1
|
Rimbi PT, O'Boyle N, Douce GR, Pizza M, Rosini R, Roe AJ. Enhancing a multi-purpose artificial urine for culture and gene expression studies of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae067. [PMID: 38486355 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae067] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
AIMS The main objective of this study was to modify a recently reported multi-purpose artificial urine (MP-AU) for culture and gene expression studies of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains. METHODS AND RESULTS We used liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to identify and adjust the metabolic profile of MP-AU closer to that of pooled human urine (PHU). Modification in this way facilitated growth of UPEC strains with growth rates similar to those obtained in PHU. Transcriptomic analysis of UPEC strains cultured in enhanced artificial urine (enhanced AU) and PHU showed that the gene expression profiles are similar, with <7% of genes differentially expressed between the two conditions. CONCLUSIONS Enhancing an MP-AU with metabolites identified in PHU allows the enhanced AU to be used as a substitute for the culture and in vitro gene expression studies of UPEC strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia T Rimbi
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Nicky O'Boyle
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork T12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - Gillian R Douce
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| | - Mariagrazia Pizza
- Department of Life Sciences, Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Andrew J Roe
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu C, Li Y, Li XL, Han C, Li J, Jin R, Min JZ. Relative quantitation of chiral thiol compounds labeled based on isotope novel mass spectrometry probes: Monitoring of the dynamic changes of chiral thiol compounds in human urine during normal, exercise, and rest recovery states. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1719:464757. [PMID: 38394785 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.464757] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Monitoring changes in the content of chiral thiol compounds in the human body is crucial for the early diagnosis of oxidative stress-related diseases and the exploration of their pathogenesis. To address this, we synthesized a novel isotope mass spectrometry (MS) probe, denoted as (R)-(5-(3-isothiocyanato (13C) pyrrolidin-1-yl)-5-oxopentyl) triphenylphosphonium (N13CS-OTPP), with triphenylphosphine as its parent structure. In this study, we established a new ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLCHRMS) relative quantitative method to monitor chiral thiol compounds in human urine under varying oxidative stress conditions. This method relies on the ratio of 12C/13C isotope-labeled peak areas. To assess the chiral separation efficiency of N13CS-OTPP, we employed three types of thiol compounds (D/L-GSH, D/L-Cys, and D/L-Hcy) and observed separation degrees (Rs) ranging from 1.82 to 1.89. We further validated the accuracy and feasibility of our relative quantitative methods using D/L-Cys-as a model compound. N12C/13CS-OTPP-Cys-exhibited excellent linearity (R2 = 0.9993-0.9994) across different molar ratios (D/L-Cys = 10:1, 4:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:10) and achieved a low limit of detection (LOD) of 2.5 fmol. Additionally, we monitored the dynamic changes in urine D/L-Cys-and D/L-Hcy ratios in 12 healthy volunteers (six males and six females) under various oxidative stress states. We generated fitting curves and investigated the trends in chiral thiol compounds in vivo. This study introduces a novel method for the relative quantitative monitoring of chiral thiol compounds in different oxidative stress states within the human body. It also presents a new strategy for understanding the pathogenesis of related diseases resulting from the abnormal metabolism of thiol compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Yu
- Interdisciplinary Program of Biological Functional Molecules, College of Integration Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, and Department of Orthopaedics, Yanbian University Hospital, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin 133002, China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- Interdisciplinary Program of Biological Functional Molecules, College of Integration Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, and Department of Orthopaedics, Yanbian University Hospital, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin 133002, China
| | - Xi-Ling Li
- Interdisciplinary Program of Biological Functional Molecules, College of Integration Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, and Department of Orthopaedics, Yanbian University Hospital, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin 133002, China
| | - Chengqiang Han
- Interdisciplinary Program of Biological Functional Molecules, College of Integration Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, and Department of Orthopaedics, Yanbian University Hospital, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin 133002, China
| | - Jing Li
- Interdisciplinary Program of Biological Functional Molecules, College of Integration Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, and Department of Orthopaedics, Yanbian University Hospital, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin 133002, China
| | - Ri Jin
- Interdisciplinary Program of Biological Functional Molecules, College of Integration Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, and Department of Orthopaedics, Yanbian University Hospital, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin 133002, China.
