. In Experiment 2, subjects received the MC3/4 agonist MTII (0, 10, 50, 100 and 200 pmol/0.5 μl) into the NTS just prior to NPY (0 and 1μg/0.5 μl) in the PVN. PVN injection of NPY stimulated feeding, and administration of MTII (50, 100 and 200 pmol) into the NTS significantly and dose-dependently decreased NPY-induced feeding at 2, 4, 6 and 6-24-h. These data suggest that there could be a neuronal association between melanocortin in the NTS and NPY in the PVN, and that the melanocortin system in the NTS has an antagonistic effect on NPY-induced feeding in the PVN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E-M Kim
- School of Psychology, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK.
| | - J G Quinn
- School of Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - R E Reid
- School of Psychology, Dublin Business School, Ireland
| | - E O'Hare
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Feng W, Zhou Q, Chen X, Dai A, Cai X, Liu X, Zhao F, Chen Y, Ye C, Xu Y, Cong Z, Li H, Lin S, Yang D, Wang MW. Structural insights into ligand recognition and subtype selectivity of the human melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-5 receptors. Cell Discov 2023; 9:81. [PMID: 37524700 PMCID: PMC10390531 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00586-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the melanocortin receptor (MCR) family that recognize different melanocortin peptides mediate a broad spectrum of cellular processes including energy homeostasis, inflammation and skin pigmentation through five MCR subtypes (MC1R-MC5R). The structural basis of subtype selectivity of the endogenous agonist γ-MSH and non-selectivity of agonist α-MSH remains elusive, as the two agonists are highly similar with a conserved HFRW motif. Here, we report three cryo-electron microscopy structures of MC3R-Gs in complex with γ-MSH and MC5R-Gs in the presence of α-MSH or a potent synthetic agonist PG-901. The structures reveal that α-MSH and γ-MSH adopt a "U-shape" conformation, penetrate into the wide-open orthosteric pocket and form massive common contacts with MCRs via the HFRW motif. The C-terminus of γ-MSH occupies an MC3R-specific complementary binding groove likely conferring subtype selectivity, whereas that of α-MSH distances itself from the receptor with neglectable contacts. PG-901 achieves the same potency as α-MSH with a shorter length by rebalancing the recognition site and mimicking the intra-peptide salt bridge in α-MSH by cyclization. Solid density confirmed the calcium ion binding in MC3R and MC5R, and the distinct modulation effects of divalent ions were demonstrated. Our results provide insights into ligand recognition and subtype selectivity among MCRs, and expand the knowledge of signal transduction among MCR family members.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingtong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianyue Chen
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Antao Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqing Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fenghui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenyu Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingna Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaotong Cong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Li
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Shi Lin
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Dehua Yang
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- The National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Research Center for Deepsea Bioresources, Sanya, Hainan, China.
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wu CLS, Cioanca AV, Gelmi MC, Wen L, Di Girolamo N, Zhu L, Natoli R, Conway RM, Petsoglou C, Jager MJ, McCluskey PJ, Madigan MC. The multifunctional human ocular melanocortin system. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 95:101187. [PMID: 37217094 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Immune privilege in the eye involves physical barriers, immune regulation and secreted proteins that together limit the damaging effects of intraocular immune responses and inflammation. The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) normally circulates in the aqueous humour of the anterior chamber and the vitreous fluid, secreted by iris and ciliary epithelium, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). α-MSH plays an important role in maintaining ocular immune privilege by helping the development of suppressor immune cells and by activating regulatory T-cells. α-MSH functions by binding to and activating melanocortin receptors (MC1R to MC5R) and receptor accessory proteins (MRAPs) that work in concert with antagonists, otherwise known as the melanocortin system. As well as controlling immune responses and inflammation, a broad range of biological functions is increasingly recognised to be orchestrated by the melanocortin system within ocular tissues. This includes maintaining corneal transparency and immune privilege by limiting corneal (lymph)angiogenesis, sustaining corneal epithelial integrity, protecting corneal endothelium and potentially enhancing corneal graft survival, regulating aqueous tear secretion with implications for dry eye disease, facilitating retinal homeostasis via maintaining blood-retinal barriers, providing neuroprotection in the retina, and controlling abnormal new vessel growth in the choroid and retina. The role of melanocortin signalling in uveal melanocyte melanogenesis however remains unclear compared to its established role in skin melanogenesis. The early application of a melanocortin agonist to downregulate systemic inflammation used adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-based repository cortisone injection (RCI), but adverse side effects including hypertension, edema, and weight gain, related to increased adrenal gland corticosteroid production, impacted clinical uptake. Compared to ACTH, melanocortin peptides that target MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and/or MC5R, but not adrenal gland MC2R, induce minimal corticosteroid production with fewer amdverse systemic effects. Pharmacological advances in synthesising MCR-specific targeted peptides provide further opportunities for treating ocular (and systemic) inflammatory diseases. Following from these observations and a renewed clinical and pharmacological interest in the diverse biological roles of the melanocortin system, this review highlights the physiological and disease-related involvement of this system within human eye tissues. We also review the emerging benefits and versatility of melanocortin receptor targeted peptides as non-steroidal alternatives for inflammatory eye diseases such as non-infectious uveitis and dry eye disease, and translational applications in promoting ocular homeostasis, for example, in corneal transplantation and diabetic retinopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Lin Stanley Wu
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Save Sight Institute and Ophthalmology, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Department of Optometry, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Adrian V Cioanca
- Save Sight Institute and Ophthalmology, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, ACT, Australia; ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, ACT, Australia
| | - Maria C Gelmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Li Wen
- New South Wales Organ and Tissue Donation Service, Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital, NSW, 2000, Australia
| | - Nick Di Girolamo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ling Zhu
- Save Sight Institute and Ophthalmology, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Riccardo Natoli
- Save Sight Institute and Ophthalmology, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, ACT, Australia; ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, ACT, Australia
| | - R Max Conway
- Save Sight Institute and Ophthalmology, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Constantinos Petsoglou
- Save Sight Institute and Ophthalmology, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; New South Wales Organ and Tissue Donation Service, Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital, NSW, 2000, Australia
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J McCluskey
- Save Sight Institute and Ophthalmology, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michele C Madigan
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Save Sight Institute and Ophthalmology, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhang J, Xing Y, Li F, Mu J, Liu T, Ge J, Zhao M, Liu L, Gong D, Geng T. Study on the Mechanism of MC5R Participating in Energy Metabolism of Goose Liver. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108648. [PMID: 37239994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutrition and energy levels have an important impact on animal growth, production performance, disease occurrence and health recovery. Previous studies indicate that melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5R) is mainly involved in the regulations of exocrine gland function, lipid metabolism and immune response in animals. However, it is not clear how MC5R participates in the nutrition and energy metabolism of animals. To address this, the widely used animal models, including the overfeeding model and the fasting/refeeding model, could provide an effective tool. In this study, the expression of MC5R in goose liver was first determined in these models. Goose primary hepatocytes were then treated with nutrition/energy metabolism-related factors (glucose, oleic acid and thyroxine), which is followed by determination of MC5R gene expression. Moreover, MC5R was overexpressed in goose primary hepatocytes, followed by identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways subjected to MC5R regulation by transcriptome analysis. At last, some of the genes potentially regulated by MC5R were also identified in the in vivo and in vitro models, and were used to predict possible regulatory networks with PPI (protein-protein interaction networks) program. The data showed that both overfeeding and refeeding inhibited the expression of MC5R in goose liver, while fasting induced the expression of MC5R. Glucose and oleic acid could induce the expression of MC5R in goose primary hepatocytes, whereas thyroxine could inhibit it. The overexpression of MC5R significantly affected the expression of 1381 genes, and the pathways enriched with the DEGs mainly include oxidative phosphorylation, focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, glutathione metabolism and MAPK signaling pathway. Interestingly, some pathways are related to glycolipid metabolism, including oxidative phosphorylation, pyruvate metabolism, citrate cycle, etc. Using the in vivo and in vitro models, it was demonstrated that the expression of some DEGs, including ACSL1, PSPH, HMGCS1, CPT1A, PACSIN2, IGFBP3, NMRK1, GYS2, ECI2, NDRG1, CDK9, FBXO25, SLC25A25, USP25 and AHCY, was associated with the expression of MC5R, suggesting these genes may mediate the biological role of MC5R in these models. In addition, PPI analysis suggests that the selected downstream genes, including GYS2, ECI2, PSPH, CPT1A, ACSL1, HMGCS1, USP25 and NDRG1, participate in the protein-protein interaction network regulated by MC5R. In conclusion, MC5R may mediate the biological effects caused by changes in nutrition and energy levels in goose hepatocytes through multiple pathways, including glycolipid-metabolism-related pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinqi Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Ya Xing
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Fangbo Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Ji'an Mu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Tongjun Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jing Ge
