PPARgamma and Proline Oxidase in Cancer

Neuro-semantic prediction of user decisions to contribute content to online social networks

Understanding at microscopic level the generation of contents in an online social network (OSN) is highly desirable for an improved management of the OSN and the prevention of undesirable phenomena, such as online harassment. Content generation, i.e., the decision to post a contributed content in the OSN, can be modeled by neurophysiological approaches on the basis of unbiased semantic analysis of the contents already published in the OSN. This paper proposes a neuro-semantic model composed of (1) an extended leaky competing accumulator (ELCA) as the neural architecture implementing the user concurrent decision process to generate content in a conversation thread of a virtual community of practice, and (2) a semantic modeling based on the topic analysis carried out by a latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) of both users and conversation threads. We use the similarity between the user and thread semantic representations to built up the model of the interest of the user in the thread contents as the stimulus to contribute content in the thread. The semantic interest of users in discussion threads are the external inputs for the ELCA, i.e., the external value assigned to each choice.. We demonstrate the approach on a dataset extracted from a real life web forum devoted to fans of tinkering with musical instruments and related devices. The neuro-semantic model achieves high performance predicting the content posting decisions (average F score 0.61) improving greatly over well known machine learning approaches, namely random forest and support vector machines (average F scores 0.19 and 0.21).

Preclinical evidence for pioglitazone and bexarotene combination in oral cancer chemoprevention

BACKGROUND

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) requires new treatments and targeted approaches to improve survival. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and retinoic X receptor alpha (RXRα) nuclear receptor pathways may be targetable with repurposed Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agents for prevention and treatment.

METHODS

Oral cancer and leukoplakia cell lines were treated with the PPARγ agonist (pioglitazone) and RXRα activator (bexarotene). PPARγ activation, cellular proliferation, apoptosis activity and phenotype, including the pharmacodynamic marker, involucrin (IVL), were subsequently analyzed using a reporter gene assay, genomic data, MTT assay and western blot.

RESULTS

Microarray analysis of HNSCC tumor versus normal tissue shows IVL expression is significantly increased in normal tissue compared to HNSCC tumors (p < 0.0001). In MSK Leuk1 and CA 9-22 cell lines, pioglitazone increases PPARγ DNA binding activity and IVL promoter activity in a dose dependent manner (p < 0.01 and p < 0.0001). Combination treatment with pioglitazone and bexarotene increases PPARγ DNA binding activity and IVL promoter activity (p < 0.01 and p < 0.0001). MTT analysis shows decreases in cell proliferation when cells are treated with pioglitazone and bexarotene. Decreases in cell proliferation are significant to at least p < 0.05 for all combination versus single agent treatments. Western blot on whole-cell lysate from cells treated with pioglitazone and bexarotene alone or in combination for IVL showed increased protein levels with combination treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeting the PPARγ/RXRα heterodimer with pioglitazone and bexarotene was effective in this preclinical project. This was functional in both preneoplastic and oral cancer cell lines. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism on downstream effects on cellular proliferation could potentially have implications clinically, both in oral preneoplasia and possibly head and neck cancer; however, more research needs to be done to explore the potential these medications have in chemoprevention.

The pleiotropic peroxisome proliferator activated receptors: Regulation and therapeutics

The Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are key regulators of metabolic events in our body. Owing to their implication in maintenance of homeostasis, both PPAR agonists and antagonists assume therapeutic significance. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of each of the PPAR isotypes in the healthy body and during disease is crucial to exploiting their full therapeutic potential. This article is an attempt to present a rational analysis of the multifaceted therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of isotype-specific PPAR agonists, dual PPAR agonists, pan PPAR agonists as well as PPAR antagonists. A holistic understanding of the mechanistic dimensions of these key metabolic regulators will guide future efforts to identify novel molecules in the realm of metabolic, inflammatory and immunotherapeutic diseases.