| | - Jun Zhe Min
- Interdisciplinary Program of Biological Functional Molecules, College of Integration Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, and Department of Orthopaedics, Yanbian University Hospital, College of Pharmacy Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin 133002, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Roychaudhuri R. Mammalian D-Cysteine: A new addition to the growing family of biologically relevant D-amino acids. Chirality 2023; 35:535-539. [PMID: 36890664 DOI: 10.1002/chir.23555] [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: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian D-Cysteine is racemized from L-cysteine by serine racemase, a pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme. Endogenous D-Cysteine plays a role in neural development by inhibiting proliferation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) via protein kinase B (AKT) signaling mediated by the FoxO family of transcription factors. D-Cysteine binds to Myristoylated Alanine Rich C Kinase Substrate (MARCKS) and alters phosphorylation at Ser 159/163 and its translocation from the membrane. By racemizing serine and cysteine, mammalian serine racemase may play important roles in neural development highlighting its importance in psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin Roychaudhuri
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Birth Defects, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Muñoz-Vargas MA, López-Jaramillo J, González-Gordo S, Paradela A, Palma JM, Corpas FJ. H 2S-Generating Cytosolic L-Cysteine Desulfhydrase and Mitochondrial D-Cysteine Desulfhydrase from Sweet Pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) Are Regulated During Fruit Ripening and by Nitric Oxide. Antioxid Redox Signal 2023; 39:2-18. [PMID: 36950799 PMCID: PMC10585658 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2022.0222] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Aims: Pepper fruit is a horticultural product worldwide consumed that has great nutritional and economic relevance. Besides the phenotypical changes that undergo pepper fruit during ripening, there are many associated modifications at transcriptomic, proteomic, biochemical, and metabolic levels. Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are recognized signal molecules that can exert regulatory functions in diverse plant processes. This study aims at analyzing the interrelationship between NO and H2S during fruit ripening. Results: Our data indicate that the H2S-generating cytosolic L-cysteine desulfhydrase (LCD) and the mitochondrial D-cysteine desulfhydrase (DCD) activities are downregulated during ripening but this effect was reverted after NO treatment of fruits. Innovation and Conclusion: Using as a model the non-climacteric pepper fruits at different ripening stages and under an NO-enriched atmosphere, the activity of the H2S-generating LCD and DCD was analyzed. LCD and DCD activities were downregulated during ripening, but this effect was reverted after NO treatment of fruits. The analysis of LCD activity by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) allowed identifying three isozymes designated CaLCD I to CaLCD III, which were differentially modulated by NO and strictly dependent on pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). In vitro analyses of green fruit samples in the presence of different compounds including NO donors, peroxynitrite (ONOO-), and reducing agents such as reduced glutathione (GSH) and L-cysteine (L-Cys) triggered an almost 100% inhibition of CaLCD II and CaLCD III. This redox adaptation process of both enzymes could be cataloged as a hormesis phenomenon. The protein tyrosine (Tyr) nitration (an NO-promoted post-translational modification) of the recombinant LCD was corroborated by immunoblot and by mass spectrometry (MS) analyses. Among the 11 Tyr residues present in this enzyme, MS of the recombinant LCD enabled us to identify that Tyr82 and Tyr254 were nitrated by ONOO-, this occurring near the active center on the enzyme, where His237 and Lys260 together with the cofactor PLP are involved. These data support the relationship between NO and H2S during pepper fruit ripening, since LCD and DCD are regulated by NO during this physiological event, and this could also be extrapolated to other plant species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María A. Muñoz-Vargas
- Group of Antioxidants, Free Radicals and Nitric Oxide in Biotechnology, Food and Agriculture. Estación Experimental del Zaidín (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Javier López-Jaramillo
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Salvador González-Gordo
- Group of Antioxidants, Free Radicals and Nitric Oxide in Biotechnology, Food and Agriculture. Estación Experimental del Zaidín (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Alberto Paradela
- Proteomics Core Facility, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Palma
- Group of Antioxidants, Free Radicals and Nitric Oxide in Biotechnology, Food and Agriculture. Estación Experimental del Zaidín (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Corpas