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Minmeng Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Long Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Daoqing Gong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Tuoyu Geng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Santacroce L, Colella M, Charitos IA, Di Domenico M, Palmirotta R, Jirillo E. Microbial and Host Metabolites at the Backstage of Fever: Current Knowledge about the Co-Ordinate Action of Receptors and Molecules Underlying Pathophysiology and Clinical Implications. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13030461. [PMID: 36984901 PMCID: PMC10056708 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13030461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Fever represents an elevation of body temperature, that exerts a protective effect against pathogens. Innate immune cells and neurons are implicated in the regulation of body temperature. Pathogen-associated molecular patterns, i.e., lipopolysaccharides from Gram-negative bacteria and peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid from Gram-positive bacteria are exogenous pyrogens, that bind to Toll-like receptors on immune and non-immune cells. The subsequent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha] and their passage through the brain trigger the febrile response. In fact, neurons of the pre-optic area produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), that, in turn, bind to the PGE2 receptors; thus, generating fever. Apart from classical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, i.e., aspirin and acetaminophen, various botanicals are currently used as antipyretic agents and, therefore, their mechanisms of action will be elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Santacroce
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Marica Colella
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ioannis Alexandros Charitos
- CEDICLO-Interdepartmental Research Center for Pre-Latin, Latin and Oriental Rights and Culture Studies, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Marina Di Domenico
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Palmirotta
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Emilio Jirillo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', 70124 Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ji LQ, Rao YZ, Zhang Y, Chen R, Tao YX. Pharmacology of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) melanocortin-5 receptor and its modulation by Mrap2. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 332:114180. [PMID: 36455644 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian melanocortin-5 receptors (MC5Rs) are involved in various functions, including exocrine gland secretion, glucose uptake, adipocyte lipolysis, and immunity. However, the physiological role of fish Mc5r is rarely studied. Melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) modulates pharmacological properties of melanocortin receptors. Herein, to lay the foundation for future physiological studies, we cloned the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) mc5r, with a 1008 bp open reading frame and a predicted protein of 334 amino acids. Grouper mc5r had abundant expression in the brain, skin, and kidney. Four ligands could bind to grouper Mc5r and dose-dependently increase intracellular cAMP levels. Grouper Mrap2 did not affect binding affinity or potency of Mc5r; however, grouper Mrap2 decreased cell surface expression and maximal binding of Mc5r. Mrap2 also significantly decreased the maximal response to a superpotent agonist but not the endogenous agonist. This study provided new data on fish Mc5r pharmacology and its regulation by Mrap2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qin Ji
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States
| | - Ying-Zhu Rao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States; Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang 524048, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering (Zhuhai, Guangdong), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 51900, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Life Science and Technology School, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang 524048, Guangdong, China
| | - Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Glazova NY, Manchenko DM, Vilensky DA, Sebentsova EA, Andreeva LA, Kamensky AA, Dergunova LV, Limborska SA, Myasoedov NF, Levitskaya NG. Effects of Semax in the Rat Models of Acute Stress. J EVOL BIOCHEM PHYS+ 2023. [DOI: 10.1134/s0022093023010179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
|
20
|
Zahn I, Garreis F, Schicht M, Rötzer V, Waschke J, Liu Y, Altersberger VL, Paulsen F, Dietrich J. A New Organotypic 3D Slice Culture of Mouse Meibomian Glands Reveals Impact of Melanocortins. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314947. [PMID: 36499274 PMCID: PMC9737810 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The meibomian glands (MGs) within the eyelids produce a lipid-rich secretion that forms the superficial layer of the tear film. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) results in excessive evaporation of the tear film, which is the leading cause of dry eye disease (DED). To develop a research model similar to the physiological situation of MGs, we established a new 3D organotypic slice culture (OSC) of mouse MGs (mMGs) and investigated the effects of melanocortins on exocrine secretion. Tissue viability, lipid production and morphological changes were analyzed during a 21-day cultivation period. Subsequently, the effects on lipid production and gene expression were examined after stimulation with a melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonist, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and/or an MCR antagonist, JNJ-10229570. The cultivation of mMGs OSCs was possible without impairment for at least seven days. Stimulation with the MCR agonists induced lipid production in a dose-dependent manner, whereas this effect was tapered with the simultaneous incubation of the MCR antagonist. The new 3D OSC model is a promising approach to study the (patho-) physiological properties of MG/MGD while reducing animal studies. Therefore, it may accelerate the search for new treatments for MGD/DED and lead to new insights, such as that melanocortins likely stimulate meibum production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Zahn
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence: (I.Z.); (F.P.); Tel.: +49-9131-85-26734 (I.Z.); +49-9131-85-22865 (F.P.)
| | - Fabian Garreis
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Schicht
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vera Rötzer
- Department of Anatomy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Jens Waschke
- Department of Anatomy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Yuqiuhe Liu
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Valerian L. Altersberger
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Anatomy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Friedrich Paulsen
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Correspondence: (I.Z.); (F.P.); Tel.: +49-9131-85-26734 (I.Z.); +49-9131-85-22865 (F.P.)
| | - Jana Dietrich
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Terry SM, Barnett JA, Gibson DL. A critical analysis of eating disorders and the gut microbiome. J Eat Disord 2022; 10:154. [PMID: 36329546 PMCID: PMC9635068 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00681-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota, also known as our "second brain" is an exciting frontier of research across a multitude of health domains. Gut microbes have been implicated in feeding behaviour and obesity, as well as mental health disorders including anxiety and depression, however their role in the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs) has only recently been considered. EDs are complex mental health conditions, shaped by a complicated interplay of factors. Perhaps due to an incomplete understanding of the etiology of EDs, treatment remains inadequate with affected individuals likely to face many relapses. The gut microbiota may be a missing piece in understanding the etiology of eating disorders, however more robust scientific inquiry is needed in the field before concrete conclusions can be made. In this spotlight paper, we critically evaluate what is known about the bi-directional relationship between gut microbes and biological processes that are implicated in the development and maintenance of EDs, including physiological functioning, hormones, neurotransmitters, the central nervous system, and the immune system. We outline limitations of current research, propose concrete steps to move the field forward and, hypothesize potential clinical implications of this research. Our gut is inhabited by millions of bacteria which have more recently been referred to as "our second brain". In fact, these microbes are thought to play a role in ED behaviour, associated anxiety and depression, and even affect our weight. Recent research has dove into this field with promising findings that have the potential to be applied clinically to improve ED recovery. The present paper discusses what is known about the gut microbiome in relation to EDs and the promising implications that leveraging this knowledge, through fecal microbiome transplants, probiotics, and microbiome-directed supplemental foods, could have on ED treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sydney M Terry
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Jacqueline A Barnett
- Department of Biology, I.K. Barber Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Deanna L Gibson
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, Canada. .,Department of Biology, I.K. Barber Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Role of the Melanocortin System in Gonadal Steroidogenesis of Zebrafish. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202737. [PMID: 36290123 PMCID: PMC9597712 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In teleost, as in other vertebrates, stress affects reproduction. A key component of the stress response is the pituitary secretion of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which binds to the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) in the adrenal glands and activates cortisol biosynthesis. In zebrafish, Mc2r was identified in male and female gonads, while ACTH has been shown to have a physiological role in modulating reproductive activity. In this study, the hypothesis that other melanocortins may also affect how the zebrafish gonadal function is explored, specifically steroid biosynthesis, given the presence of members of the melanocortin signaling system in zebrafish gonads. Using cell culture, expression analysis, and cellular localization of gene expression, our new observations demonstrated that melanocortin receptors, accessory proteins, antagonists, and agonists are expressed in both the ovary and testis of zebrafish (n = 4 each sex). Moreover, melanocortin peptides modulate both basal and gonadotropin-stimulated steroid release from zebrafish gonads (n = 15 for males and n = 50 for females). In situ hybridization in ovaries (n = 3) of zebrafish showed mc1r and mc4r in follicular cells and adjacent to cortical alveoli in the ooplasm of previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes. In zebrafish testes (n = 3), mc4r and mc1r were detected exclusively in germ cells, specifically in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Our results suggest that melanocortins are, directly or indirectly, involved in the endocrine control of vitellogenesis in females, through modulation of estradiol synthesis via autocrine or paracrine actions in zebrafish ovaries. Adult zebrafish testes were sensitive to low doses of ACTH, eliciting testosterone production, which indicates a potential role of this peptide as a paracrine regulator of testicular function.
