Identification of a novel GLUT1 inhibitor with in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity

Comprehensive review of histone lactylation: Structure, function, and therapeutic targets

Histone lysine lactylation (Kla) has emerged as a distinct epigenetic modification that differs markedly from established acylation modifications through the unique addition of a lactyl group to a lysine residue. Such modifications not only alter nucleosome structure but also significantly impact chromatin dynamics and gene expression, thus playing a crucial role in cellular metabolism, inflammatory responses, and embryonic development. The association of histone Kla with various metabolic processes, particularly glycolysis and glutamine metabolism, underscores its pivotal role in metabolic reprogramming, including in cancerous tissues, where it contributes to tumorigenesis, immune evasion, and angiogenesis. In addition, histone Kla is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases, particularly several cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. The identification of histone Kla opens new avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting specific Kla sites. In this review, we summarize the differences between histone Kla modifications and other acylation modifications, discuss the mechanisms and roles of histone Kla in disease, and conclude by describing existing drugs and potential targets. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms linking histone Kla to diseases and into the discovery of new drugs and targets.

Disulfidptosis, A Novel Cell Death Pathway: Molecular Landscape and Therapeutic Implications

Programmed cell death is pivotal for several physiological processes, including immune defense. Further, it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of developmental disorders and the onset of numerous diseases. Multiple modes of programmed cell death, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, have been identified, each with their own unique characteristics and biological implications. In February 2023, Liu Xiaoguang and his team discovered "disulfidptosis," a novel pathway of programmed cell death. Their findings demonstrated that disulfidptosis is triggered in glucose-starved cells exhibiting high expression of a protein called SLC7A11. Furthermore, disulfidptosis is marked by a drastic imbalance in the NADPH/NADP+ ratio and the abnormal accumulation of disulfides like cystine. These changes ultimately lead to the destabilization of the F-actin network, causing cell death. Given that high SLC7A11 expression is a key feature of certain cancers, these findings indicate that disulfidptosis could serve as the basis of innovative anti-cancer therapies. Hence, this review delves into the discovery of disulfidptosis, its underlying molecular mechanisms and metabolic regulation, and its prospective applications in disease treatment.

Transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications in the glycolytic pathway for targeted cancer therapy

Cancer cells largely rely on aerobic glycolysis or the Warburg effect to generate essential biomolecules and energy for their rapid growth. The key modulators in glycolysis including glucose transporters and enzymes, e.g. hexokinase 2, enolase 1, pyruvate kinase M2, lactate dehydrogenase A, play indispensable roles in glucose uptake, glucose consumption, ATP generation, lactate production, etc. Transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications (PTMs) of these critical modulators are important for signal transduction and metabolic reprogramming in the glycolytic pathway, which can provide energy advantages to cancer cell growth. In this review we recapitulate the recent advances in research on glycolytic modulators of cancer cells and analyze the strategies targeting these vital modulators including small-molecule inhibitors and microRNAs (miRNAs) for targeted cancer therapy. We focus on the regulation of the glycolytic pathway at the transcription level (e.g., hypoxia-inducible factor 1, c-MYC, p53, sine oculis homeobox homolog 1, N6-methyladenosine modification) and PTMs (including phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, etc.) of the key regulators in these processes. This review will provide a comprehensive understanding of the regulation of the key modulators in the glycolytic pathway and might shed light on the targeted cancer therapy at different molecular levels.

Advances in nanomedicines: a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic cerebral stroke treatment

Ischemic stroke, prevalent among the elderly, necessitates attention to reperfusion injury post treatment. Limited drug access to the brain, owing to the blood-brain barrier, restricts clinical applications. Identifying efficient drug carriers capable of penetrating this barrier is crucial. Blood-brain barrier transporters play a vital role in nutrient transport to the brain. Recently, nanoparticles emerged as drug carriers, enhancing drug permeability via surface-modified ligands. This article introduces the blood-brain barrier structure, elucidates reperfusion injury pathogenesis, compiles ischemic stroke treatment drugs, explores nanomaterials for drug encapsulation and emphasizes their advantages over conventional drugs. Utilizing nanoparticles as drug-delivery systems offers targeting and efficiency benefits absent in traditional drugs. The prospects for nanomedicine in stroke treatment are promising.