P5C as an Interface of Proline Interconvertible Amino Acids and Its Role in Regulation of Cell Survival and Apoptosis

Studies of cancer metabolism have focused on the production of energy and the interconversion of carbons between cell cycles. More recently, amino acid metabolism, especially non-essential amino acids (NEAAs), has been investigated, underlining their regulatory role. One of the important mediators in energy production and interconversion of carbons in the cell is Δ¹-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C)—the physiological intracellular intermediate of the interconversion of proline, ornithine, and glutamate. As a central component of these conversions, it links the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), urea cycle (UC), and proline cycle (PC). P5C has a cyclic structure containing a tertiary nitrogen atom (N) and is in tautomeric equilibrium with the open-chain form of L-glutamate-γ-semialdehyde (GSAL). P5C is produced by P5C synthase (P5CS) from glutamate, and ornithine via ornithine δ-amino acid transferase (δOAT). It can also be converted to glutamate by P5C dehydrogenase (P5CDH). P5C is both a direct precursor of proline and a product of its degradation. The conversion of P5C to proline is catalyzed by P5C reductase (PYCR), while proline to P5C by proline dehydrogenase/oxidase (PRODH/POX). P5C-proline-P5C interconversion forms a functional redox couple. Their transformations are accompanied by the transfer of a reducing-oxidizing potential, that affect the NADP+/NADPH ratio and a wide variety of processes, e.g., the synthesis of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP), and purine ribonucleotides, which are crucial for DNA synthesis. This review focuses on the metabolism of P5C in the cell as an interconversion mediator of proline, glutamate, and ornithine and its role in the regulation of survival and death with particular emphasis on the metabolic context.

SSR1 is involved in maintaining the function of mitochondria electron transport chain and iron homeostasis upon proline treatment in Arabidopsis

Although increasing intracellular proline under stressed condition could help the plants survive, treating plant with high level of proline under normal condition could be inhibitory to plant growth. Among other possible mechanisms, proline-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production due to electron overflow in mitochondria electron transport chain (mETC) caused by elevated proline degradation may contribute to the proline toxicity. However, direct evidences are still elusive. Here, we reported a functional characterization of SSR1, encoding a protein localized in mitochondria matrix, in maintaining the function of mETC through analyzing the proline hypersensitive phenotype of an Arabidopsis mutant ssr1-1 with a truncated SSR1 protein. Our analysis demonstrated that upon proline treatment, there were higher mitochondrial ROS, lower ATP content, reduced activity of mETC complex I and II, and reduced iron content in ssr1-1, in comparison to the wild type. Therefore, SSR1 is involved in maintaining normal capacity of mETC in transporting electrons in a way that related to iron homeostasis. Our results also supported that normal mETC activity is required for alleviating the proline toxicity.

Proline-Dependent Induction of Apoptosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)-The Effect of Celecoxib

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma remains a significant worldwide public health challenge, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Treatment of this type of cancer lacks effective medication. Moreover, there are very few specific biomarkers that are useful in early diagnosis or treatment optimisation. Proline metabolism may prove to be of importance in the search for new treatment modalities. Methods: To evaluate the significance of proline metabolism in the development of oral cancer, proline concentration was assessed in oral cancer tissue and normal oral mucosa. The results were compared to the clinical stage and histological grade of the tumours. Moreover, the expression of proteins involved in proline metabolism via proline dehydrogenase/oxidase (PRODH/POX, PPARγ, HIF1-α) was determined. In the next stage of the study, conducted on cell lines of tongue cancer treated with celecoxib, the aforementioned factors involved in proline metabolism were evaluated. Cellular viability and cell proliferation, as well as apoptosis, were also assessed. Results: Our research results indicate that a high intracellular proline concentration and expression of factors involved in its metabolism correlate with the clinical stage and histological grade of oral cancer. Moreover, we are the first researchers to demonstrate that celecoxib can affect proline metabolism, causing an increase in pro-apoptotic factors (PRODH/POX, PPARγ), reducing the expression of HIF-1α and activating apoptosis. Conclusions: Proline metabolism, due to its involvement in the process of apoptosis, can be of great importance in anticancer therapy. It appears that celecoxib, which influences the PRODH/POX pathway, may be a promising therapeutic compound in oral cancer treatment.