Collapse
|
23
|
Yuan XC, Tao YX. Ligands for Melanocortin Receptors: Beyond Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones and Adrenocorticotropin. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101407. [PMID: 36291616 PMCID: PMC9599618 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of melanocortins in 1916 has resulted in more than 100 years of research focused on these peptides. Extensive studies have elucidated well-established functions of melanocortins mediated by cell surface receptors, including MSHR (melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor) and ACTHR (adrenocorticotropin receptor). Subsequently, three additional melanocortin receptors (MCRs) were identified. Among these five MCRs, MC3R and MC4R are expressed primarily in the central nervous system, and are therefore referred to as the neural MCRs. Since the central melanocortin system plays important roles in regulating energy homeostasis, targeting neural MCRs is emerging as a therapeutic approach for treating metabolic conditions such as obesity and cachexia. Early efforts modifying endogenous ligands resulted in the development of many potent and selective ligands. This review focuses on the ligands for neural MCRs, including classical ligands (MSH and agouti-related peptide), nonclassical ligands (lipocalin 2, β-defensin, small molecules, and pharmacoperones), and clinically approved ligands (ACTH, setmelanotide, bremelanotide, and several repurposed drugs).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Chen Yuan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230061, China
| | - Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
White AM, Dellsén A, Larsson N, Kaas Q, Jansen F, Plowright AT, Knerr L, Durek T, Craik DJ. Late-Stage Functionalization with Cysteine Staples Generates Potent and Selective Melanocortin Receptor-1 Agonists. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12956-12969. [PMID: 36167503 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this work, cysteine staples were used as a late-stage functionalization strategy to diversify peptides and build conjugates targeting the melanocortin G-protein-coupled receptors [melanocortin receptor-1 (MC1R) and MC3R-MC5R]. Monocyclic and bicyclic agonists based on sunflower trypsin inhibitor-1 were used to generate a selection of stapled peptides that were evaluated for binding (pKi) and functional activation (pEC50) of the melanocortin receptor subtypes. Stapled peptides generally had improved activity, with aromatic stapled peptides yielding selective MC1R agonists, including a xylene-stapled peptide (2) with an EC50 of 1.9 nM for MC1R and >150-fold selectivity for MC3R and MC4R. Selected stapled peptides were further functionalized with linkers and payloads, generating a series of conjugated peptides with potent MC1R activity, including one pyridazine-functionalized peptide (21) with picomolar activity at MC1R (Ki 58 pM; EC50 < 9 pM). This work demonstrates that staples can be used as modular synthetic tools to tune potency and selectivity in peptide-based drug design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M White
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Anita Dellsén
- Mechanistic Biology & Profiling, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Niklas Larsson
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Quentin Kaas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Frank Jansen
- Mechanistic Biology & Profiling, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Alleyn T Plowright
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Laurent Knerr
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg 43183, Sweden
| | - Thomas Durek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhang J, Wang Z, Zhang H, Li S, Li J, Liu H, Cheng Q. The role of lipocalin 2 in brain injury and recovery after ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:930526. [PMID: 36187347 PMCID: PMC9520288 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.930526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke (including intracerebral hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage) is the dominating cause of disability and death worldwide. Neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption, neuronal death are the main pathological progress, which eventually causes brain injury. Increasing evidence indicated that lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a 25k-Da acute phase protein from the lipocalin superfamily, significantly increased immediately after the stroke and played a vital role in these events. Meanwhile, there exists a close relationship between LCN2 levels and the worse clinical outcome of patients with stroke. Further research revealed that LCN2 elimination is associated with reduced immune infiltrates, infarct volume, brain edema, BBB leakage, neuronal death, and neurological deficits. However, some studies revealed that LCN2 might also act as a beneficial factor in ischemic stroke. Nevertheless, the specific mechanism of LCN2 and its primary receptors (24p3R and megalin) involving in brain injury remains unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the mechanism of LCN2 induced brain damage after stroke. This review focuses on the role of LCN2 and its receptors in brain injury and aiming to find out possible therapeutic targets to reduce brain damage following stroke.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Shuwang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongwei Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
- Hongwei Liu,
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
- Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy Center for Glioma of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Quan Cheng,
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ludwig-Słomczyńska AH, Seweryn MT, Radkowski P, Kapusta P, Machlowska J, Pruhova S, Gasperikova D, Bellanne-Chantelot C, Hattersley A, Kandasamy B, Letourneau-Freiberg L, Philipson L, Doria A, Wołkow PP, Małecki MT, Klupa T. Variants influencing age at diagnosis of HNF1A-MODY. Mol Med 2022; 28:113. [PMID: 36104811 PMCID: PMC9476297 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HNF1A-MODY is a monogenic form of diabetes caused by variants in the HNF1A gene. Different HNF1A variants are associated with differences in age of disease onset, but other factors are postulated to influence this trait. Here, we searched for genetic variants influencing age of HNF1A-MODY onset. METHODS Blood samples from 843 HNF1A-MODY patients from Czech Republic, France, Poland, Slovakia, the UK and the US were collected. A validation set consisted of 121 patients from the US. We conducted a genome-wide association study in 843 HNF1A-MODY patients. Samples were genotyped using Illumina Human Core arrays. The core analysis was performed using the GENESIS package in R statistical software. Kinship coefficients were estimated with the KING and PC-Relate algorithms. In the linear mixed model, we accounted for year of birth, sex, and location of the HNF1A causative variant. RESULTS A suggestive association with age of disease onset was observed for rs2305198 (p = 2.09E-07) and rs7079157 (p = 3.96E-06) in the HK1 gene, rs2637248 in the LRMDA gene (p = 2.44E-05), and intergenic variant rs2825115 (p = 2.04E-05). Variant rs2637248 reached nominal significance (p = 0.019), while rs7079157 (p = 0.058) and rs2825115 (p = 0.068) showed suggestive association with age at diabetes onset in the validation set. CONCLUSIONS rs2637248 in the LRMDA gene is associated with age at diabetes onset in HNF1A-MODY patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michał T. Seweryn
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Center For Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland ,grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Pharmacogenomics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH USA
| | - Piotr Radkowski
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Center For Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Przemysław Kapusta
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Center For Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Julita Machlowska
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Center For Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Stepanka Pruhova
- grid.4491.80000 0004 1937 116XDepartment of Pediatrics, Charles University in Prague, Second Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Gasperikova
- grid.419303.c0000 0001 2180 9405Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | | - Balamurugan Kandasamy
- grid.170205.10000 0004 1936 7822Kovler Diabetes Center, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | | | - Louis Philipson
- grid.170205.10000 0004 1936 7822Kovler Diabetes Center, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Alessandro Doria
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XJoslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Paweł P. Wołkow
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Center For Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Maciej T. Małecki
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Department of Metabolic Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Tomasz Klupa
- grid.5522.00000 0001 2162 9631Department of Metabolic Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Melanocortin-5 Receptor: Pharmacology and Its Regulation of Energy Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158727. [PMID: 35955857 PMCID: PMC9369360 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As the most recent melanocortin receptor (MCR) identified, melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5R) has unique tissue expression patterns, pharmacological properties, and physiological functions. Different from the other four MCR subtypes, MC5R is widely distributed in both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues and is associated with multiple functions. MC5R in sebaceous and preputial glands regulates lipid production and sexual behavior, respectively. MC5R expressed in immune cells is involved in immunomodulation. Among the five MCRs, MC5R is the predominant subtype expressed in skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue, tissues critical for energy metabolism. Activated MC5R triggers lipid mobilization in adipocytes and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Therefore, MC5R is a potential target for treating patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus. Melanocortin-2 receptor accessory proteins can modulate the cell surface expression, dimerization, and pharmacology of MC5R. This minireview summarizes the molecular and pharmacological properties of MC5R and highlights the progress made on MC5R in energy metabolism. We poInt. out knowledge gaps that need to be explored in the future.
