1
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Pilesi E, Tesoriere G, Ferriero A, Mascolo E, Liguori F, Argirò L, Angioli C, Tramonti A, Contestabile R, Volontè C, Vernì F. Vitamin B6 deficiency cooperates with oncogenic Ras to induce malignant tumors in Drosophila. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:388. [PMID: 38830901 PMCID: PMC11148137 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06787-3] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin which possesses antioxidant properties. Its catalytically active form, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), is a crucial cofactor for DNA and amino acid metabolism. The inverse correlation between vitamin B6 and cancer risk has been observed in several studies, although dietary vitamin B6 intake sometimes failed to confirm this association. However, the molecular link between vitamin B6 and cancer remains elusive. Previous work has shown that vitamin B6 deficiency causes chromosome aberrations (CABs) in Drosophila and human cells, suggesting that genome instability may correlate the lack of this vitamin to cancer. Here we provide evidence in support of this hypothesis. Firstly, we show that PLP deficiency, induced by the PLP antagonists 4-deoxypyridoxine (4DP) or ginkgotoxin (GT), promoted tumorigenesis in eye larval discs transforming benign RasV12 tumors into aggressive forms. In contrast, PLP supplementation reduced the development of tumors. We also show that low PLP levels, induced by 4DP or by silencing the sgllPNPO gene involved in PLP biosynthesis, worsened the tumor phenotype in another Drosophila cancer model generated by concomitantly activating RasV12 and downregulating Discs-large (Dlg) gene. Moreover, we found that RasV12 eye discs from larvae reared on 4DP displayed CABs, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and low catalytic activity of serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), a PLP-dependent enzyme involved in thymidylate (dTMP) biosynthesis, in turn required for DNA replication and repair. Feeding RasV12 4DP-fed larvae with PLP or ascorbic acid (AA) plus dTMP, rescued both CABs and tumors. The same effect was produced by overexpressing catalase in RasV12 DlgRNAi 4DP-fed larvae, thus allowing to establish a relationship between PLP deficiency, CABs, and cancer. Overall, our data provide the first in vivo demonstration that PLP deficiency can impact on cancer by increasing genome instability, which is in turn mediated by ROS and reduced dTMP levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pilesi
- Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Tesoriere
- Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Ferriero
- Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Mascolo
- Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Liguori
- Experimental Neuroscience and Neurological Disease Models, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy
- CNR, Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Argirò
- Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Angioli
- Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Tramonti
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Contestabile
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza, University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza, University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Volontè
- Experimental Neuroscience and Neurological Disease Models, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143, Rome, Italy
- CNR, Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Vernì
- Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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2
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Aleshin VA, Bunik VI. Protein-Protein Interfaces as Druggable Targets: A Common Motif of the Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphate-Dependent Enzymes to Receive the Coenzyme from Its Producers. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:1022-1033. [PMID: 37751871 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923070131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), a phosphorylated form of vitamin B6, acts as a coenzyme for numerous reactions, including those changed in cancer and/or associated with the disease prognosis. Since highly reactive PLP can modify cellular proteins, it is hypothesized to be directly transferred from its donors to acceptors. Our goal is to validate the hypothesis by finding common motif(s) in the multitude of PLP-dependent enzymes for binding the limited number of PLP donors, namely pyridoxal kinase (PdxK), pyridox(am)in-5'-phosphate oxidase (PNPO), and PLP-binding protein (PLPBP). Experimentally confirmed interactions between the PLP donors and acceptors reveal that PdxK and PNPO interact with the most abundant PLP acceptors belonging to structural folds I and II, while PLPBP - with those belonging to folds III and V. Aligning sequences and 3D structures of the identified interactors of PdxK and PNPO, we have identified a common motif in the PLP-dependent enzymes of folds I and II. The motif extends from the enzyme surface to the neighborhood of the PLP binding site, represented by an exposed alfa-helix, a partially buried beta-strand, and residual loops. Pathogenicity of mutations in the human PLP-dependent enzymes within or in the vicinity of the motif, but outside of the active sites, supports functional significance of the motif that may provide an interface for the direct transfer of PLP from the sites of its synthesis to those of coenzyme binding. The enzyme-specific amino acid residues of the common motif may be useful to develop selective inhibitors blocking PLP delivery to the PLP-dependent enzymes critical for proliferation of malignant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasily A Aleshin
- Department of Biokinetics, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
- Department of Biochemistry, Sechenov University, Moscow, 119048, Russia
| | - Victoria I Bunik
- Department of Biokinetics, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia.
