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Hofer DC, Zirkovits G, Pelzmann HJ, Huber K, Pessentheiner AR, Xia W, Uno K, Miyazaki T, Kon K, Tsuneki H, Pendl T, Al Zoughbi W, Madreiter-Sokolowski CT, Trausinger G, Abdellatif M, Schoiswohl G, Schreiber R, Eisenberg T, Magnes C, Sedej S, Eckhardt M, Sasahara M, Sasaoka T, Nitta A, Hoefler G, Graier WF, Kratky D, Auwerx J, Bogner-Strauss JG. N-acetylaspartate availability is essential for juvenile survival on fat-free diet and determines metabolic health. FASEB J 2019; 33:13808-13824. [PMID: 31638418 PMCID: PMC6894082 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801323r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is synthesized by aspartate N-acetyltransferase (gene: Nat8l) from acetyl-coenzyme A and aspartate. In the brain, NAA is considered an important energy metabolite for lipid synthesis. However, the role of NAA in peripheral tissues remained elusive. Therefore, we characterized the metabolic phenotype of knockout (ko) and adipose tissue-specific (ako) Nat8l-ko mice as well as NAA-supplemented mice on various diets. We identified an important role of NAA availability in the brain during adolescence, as 75% of Nat8l-ko mice died on fat-free diet (FFD) after weaning but could be rescued by NAA supplementation. In adult life, NAA deficiency promotes a beneficial metabolic phenotype, as Nat8l-ko and Nat8l-ako mice showed reduced body weight, increased energy expenditure, and improved glucose tolerance on chow, high-fat, and FFDs. Furthermore, Nat8l-deficient adipocytes exhibited increased mitochondrial respiration, ATP synthesis, and an induction of browning. Conversely, NAA-treated wild-type mice showed reduced adipocyte respiration and lipolysis and increased de novo lipogenesis, culminating in reduced energy expenditure, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity. Mechanistically, our data point to a possible role of NAA as modulator of pancreatic insulin secretion and suggest NAA as a critical energy metabolite for adipocyte and whole-body energy homeostasis.-Hofer, D. C., Zirkovits, G., Pelzmann, H. J., Huber, K., Pessentheiner, A. R., Xia, W., Uno, K., Miyazaki, T., Kon, K., Tsuneki, H., Pendl, T., Al Zoughbi, W., Madreiter-Sokolowski, C. T., Trausinger, G., Abdellatif, M., Schoiswohl, G., Schreiber, R., Eisenberg, T., Magnes, C., Sedej, S., Eckhardt, M., Sasahara, M., Sasaoka, T., Nitta, A., Hoefler, G., Graier, W. F., Kratky, D., Auwerx, J., Bogner-Strauss, J. G. N-acetylaspartate availability is essential for juvenile survival on fat-free diet and determines metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina C. Hofer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Zirkovits
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Helmut J. Pelzmann
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Fresenius Kabi Austria GmbH, Graz, Austria
| | - Katharina Huber
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ariane R. Pessentheiner
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Department of Medicine, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Wenmin Xia
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Kyosuke Uno
- Department of Pharmaceutical Therapy and Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Toh Miyazaki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Therapy and Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kanta Kon
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tsuneki
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tobias Pendl
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Wael Al Zoughbi
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Gert Trausinger
- Joanneum Research, HEALTH–Institute for Biomedicine and Health Sciences, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Renate Schreiber
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tobias Eisenberg
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christoph Magnes
- Joanneum Research, HEALTH–Institute for Biomedicine and Health Sciences, Graz, Austria
| | - Simon Sedej
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Matthias Eckhardt
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Toshiyasu Sasaoka
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Atsumi Nitta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Therapy and Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Gerald Hoefler
- Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang F. Graier
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Dagmar Kratky
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Johan Auwerx
- Laboratory of Integrative and Systems Physiology, Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Juliane G. Bogner-Strauss