Structural Biology of Proline Catabolic Enzymes

SIGNIFICANCE

Proline catabolism refers to the 4-electron oxidation of proline to glutamate catalyzed by the enzymes proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and l-glutamate γ-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (GSALDH, or ALDH4A1). These enzymes and the intermediate metabolites of the pathway have been implicated in tumor growth and suppression, metastasis, hyperprolinemia metabolic disorders, schizophrenia susceptibility, life span extension, and pathogen virulence and survival. In some bacteria, PRODH and GSALDH are combined into a bifunctional enzyme known as proline utilization A (PutA). PutAs are not only virulence factors in some pathogenic bacteria but also fascinating systems for studying the coordination of metabolic enzymes via substrate channeling. Recent Advances: The past decade has seen an explosion of structural data for proline catabolic enzymes. This review surveys these structures, emphasizing protein folds, substrate recognition, oligomerization, kinetic mechanisms, and substrate channeling in PutA.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Major unsolved structural targets include eukaryotic PRODH, the complex between monofunctional PRODH and monofunctional GSALDH, and the largest of all PutAs, trifunctional PutA. The structural basis of PutA-membrane association is poorly understood. Fundamental aspects of substrate channeling in PutA remain unknown, such as the identity of the channeled intermediate, how the tunnel system is activated, and the roles of ancillary tunnels.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

New approaches are needed to study the molecular and in vivo mechanisms of substrate channeling. With the discovery of the proline cycle driving tumor growth and metastasis, the development of inhibitors of proline metabolic enzymes has emerged as an exciting new direction. Structural biology will be important in these endeavors.

Acetylenic derivative of betulin induces apoptosis in endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line

Since betulin (Bet) and its acetylenic derivative, 28-O-propynoylbetulin (proBet) were shown to induce apoptosis in several cancer cell lines, we studied the mechanism of this process in human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (EA). Previous studies suggested that this group of compounds affect prolidase activity (proline releasing enzyme from imidodipeptides) and collagen biosynthesis (proline utilizing process) providing substrate (proline) for proline oxidase (POX) dependent apoptosis. Here we provide evidence that Bet and proBet exhibit prolidase-inducing activity in EA cell line. However, in contrast to Bet, proBet inhibited collagen biosynthesis, increased intracellular proline concentration and induced apoptosis in EA cells, as detected by caspase-3, and -9 expressions and annexin V staining. Although POX expression was not affected by both compounds, the process of apoptosis was accompanied by increase in cytoplasmic level of proline. The mechanism for proBet-induced prolidase activity was found at the level of β1 integrin signaling. The inhibition of collagen biosynthesis was due to up-regulation of NF-κB p65, an inhibitor of collagen type I gene transcription. Although Bet and proBet induced expression of pro-apoptotic p53 in EA cells, the effect of proBet on the processes was much stronger. In contrast to proBet, Bet strongly induced expression of pro-survival factors, HIF-1α and VEGF. The data suggest that massive production of proline by proBet-dependent activation of prolidase and inhibition of proline utilization for collagen biosynthesis may represent mechanism for POX-dependent apoptosis in EA cells.

Untargeted metabolomics analysis of adipogenic transformation in OP9-DL1 cells using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: Implications for thymic adipogenesis

Adipocyte deposition is a key feature of age-related thymic involution, but the underlying mechanisms responsible for thymic adiposity remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we utilized rosiglitazone, a potent peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist, to induce adipogenic differentiation of OP9-DL1 cells, and detected the metabolomics alterations during adipogenic differentiation by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The obtained metabolites were further processed by multivariate statistical analysis, including principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and orthogonal projection on latent-structures discriminant analysis. As a result, we identified a total of 33 significantly differential metabolites between dimethyl sulphoxide- and rosiglitazone-treated OP9-DL1 cells, which were closely related to the dysregulation of phospholipid metabolism pathway, oxidative stress, and associated amino acid metabolism. Meanwhile, two pathways including glycerophospholipid metabolism and nitrogen metabolism were significantly perturbed (P < 0.05). Collectively, our results may provide some heuristic guidance for addressing the underlying mechanism of thymic adipogenesis, and future studies are warranted to unravel the functions of these altered metabolites in thymic adipogenesis.

Involvement of DNMT 3B promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and gene expression profile of invasive head and neck squamous cell carcinomas cell lines

BACKGROUND

The 5-year overall survival rates for head and neck cancer (HNC) relies on distant metastasis. Importantly, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is believed to be an initial step of metastasis. However, the relationship of epigenetic with EMT formation is still unexplored in HNC. This study focuses on invasive subclones of HNC cell lines through the simulation of invasion in vitro; and underlying mechanisms were analyzed including DNA methylation and gene expression profile.

