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Chen G, Zhou G, Zhai L, Bao X, Tiwari N, Li J, Mottillo E, Wang J. SHMT2 reduces fatty liver but is necessary for liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice. Commun Biol 2024; 7:173. [PMID: 38347107 PMCID: PMC10861579 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05861-y] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with an irregular serine metabolism. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) is a liver enzyme that breaks down serine into glycine and one-carbon (1C) units critical for liver methylation reactions and overall health. However, the contribution of SHMT2 to hepatic 1C homeostasis and biological functions has yet to be defined in genetically modified animal models. We created a mouse strain with targeted SHMT2 knockout in hepatocytes to investigate this. The absence of SHMT2 increased serine and glycine levels in circulation, decreased liver methylation potential, and increased susceptibility to fatty liver disease. Interestingly, SHMT2-deficient mice developed simultaneous fatty liver, but when fed a diet high in fat, fructose, and cholesterol, they had significantly less inflammation and fibrosis. This study highlights the critical role of SHMT2 in maintaining hepatic 1C homeostasis and its stage-specific functions in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohua Chen
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Guoli Zhou
- Biomedical Research Informatics Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Lidong Zhai
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Xun Bao
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Nivedita Tiwari
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Emilio Mottillo
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.
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2
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Sah N, Stenhouse C, Halloran KM, Moses RM, Seo H, Burghardt RC, Johnson GA, Wu G, Bazer FW. Inhibition of SHMT2 mRNA translation increases embryonic mortality in sheep. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1279-1295. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The one-carbon metabolism (OCM) pathway provides purines and thymidine for synthesis of nucleic acids required for cell division, and S-adenosyl methionine for polyamine and creatine syntheses and the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. This study aimed to determine if serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2), a key enzyme in the OCM pathway, is critical for ovine trophectoderm (oTr) cell function and conceptus development by inhibiting translation of SHMT2 mRNA using a morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (MAO). In vitro treatment of oTr cells with MAO-SHMT2 decreased expression of SHMT2 protein, which was accompanied by reduced proliferation (P = 0.053) and migration (P < 0.05) of those cells. Intrauterine injection of MAO-SHMT2 in ewes on Day 11 post-breeding tended to decrease the overall pregnancy rate (on Days 16 and 18) compared to MAO-control (3/10 vs 7/10, P = 0.07). The three viable conceptuses (n = 2 on Day 16 and n = 1 on Day 18) recovered from MAO-SHMT2 ewes had only partial inhibition of SHMT2 mRNA translation. Conceptuses from the three pregnant MAO-SHMT2 ewes had similar levels of expression of mRNAs and proteins involved in OCM as compared to conceptuses from MAO-control ewes. These results indicate that knockdown of SHMT2 protein reduces proliferation and migration of oTr cells (in vitro) to decrease elongation of blastocysts from spherical to elongated forms. These in vitro effects suggest that increased embryonic deaths in ewes treated with MAO-SHMT2 are the result of decreased SHMT2-mediated trophectoderm cell proliferation and migration supporting a role for the OCM pathway in survival and development of ovine conceptuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirvay Sah
- Department of Animal Science , Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Claire Stenhouse
- Department of Animal Science , Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Robyn M Moses
- Department of Animal Science , Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Heewon Seo
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences , College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Robert C Burghardt
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences , College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Gregory A Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences , College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Guoyao Wu
- Department of Animal Science , Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Fuller W Bazer
- Department of Animal Science , Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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3
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Jin X, Li L, Peng Q, Gan C, Gao L, He S, Tan S, Pu W, Liu Y, Gong Y, Yao Y, Wang G, Liu X, Gong M, Lei P, Zhang H, Qi S, Xu H, Hu H, Dong B, Peng Y, Su D, Dai L. Glycyrrhetinic acid restricts mitochondrial energy metabolism by targeting SHMT2. iScience 2022; 25:104349. [PMID: 35602963 PMCID: PMC9117551 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104349] [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: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is a natural product of licorice with mitochondria targeting properties and shows broad anticancer activities, but its targets and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we identified the mitochondrial enzyme serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) as a target of GA by using chemical proteomics. Binding to and inhibiting the activity of SHMT2 by GA were validated in vitro and in vivo. Knockout of SHMT2 or inhibiting SHMT2 with GA restricts mitochondrial energy supplies by downregulating mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and fatty acid β-oxidation, and consequently suppresses cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. Crystal structures of GA derivatives indicate that GA occupies SHMT2 folate-binding pocket and regulates SHMT2 activity. Modifications at GA carboxylic group with diamines significantly improved its anticancer potency, demonstrating GA as a decent structural template for SHMT2 inhibitor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuxiu Jin
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, China
| | - Li Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qinlu Peng
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chunmei Gan
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Li Gao
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Siyu He
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shuangyan Tan
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wenchen Pu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yu Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yanqiu Gong
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yuqin Yao
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Gang Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Meng Gong
- Laboratory of Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics, Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 88 Keyuan South Road, Hi-Tech Zone, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Peng Lei
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Huiyuan Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shiqian Qi
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Heng Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongbo Hu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Biao Dong
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yong Peng
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dan Su
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lunzhi Dai
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Department of General Practice, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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The role of SHMT2 in modulating lipid metabolism in hepatocytes via glycine-mediated mTOR activation. Amino Acids 2022; 54:823-834. [PMID: 35212811 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-022-03141-9] [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: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) converts serine into glycine in the mitochondrial matrix, transferring a methyl group to tetrahydrofolate. SHMT2 plays an important role in the maintenance of one-carbon metabolism. Previously, we found a negative correlation between the serine concentration and the progression of fatty liver disease (FLD). However, little is known about the role of SHMT2 in hepatic lipid metabolism. We established SHMT2 knockdown (KD) mouse primary hepatocytes using RNA interference to investigate the role of SHMT2 in lipid metabolism. SHMT2 KD hepatocytes showed decreased lipid accumulation with reduced glycine levels compared to the scramble cells, which was restored upon reintroducing SHMT2. SHMT2 KD hepatocytes showed downregulation of the mTOR/PPARɣ pathway with decreased gene expression related to lipogenesis and fatty acid uptake. Pharmacological activation of mTOR or PPARɣ overexpression blocked the inhibitory effect of SHMT2 KD on lipid accumulation. We also showed that glycine activated mTOR/PPARɣ signaling and identified glycine as a mediator of SHMT2-responsive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. In conclusion, silencing SHMT2 in hepatocytes ameliorates lipid accumulation via the glycine-mediated mTOR/PPARɣ pathway. Our findings underscore the possibility of SHMT2 as a therapeutic target of FLD.