Collapse
|
28
|
Chen B, Alam Z, Ge Y, Dworkin L, Gong R. Pharmacological Melanocortin 5 Receptor Activation Attenuates Glomerular Injury and Proteinuria in Rats With Puromycin Aminonucleoside Nephrosis. Front Physiol 2022; 13:887641. [PMID: 35721571 PMCID: PMC9198460 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.887641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical evidence indicates that the melanocortin peptide ACTH is effective in inducing remission of nephrotic glomerulopathies like minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), including those resistant to steroids. This suggests that a steroid-independent melancortinergic mechanism may contribute. However, the type of melanocortin receptor (MCR) that conveys this beneficial effect as well as the underlying mechanisms remain controversial. Burgeoning evidence suggests that MC5R is expressed in glomeruli and may be involved in glomerular pathobiology. This study aims to test the effectiveness of a novel highly selective MC5R agonist (MC5R-A) in puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) nephrosis. Upon PAN injury, rats developed evident proteinuria on day 5, denoting an established nephrotic glomerulopathy. Following vehicle treatment, proteinuria continued to persist on day 14 with prominent histologic signs of podocytopathy, marked by ultrastructural glomerular lesions, including extensive podocyte foot process effacement. Concomitantly, there was loss of podocyte homeostatic markers, such as synaptopodin and podocin, and de novo expression of the podocyte injury marker desmin. Treatment with MC5R-A attenuated urine protein excretion and mitigated the loss of podocyte marker proteins, resulting in improved podocyte ultrastructural changes. In vitro in cultured podocytes, MC5R-A prevented the PAN-induced disruption of actin cytoskeleton integrity and apoptosis. MC5R-A treatment in PAN-injured podocytes also reinstated inhibitory phosphorylation and thus averted hyperactivity of GSK3β, a convergent point of multiple podocytopathic pathways. Collectively, pharmacologic activation of MC5R by using the highly selective small-molecule agonist is likely a promising therapeutic strategy to improve proteinuria and glomerular injury in protenuric nephropathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bohan Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, United States
- The Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
- Center for Hypertension and Precision Medicine, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, United States
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Zubia Alam
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Yan Ge
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Lance Dworkin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Rujun Gong
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, United States
- The Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
- Center for Hypertension and Precision Medicine, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, United States
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Rujun Gong,
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
The neurobiology of bremelanotide for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. CNS Spectr 2022; 27:281-289. [PMID: 33455598 DOI: 10.1017/s109285292100002x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a common female sexual dysfunction and is estimated to affect approximately 10% of women in the United States. It has been suggested that HSDD is associated with an imbalance of hormone and neurotransmitter levels in the brain, resulting in decreased excitation, increased inhibition, or a combination of both. Evidence suggests neurotransmitters, including dopamine (DA), norepinephrine, and serotonin, as well as hormones such as estradiol and testosterone, contribute to female sexual desire and response. Current treatments for HSDD include psychotherapy, and two US Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for premenopausal women: flibanserin, a serotonin mixed agonist and antagonist, and bremelanotide, a melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonist. Melanocortins are endogenous neuropeptides associated with the excitatory pathway of the female sexual response system. MCRs are found throughout the body, including the brain. Bremelanotide is an MCR agonist that nonselectively activates several of the receptor subtypes, of which subtype 4 (MC4R) is the most relevant at therapeutic doses. MC4R is predominantly expressed in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) of the hypothalamus in the brain, and is important for female sexual function. Animal studies suggest that bremelanotide may affect female sexual desire by activating presynaptic MC4Rs on neurons in the mPOA of the hypothalamus, leading to increased release of DA, an excitatory neurotransmitter that increases sexual desire. This review presents what is known about the mechanism of action of bremelanotide in the context of treating HSDD.
Collapse
|
30
|
Arakawa H, Higuchi Y. Exocrine scent marking: Coordinative role of arginine vasopressin in the systemic regulation of social signaling behaviors. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 136:104597. [PMID: 35248677 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neurohypophysial hormone that coordinatively regulates central socio-emotional behavior and peripheral control of antidiuretic fluid homeostasis. Most mammals, including rodents, utilize exocrine or urine-contained scent marking as a social signaling tool that facilitates social adaptation. The exocrine scent marking behavior is postulated to fine-tune sensory and cognitive abilities to recognize key social features via exocrine/urinary olfactory cues and subsequently control exocrine deposition or urinary marking through the mediation of osmotic fluid balance. AVP is implicated as a major player in controlling both recognition and signaling responses. This review provides constructive hypotheses on the coordinative processes of the AVP neurohypophysial circuits in the systemic regulations of fluid control and social-communicative behavior, via the expression of exocrine scent marking, and further emphasizes a potential role of AVP in a common mechanism underlying social communication in rodents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Arakawa
- Depertment of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Yuki Higuchi
- Depertment of Systems Physiology, University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine, Okinawa, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Mardones L, Parra-Valencia E, Petermann-Rocha F, Martínez-Sanguinetti MA, Leiva-Ordoñez AM, Lasserre-Laso N, Martorell M, Ulloa N, Sanhueza E, Pérez-Bravo F, Celis-Morales C, Villagrán M. The rs483145 polymorphism of MC4R gene is not associated with obesity in the Chilean population: Results of GENADIO study. ENDOCRINOL DIAB NUTR 2022; 69:254-261. [PMID: 35570141 DOI: 10.1016/j.endien.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) participates in the control of appetite at the level of the central nervous system, through the leptin-melanocortin pathway. An association between different polymorphisms of the MC4R gene and obesity has been reported. However, there are few studies of the rs483145 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of this gene. OBJECTIVE To investigate its prevalence and association with adiposity markers in Chilean adults. METHODS The prevalence of SNP rs483145, of the MC4R gene, was determined in 259 participants of the GENADIO study (genes, environment, diabetes and obesity) by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The association between the risk allele of MC4R (A) and adiposity markers (body weight, body mass index, fat mass percentage, hip circumference, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio) was performed by linear regression analysis and adjusted for confusion variables (socio-demographic and physic activity) using three statistical models. RESULTS It was determined that the prevalence of the risk allele (A) of the SNP rs483145 of the MC4R gene is 24.5% in the Chilean adult population included in this study, without finding an association with any of the adiposity markers studied, both in adjusted and unadjusted models. CONCLUSION The presence of the risk allele of SNP rs483145 of the MC4R gene is not associated with adiposity markers in the Chilean adult population studied. New studies with a bigger sample size will be necessary to confirm these results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Mardones
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Esteban Parra-Valencia
- Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas y Pre-Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Fanny Petermann-Rocha
- BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Ana María Leiva-Ordoñez
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Nicole Lasserre-Laso
- Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomas, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Miquel Martorell
- Centro de Vida Saludable, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Departamento de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Natalia Ulloa
- Centro de Vida Saludable, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Eduardo Sanhueza
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Francisco Pérez-Bravo
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Celis-Morales
- BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Centro de Investigación en Fisiología del Ejercicio (CIFE), Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile; Laboratorio de Rendimiento Humano, Grupo de Estudio en Educación, Actividad Física y Salud (GEEAFyS), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Marcelo Villagrán
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Tran LT, Park S, Kim SK, Lee JS, Kim KW, Kwon O. Hypothalamic control of energy expenditure and thermogenesis. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:358-369. [PMID: 35301430 PMCID: PMC9076616 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00741-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Energy expenditure and energy intake need to be balanced to maintain proper energy homeostasis. Energy homeostasis is tightly regulated by the central nervous system, and the hypothalamus is the primary center for the regulation of energy balance. The hypothalamus exerts its effect through both humoral and neuronal mechanisms, and each hypothalamic area has a distinct role in the regulation of energy expenditure. Recent studies have advanced the understanding of the molecular regulation of energy expenditure and thermogenesis in the hypothalamus with targeted manipulation techniques of the mouse genome and neuronal function. In this review, we elucidate recent progress in understanding the mechanism of how the hypothalamus affects basal metabolism, modulates physical activity, and adapts to environmental temperature and food intake changes. The hypothalamus is a key regulator of metabolism, controlling resting metabolism, activity levels, and responses to external temperature and food intake. The balance between energy intake and expenditure must be tightly controlled, with imbalances resulting in metabolic disorders such as obesity or diabetes. Obin Kwon at Seoul National University College of Medicine and Ki Woo Kim at Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, both in South Korea, and coworkers reviewed how metabolism is regulated by the hypothalamus, a small hormone-producing brain region. They report that hormonal and neuronal signals from the hypothalamus influence the ratio of lean to fatty tissue, gender-based differences in metabolism, activity levels, and weight gain in response to food intake. They note that further studies to untangle cause-and-effect relationships and other genetic factors will improve our understanding of metabolic regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Le Trung Tran
- Departments of Oral Biology and Applied Biological Science, BK21 Four, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Sohee Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea.,Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Seul Ki Kim
- Departments of Oral Biology and Applied Biological Science, BK21 Four, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Jin Sun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea.,Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Ki Woo Kim
- Departments of Oral Biology and Applied Biological Science, BK21 Four, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, 03722, Korea.