- Group of Antioxidants, Free Radicals and Nitric Oxide in Biotechnology, Food and Agriculture. Estación Experimental del Zaidín (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC), Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Darbyshire A, Mothersole R, Wolthers KR. Biosynthesis of meso-lanthionine in Fusobacterium nucleatum. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023:109666. [PMID: 37329940 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109666] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The opportunistic oral pathogen, Fusobacterium nucleatum contains meso-lanthionine as the diaminodicarboxylic acid in the pentapeptide crosslink of the peptidoglycan layer. The diastereomer, l,l-lanthionine is formed by lanthionine synthase, a PLP-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the β-replacement of l-cysteine with a second equivalent of l-cysteine. In this study, we explored possible enzymatic mechanisms for the formation of meso-lanthionine. Our inhibition studies with lanthionine synthase, described herein, revealed that meso-diaminopimelate, a bioisostere of meso-lanthionine, is a more potent inhibitor of lanthionine synthase compared to the diastereomer, l,l-diaminopimelate. These results suggested that lanthionine synthase could also form meso-lanthionine by the β-replacement of l-cysteine with d-cysteine. Through steady-state and pre-steady state kinetic analysis, we confirm that d-cysteine reacts with the ⍺-aminoacylate intermediate with a kon that was 2-3-fold faster and Kd value that was 2-3fold lower compared to l-cysteine. However, given that intracellular levels of d-cysteine levels are assumed to be significantly lower than that of l-cysteine, we also determined if the gene product, FN1732, with low sequence identity to diaminopimelate epimerase could convert l,l-lanthionine to meso-lanthionine. Using diaminopimelate dehydrogenase in a coupled spectrophotometric assay, we show that FN1732 can convert l,l-lanthionine to meso-lanthionine with a kcat of 0.07 ± 0.001 s-1 and a KM of 1.9 ± 0.1 mM. In summary, our results provide two possible enzymatic mechanisms for the biosynthesis of meso-lanthionine in F. nucleatum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Darbyshire
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, B.C, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Robert Mothersole
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, B.C, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Kirsten R Wolthers
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 3247 University Way, Kelowna, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu Z, Yan Y, Gu B, Cai W, Wang Y. Up-Regulation of microRNA-424 Causes an Imbalance in AKT Phosphorylation and Impairs Enteric Neural Crest Cell Migration in Hirschsprung Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076700. [PMID: 37047673 PMCID: PMC10094892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Insights into the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in disease pathogenesis have made them attractive therapeutic targets, and numerous miRNAs have been functionally linked to Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), a life-threatening genetic disorder due to defective migration, proliferation, and colonization of enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs) in the gut. Recent studies have demonstrated that miR-424 strongly inhibits migration in a variety of cell types and its potential target RICTOR is essential for neural crest cell development. We therefore sought to interrogate how miR-424 and RICTOR contribute to the pathogenesis of HSCR. We utilized HSCR cases and human neural cells to evaluate the miR-424-mediated regulation of RICTOR and the downstream AKT phosphorylation. We further developed an ex vivo model to assess the effects of miR-424 on ENCC migration and proliferation. Then, single-cell atlases of gene expression in both human and mouse fetal intestines were used to determine the characteristics of RICTOR and AKT expression in the developing gut. Our findings demonstrate that miR-424 levels are markedly increased in the colonic tissues of patients with HSCR and that it regulates human neural cell migration by directly targeting RICTOR. Up-regulation of miR-424 leads to decreased AKT phosphorylation levels in a RICTOR-dependent manner, and this, in turn, impairs ENCC proliferation and migration in the developing gut. Interestingly, we further identified prominent RICTOR and AKT expressions in the enteric neurons and other types of enteric neural cells in human and mouse fetal intestines. Our present study reveals the role of the miR-424/RICTOR axis in HSCR pathogenesis and indicates that miR-424 is a promising candidate for the development of targeted therapies against HSCR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ze Xu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yingnan Yan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Beilin Gu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wei Cai
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai 200092, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jiang H, Liu R, Wang L, Wang X, Zhang M, Lin S, Cao Z, Wu F, Liu Y, Liu J. Chiral-Selective Antigen-Presentation by Supramolecular Chiral Polymer Micelles. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2208157. [PMID: 36398497 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202208157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Chirality is ubiquitous in biological systems, which is closely related to biological functions, life processes, and even the pathogenesis of diseases. However, the interface between the chirality of synthetic materials and organisms, particularly the immune system, remains poorly understood. Here, supramolecular chiral polymer micelles (SCPMs) are prepared by complexing antigenic proteins with chiral amino acid-modified polyethyleneimine. The introduction of chirality not only reduces the toxicity of cationic polymer, but also benefits cell uptake and antigen presentation. Especially, D-chirality presents the lowest cytotoxicity, while promoting the highest expression level of costimulatory molecules on dendritic cells compared to L-chirality and achirality. The superiority of D-chirality to stimulate