Novel inhibitors targeting the PGK1 metabolic enzyme in glycolysis exhibit effective antitumor activity against kidney renal clear cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

Our previous research has revealed phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) enhances tumorigenesis and sorafenib resistance of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) by regulating glycolysis, so that PGK1 is a promising drug target. Herein we performed structure-based virtual screening and series of anticancer pharmaceutical experiments in vitro and in vivo to identify novel small-molecule PGK1-targeted compounds. As results, the compounds CHR-6494 and Z57346765 were screened and confirmed to specifically bind to PGK1 and significantly reduced the metabolic enzyme activity of PGK1 in glycolysis, which inhibited KIRC cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. While CHR-6494 showed greater anti-KIRC efficacy and fewer side effects than Z57346765 on nude mouse xenograft model. Mechanistically, CHR-9464 impeded glycolysis by decreasing the metabolic enzyme activity of PGK1 and suppressed histone H3T3 phosphorylation to inhibit KIRC cell proliferation. Z57346765 induced expression changes of genes related to cell metabolism, DNA replication and cell cycle. Overall, we screened two novel PGK1 inhibitors, CHR-6494 and Z57346765, for the first time and discovered their potent anti-KIRC effects by suppressing PGK1 metabolic enzyme activity in glycolysis.

Target Separation and Potential Anticancer Activity of Withanolide-Based Glucose Transporter Protein 1 Inhibitors from Physalis angulata var. villosa

The glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) protein is involved in the basal-level absorption of glucose in tumor cells. Inhibiting GLUT1 decreases tumor cell proliferation and induces tumor cell damage. Natural GLUT1 inhibitors have been studied only to a small extent, and the structures of known natural GLUT1 inhibitors are limited to a few classes of natural products. Therefore, discovering and researching other natural GLUT1 inhibitors with novel scaffolds are essential. Physalis angulata L. var. villosa is a plant known as Mao-Ku-Zhi (MKZ). Withanolides are the main phytochemical components of MKZ. MKZ extracts and the components of MKZ exhibited antitumor activity in recent pharmacological studies. However, the antitumor-active components of MKZ and their molecular mechanisms remain unknown. A cell membrane-biomimetic nanoplatform (CM@Fe3O4/MIL-101) was used for target separation of potential GLUT1 inhibitors from MKZ. A new withanolide, physagulide Y (2), together with six known withanolides (1, 3-7), was identified as a potential GLUT1 inhibitor. Physagulide Y was the most potent GLUT1 inhibitor, and its antitumor activity and possible mechanism of action were explored in MCF-7 human cancer cells. These findings advance the development of technologies for the targeted separation of natural products and identify a new molecular framework for the investigation of natural GLUT1 inhibitors.

Hypoxia induced deregulation of sphingolipids in colon cancer is a prognostic marker for patient outcome

Sphingolipids are important for the physicochemical properties of cellular membranes and deregulated in tumors. In human colon cancer tissue ceramide synthase (CerS) 4 and CerS5 are reduced which correlates with a reduced survival probability of late-stage colon cancer patients. Both enzymes are reduced after hypoxia in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) cells (HCT-116, SW620) but not in non-metastatic CRC cells (SW480, Caco-2). Downregulation of CerS4 or CerS5 in advanced CRC cells enhanced tumor formation in nude mice and organoid growth in vitro. This was accompanied by an enhanced proliferation rate and metabolic changes leading to a shift towards the Warburg effect. In contrast, CerS4 or CerS5 depletion in Caco-2 cells reduced tumor growth in vivo. Lipidomic and proteomic analysis of membrane fractions revealed significant changes in tumor-promoting cellular pathways and cellular transporters. This study identifies CerS4 and CerS5 as prognostic markers for advanced colon cancer patients and provides a comprehensive overview about the associated cellular metabolic changes. We propose that the expression level of CerS4 and CerS5 in colon tumors could serve as a basis for decision-making for personalized treatment of advanced colon cancer patients. Trial registration: The study was accredited by the study board of the Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft (Registration No: St-D203, 2017/06/30, retrospectively registered).