| | - Obin Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea. .,Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Yu HX, Li Y, Song WJ, Wang H, Mo HL, Liu Q, Zhang XM, Jiang ZB, Wang LX. Functional characterization of melanocortin-3 receptor in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2022; 48:241-252. [PMID: 35098384 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-021-01033-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is an important regulator of energy homeostasis and inflammation in mammals. However, its function in teleost fish needs to be further explored. In this study, we characterized rainbow trout MC3R (rtMC3R), which encoded a putative protein of 331 amino acids. Phylogenetic and chromosomal synteny analyses showed that rtMC3R was closely related to bony fishes. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) revealed that the transcripts of rtMC3R were highly expressed in the brain and muscle. The cellular function of rtMC3R was further verified by the signal-pathway-specific luciferase reporter assays. Four agonists such as α-MSH, β-MSH, ACTH (1-24), and NDP-MSH can active rtMC3R, increasing the production of intracellular cAMP and upregulating MAPK/ERK signals. Moreover, we found that rtMC3R stimulated with α-MSH and NDP-MSH can significantly inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway. This research will be helpful for further studies on the function of MC3R in rainbow trout, especially the role of energy metabolism and immune regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Xia Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei-Jia Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hao-Lin Mo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiao Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710038, China
| | - Xin-Miao Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ze-Bin Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li-Xin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ng TF, Dawit K, Taylor AW. Melanocortin receptor agonists suppress experimental autoimmune uveitis. Exp Eye Res 2022; 218:108986. [PMID: 35196505 PMCID: PMC9050930 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.108986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The melanocortin system plays an essential role in the regulation of immune activity. The anti-inflammatory microenvironment of the eye is dependent on the expression of the melanocortin-neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). In addition, the melanocortin system may have a role in retinal development and retinal cell survival under conditions of retinal degeneration. We have found that treating experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) with α-MSH suppresses retinal inflammation. Also, this augmentation of the melanocortin system promotes immune tolerance and protection of the retinal structure. The benefit of α-MSH-therapy appears to be dependent on different melanocortin receptors. Therefore, we treated EAU mice with α-MSH-analogs with different melanocortin-receptor targets. This approach demonstrated which melanocortin-receptors suppress inflammation, preserve retinal structure, and induce immune tolerance in uveitis. At the chronic stage of EAU the mice were injected twice 1 day apart with 50 μg of α-MSH or an α-MSH-analog. The α-MSH-analogs were a pan-agonist PL8331, PL8177 (potent MC1r-only agonist), PL5000 (a pan-agonist with no MC5r functional activity), MT-II (same as PL5000) and PG901 (MC5r agonist, but also an antagonist to MC3r, and MC4r). Clinical EAU scores were measured until resolution in the α-MSH-treated mice, when the eyes were collected for histology, and spleen cells collected for retinal-antigen-stimulated cytokine production. Significant suppression of EAU was seen with α-MSH or PL8331 treatment. This was accompanied with significant preservation of retinal structure. A similar effect was seen in EAU-mice that were treated with PL8177, except the suppression of EAU was temporary. In EAU mice treated with PL5000, MTII, or PG901, there was no suppression of EAU with a significant loss in whole retina and outer-nuclear layer thickness. There was significant suppression of IL-17 with induction of IL-10 by retinal-antigen stimulated spleen T cells from EAU mice treated with α-MSH, PL8331, PL8177, or PL5000, but not from EAU mice treated with MT-II, or PG901. Our previous studies show the melanocortin system's importance in maintaining ocular immune privilege and that α-MSH-treatment accelerates recovery and induces retinal-antigen-specific regulatory immunity in EAU. Our current results show that this activity is centered around MC1r and MC5r. In addition, the results suggest that a therapeutic potential to target MC1r and MC5r together to suppress uveitis induces regulatory immunity with potentially maintaining a normal retinal structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tat Fong Ng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA, 02118, United States
| | - Kaleb Dawit
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA, 02118, United States
| | - Andrew W Taylor
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord St., Boston, MA, 02118, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Wu L, Yu H, Mo H, Lan X, Pan C, Wang L, Zhao H, Zhou J, Li Y. Functional Characterization of Melanocortin-3 Receptor in a Hibernating Cavefish Onychostoma macrolepis. Animals (Basel) 2021; 12:ani12010038. [PMID: 35011144 PMCID: PMC8749556 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this study we isolated and characterized a gene called omMc3r from a hibernating cavefish Onychostoma macrolepis. This gene was confirmed by our study to be involved in the regulation of signal pathways related to energy balance and food efficiency. These results can provide clues for exploring the adaptive mechanisms of fish, especially cavefish, with respect to nutrient-poor conditions. Abstract Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) plays an important role in the energy homeostasis of animals under different nutritional conditions. Onychostoma macrolepis is a hibernating cavefish found in the northern part of the Yangtze River, and its adaptation to a nutrient-poor environment has attracted growing interest. In this study, we characterized the protein structure of Onychostoma macrolepis Mc3r (omMc3r), examined its tissue distribution, and investigated its function in mediating cellular signaling. We showed that the CDS of omMc3r is 978 bp, encoding a putative protein of 325 amino acids. Homology and phylogenetic analyses indicated that omMc3r is evolutionary close to cyprinids. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that omMc3r was highly expressed in the liver and brain. The functions of omMc3r to mediate ligands activating downstream signaling have also been confirmed by using signal pathway-specific reporters. The four agonists α-MSH, β-MSH, NDP-MSH, and ACTH (1–24) can all activate the cAMP and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, albeit with different potency orders. The “primitive” ligand ACTH (1–24) had the highest potency on the cAMP signaling pathway, while the synthetic ligand NDP-MSH had the highest activation effect on the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. This research will lay the foundation for studying the energy regulation mechanism of cavefish in an oligotrophic environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lian Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (L.W.); (H.Y.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (L.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Huixia Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (L.W.); (H.Y.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (L.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Haolin Mo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (L.W.); (H.Y.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (L.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Xianyong Lan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (L.W.); (H.Y.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (L.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Chuanying Pan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (L.W.); (H.Y.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (L.W.); (J.Z.)
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (Y.L.)
| | - Lixin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (L.W.); (H.Y.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (L.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Haiyu Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;
| | - Jishu Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (L.W.); (H.Y.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (L.W.); (J.Z.)
| | - Yang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (L.W.); (H.Y.); (H.M.); (X.L.); (L.W.); (J.Z.)