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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Appu AP, Moffett JR, Arun P, Moran S, Nambiar V, Krishnan JKS, Puthillathu N, Namboodiri AMA. Increasing N-acetylaspartate in the Brain during Postnatal Myelination Does Not Cause the CNS Pathologies of Canavan Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:161. [PMID: 28626388 PMCID: PMC5454052 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Canavan disease is caused by mutations in the gene encoding aspartoacylase (ASPA), a deacetylase that catabolizes N-acetylaspartate (NAA). The precise involvement of elevated NAA in the pathogenesis of Canavan disease is an ongoing debate. In the present study, we tested the effects of elevated NAA in the brain during postnatal development. Mice were administered high doses of the hydrophobic methyl ester of NAA (M-NAA) twice daily starting on day 7 after birth. This treatment increased NAA levels in the brain to those observed in the brains of Nur7 mice, an established model of Canavan disease. We evaluated various serological parameters, oxidative stress, inflammatory and neurodegeneration markers and the results showed that there were no pathological alterations in any measure with increased brain NAA levels. We examined oxidative stress markers, malondialdehyde content (indicator of lipid peroxidation), expression of NADPH oxidase and nuclear translocation of the stress-responsive transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF-2) in brain. We also examined additional pathological markers by immunohistochemistry and the expression of activated caspase-3 and interleukin-6 by Western blot. None of the markers were increased in the brains of M-NAA treated mice, and no vacuoles were observed in any brain region. These results show that ASPA expression prevents the pathologies associated with excessive NAA concentrations in the brain during postnatal myelination. We hypothesize that the pathogenesis of Canavan disease involves not only disrupted NAA metabolism, but also excessive NAA related signaling processes in oligodendrocytes that have not been fully determined and we discuss some of the potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilash P. Appu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - John R. Moffett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Peethambaran Arun
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sean Moran
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Vikram Nambiar
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jishnu K. S. Krishnan
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Narayanan Puthillathu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Aryan M. A. Namboodiri
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
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Prokesch A, Pelzmann HJ, Pessentheiner AR, Huber K, Madreiter-Sokolowski CT, Drougard A, Schittmayer M, Kolb D, Magnes C, Trausinger G, Graier WF, Birner-Gruenberger R, Pospisilik JA, Bogner-Strauss JG. N-acetylaspartate catabolism determines cytosolic acetyl-CoA levels and histone acetylation in brown adipocytes. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23723. [PMID: 27045997 PMCID: PMC4820693 DOI: 10.1038/srep23723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone acetylation depends on the abundance of nucleo-cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA. Here, we present a novel route for cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA production in brown adipocytes. N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is a highly abundant brain metabolite catabolized by aspartoacylase yielding aspartate and acetate. The latter can be further used for acetyl-CoA production. Prior to this work, the presence of NAA has not been described in adipocytes. Here, we show that accumulation of NAA decreases the brown adipocyte phenotype. We increased intracellular NAA concentrations in brown adipocytes via media supplementation or knock-down of aspartoacylase and measured reduced lipolysis, thermogenic gene expression, and oxygen consumption. Combinations of approaches to increase intracellular NAA levels showed additive effects on lipolysis and gene repression, nearly abolishing the expression of Ucp1, Cidea, Prdm16, and Ppara. Transcriptome analyses of aspartoacylase knock-down cells indicate deficiencies in acetyl-CoA and lipid metabolism. Concordantly, cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA levels and global histone H3 acetylation were decreased. Further, activating histone marks (H3K27ac and H3K9ac) in promoters/enhancers of brown marker genes showed reduced acetylation status. Taken together, we present a novel route for cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA production in brown adipocytes. Thereby, we mechanistically connect the NAA pathway to the epigenomic regulation of gene expression, modulating the phenotype of brown adipocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Prokesch
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Austria,Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, Austria,
| | - H. J. Pelzmann
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Austria
| | | | - K. Huber
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Austria
| | | | - A. Drougard
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - M. Schittmayer
- Research Unit Functional Proteomics and Metabolic Pathways, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz and Omics Center Graz, BioTechMed-Graz, Austria
| | - D. Kolb
- Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, Austria,ZMF, Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - C. Magnes