METHODS

Invasive subclones of NHC cell lines were successfully obtained using transwell coated with Matrixgel. Cells invaded through 8 μm pore several times were subcultured and examined with EMT features including morphology, EMT marker genes expression, and invasive ability. Moreover, compared the profile of genes expression in parental and invasive cells was analyzed using mRNA expression array.

RESULTS

DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT 3B) was upregulated in invasive subclones and might control the 5' region of E-cadherin (E-cad) methylation and further inhibited E-cad protein expression. Interference of DNMT 3B by siRNA or miRNA 29b could reduce EMT and cell invasion. Expression array analysis revealed the most possible involved pathways in cell invasion including arginine and proline metabolism, TGF-beta, and focal adhesion.

CONCLUSIONS

DNMT 3B might control EMT by DNA methylation manner in invasive HNC cell lines. Moreover, miR-29b mimic downregulated DNMT 3B and inhibited EMT and cell invasion indicated the role of therapeutic agent for invasive HNC. Genes identified from array data and new molecules are involved in metastasis of HNC need further validation.

18O-Tracer Metabolomics Reveals Protein Turnover and CDP-Choline Cycle Activity in Differentiating 3T3-L1 Pre-Adipocytes

The differentiation of precursor cells into mature adipocytes (adipogenesis) has been an area of increased focus, spurred by a rise in obesity rates. Though our understanding of adipogenesis and its regulation at the cellular level is growing, many questions remain, especially regarding the regulation of the metabolome. The 3T3-L1 cell line is the most well characterized cellular model of adipogenesis. Using a time course metabolomics approach, we show that the 3T3-L1 preadipocyte metabolome is greatly altered during the first 48 hours of differentiation, where cells go through about two rounds of cell division, a process known as mitotic clonal expansion. Short-chain peptides were among several small molecules that were increased during mitotic clonal expansion. Additional indicators of protein turnover were also increased, including bilirubin, a degradation product of heme-containing proteins, and 3-methylhistidine, a post-translationally modified amino acid that is not reutilized for protein synthesis. To study the origin of the peptides, we treated differentiating preadipocytes with ¹⁸O labeled water and found that ¹⁸O was incorporated into the short chain peptides, confirming them, at least in part, as products of hydrolysis. Inhibitors of the proteasome or matrix metalloproteinases affected the peptide levels during differentiation, but inhibitors of autophagy or peptidases did not. ¹⁸O was also incorporated into several choline metabolites including cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline), glycerophosphocholine, and several phosphatidylcholine species, indicative of phosphatidylcholine synthesis/degradation and of flux through the CDP-choline cycle, a hallmark of proliferating cells. ¹⁸O-Tracer metabolomics further showed metabolic labeling of glutamate, suggestive of glutaminolysis, also characteristic of proliferating cells. Together, these results highlight the utility of ¹⁸O isotope labeling in combination with metabolomics to uncover changes in cellular metabolism that are not detectable by time-resolved metabolomics.

Ornithine-δ-Aminotransferase Inhibits Neurogenesis During Xenopus Embryonic Development

PURPOSE

In humans, deficiency of ornithine-δ-aminotransferase (OAT) results in progressive degeneration of the neural retina (gyrate atrophy) with blindness in the fourth decade. In this study, we used the Xenopus embryonic developmental model to study functions of the OAT gene on embryonic development.

METHODS

We cloned and sequenced full-length OAT cDNA from Xenopus oocytes (X-OAT) and determined X-OAT expression in various developmental stages of Xenopus embryos and in a variety of adult tissues. The phenotype, gene expression of neural developmental markers, and enzymatic activity were detected by gain-of-function and loss-of-function manipulations.

RESULTS

We showed that X-OAT is essential for Xenopus embryonic development, and overexpression of X-OAT produces a ventralized phenotype characterized by a small head, lack of axial structure, and defective expression of neural developmental markers. Using X-OAT mutants based on mutations identified in humans, we found that substitution of both Arg 180 and Leu 402 abrogated both X-OAT enzymatic activity and ability to modulate the developmental phenotype. Neurogenesis is inhibited by X-OAT during Xenopus embryonic development.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurogenesis is inhibited by X-OAT during Xenopus embryonic development, but it is essential for Xenopus embryonic development. The Arg 180 and Leu 402 are crucial for these effects of the OAT molecule in development.

