dUTPase expression correlates with cell division potential in Drosophila melanogaster

Characterization of dUTPase expression in mouse postnatal development and adult neurogenesis

The enzyme dUTPase has an essential role in maintaining genomic integrity. In mouse, nuclear and mitochondrial isoforms of the enzyme have been described. Here we present the isoform-specific mRNA expression levels in different murine organs during development using RT-qPCR. In this study, we analyzed organs of 14.5-day embryos and of postnatal 2-, 4-, 10-week- and 13-month-old mice. We demonstrate organ-, sex- and developmental stage-specific differences in the mRNA expression levels of both isoforms. We found high mRNA expression level of the nuclear isoform in the embryo brain, and the expression level remained relatively high in the adult brain as well. This was surprising, since dUTPase is known to play an important role in proliferating cells, and mass production of neural cells is completed by adulthood. Thus, we investigated the pattern of the dUTPase protein expression specifically in the adult brain with immunostaining and found that dUTPase is present in the germinative zones, the subventricular and the subgranular zones, where neurogenesis occurs and in the rostral migratory stream where neuroblasts migrate to the olfactory bulb. These novel findings suggest that dUTPase may have a role in cell differentiation and indicate that accurate dTTP biosynthesis can be vital, especially in neurogenesis.

Medicinal chemistry aspects of uracil containing dUTPase inhibitors targeting colorectal cancer

Deoxyuridine-5'-triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase), a vital enzyme in pyrimidine metabolism, is a prime target for treating colorectal cancer. Uracil shares structural traits with DNA/RNA bases, prompting exploration by medicinal chemists for pharmacological modifications. Some existing drugs, including thymidylate synthase (TS) and dUTPase inhibitors, incorporate uracil moieties. These derivatives hinder crucial cell proliferation pathways encompassing TS, dUTPases, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, and uracil-DNA glycosylase. This review compiles uracil derivatives that have served as dUTPase inhibitors across various organisms, forming a library for targeting human dUTPase. Insights into their structural requisites for human applications and comparative analyses of binding pockets are provided for analyzing the compounds against human dUTPase.

C/EBPα Regulates PxTreh1 and PxTreh2 Trehalase-Related Bt Resistance in Plutella xylostella (L.)

Simple Summary

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is a major agricultural pest of cruciferous vegetables and crops worldwide, causing economic losses of up to USD 5 billion annually. The long-term use of insecticides leads to the rapid evolution of resistance in insects, which greatly increases the difficulty of controlling pests. Trehalase regulates energy metabolism in insects by converting trehalose into two glucose molecules. The existence of trehalase is critical for insect flight and larval stress resistance. However, whether trehalase participates in the development of pesticide resistance remains unclear. In this study, we found that the activity of trehalase and the levels of gene expression in Bt-resistant and field populations of P. xylostella were significantly higher than they were in the susceptible strains. By analyzing the promoter sequences of PxTreh1 and PxTreh2, we confirmed the interaction between C/EBPα and the PxTreh2 promoter. The findings of this study suggest that C/EBPα mediates the adaptability of P. xylostella to adverse environmental stressors by regulating the expression of trehalase.

Abstract

Trehalase regulates energy metabolism in insects by converting trehalose into two glucose molecules. High amounts of trehalase are critical for insect flight and larval stress resistance. However, whether trehalase participates in the development of pesticide resistance remains unclear. In this study, we explored this phenomenon and the mechanism that underlies the regulation of Trehalase transcription. We found that overexpression of PxTreh1 and PxTreh2 induced Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) resistance in Plutella xylostella. The promoter sequences of PxTreh1 and PxTreh2 were also cloned and identified. The dual-luciferase reporter system and RNA interference technology revealed that the expression of PxTreh1 and PxTreh2 genes is possibly regulated by the CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (C/EBPα). A yeast one-hybrid experiment confirmed the interaction between C/EBPα and the PxTreh2 promoter. The findings of this study suggest that C/EBPα mediates the adaptability of P. xylostella to adverse environmental stressors by regulating the expression of trehalase.

The role of dNTP metabolites in control of the embryonic cell cycle

Deoxyribonucleotide metabolites (dNTPs) are the substrates for DNA synthesis. It has been proposed that their availability influences the progression of the cell cycle during development and pathological situations such as tumor growth. The mechanism has remained unclear for the link between cell cycle and dNTP levels beyond their role as substrates. Here, we review recent studies concerned with the dynamics of dNTP levels in early embryos and the role of DNA replication checkpoint as a sensor of dNTP levels.