Structure-guided computational insecticide discovery targeting β-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase of Ostrinia furnacalis

Ostrinia furnacalis is a species of moth in the Crambidae family that is harmful to maize and other corn crops in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific regions. Ostrinia furnacalis causes devastating losses to economically important corn fields. The β-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase is an essential enzyme in O. furnacalis and its substrate binding +1 active site is different from that of the plants and humans β-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidases. To develop environment-friendly insecticides against OfHex1, we conducted structure-guided computational insecticide discovery to identify potential inhibitors that can bind the active site and inhibit the substrate binding and activity of the enzyme. We adopted a three-pronged strategy to conduct virtual screening using Glide and virtual screening workflow (VSW) in Schrödinger Suite-2022-3, against crystal structures of OfHex1 (PDB Id:3NSN), its homologue in humans (PDB Id: 1NP0) and Alphafold model of β-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase from Trichogramma pretiosum, an egg parasitoid that protects the crops from O. furnacalis. A library of 20,313 commercially available and "insecticide-like" compounds was extracted from published literature. LigPrep enabled 44,943 ready-to-dock conformers generation. Glide docking revealed 18 OfHex1-specific hits that were absent in human and T. pretiosum screens. Reference docking was conducted using inhibitors/natural ligands in the crystal structures and hits with better docking scores than the reference were selected for MD simulations using Desmond to understand the stability of hit-target interactions. We noted five compounds that bound to OfHex1 TMX active-site based on their docking scores, consistent binding as noted by MD simulations and their insecticide/pesticide likeliness as noted by the Comprehensive Pesticide Likeness Analysis.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Deciphering the Mysterious Relationship between the Cross-Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative and Oncological Diseases

The relationship between oncological pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders is extremely complex and is a topic of concern among a growing number of researchers around the world. In recent years, convincing scientific evidence has accumulated that indicates the contribution of a number of etiological factors and pathophysiological processes to the pathogenesis of these two fundamentally different diseases, thus demonstrating an intriguing relationship between oncology and neurodegeneration. In this review, we establish the general links between three intersecting aspects of oncological pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders, i.e., oxidative stress, epigenetic dysregulation, and metabolic dysfunction, examining each process in detail to establish an unusual epidemiological relationship. We also focus on reviewing the current trends in the research and the clinical application of the most promising chemical structures and therapeutic platforms that have a modulating effect on the above processes. Thus, our comprehensive analysis of the set of molecular determinants that have obvious cross-functional pathways in the pathogenesis of oncological and neurodegenerative diseases can help in the creation of advanced diagnostic tools and in the development of innovative pharmacological strategies.

In what area of biology has a "new" type of cell death been discovered?

Cell death is a fundamental physiological process that occurs in all organisms and is crucial to each organism's evolution, ability to maintain a stable internal environment, and the development of multiple organ systems. Disulfidptosis is a new mode of cell death that is triggered when cells with high expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) are exposed to glucose starvation to initiate the process of cell death. The disulfidptosis mechanism is a programmed cell death mode that triggers cell death through reduction-oxidation (REDOX) reactions and disulfur bond formation. In disulfidptosis, disulfur bonds play a crucial role and cause the protein in the cell to undergo conformational changes, eventually leading to cell death. This mode of cell death has unique characteristics and regulatory mechanisms in comparison with other modes of cell death. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that the disulfidptosis mechanism plays a key role in the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases. For example, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and liver diseases are all closely related to cell disulfidptosis mechanisms. Therefore, it is of paramount clinical significance to conduct in-depth research regarding this mechanism. This review summarizes the research progress on the disulfidptosis mechanism, including its discovery history, regulatory mechanism, related proteins, and signaling pathways. Potential applications of the disulfidptosis mechanism in disease therapy and future research directions are also discussed. This mechanism represents another subversive discovery after ferroptosis, and provides both a fresh perspective and an innovative strategy for the treatment of cancer, as well as inspiration for the treatment of other diseases.