- HEALTH Insitute for Biomedicine and Health Sciences, Joanneum Research, Graz, Austria
| | - G. Trausinger
- HEALTH Insitute for Biomedicine and Health Sciences, Joanneum Research, Graz, Austria
| | - W. F. Graier
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - R. Birner-Gruenberger
- Research Unit Functional Proteomics and Metabolic Pathways, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz and Omics Center Graz, BioTechMed-Graz, Austria
| | - J. A. Pospisilik
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
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Daly P, Moran G. Safety assessment of a novel active ingredient, acetyl aspartic acid, according to the EU Cosmetics Regulation and the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety guidelines. Int J Cosmet Sci 2015; 37 Suppl 1:21-7. [PMID: 26114401 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Acetyl aspartic acid (A-A-A) was proposed as a new novel active ingredient for use in cosmetics. The safety of A-A-A was assessed by following an in-house-developed 'New Ingredient Testing Strategy', which was designed in accordance with the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) notes of guidance and the requirements of Annex I of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. The aim of the project was to determine whether A-A-A was safe for use in cosmetics and to determine a maximum permitted safe level in the formulations. METHODS A literature review was conducted, consulting over 40 different information sources. This highlighted a number of gaps which required testing data. A-A-A was tested for phototoxicity according to OECD test guideline 432, skin irritation according to OECD test guideline 439 and eye irritation according to OECD test guideline 437. Dermal absorption of A-A-A was measured according to OECD test guideline 428 and was used to calculate the margin of safety (MoS). Finally, A-A-A was tested in a human repeat insult patch test (HRIPT) and a 14-day in-use tolerance study. RESULTS A-A-A was non-phototoxic and was non-irritating to skin and eyes in in vitro testing. Dermal absorption was calculated to be 5%. The MoS for A-A-A was 351, at a level of 5%, for all cosmetic product types, indicating no systemic safety toxicity concern. A-A-A at 5% under occlusive patch on a panel of 50 adult volunteers induced no skin irritation or allergic reaction in the HRIPT study. Finally, repeated application of A-A-A to the periocular area, twice per day for 14 days, in 21 female volunteers, demonstrated that 1% A-A-A was well tolerated following dermatological and ophthalmological assessment in a cosmetic formulation. CONCLUSION A-A-A was assessed as safe by the cosmetic safety assessor for use in cosmetics at a level of 5% in all cosmetic product types, in line with the requirements of the EU Cosmetics Regulation and in accordance with the SCCS notes of guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Daly
- Oriflame R&D Ltd, Bray Business Park, Kilruddery, Bray, Co Wicklow, Ireland
| | - G Moran
- Oriflame R&D Ltd, Bray Business Park, Kilruddery, Bray, Co Wicklow, Ireland
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Karaman S, Barnett J, Sykes GP, Hong B, Delaney B. Two-generation reproductive and developmental toxicity assessment of dietary N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2011; 49:3192-205. [PMID: 21920405 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Revised: 08/26/2011] [Accepted: 08/27/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
N-acetyl-l-aspartic acid (NAA) is a component of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) that has also been identified in a number of foods. This paper reports the outcome of a reproductive toxicology study conducted with NAA in Sprague-Dawley rats. NAA was added to diets at target doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight/day and administered for two consecutive generations. A carrier control group was administered diet with no added NAA and a comparative control group was given aspartate (ASP), the constituent amino acid of NAA, at a target dose of 500 mg/kg of body weight/day. The study evaluated OECD 416 reproductive performance variables and additional segments to assess potential developmental effects, neurobehavioural and ophthalmologic function, and the concentrations of NAA or ASP in brain and plasma. No biologically significant differences were observed in any reproductive response variables, neurobehavioural tests, ophthalmologic examinations, body weights, feed consumption, or organ weights. Further, no test substance related mortalities or adverse clinical, neurohistopathologic or histopathologic findings were observed. Under the conditions of this study, the highest target dose of NAA, 500 mg/kg of body weight/day, represents the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for reproductive and systemic toxicity, and neurotoxicity for Sprague-Dawley rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sule Karaman
- Pioneer Hi-Bred, International, Inc., Ankeny, IA 50021-7102, USA
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