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (Y.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Xu Y, Li L, Zheng J, Wang M, Jiang B, Zhai Y, Lu L, Zhang C, Kuang Z, Yang X, Jin LN, Lin G, Zhang C. Pharmacological modulation of the cAMP signaling of two isoforms of melanocortin-3 receptor by melanocortin receptor accessory proteins in the tetrapod Xenopus laevis. Endocr Connect 2021; 10:1477-1488. [PMID: 34678757 PMCID: PMC8630767 DOI: 10.1530/ec-21-0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
As a member of the seven-transmembrane rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor superfamily, the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is vital for the regulation of energy homeostasis and rhythms synchronizing in mammals, and its pharmacological effect could be directly influenced by the presence of melanocortin receptor accessory proteins (MRAPs), MRAP1 and MRAP2. The tetrapod amphibian Xenopus laevis (xl) retains higher duplicated genome than extant teleosts and serves as an ideal model system for embryonic development and physiological studies. However, the melanocortin system of the Xenopus laevis has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. In this work, we performed sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree, and synteny analysis of two xlMC3Rs. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assay further confirmed the co-localization and in vitro interaction of xlMC3Rs with xlMRAPs on the plasma membrane. Our results demonstrated that xlMRAP2.L/S could improve α-MSH-stimulated xlMC3Rs signaling and suppress their surface expression. Moreover, xlMC3R.L showed a similar profile on the ligands and surface expression in the presence of xlMRAP1.L. Overall, the distinct pharmacological modulation of xlMC3R.L and xlMC3R.S by dual MRAP2 proteins elucidated the functional consistency of melanocortin system during genomic duplication of tetrapod vertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Li
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jihong Zheng
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bopei Jiang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Zhai
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liumei Lu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Kuang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomei Yang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Correspondence should be addressed to X Yang or L-N Jin or G Lin or C Zhang: or or or
| | - Li-Na Jin
- Department of Hematology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Correspondence should be addressed to X Yang or L-N Jin or G Lin or C Zhang: or or or
| | - Gufa Lin
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Correspondence should be addressed to X Yang or L-N Jin or G Lin or C Zhang: or or or
| | - Chao Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Correspondence should be addressed to X Yang or L-N Jin or G Lin or C Zhang: or or or
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ji RL, Huang L, Wang Y, Liu T, Fan SY, Tao M, Tao YX. Topmouth culter melanocortin-3 receptor: regulation by two isoforms of melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein 2. Endocr Connect 2021; 10:1489-1501. [PMID: 34678761 PMCID: PMC8630771 DOI: 10.1530/ec-21-0459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) is a regulator of energy homeostasis, and interaction of MC3R and melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) plays a critical role in MC3R signaling of mammals. However, the physiological roles of MC3R in teleosts are not well understood. In this study, qRT-PCR was used to measure gene expression. Radioligand binding assay was used to study the binding properties of topmouth culter MC3R (caMC3R). Intracellular cAMP generation was determined by RIA, and caMC3R expression was quantified with flow cytometry. We showed that culter mc3r had higher expression in the CNS. All agonists could bind and stimulate caMC3R to increase dose dependently intracellular cAMP accumulation. Compared to human MC3R, culter MC3R showed higher constitutive activity, higher efficacies, and Rmax to alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), des-α-MSH, and adrenocorticotrophic hormone. Both caMRAP2a and caMRAP2b markedly decreased caMC3R basal cAMP production. However, only caMRAP2a significantly decreased cell surface expression, Bmax, and Rmax of caMC3R. Expression analysis suggested that MRAP2a and MRAP2b might be more important in regulating MC3R/MC4R signaling during larval period, and reduced mc3r, mc4r, and pomc expression might be primarily involved in modulation of MC3R/MC4R in adults. These data indicated that the cloned caMC3R was a functional receptor. MRAP2a and MRAP2b had different effects on expression and signaling of caMC3R. In addition, expression analysis suggested that MRAP2s, receptors, and hormones might play different roles in regulating culter development and growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ren-Lei Ji
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Lu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yin Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Si-Yu Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence should be addressed to M Tao or Y-X Tao: or
| | - Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to M Tao or Y-X Tao: or
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Jiang DL, Yao CL, Hu NJ, Liu YC. Construction of a Tandem Repeat Peptide Sequence with Pepsin Cutting Sites to Produce Recombinant α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26206207. [PMID: 34684787 PMCID: PMC8541268 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a peptide hormone composed of 13 amino acids, is attempted by recombinant expression using E. coli as the host. To achieve this aim, a synthetic gene containing eight tandem repeats of msh gene (8msh) was designed for ribosomal synthesis of 8 α-MSH. The merit of the strategy is to diminish the peptide toxicity against the host cell and to achieve a higher production yield. Pepsin cleavage sites are introduced between the peptides for enzymatic proteolysis to obtain the monomeric peptide of α-MSH. The constructed plasmid was transformed into different strains of E. coli hosts, and E. coli XL1-Blue with gene 8msh revealed the highest yield of 8 α-MSH. Although 8 α-MSH was fractionalized in the insoluble pellets after cell lysis, pepsin cleavage was able to produce soluble α-MSH peptide, as analyzed and confirmed by mass spectrometry and peptide activity assays. The production of α-MSH was quantified using HPLC with a yield of 42.9 mg/L of LB culture. This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing α-MSH using recombinant expression of tandem repeat gene. The production procedure involves minimal post-treatment and processing and can be scaled up for industrial application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dai-Lin Jiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
| | - Chao-Ling Yao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
| | - Nien-Jen Hu
- Graduate Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (N.-J.H.); (Y.-C.L.); Tel.: +886-(0)4-2285-3769 (Y.-C.L.)
| | - Yung-Chuan Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (N.-J.H.); (Y.-C.L.); Tel.: +886-(0)4-2285-3769 (Y.-C.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Mardones L, Parra-Valencia E, Petermann-Rocha F, Martínez-Sanguinetti MA, Leiva-Ordoñez AM, Lasserre-Laso N, Martorell M, Ulloa N, Sanhueza E, Pérez-Bravo F, Celis-Morales C, Villagrán M. The rs483145 polymorphism of MC4R gene is not associated with obesity in the Chilean population: Results of GENADIO study. ENDOCRINOL DIAB NUTR 2021; 69:S2530-0164(21)00156-7. [PMID: 34340956 DOI: 10.1016/j.endinu.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) participates in the control of appetite at the level of the central nervous system, through the leptin-melanocortin pathway. An association between different polymorphisms of the MC4R gene and obesity has been reported. However, there are few studies of the rs483145 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of this gene. OBJECTIVE To investigate its prevalence and association with adiposity markers in Chilean adults. METHODS The prevalence of SNP rs483145, of the MC4R gene, was determined in 259 participants of the GENADIO study (genes, environment, diabetes and obesity) by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The association between the risk allele of MC4R (A) and adiposity markers (body weight, body mass index, fat mass percentage, hip circumference, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio) was performed by linear regression analysis and adjusted for confusion variables (socio-demographic and physic activity) using three statistical models. RESULTS It was determined that the prevalence of the risk allele (A) of the SNP rs483145 of the MC4R gene is 24.5% in the Chilean adult population included in this study, without finding an association with any of the adiposity markers studied, both in adjusted and unadjusted models. CONCLUSION The presence of the risk allele of SNP rs483145 of the MC4R gene is not associated with adiposity markers in the Chilean adult population studied. New studies with a bigger sample size will be necessary to confirm these results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Mardones
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Esteban Parra-Valencia
- Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas y Pre-Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Fanny Petermann-Rocha
- BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Ana María Leiva-Ordoñez
- Instituto de Anatomía, Histología y Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Nicole Lasserre-Laso
- Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomas, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Miquel Martorell
- Centro de Vida Saludable, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Departamento de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Natalia Ulloa
- Centro de Vida Saludable, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Eduardo Sanhueza
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Francisco Pérez-Bravo
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Celis-Morales
- BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; Centro de Investigación en Fisiología del Ejercicio (CIFE), Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile; Laboratorio de Rendimiento Humano, Grupo de Estudio en Educación, Actividad Física y Salud (GEEAFyS), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Marcelo Villagrán
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Li L, Fan S, Zhang W, Li D, Yang Z, Zhuang P, Han J, Guo H, Zhang Y. Duzhong Fang Attenuates the POMC-Derived Neuroinflammation in Parkinsonian Mice. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:3261-3276. [PMID: 34326654 PMCID: PMC8315774 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s316314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation and microglia reactivity are now recognized to be features of Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, microglia phenotype is a potential new target for developing treatments against PD. Duzhong Fang (DZF) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription. The theory of TCM argues that Duzhong Fang, nourishing yin and tonifying yang, may treat PD. However, its modern pharmacological studies and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. METHODS First, MPTP was used to establish a parkinsonian mouse model, and behavioral testing was used to evaluate the locomotor dysfunction. Then, HPLC, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blot assays were performed to evaluate the survival of dopaminergic neurons. Molecular biological and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the neuroinflammation and microglial activation. In addition, RNA-seq transcriptomics was used to analyze differentially expressed genes and verify by RT-PCR. RESULTS In the present study, we first confirmed that DZF can alleviate neuroinflammation and ameliorate dyskinesia in parkinsonian mice. Then, further studies found that DZF can regulate microglial morphology and reactivity and act on the POMC gene. POMC is an upstream target for regulating inflammation and proinflammatory cytokines, and DZF can directly inhibit the POMC level and restore the homeostatic signature of microglia in parkinsonian mice. CONCLUSION This study found that POMC may have a potential role as a therapeutic target for PD. DZF may inhibit neuroinflammation and play an anti-PD effect by down-regulating the expression of POMC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lili Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dongna Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pengwei Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan Han