Emerging therapies in cancer metabolism

Metabolic reprogramming in cancer is not only a biological hallmark but also reveals treatment vulnerabilities. Numerous metabolic molecules have shown promise as treatment targets to impede tumor progression in preclinical studies, with some advancing to clinical trials. However, the intricacy and adaptability of metabolic networks hinder the effectiveness of metabolic therapies. This review summarizes the metabolic targets for cancer treatment and provides an overview of the current status of clinical trials targeting cancer metabolism. Additionally, we decipher crucial factors that limit the efficacy of metabolism-based therapies and propose future directions. With advances in integrating multi-omics, single-cell, and spatial technologies, as well as the ability to track metabolic adaptation more precisely and dynamically, clinicians can personalize metabolic therapies for improved cancer treatment.

Characterization of the effect of the GLUT-1 inhibitor BAY-876 on T cells and macrophages

Increased aerobic glycolysis is a metabolic hallmark of proinflammatory leukocytes including macrophages and T cells. To take up glucose from the environment and fuel glycolysis, activated leukocytes upregulate the glucose transporter GLUT1. The orally bioavailable selective GLUT1 inhibitor BAY-876 was developed primarily as an anti-tumor drug. Our study assessed its activity on activated macrophages and CD4⁺ T cells. BAY-876 significantly attenuated glucose uptake by cultured CD4⁺ T cells and macrophages by 41% and 15%, respectively. Extracellular flux analysis of activated CD4⁺ T cells in vitro showed that BAY-876 significantly decreases glycolytic proton flux rate and lactate production, effects that are accompanied by an increased oxidative phosphorylation-mediated ATP production rate, leaving intracellular ATP levels per cell unchanged. However, GLUT1 inhibition reduced CD4⁺ T cell proliferation without compromising cell viability and reduced IFN-γ secretion by 20%. Moreover, TNF secretion from macrophages was reduced by 27%. We conclude that GLUT1-specific inhibitors, like BAY-876, deserve further in vivo testing in a broad range of (auto-) inflammatory disease models.

The Role of Reprogrammed Glucose Metabolism in Cancer

Cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to meet biosynthetic needs and to adapt to various microenvironments. Accelerated glycolysis offers proliferative benefits for malignant cells by generating glycolytic products that move into branched pathways to synthesize proteins, fatty acids, nucleotides, and lipids. Notably, reprogrammed glucose metabolism and its associated events support the hallmark features of cancer such as sustained cell proliferation, hijacked apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Overproduced enzymes involved in the committed steps of glycolysis (hexokinase, phosphofructokinase-1, and pyruvate kinase) are promising pharmacological targets for cancer therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the role of reprogrammed glucose metabolism in cancer cells and how it can be manipulated for anti-cancer strategies.

Endothelial GLUTs and vascular biology

Endothelial metabolism is a promising target for vascular functional regulation and disease therapy. Glucose is the primary fuel for endothelial metabolism, supporting ATP generation and endothelial cell survival. Multiple studies have discussed the role of endothelial glucose catabolism, such as glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, in vascular functional remodeling. However, the role of the first gatekeepers of endothelial glucose utilization, glucose transporters, in the vasculature has long been neglected. Here, this review summarizes glucose transporter studies in vascular research. We mainly focus on GLUT1 and GLUT3 because they are the most critical glucose transporters responsible for most endothelial glucose uptake. Some interesting topics are also discussed, intending to provide directions for endothelial glucose transporter research in the future.