Metabolic role of cGMP in S. cerevisiae: the murine phosphodiesterase-5 activity affects yeast cell proliferation by altering the cAMP/cGMP equilibrium

An investigation into the effects of various processing methods on the characteristic compounds of highland barley using a widely targeted metabolomics approach

This study explored the influence of diverse processing methods (cooking (CO), extrusion puffing (EX), and steam explosion puffing (SE), stir-frying (SF) and fermentation (FE)) on highland barley (Qingke) chemical composition using UHPLC-MS/MS based widely targeted metabolomics. Overall, 827 metabolites were identified and categorized into 16 classes, encompassing secondary metabolites, amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, etc. There 43, 85, 131, 51 and 98 differential metabolites were respectively selected from five comparative groups (raw materials (RM) vs CO/EX/SE/SF/FE), mainly involved in amino acids, nucleotides, flavonoids, and alkaloids. Compared to other treated groups, FE group possessed the higher content of crude protein (15.12 g/100 g DW), and the relative levels of free amino acids (1.32 %), key polyphenols and arachidonic acid (0.01 %). EX group had the higher content of anthocyanins (4.22 mg/100 g DW), and the relative levels of free amino acids (2.02 %) and key polyphenols. SE group showed the higher relative levels of phenolic acids (0.14 %), flavonoids (0.20 %) and alkaloids (1.17 %), but the lowest free amino acids (0.75 %). Different processing methods all decreased Qingke's antioxidant capacity, with the iron reduction capacity (988.93 μmol/100 g DW) in SE group was the lowest. On the whole, FE and EX were alleged in improving Qingke's nutritional value. CO and SF were also suitable for Qingke processing since fewer differential metabolites were identified in CO vs RM and SF vs RM groups. Differential metabolites were connected to 14 metabolic pathways, with alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism being central. This study contributed theoretical groundwork for the scientific processing and quality control of Qingke products.

Microbiota structure of traditional starters from around the Tai-hang mountains and their influence on the fermentation properties, aroma profile and quality of Chinese steamed bread

BACKGROUND

Steamed bread is a popular staple food in China, and the significant regional differences of the microbiota in traditional starters make the flavor and quality of steamed bread highly variable along with long preparation times. Therefore, analyzing the microbial flora of traditional starters and their influences on the flavor and quality may help to solve the problems mentioned earlier, and it may also be conducive to potentially meet consumer needs and permit industrialization of this traditional fermented food.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-two fungal and 50 bacterial species were identified in five traditional starters, each with a different dominant genus. The fermentation properties of dough showed that total titratable acid, dough volume and gas production increased and the pH decreased with fermentation time. The traditional starters improved the quality of Chinese steamed bread (CSB) including the crumb structure, specific volume and sensory attributes. Thirty-three aroma compounds with a VIP (variable importance for the projection) > 1 were identified as characteristic aroma compounds. The correlations among the microbiota, aroma and qualities of CSB showed a greater contribution from the bacteria, which was consistent with the predictions of metabolic pathways in the sequenced genomes.

CONCLUSION

The quality of CSB fermented with traditional starters was improved induced by their different microbial profiles, and bacteria made a greater contribution than fungus to the aroma and qualities of CSB. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Structural Characterization of Murine Phosphodiesterase 5 Isoforms and Involvement of Cysteine Residues in Supramolecular Assembly

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are a superfamily of evolutionarily conserved cyclic nucleotide (cAMP/cGMP)-hydrolyzing enzymes, components of transduction pathways regulating crucial aspects of cell life. Within this family, the cGMP-dependent PDE5 is the major hydrolyzing enzyme in many mammalian tissues, where it regulates a number of cellular and tissular processes. Using Kluyveromyces lactis as a model organism, the murine PDE5A1, A2 and A3 isoforms were successfully expressed and studied, evidencing, for the first time, a distinct role of each isoform in the control, modulation and maintenance of the cellular redox metabolism. Moreover, we demonstrated that the short N-terminal peptide is responsible for the tetrameric assembly of MmPDE5A1 and for the mitochondrial localization of MmPDE5A2. We also analyzed MmPDE5A1, A2 and A3 using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), structural mass spectrometry (MS) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in their native conditions (native-PAGE) and in the presence of redox agents. These analyses pointed towards the role of a few specific cysteines in the isoforms' oligomeric assembly and the loss of enzymatic activity when modified.

Cellular Redox Metabolism Is Modulated by the Distinct Localization of Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase 5A Isoforms

3′-5′ cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are a family of evolutionarily conserved cAMP and/or cGMP hydrolyzing enzymes, components of transduction pathways regulating crucial aspects of cell life. Among them, cGMP-specific PDE5—being a regulator of vascular smooth muscle contraction—is the molecular target of several drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Production of full-length murine PDE5A isoforms in the milk-yeast Kluyveromyces lactis showed that the quaternary assembly of MmPDE5A1 is a mixture of dimers and tetramers, while MmPDE5A2 and MmPDE5A3 only assembled as dimers. We showed that the N-terminal peptide is responsible for the tetramer assembly of MmPDE5A1, while that of the MmPDE5A2 is responsible for its mitochondrial localization. Overexpression of the three isoforms alters at different levels the cAMP/cGMP equilibrium as well as the NAD(P)⁺/NAD(P)H balance and induces a metabolic switch from oxidative to fermentative. In particular, the mitochondrial localization of MmPDE5A2 unveiled the existence of a cAMP-cGMP signaling cascade in this organelle, for which we propose a metabolic model that could explain the role of PDE5 in some cardiomyopathies and some of the side effects of its inhibitors.

Gcn5p and Ubp8p Affect Protein Ubiquitylation and Cell Proliferation by Altering the Fermentative/Respiratory Flux Balance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We propose a study showing a novel role of Gcn5p and Ubp8p in the process of ubiquitylation of the yeast proteome which includes main glycolytic enzymes. Interestingly, in the absence of Gcn5p and Ubp8p glucose consumption and redox balance were altered in yeast. We believe that these results and the role of Gcn5p and Ubp8p in sugar metabolism might open new perspectives of research leading to novel protocols for counteracting the enhanced glycolysis in tumors.

Protein ubiquitylation regulates not only endocellular trafficking and proteasomal degradation but also the catalytic activity of enzymes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we analyzed the composition of the ubiquitylated proteomes in strains lacking acetyltransferase Gcn5p, Ub-protease Ubp8p, or both to understand their involvement in the regulation of protein ubiquitylation. We analyzed His6Ub proteins with a proteomic approach coupling micro-liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (μLC-MS/MS) in gcn5Δ, ubp8Δ and ubp8Δ gcn5Δ strains. The Ub-proteome altered in the absence of Gcn5p, Ubp8p, or both was characterized, showing that 43% of the proteins was shared in all strains, suggesting their functional relationship. Remarkably, all major glycolytic enzymes showed increased ubiquitylation. Phosphofructokinase 1, the key enzyme of glycolytic flux, showed a higher and altered pattern of ubiquitylation in gcn5Δ and ubp8Δ strains. Severe defects of growth in poor sugar and altered glucose consumption confirmed a direct role of Gcn5p and Ubp8p in affecting the REDOX balance of the cell.