- Department of Biochemistry, Sechenov University, Moscow, 119048, Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
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3
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Pilesi E, Angioli C, Graziani C, Parroni A, Contestabile R, Tramonti A, Vernì F. A gene-nutrient interaction between vitamin B6 and serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) affects genome integrity in Drosophila. J Cell Physiol 2023. [PMID: 37183313 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), the catalytically active form of vitamin B6, participates as a cofactor to one carbon (1C) pathway that produces precursors for DNA metabolism. The concerted action of PLP-dependent serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) and thymidylate synthase (TS) leads to the biosynthesis of thymidylate (dTMP), which plays an essential function in DNA synthesis and repair. PLP deficiency causes chromosome aberrations (CABs) in Drosophila and human cells, rising the hypothesis that an altered 1C metabolism may be involved. To test this hypothesis, we used Drosophila as a model system and found, firstly, that in PLP deficient larvae SHMT activity is reduced by 40%. Second, we found that RNAi-induced SHMT depletion causes chromosome damage rescued by PLP supplementation and strongly exacerbated by PLP depletion. RNAi-induced TS depletion causes severe chromosome damage, but this is only slightly enhanced by PLP depletion. dTMP supplementation rescues CABs in both PLP-deficient and PLP-proficient SHMTRNAi . Altogether these data suggest that a reduction of SHMT activity caused by PLP deficiency contributes to chromosome damage by reducing dTMP biosynthesis. In addition, our work brings to light a gene-nutrient interaction between SHMT decreased activity and PLP deficiency impacting on genome stability that may be translated to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pilesi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Angioli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Graziani
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Parroni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council (IBPM-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Contestabile
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Tramonti
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council (IBPM-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Vernì
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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4
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Insect Models in Nutrition Research. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12111668. [DOI: 10.3390/biom12111668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects are the most diverse organisms on earth, accounting for ~80% of all animals. They are valuable as model organisms, particularly in the context of genetics, development, behavior, neurobiology and evolutionary biology. Compared to other laboratory animals, insects are advantageous because they are inexpensive to house and breed in large numbers, making them suitable for high-throughput testing. They also have a short life cycle, facilitating the analysis of generational effects, and they fulfil the 3R principle (replacement, reduction and refinement). Many insect genomes have now been sequenced, highlighting their genetic and physiological similarities with humans. These factors also make insects favorable as whole-animal high-throughput models in nutritional research. In this review, we discuss the impact of insect models in nutritional science, focusing on studies investigating the role of nutrition in metabolic diseases and aging/longevity. We also consider food toxicology and the use of insects to study the gut microbiome. The benefits of insects as models to study the relationship between nutrition and biological markers of fitness and longevity can be exploited to improve human health.
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Mascolo E, Liguori F, Merigliano C, Schiano L, Gnocchini E, Pilesi E, Volonté C, Di Salvo ML, Contestabile R, Tramonti A, Vernì F. Vitamin B6 rescues insulin resistance and glucose-induced DNA damage caused by reduced activity of Drosophila PI3K. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:3578-3586. [PMID: 35678366 PMCID: PMC9545242 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The insulin signaling pathway controls cell growth and metabolism, thus its deregulation is associated with both cancer and diabetes. Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) contributes to the cascade of phosphorylation events occurring in the insulin pathway by activating the protein kinase B (PKB/AKT), which phosphorylates several substrates, including those involved in glucose uptake and storage. PI3K inactivating mutations are associated with insulin resistance while activating mutations are identified in human cancers. Here we show that RNAi‐induced depletion of the Drosophila PI3K catalytic subunit (Dp110) results in diabetic phenotypes such as hyperglycemia, body size reduction, and decreased glycogen content. Interestingly, we found that hyperglycemia produces chromosome aberrations (CABs) triggered by the accumulation of advanced glycation end‐products and reactive oxygen species. Rearing PI3KRNAi flies in a medium supplemented with pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP; the catalytically active form of vitamin B6) rescues DNA damage while, in contrast, treating PI3KRNAi larvae with the PLP inhibitor 4‐deoxypyridoxine strongly enhances CAB frequency. Interestingly, PLP supplementation rescues also diabetic phenotypes. Taken together, our results provide a strong link between impaired PI3K activity and genomic instability, a crucial relationship that needs to be monitored not only in diabetes due to impaired insulin signaling but also in cancer therapies based on PI3K inhibitors. In addition, our findings confirm the notion that vitamin B6 is a good natural remedy to counteract insulin resistance and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Mascolo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Merigliano
- Department of Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ludovica Schiano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Gnocchini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Pilesi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Volonté
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "A. Ruberti", National Research Council (IASI-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Martino L Di Salvo
- Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Contestabile
- Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Tramonti
- Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council (IBPM-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Vernì
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Vitamin B6 Deficiency Promotes Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH) at the Drosophila warts (wts) Locus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116087. [PMID: 35682766 PMCID: PMC9181336 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The active form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), is a cofactor for more than 200 enzymes involved in many metabolic pathways. Moreover, PLP has antioxidant properties and quenches the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Accordingly, PLP deficiency causes chromosome aberrations in Drosophila, yeast, and human cells. In this work, we investigated whether PLP depletion can also cause loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the tumor suppressor warts (wts) in Drosophila. LOH is usually initiated by DNA breakage in heterozygous cells for a tumor suppressor mutation and can contribute to oncogenesis inducing the loss of the wild-type allele. LOH at the wts locus results in epithelial wts homozygous tumors easily detectable on adult fly cuticle. Here, we found that PLP depletion, induced by two PLP inhibitors, promotes LOH of wts locus producing significant frequencies of wts tumors (~7% vs. 2.3%). In addition, we identified the mitotic recombination as a possible mechanism through which PLP deficiency induces LOH. Moreover, LOH of wts locus, induced by PLP inhibitors, was rescued by PLP supplementation. These data further confirm the role of PLP in genome integrity maintenance and indicate that vitamin B6 deficiency may impact on cancer also by promoting LOH.
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7
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Qureshi IA, Saini M, Are S. Pyridoxal Kinase of Disease-causing Human Parasites: Structural and
Functional Insights to Understand its Role in Drug Discovery. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2022; 23:271-289. [DOI: 10.2174/1389203723666220519155025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Human parasites cause several diseased conditions with high morbidity and mortality in a
large section of the population residing in various geographical areas. Nearly three billion people suffer
from either one or many parasitic infections globally, with almost one million deaths annually. In spite
of extensive research and advancement in the medical field, no effective vaccine is available against
prominent human parasitic diseases that necessitate identification of novel targets for designing specific
inhibitors. Vitamin B6 is an important ubiquitous co-enzyme that participates in several biological processes
and plays an important role in scavenging ROS (reactive oxygen species) along with providing
resistance to oxidative stress. Moreover, the absence of the de novo vitamin B6 biosynthetic pathway in
human parasites makes this pathway indispensable for the survival of these pathogens. Pyridoxal kinase
(PdxK) is a crucial enzyme for vitamin B6 salvage pathway and participates in the process of vitamers
B6 phosphorylation. Since the parasites are dependent on pyridoxal kinase for their survival and infectivity
to the respective hosts, it is considered a promising candidate for drug discovery. The detailed
structural analysis of PdxK from disease-causing parasites has provided insights into the catalytic