dendritic cell maturation is supported by immunization with D-SCPMs, which achieves significant antigen-specific proliferation of T cells in the spleen, lymph nodes, and tumor of mice. Chirality-mediated antigen processing and presentation are demonstrated by D-SCPMs self-assembled from chiral alkaline histidine or neutral phenylalanine modified polyethyleneimine and tumor associated ovalbumin or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike 1 antigenic protein. Immunoactivation enabled by D-chirality opens a window to prepare potent nanotherapeutics for disease prevention and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hejin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Rui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Xinyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Sisi Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Zhenping Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Feng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yingbin Liu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jinyao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Roychaudhuri R, Gadalla MM, West T, Snyder SH. A Novel Stereospecific Bioluminescent Assay for Detection of Endogenous d-Cysteine. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:3257-3262. [PMID: 36403160 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of endogenous d-stereoisomers of amino acids in mammals dispels a long-standing dogma about their existence. d-Serine and d-aspartate function as novel neurotransmitters in mammals. However, the stereoisomer with the fastest, spontaneous in vitro racemization rate, d-cysteine, has not been reported. We utilized a novel, stereospecific, bioluminescent assay to identify endogenous d-cysteine in substantial amounts in the eye, brain, and pancreas of mice. d-Cysteine is enriched in mice embryonic brains at day E9.5 (4.5 mM) and decreases progressively with development (μM levels). d-Cysteine is also present in significantly higher amounts in the human brain white matter compared with gray matter. In the luciferase assay, d-cysteine conjugates with cyano hydroxy benzothiazole in the presence of a base and reducing agent to form d-luciferin. d-Luciferin, subsequently, in the presence of firefly luciferase and ATP, emits bioluminescence proportional to the concentration of d-cysteine. The assay is stereospecific and allows the quantitative estimation of endogenous d-cysteine in tissues in addition to its specificity for d-cysteine. Future efforts aimed at bioluminescent in vivo imaging of d-cysteine may allow a more noninvasive means of its detection, thereby elucidating its function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robin Roychaudhuri
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Moataz M Gadalla
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
| | - Timothy West
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Solomon H Snyder
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
de Bartolomeis A, Vellucci L, Austin MC, De Simone G, Barone A. Rational and Translational Implications of D-Amino Acids for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: From Neurobiology to the Clinics. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070909. [PMID: 35883465 PMCID: PMC9312470 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia has been conceptualized as a neurodevelopmental disorder with synaptic alterations and aberrant cortical–subcortical connections. Antipsychotics are the mainstay of schizophrenia treatment and nearly all share the common feature of dopamine D2 receptor occupancy, whereas glutamatergic abnormalities are not targeted by the presently available therapies. D-amino acids, acting as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) modulators, have emerged in the last few years as a potential augmentation strategy in those cases of schizophrenia that do not respond well to antipsychotics, a condition defined as treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), affecting almost 30–40% of patients, and characterized by serious cognitive deficits and functional impairment. In the present systematic review, we address with a direct and reverse translational perspective the efficacy of D-amino acids, including D-serine, D-aspartate, and D-alanine, in poor responders. The impact of these molecules on the synaptic architecture is also considered in the light of dendritic spine changes reported in schizophrenia and antipsychotics’ effect on postsynaptic density proteins. Moreover, we describe compounds targeting D-amino acid oxidase and D-aspartate oxidase enzymes. Finally, other drugs acting at NMDAR and proxy of D-amino acids function, such as D-cycloserine, sarcosine, and glycine, are considered in the light of the clinical burden of TRS, together with other emerging molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea de Bartolomeis
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-7463673 or +39-081-7463884 or +39-3662745592; Fax: +39-081-7462644
| | - Licia Vellucci
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Mark C. Austin
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Program, College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA;
| | - Giuseppe De Simone
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Annarita Barone
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.V.); (G.D.S.); (A.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Seckler JM. Thoughts on the role of endogenous D‐cysteine in neuronal function. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200089. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James M. Seckler
- Case Western Reserve University Biomedical Engineering Cleveland Ohio USA
| |
Collapse
|