The tumor microenvironment: characterization, redox considerations, and novel approaches for reactive oxygen species-targeted gene therapy

The tumor microenvironment is a complex system that involves the interaction between malignant and neighbor stromal cells embedded in a mesh of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Stromal cells (fibroblasts, endothelial, and inflammatory cells) are co-opted at different stages to help malignant cells invade the surrounding ECM and disseminate. Malignant cells have developed adaptive mechanisms to survive under the extreme conditions of the tumor microenvironment such as restricted oxygen supply (hypoxia), nutrient deprivation, and a prooxidant state among others. These conditions could be eventually used to target drugs that will be activated specifically in this microenvironment. Preclinical studies have shown that modulating cellular/tissue redox state by different gene therapy (GT) approaches was able to control tumor growth. In this review, we describe the most relevant features of the tumor microenvironment, addressing reactive oxygen species-generating sources that promote a prooxidative microenvironment inside the tumor mass. We describe different GT approaches that promote either a decreased or exacerbated prooxidative microenvironment, and those that make use of the differential levels of ROS between cancer and normal cells to achieve tumor growth inhibition.

Crystal structures and kinetics of monofunctional proline dehydrogenase provide insight into substrate recognition and conformational changes associated with flavin reduction and product release

Proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) catalyzes the FAD-dependent oxidation of proline to Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate, which is the first step of proline catabolism. Here, we report the structures of proline dehydrogenase from Deinococcus radiodurans in the oxidized state complexed with the proline analogue L-tetrahydrofuroic acid and in the reduced state with the proline site vacant. The analogue binds against the si face of the FAD isoalloxazine and is protected from bulk solvent by helix α8 and the β1-α1 loop. The FAD ribityl chain adopts two conformations in the E-S complex, which is unprecedented for flavoenzymes. One of the conformations is novel for the PRODH superfamily and may contribute to the low substrate affinity of Deinococcus PRODH. Reduction of the crystalline enzyme-inhibitor complex causes profound structural changes, including 20° butterfly bending of the isoalloxazine, crankshaft rotation of the ribityl, shifting of α8 by 1.7 Å, reconfiguration of the β1-α1 loop, and rupture of the Arg291-Glu64 ion pair. These changes dramatically open the active site to facilitate product release and allow electron acceptors access to the reduced flavin. The structures suggest that the ion pair, which is conserved in the PRODH superfamily, functions as the active site gate. Mutagenesis of Glu64 to Ala decreases the catalytic efficiency 27-fold, which demonstrates the importance of the gate. Mutation of Gly63 decreases the efficiency 140-fold, which suggests that flexibility of the β1-α1 loop is essential for optimal catalysis. The large conformational changes that are required to form the E-S complex suggest that conformational selection plays a role in substrate recognition.

Proline dehydrogenase (oxidase) in cancer

Proline dehydrogenase (oxidase, PRODH/POX), the first enzyme in the proline degradative pathway, plays a special role in tumorigenesis and tumor development. Proline metabolism catalyzed by PRODH/POX is closely linked with the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and urea cycle. The proline cycle formed by the interconversion of proline and Δ(1) -pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) between mitochondria and cytosol interlocks with pentose phosphate pathway. Importantly, by catalyzing proline to P5C, PRODH/POX donates electrons into the electron transport chain to generate ROS or ATP. In earlier studies, we found that PRODH/POX functions as a tumor suppressor to initiate apoptosis, inhibit tumor growth, and block the cell cycle, all by ROS signaling. It also suppresses hypoxia inducible factor signaling by increasing α-ketoglutarate. During tumor progression, PRODH/POX is under the control of various tumor-associated factors, such as tumor suppressor p53, inflammatory factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), onco-miRNA miR-23b*, and oncogenic transcription factor c-MYC. Recent studies revealed the two-sided features of PRODH/POX-mediated regulation. Under metabolic stress such as oxygen and glucose deprivation, PRODH/POX can be induced to serve as a tumor survival factor through ATP production or ROS-induced autophagy. The paradoxical roles of PRODH/POX can be understood considering the temporal and spatial context of the tumor. Further studies will provide additional insights into this protein and on its metabolic effects in tumors, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies.