mechanism of this enzyme as well as significant differences from their human counterpart. Simultaneously,
structure-based studies have identified small lead molecules that can be exploited for drug discovery
against protozoan parasites. The present review provides structural and functional highlights of
pyridoxal kinase for its implication in developing novel and potent therapeutics to combat fatal parasitic
diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insaf Ahmed Qureshi
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao
Road, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Mayank Saini
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao
Road, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Sayanna Are
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao
Road, Hyderabad 500046, India
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8
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Bunik V, Aleshin V, Nogues I, Kähne T, Parroni A, Contestabile R, Salvo ML, Graf A, Tramonti A. Thiamine‐dependent regulation of mammalian brain pyridoxal kinase
in vitro
and
in vivo. J Neurochem 2022; 161:20-39. [DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Bunik
- Belozersky Institute of Physico‐Chemical Biology Lomonosov Moscow State University 19991 Moscow Russia
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Lomonosov Moscow State University Moscow 119991 Russia
- Sechenov University 119048 Moscow Russia
| | - Vasily Aleshin
- Belozersky Institute of Physico‐Chemical Biology Lomonosov Moscow State University 19991 Moscow Russia
- Sechenov University 119048 Moscow Russia
| | - Isabel Nogues
- Research Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems Italian National Research Council Via Salaria Km. 29 300–00015 Monterotondo Scalo
| | - Thilo Kähne
- Institute of Exptl. Internal Medicine Otto‐von‐Guericke‐Universität Magdeburg 39120 Magdeburg Germany
| | - Alessia Parroni
- Istituto Pasteur Italia‐ Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli” Sapienza University of Rome P.le A. Moro 5 ‐ 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Roberto Contestabile
- Istituto Pasteur Italia‐ Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli” Sapienza University of Rome P.le A. Moro 5 ‐ 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Martino Luigi Salvo
- Istituto Pasteur Italia‐ Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli” Sapienza University of Rome P.le A. Moro 5 ‐ 00185 Rome Italy
| | - Anastasia Graf
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology 123098 Moscow Russia
- Faculty of Biology Lomonosov Moscow State University 19991 Moscow Russia
| | - Angela Tramonti
- Istituto Pasteur Italia‐ Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli” Sapienza University of Rome P.le A. Moro 5 ‐ 00185 Rome Italy
- Istitute of Molecular Biology and Pathology Italian National Research Council P.le A. Moro 5 ‐ 00185 Rome Italy
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A Nonlinear Association between Tongue Fur Thickness and Tumor Marker Abnormality: A Cross-Sectional Study. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:7909850. [PMID: 34887933 PMCID: PMC8651357 DOI: 10.1155/2021/7909850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Many associations between tongue fur and different physiological and biochemical indexes have been revealed. However, the relationship between tongue fur and tumor markers remains unexplored. Methods We collected the medical examination reports of 1625 participants. Participants were residents of Chengdu, China, undergoing routine health checkups at the health management center of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between December 2018 and September 2020. The participants' tongue fur thickness was measured using the DAOSH four-diagnostic instrument. Tumor marker levels, including t-PSA, AFP, CEA, CA125, and CA199, were measured in the clinical laboratory. Curve-fitting and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze the association between tongue fur thickness and tumor marker abnormality. Results Curve-fitting showed that the relationship between tongue fur thickness and abnormal tumor marker rate was nonlinear, similar to a U shape. As the tongue fur thickness value increased, the abnormal tumor marker probability initially decreased and then increased. Logistic regression showed that, in the crude model, compared with the thin tongue fur group, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the less or peeling tongue fur group and thick tongue fur group for tumor marker abnormality were 1.79 (1.02–3.17) and 1.70 (1.13–2.54), respectively. After adjusting gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, drinking history, tongue color, the form of the tongue, and fur color, the ORs and 95% CIs of the less or peeling tongue fur group and thick tongue fur group were 1.93 (1.04–3.57) and 1.82 (1.17–2.81), respectively. Conclusions Excessive or very little tongue fur is associated with tumor marker abnormality. Further cross-sectional studies are needed to evaluate the clinical value of tongue fur for cancer diagnosis and screening.