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Li J, Zhang B, Gan M, Li Y, He L, Yue W, Qiao H, Pei X, Li Y. Generation of SHMT2 knockout human embryonic stem cell line (WAe009-A-67) using CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Stem Cell Res 2021; 57:102581. [PMID: 34688993 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2021.102581] [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: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2), a catalytic enzyme playing an important role in aerobic cellular respiration and mitochondrial metabolism, might be pivotal in self-renewal and differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. Herein, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 editing system to construct a homozygous SHMT2 knockout (SHMT2-KO) human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line, exhibiting a normal karyotype, colony morphology, and high expression levels of pluripotent proteins. Furthermore, SHMT2 knockout did not impact the self-renewal ability or differentiation potential into three germ layers of hESCs. Accordingly, this cell line provides a valuable model for further assessing SHMT2 functions in human embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisheng Li
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Institute of Health Service and Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Bowen Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Min Gan
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Institute of Health Service and Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yunxing Li
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Lijuan He
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Institute of Health Service and Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Wen Yue
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Institute of Health Service and Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Haixuan Qiao
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China.
| | - Xuetao Pei
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Institute of Health Service and Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China.
| | - Yanhua Li
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China.
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6
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Kazuhito T, Wei FY. Posttranscriptional modifications in mitochondrial tRNA and its implication in mitochondrial translation and disease. J Biochem 2021; 168:435-444. [PMID: 32818253 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvaa098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A fundamental aspect of mitochondria is that they possess DNA and protein translation machinery. Mitochondrial DNA encodes 22 tRNAs that translate mitochondrial mRNAs to 13 polypeptides of respiratory complexes. Various chemical modifications have been identified in mitochondrial tRNAs via complex enzymatic processes. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that these modifications are essential for translation by regulating tRNA stability, structure and mRNA binding, and can be dynamically regulated by the metabolic environment. Importantly, the hypomodification of mitochondrial tRNA due to pathogenic mutations in mitochondrial tRNA genes or nuclear genes encoding modifying enzymes can result in life-threatening mitochondrial diseases in humans. Thus, the mitochondrial tRNA modification is a fundamental mechanism underlying the tight regulation of mitochondrial translation and is essential for life. In this review, we focus on recent findings on the physiological roles of 5-taurinomethyl modification (herein referred as taurine modification) in mitochondrial tRNAs. We summarize the findings in human patients and animal models with a deficiency of taurine modifications and provide pathogenic links to mitochondrial diseases. We anticipate that this review will help understand the complexity of mitochondrial biology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomizawa Kazuhito
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan
| | - Fan-Yan Wei
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Honjo 1-1-1, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto 860-8556, Japan.,Department of Modomics Biology and Medicine, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Seriyo-machi 4-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
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7
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Impairment of the mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism enzyme SHMT2 causes a novel brain and heart developmental syndrome. Acta Neuropathol 2020; 140:971-975. [PMID: 33015733 PMCID: PMC7665968 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02223-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Li AM, Ye J. Reprogramming of serine, glycine and one-carbon metabolism in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165841. [PMID: 32439610 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic pathways leading to the synthesis, uptake, and usage of the nonessential amino acid serine are frequently amplified in cancer. Serine encounters diverse fates in cancer cells, including being charged onto tRNAs for protein synthesis, providing head groups for sphingolipid and phospholipid synthesis, and serving as a precursor for cellular glycine and one-carbon units, which are necessary for nucleotide synthesis and methionine cycle reloading. This review will focus on the participation of serine and glycine in the mitochondrial one-carbon (SGOC) pathway during cancer progression, with an emphasis on the genetic and epigenetic determinants that drive SGOC gene expression. We will discuss recently elucidated roles for SGOC metabolism in nucleotide synthesis, redox balance, mitochondrial function, and epigenetic modifications. Finally, therapeutic considerations for targeting SGOC metabolism in the clinic will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert M Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jiangbin Ye
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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