The proline regulatory axis and cancer

Studies in metabolism and cancer have characterized changes in core pathways involving glucose and glutamine, emphasizing the provision of substrates for building cell mass. But recent findings suggest that pathways previously considered peripheral may play a critical role providing mechanisms for cell regulation. Several of these mechanisms involve the metabolism of non-essential amino acids, for example, the channeling of glycolytic intermediates into the serine pathway for one-carbon transfers. Historically, we proposed that the proline biosynthetic pathway participated in a metabolic interlock with glucose metabolism. The discovery that proline degradation is activated by p53 directed our attention to the initiation of apoptosis by proline oxidase/dehydrogenase. Now, however, we find that the biosynthetic mechanisms and the metabolic interlock may depend on the pathway from glutamine to proline, and it is markedly activated by the oncogene MYC. These findings add a new dimension to the proline regulatory axis in cancer and present attractive potential targets for cancer treatment.

Role of apoptosis-inducing factor, proline dehydrogenase, and NADPH oxidase in apoptosis and oxidative stress

Flavoproteins catalyze a variety of reactions utilizing flavin mononucleotide or flavin adenine dinucleotide as cofactors. The oxidoreductase properties of flavoenzymes implicate them in redox homeostasis, oxidative stress, and various cellular processes, including programmed cell death. Here we explore three critical flavoproteins involved in apoptosis and redox signaling, ie, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), proline dehydrogenase, and NADPH oxidase. These proteins have diverse biochemical functions and influence apoptotic signaling by unique mechanisms. The role of AIF in apoptotic signaling is two-fold, with AIF changing intracellular location from the inner mitochondrial membrane space to the nucleus upon exposure of cells to apoptotic stimuli. In the mitochondria, AIF enhances mitochondrial bioenergetics and complex I activity/assembly to help maintain proper cellular redox homeostasis. After translocating to the nucleus, AIF forms a chromatin degrading complex with other proteins, such as cyclophilin A. AIF translocation from the mitochondria to the nucleus is triggered by oxidative stress, implicating AIF as a mitochondrial redox sensor. Proline dehydrogenase is a membrane-associated flavoenzyme in the mitochondrion that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of proline oxidation. Upregulation of proline dehydrogenase by the tumor suppressor, p53, leads to enhanced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species that induce the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. NADPH oxidases are a group of enzymes that generate reactive oxygen species for oxidative stress and signaling purposes. Upon activation, NADPH oxidase 2 generates a burst of superoxide in neutrophils that leads to killing of microbes during phagocytosis. NADPH oxidases also participate in redox signaling that involves hydrogen peroxide-mediated activation of different pathways regulating cell proliferation and cell death. Potential therapeutic strategies for each enzyme are also highlighted.

Behavioral and neurochemical effects of proline

Proline is an amino acid with an essential role for primary metabolism and physiologic functions. Hyperprolinemia results from the deficiency of specific enzymes for proline catabolism, leading to tissue accumulation of this amino acid. Hyperprolinemic patients can present neurological symptoms and brain abnormalities, whose aetiopathogenesis is poorly understood. This review addresses some of the findings obtained, mainly from animal studies, indicating that high proline levels may be associated to neuropathophysiology of some disorders. In this context, it has been suggested that energy metabolism deficit, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, kinase creatine, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, lipid content, as well as purinergic and cholinergic systems are involved in the effect of proline on brain damage and spatial memory deficit. The discussion focuses on the relatively low antioxidant defenses of the brain and the vulnerability of neural tissue to reactive species. This offers new perspectives for potential therapeutic strategies for this condition, which may include the early use of appropriate antioxidants as a novel adjuvant therapy, besides the usual treatment based on special diets poor in proline.