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Loedin AK, Speijer D. Is There a Carcinogenic Risk Attached to Vitamin B 12 Deficient Diets and What Should We Do About It? Reviewing the Facts. Mol Nutr Food Res 2021; 65:e2000945. [PMID: 33548097 PMCID: PMC8126961 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202000945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The number of individuals partaking in veganism has increased sharply in the last decade. Therefore, it is critical to look at the implications of vegan diets for public health. Although there are multiple health benefits of a vegan diet, studies have also linked the diet with deficiencies in various micronutrients. This study focuses on vitamin B12, because of its critical role in DNA synthesis and methylation. In light of these connections, a critical review of recent scientific literature is conducted to understand the effects of a B12 deficient diet on the genome and epigenome, and whether it can give rise to cancer. It is observed that a B12 deficiency leads to increased uracil misincorporation, leading to impaired DNA synthesis and genomic instability. The deficiency also leads to global hypomethylation of DNA, a hallmark of early carcinogenesis. The findings of this study highlight the need for increased awareness among vegans to ensure adequate B12 intake through supplementation or consumption of fortified products as a preventative measure. Additionally, the biofortification of staple crops and an improved version of fermented products with increased B12 content can be developed when inadequate intake seems otherwise inevitable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dave Speijer
- Amsterdam UMC, Medical BiochemistryUniversity of AmsterdamThe Netherlands
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11
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Mascolo E, Liguori F, Stufera Mecarelli L, Amoroso N, Merigliano C, Amadio S, Volonté C, Contestabile R, Tramonti A, Vernì F. Functional Inactivation of Drosophila GCK Orthologs Causes Genomic Instability and Oxidative Stress in a Fly Model of MODY-2. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020918. [PMID: 33477627 PMCID: PMC7831483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) type 2 is caused by heterozygous inactivating mutations in the gene encoding glucokinase (GCK), a pivotal enzyme for glucose homeostasis. In the pancreas GCK regulates insulin secretion, while in the liver it promotes glucose utilization and storage. We showed that silencing the DrosophilaGCK orthologs Hex-A and Hex-C results in a MODY-2-like hyperglycemia. Targeted knock-down revealed that Hex-A is expressed in insulin producing cells (IPCs) whereas Hex-C is specifically expressed in the fat body. We showed that Hex-A is essential for insulin secretion and it is required for Hex-C expression. Reduced levels of either Hex-A or Hex-C resulted in chromosome aberrations (CABs), together with an increased production of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). This result suggests that CABs, in GCK depleted cells, are likely due to hyperglycemia, which produces oxidative stress through AGE metabolism. In agreement with this hypothesis, treating GCK-depleted larvae with the antioxidant vitamin B6 rescued CABs, whereas the treatment with a B6 inhibitor enhanced genomic instability. Although MODY-2 rarely produces complications, our data revealed the possibility that MODY-2 impacts genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Mascolo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (L.S.M.); (N.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Francesco Liguori
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (S.A.); (C.V.)
| | - Lorenzo Stufera Mecarelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (L.S.M.); (N.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Noemi Amoroso
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (L.S.M.); (N.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Chiara Merigliano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (L.S.M.); (N.A.); (C.M.)
- Department of Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Susanna Amadio
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (S.A.); (C.V.)
| | - Cinzia Volonté
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy; (F.L.); (S.A.); (C.V.)
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science “A. Ruberti”, National Research Council (IASI-CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Contestabile
- Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (R.C.); (A.T.)
| | - Angela Tramonti
- Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (R.C.); (A.T.)
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Vernì
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.M.); (L.S.M.); (N.A.); (C.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate-Dependent Enzymes at the Crossroads of Host-Microbe Tryptophan Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165823. [PMID: 32823705 PMCID: PMC7461572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemical processes taking place in humans intersects the myriad of metabolic pathways occurring in commensal microorganisms that colonize the body to generate a complex biochemical network that regulates multiple aspects of human life. The role of tryptophan (Trp) metabolism at the intersection between the host and microbes is increasingly being recognized, and multiple pathways of Trp utilization in either direction have been identified with the production of a wide range of bioactive products. It comes that a dysregulation of Trp metabolism in either the host or the microbes may unbalance the production of metabolites with potential pathological consequences. The ability to redirect the Trp flux to restore a homeostatic production of Trp metabolites may represent a valid therapeutic strategy for a variety of pathological conditions, but identifying metabolic checkpoints that could be exploited to manipulate the Trp metabolic network is still an unmet need. In this review, we put forward the hypothesis that pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes, which regulate multiple pathways of Trp metabolism in both the host and in microbes, might represent critical nodes and that modulating the levels of vitamin B6, from which PLP is derived, might represent a metabolic checkpoint to re-orienteer Trp flux for therapeutic purposes.
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Vitamin B6 and Diabetes: Relationship and Molecular Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103669. [PMID: 32456137 PMCID: PMC7279184 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for approximately 150 reactions that regulate the metabolism of glucose, lipids, amino acids, DNA, and neurotransmitters. In addition, it plays the role of antioxidant by counteracting the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Epidemiological and experimental studies indicated an evident inverse association between vitamin B6 levels and diabetes, as well as a clear protective effect of vitamin B6 on diabetic complications. Interestingly, by exploring the mechanisms that govern the relationship between this vitamin and diabetes, vitamin B6 can be considered both a cause and effect of diabetes. This review aims to report the main evidence concerning the role of vitamin B6 in diabetes and to examine the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. In addition, the relationship between vitamin B6, genome integrity, and diabetes is examined. The protective role of this vitamin against diabetes and cancer is discussed.
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