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Zhao J, Jiang L, Uehara M, Banouni N, Al Dulaijan BS, Azzi J, Ichimura T, Li X, Jarolim P, Fiorina P, Tullius SG, Madsen JC, Kasinath V, Abdi R. ACTH treatment promotes murine cardiac allograft acceptance. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e143385. [PMID: 34236047 PMCID: PMC8410061 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.143385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart transplantation is the optimal therapy for patients with end-stage heart disease, but its long-term outcome remains inadequate. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the melanocortin receptors (MCRs) in inflammation, but how MCRs regulate the balance between alloreactive T cells and Tregs, and whether they impact chronic heart transplant rejection, is unknown. Here, we found that Tregs express MC2R, and MC2R expression was highest among all MCRs by Tregs. Our data indicate that adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), the sole ligand for MC2R, promoted the formation of Tregs by increasing the expression of IL-2Rα (CD25) in CD4+ T cells and activation of STAT5 in CD4+CD25+ T cells. ACTH treatment also improved the survival of heart allografts and increased the formation of Tregs in CD28KO mice. ACTH treatment synergized with the tolerogenic effect of CTLA-4–Ig, resulting in long-term survival of heart allografts and an increase in intragraft Tregs. ACTH administration also demonstrated higher prolongation of heart allograft survival in transgenic mouse recipients with both complete KO and conditional KO of PI3Kγ in T cells. Finally, ACTH treatment reduced chronic rejection markedly. These data demonstrate that ACTH treatment improved heart transplant outcomes, and this effect correlated with an increase in Tregs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Transplantation Research Center.,Renal Division, and
| | - Liwei Jiang
- Transplantation Research Center.,Renal Division, and
| | - Mayuko Uehara
- Transplantation Research Center.,Renal Division, and
| | - Naima Banouni
- Transplantation Research Center.,Renal Division, and
| | | | - Jamil Azzi
- Transplantation Research Center.,Renal Division, and
| | | | - Xiaofei Li
- Transplantation Research Center.,Renal Division, and
| | - Petr Jarolim
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paolo Fiorina
- Department of Nephrology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,International Center for Type 1 Diabetes, Centro di Ricerca Pediatrica Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Endocrinology Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefan G Tullius
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joren C Madsen
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, and.,Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Reza Abdi
- Transplantation Research Center.,Renal Division, and
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Shakya M, White A, Verchere CB, Low MJ, Lindberg I. Mice lacking PC1/3 expression in POMC-expressing cells do not develop obesity. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6167813. [PMID: 33693631 PMCID: PMC8253230 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons form an integral part of the central melanocortin system regulating food intake and energy expenditure. Genetic and pharmacological studies have revealed that defects in POMC synthesis, processing, and receptor signaling lead to obesity. It is well established that POMC is extensively processed by a series of enzymes, including prohormone convertases PC1/3 and PC2, and that genetic insufficiency of both PC1/3 and POMC is strongly associated with obesity risk. However, whether PC1/3-mediated POMC processing is absolutely tied to body weight regulation is not known. To investigate this question, we generated a Pomc-CreER T2; Pcsk1 lox/lox mouse model in which Pcsk1 is specifically and temporally knocked out in POMC-expressing cells of adult mice by injecting tamoxifen at eight weeks of age. We then measured the impact of Pcsk1 deletion on POMC cleavage to ACTH and α-MSH, and on body weight. In whole pituitary, POMC cleavage was significantly impacted by the loss of Pcsk1, while hypothalamic POMC-derived peptide levels remained similar in all genotypes. However, intact POMC levels were greatly elevated in Pomc-CreER T2; Pcsk1 lox/lox mice. Males expressed two-fold greater levels of pituitary PC1/3 protein than females, consistent with their increased POMC cleavage. Past studies show that mice with germline removal of PC1/3 do not develop obesity, while mice expressing mutant PC1/3 forms do develop obesity. We conclude that obesity pathways are not disrupted by PC1/3 loss solely in POMC-expressing cells, further disfavoring the idea that alterations in POMC processing underlie obesity in PCSK1 deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manita Shakya
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of
Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201,
USA
| | - Surbhi
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
481091, USA
| | - Anne White
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology,
University of Manchester, Manchester, M13
9PT, United Kingdom
| | - C Bruce Verchere
- Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and
Surgery, University of British Columbia, British
Columbia, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Malcolm J Low
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
481091, USA
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of
Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201,
USA
- Correspondence: Iris Lindberg, PhD,
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, 20 Penn St., HSF2, S267, University of
Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Chang M, Chen B, Shaffner J, Dworkin LD, Gong R. Melanocortin System in Kidney Homeostasis and Disease: Novel Therapeutic Opportunities. Front Physiol 2021; 12:651236. [PMID: 33716796 PMCID: PMC7943476 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.651236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanocortin peptides, melanocortin receptors, melanocortin receptor accessory proteins, and endogenous antagonists of melanocortin receptors are the key components constituting the melanocortin hormone system, one of the most complex and important hormonal systems in our body. A plethora of evidence suggests that melanocortins possess a protective activity in a variety of kidney diseases in both rodent models and human patients. In particular, the steroidogenic melanocortin peptide adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), has been shown to exert a beneficial effect in a number of kidney diseases, possibly via a mechanism independent of its steroidogenic activity. In patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic glomerulopathy, ACTH monotherapy is still effective in inducing proteinuria remission. This has inspired research on potential implications of the melanocortin system in glomerular diseases. However, our understanding of the role of the melanocortinergic pathway in kidney disease is very limited, and there are still huge unknowns to be explored. The most controversial among these is the identification of effector cells in the kidney as well as the melanocortin receptors responsible for conveying the renoprotective action. This review article introduces the melanocortin hormone system, summarizes the existing evidence for the expression of melanocortin receptors in the kidney, and evaluates the potential strategy of melanocortin therapy for kidney disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Chang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Bohan Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - James Shaffner
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Lance D Dworkin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Rujun Gong
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine, Toledo, OH, United States
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Tai X, Xue S, Zhang C, Liu Y, Chen J, Han Y, Lin G, Zhang C. Pharmacological evaluation of MRAP proteins on Xenopus neural melanocortin signaling. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:6344-6361. [PMID: 33521982 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), two neural G protein-coupled receptors are known to be functionally critical for energy balance in vertebrates. As allosteric regulators of melanocortin receptors, melanocortin accessory proteins (MRAPs) are also involved in energy homeostasis. The interaction of MRAPs and melanocortin signaling was previously shown in mammals and zebrafish, but nothing had been reported in amphibians. As the basal class of tetrapods, amphibians occupy a phylogenetic transition between teleosts and terrestrial animals. Here we examined the evolutionary conservation of MC3R, MC4R, and MRAPs between diploid Xenopus tropicalis (xt-) and other chordates and investigated the pharmacological regulatory properties of MRAPs on the neural MC3R and MC4R signaling. Our results showed that xtMRAP and xtMRAP2 both exerted robust potentiation effect on agonist (α-MSH and adrenocorticotropin [ACTH]) induced activation and modulated the basal activity and cell surface translocation of xtMC3R and xtMC4R. In addition, the presence of two accessory proteins could convert xtMC3R and xtMC4R into ACTH-preferred receptors. These findings suggest that the presence of MRAPs exhibits fine control over the pharmacological activities of the neuronal MC3R and MC4R signaling in the Xenopus tropicalis, which is physiologically relevant with the complicated transition of feeding behaviors during their life history.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Tai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Song Xue
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gufa Lin
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Body Mass Index and Its Association with Genetically Transmitted Traits. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2020:3469316. [PMID: 33415144 PMCID: PMC7769646 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3469316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Body mass index (BMI) is a metric widely used to measure the healthy weight of an individual and to predict a person's risk of developing serious illnesses. Study the statistical association between genetically transmitted traits and BMI might be of interest. Objectives The present study designed to extend the inadequate evidence concerning the influence of some genetically transmitted traits including ABO blood type, Rh factor, eye color, and hair color on BMI variation. Methods A total of 142 undergraduate female students of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia, were participated to investigate the possible linkage between genetic traits and BMI variations. Height and weight are collected from participants for BMI measurement. ABO blood type and Rh factor were determined by antisera. Results Out of 142 female students, 48 were categorized in the first tertile (T1: less than 19.8 kg/m2), 50 were categorized in the second tertile (T2: between 19.8 and 23.7 kg/m2), and 44 were categorized in the third tertile (T3: greater than 23.7 kg/m2). Chi-square analysis shows that there were no associations of genetic traits including hair color, eye color, ABO blood type, and Rh blood type with BMI. However, a significant association between hair color and BMI was observed using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Conclusions Our data provides a more robust prediction of the relative influence of genetic effects such as hair color on BMI. Future studies may contribute to identifying more association between genes involved in hair pigmentation and BMI variation.