Proline dehydrogenase contributes to pathogen defense in Arabidopsis

L-proline (Pro) catabolism is activated in plants recovering from abiotic stresses associated with water deprivation. In this catabolic pathway, Pro is converted to glutamate by two reactions catalyzed by proline dehydrogenase (ProDH) and Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (P5CDH), with Δ(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) as the intermediate. Alternatively, under certain conditions, the P5C derived from Pro is converted back to Pro by P5C reductase, thus stimulating the Pro-P5C cycle, which may generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a consequence of the ProDH activity. We previously observed that Pro biosynthesis is altered in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) tissues that induce the hypersensitive response (HR) in response to Pseudomonas syringae. In this work, we characterized the Pro catabolic pathway and ProDH activity in this model. Induction of ProDH expression was found to be dependent on salicylic acid, and an increase in ProDH activity was detected in cells destined to die. To evaluate the role of ProDH in the HR, ProDH-silenced plants were generated. These plants displayed reduced ROS and cell death levels as well as enhanced susceptibility in response to avirulent pathogens. Interestingly, the early activation of ProDH was accompanied by an increase in P5C reductase but not in P5CDH transcripts, with few changes occurring in the Pro and P5C levels. Therefore, our results suggest that in wild-type plants, ProDH is a defense component contributing to HR and disease resistance, which apparently potentiates the accumulation of ROS. The participation of the Pro-P5C cycle in the latter response is discussed.

Topic-based social network analysis for virtual communities of interests in the dark web

The study of extremist groups and their interaction is a crucial task in order to maintain homeland security and peace. Tools such as social networks analysis and text mining have contributed to their understanding in order to develop counter-terrorism applications. This work addresses the topic-based community key-members extraction problem, for which our method combines both text mining and social network analysis techniques. This is achieved by first applying latent Dirichlet allocation to build two topic-based social networks in online forums: one social network oriented towards the thread creator point-of-view, and the other is oriented towards the repliers of the overall forum. Then, by using different network analysis measures, topic-based key members are evaluated using as benchmark a social network built a plain representation of the network of posts. Experiments were successfully performed using an English language based forum available in the Dark Web portal.

Proline metabolism and microenvironmental stress

Proline, the only proteinogenic secondary amino acid, is metabolized by its own family of enzymes responding to metabolic stress and participating in metabolic signaling. Collagen in extracellular matrix, connective tissue, and bone is an abundant reservoir for proline. Matrix metalloproteinases degrading collagen are activated during stress to make proline available, and proline oxidase, the first enzyme in proline degradation, is induced by p53, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and its ligands, and by AMP-activated protein kinase downregulating mTOR. Metabolism of proline generates electrons to produce ROS and initiates a variety of downstream effects, including blockade of the cell cycle, autophagy, and apoptosis. The electrons can also enter the electron transport chain to produce adenosine triphosphate for survival under nutrient stress. Pyrroline-5-carboxylate, the product of proline oxidation, is recycled back to proline with redox transfers or is sequentially converted to glutamate and alpha-ketoglutarate. The latter augments the prolyl hydroxylation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and its proteasomal degradation. These effects of proline oxidase, as well as its decreased levels in tumors, support its role as a tumor suppressor. The mechanism for its decrease is mediated by a specific microRNA. The metabolic signaling by proline oxidase between oxidized low-density lipoproteins and autophagy provides a functional link between obesity and increased cancer risk.

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins upregulate proline oxidase to initiate ROS-dependent autophagy

Epidemiological studies showed that high levels of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) are associated with increased cancer risk. We examined the direct effect of physiologic concentrations oxLDL on cancer cells. OxLDLs were cytotoxic and activate both apoptosis and autophagy. OxLDLs have ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and upregulated proline oxidase (POX) through this nuclear receptor. We identified 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) as a main component responsible for the latter. To elucidate the role of POX in oxLDL-mediated cytotoxicity, we knocked down POX via small interfering RNA and found that this (i) further reduced viability of cancer cells treated with oxLDL; (ii) decreased oxLDL-associated reactive oxygen species generation; (iii) decreased autophagy measured via beclin-1 protein level and light-chain 3 protein (LC3)-I into LC3-II conversion. Using POX-expressing cell model, we established that single POX overexpression was sufficient to activate autophagy. Thus, it led to autophagosomes accumulation and increased conversion of LC3-I into LC3-II. Moreover, beclin-1 gene expression was directly dependent on POX catalytic activity, namely the generation of POX-dependent superoxide. We conclude that POX is critical in the cellular response to the noxious effects of oxLDL by activating protective autophagy.