Collapse
|
46
|
Dinparastisaleh R, Mirsaeidi M. Antifibrotic and Anti-Inflammatory Actions of α-Melanocytic Hormone: New Roles for an Old Player. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010045. [PMID: 33430064 PMCID: PMC7827684 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanocortin system encompasses melanocortin peptides, five receptors, and two endogenous antagonists. Besides pigmentary effects generated by α-Melanocytic Hormone (α-MSH), new physiologic roles in sexual activity, exocrine secretion, energy homeostasis, as well as immunomodulatory actions, exerted by melanocortins, have been described recently. Among the most common and burdensome consequences of chronic inflammation is the development of fibrosis. Depending on the regenerative capacity of the affected tissue and the quality of the inflammatory response, the outcome is not always perfect, with the development of some fibrosis. Despite the heterogeneous etiology and clinical presentations, fibrosis in many pathological states follows the same path of activation or migration of fibroblasts, and the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, which produce collagen and α-SMA in fibrosing tissue. The melanocortin agonists might have favorable effects on the trajectories leading from tissue injury to inflammation, from inflammation to fibrosis, and from fibrosis to organ dysfunction. In this review we briefly summarized the data on structure, receptor signaling, and anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties of α-MSH and proposed that α-MSH analogues might be promising future therapeutic candidates for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, regarding their favorable safety profile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Dinparastisaleh
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA;
| | - Mehdi Mirsaeidi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-305-243-1377
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Multifunctional Opioid-Derived Hybrids in Neuropathic Pain: Preclinical Evidence, Ideas and Challenges. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25235520. [PMID: 33255641 PMCID: PMC7728063 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
When the first- and second-line therapeutics used to treat neuropathic pain (NP) fail to induce efficient analgesia—which is estimated to relate to more than half of the patients—opioid drugs are prescribed. Still, the pathological changes following the nerve tissue injury, i.a. pronociceptive neuropeptide systems activation, oppose the analgesic effects of opiates, enforcing the use of relatively high therapeutic doses in order to obtain satisfying pain relief. In parallel, the repeated use of opioid agonists is associated with burdensome adverse effects due to compensatory mechanisms that arise thereafter. Rational design of hybrid drugs, in which opioid ligands are combined with other pharmacophores that block the antiopioid action of pronociceptive systems, delivers the opportunity to ameliorate the NP-oriented opioid treatment via addressing neuropathological mechanisms shared both by NP and repeated exposition to opioids. Therewith, the new dually acting drugs, tailored for the specificity of NP, can gain in efficacy under nerve injury conditions and have an improved safety profile as compared to selective opioid agonists. The current review presents the latest ideas on opioid-comprising hybrid drugs designed to treat painful neuropathy, with focus on their biological action, as well as limitations and challenges related to this therapeutic approach.
Collapse
|
48
|
Neuropeptidomic Analysis of a Genetically Defined Cell Type in Mouse Brain and Pituitary. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 28:105-112.e4. [PMID: 33217339 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuropeptides and peptide hormones are important cell-cell signaling molecules that mediate many physiological processes. Unlike classic neurotransmitters, peptides undergo cell-type-specific post-translational modifications that affect their biological activity. To enable the identification of the peptide repertoire of a genetically defined cell type, we generated mice with a conditional disruption of the gene for carboxypeptidase E (Cpe), an essential neuropeptide-processing enzyme. The loss of Cpe leads to accumulation of neuropeptide precursors containing C-terminal basic residues, which serve as tags for affinity purification. The purified peptides are subsequently identified using quantitative peptidomics, thereby revealing the specific forms of neuropeptides in cells with the disrupted Cpe gene. To validate the method, we used mice expressing Cre recombinase under the proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) promoter and analyzed hypothalamic and pituitary extracts, detecting peptides derived from proopiomelanocortin (as expected) and also proSAAS in POMC neurons. This technique enables the analyses of specific forms of peptides in any Cre-expressing cell type.
Collapse
|
49
|
Kasagi S, Miura M, Okazaki T, Mizusawa K, Takahashi A. Effects of tank color brightness on the body color, somatic growth, and endocrine systems of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 298:113581. [PMID: 32800773 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the effects of tank brightness on body color, growth, and endocrine systems of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Five different tank colors that produce varying levels of brightness were used, including black, dark gray [DG], light gray [LG], white, and blue. The fish were reared in these tanks for 59 days under natural photoperiod and water temperature. The body color was affected by tank brightness, such that body color brightness was correlated with tank brightness (white-housed ≥ LG-housed ≥ DG-housed ≥ blue-housed ≥ black-housed). No difference in somatic growth was observed among the fish reared in the five tanks. The mRNA levels of melanin-concentrating hormone (mch1) was higher in white-housed fish than those in the other tanks, and the mRNA levels of proopiomelanocortins (pomc-a and pomc-b) were higher in fish housed in a black tank than those in other tanks. mRNA level of somatolactin, a member of growth hormone family, was higher in black-housed fish than those in white-housed fish. The mRNA levels of mch1 and mch2 in blue-housed fish were similar to those in black-housed fish, while the mRNA levels of pomc-a and pomc-b in blue-housed fish were similar to those in white-housed fish. The current results suggest that tank color is not related to fish growth, therefore any color of conventional rearing tank can be used to grow fish. Moreover, the association between somatolactin with body color changes is suggested in addition to the role of classical MCH and melanophore stimulating hormone derived from POMC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Kasagi
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan.
| | - Masayuki Miura
- Oshino Branch, Yamanashi Prefectural Fisheries Technology Center, Oshino, Yamanashi 401-0511, Japan
| | - Takumi Okazaki
- Oshino Branch, Yamanashi Prefectural Fisheries Technology Center, Oshino, Yamanashi 401-0511, Japan
| | - Kanta Mizusawa
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Takahashi
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Huang YJ, Galen K, Zweifel B, Brooks LR, Wright AD. Distinct binding and signaling activity of Acthar Gel compared to other melanocortin receptor agonists. J Recept Signal Transduct Res 2020; 41:425-433. [PMID: 32938265 DOI: 10.1080/10799893.2020.1818094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the binding and agonistic activity of Acthar® Gel and synthetic melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonists and examine how the activity of select agonists affects the in vivo production of corticosterone. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro binding was determined using concentration-dependent displacement of the ligand [125I]Nle4, D-Phe7-α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) on cells expressing MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, or MC5R. Functional activity was determined using a time-resolved fluorescence cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assay in cells expressing MC1R, MC2R, MC3R, MC4R, or MC5R. In vivo corticosterone analyses were performed by measuring plasma corticosterone levels in Sprague Dawley rats. RESULTS Acthar Gel and synthetic MCR agonists exhibited the highest binding at MC1R, lowest binding at MC5R, and moderate binding at MC3R and MC4R. Acthar Gel stimulated the production of cAMP in all 5 MCR-expressing cell lines, with MC2R displaying the lowest level of full agonist activity, 3-, 6.6-, and 10-fold lower than MC1R, MC3R, and MC4R, respectively. Acthar Gel was a partial agonist at MC5R. The synthetic MCR agonists induced full activity at all 5 MCRs, with the exception of α-MSH having no activity at MC2R. Acthar Gel treatment had less of an impact on in vivo production of corticosterone compared with synthetic ACTH1-24 depot. CONCLUSIONS Acthar Gel bound to and activated each MCR tested in this study, with partial agonist activity at MC5R and the lowest level of full agonist activity at MC2R, which distinguished it from synthetic MCR agonists. The minimal activity of Acthar Gel at MC2R corresponded to lower endogenous corticosteroid production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Joyce Huang
- Cellular and Molecular Biology, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Hazelwood, MO, USA
| | - Karen Galen
- Immunology and Pharmacology, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Hazelwood, MO, USA
| | - Ben Zweifel
- Immunology and Pharmacology, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Hazelwood, MO, USA
| | - Leah R Brooks
- Medical Affairs, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Hazelwood, MO, USA
| | - A Dale Wright
- Immunology and Pharmacology, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Hazelwood, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|