1
|
Liu T, Xu Y, Yi CX, Tong Q, Cai D. The hypothalamus for whole-body physiology: from metabolism to aging. Protein Cell 2022; 13:394-421. [PMID: 33826123 PMCID: PMC9095790 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00834-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity and aging are two important epidemic factors for metabolic syndrome and many other health issues, which contribute to devastating diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke and cancers. The brain plays a central role in controlling metabolic physiology in that it integrates information from other metabolic organs, sends regulatory projections and orchestrates the whole-body function. Emerging studies suggest that brain dysfunction in sensing various internal cues or processing external cues may have profound effects on metabolic and other physiological functions. This review highlights brain dysfunction linked to genetic mutations, sex, brain inflammation, microbiota, stress as causes for whole-body pathophysiology, arguing brain dysfunction as a root cause for the epidemic of aging and obesity-related disorders. We also speculate key issues that need to be addressed on how to reveal relevant brain dysfunction that underlines the development of these disorders and diseases in order to develop new treatment strategies against these health problems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiemin Liu
- grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Human Phenome Institute, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Yong Xu
- grid.39382.330000 0001 2160 926XChildren’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Chun-Xia Yi
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Qingchun Tong
- grid.453726.10000 0004 5906 7293Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Graduate Program in Neuroscience of MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Dongsheng Cai
- grid.251993.50000000121791997Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461 USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
The Participation of the Intrinsically Disordered Regions of the bHLH-PAS Transcription Factors in Disease Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062868. [PMID: 33799876 PMCID: PMC8001110 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The basic helix–loop–helix/Per-ARNT-SIM (bHLH-PAS) proteins are a family of transcription factors regulating expression of a wide range of genes involved in different functions, ranging from differentiation and development control by oxygen and toxins sensing to circadian clock setting. In addition to the well-preserved DNA-binding bHLH and PAS domains, bHLH-PAS proteins contain long intrinsically disordered C-terminal regions, responsible for regulation of their activity. Our aim was to analyze the potential connection between disordered regions of the bHLH-PAS transcription factors, post-transcriptional modifications and liquid-liquid phase separation, in the context of disease-associated missense mutations. Highly flexible disordered regions, enriched in short motives which are more ordered, are responsible for a wide spectrum of interactions with transcriptional co-regulators. Based on our in silico analysis and taking into account the fact that the functions of transcription factors can be modulated by posttranslational modifications and spontaneous phase separation, we assume that the locations of missense mutations inducing disease states are clearly related to sequences directly undergoing these processes or to sequences responsible for their regulation.
Collapse
|
3
|
Lu Y, Liu H, Yang XY, Liu JX, Dai MY, Wu JC, Guo YX, Luo TC, Sun FF, Pan W. Microarray Analysis of lncRNA and mRNA Reveals Enhanced Lipolysis Along With Metabolic Remodeling in Mice Infected With Larval Echinococcus granulosus. Front Physiol 2020; 11:1078. [PMID: 32973568 PMCID: PMC7472464 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.01078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitic infection improves metabolic homeostasis in “western diet”-induced obesity through the regulation of adipogenesis. However, the underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood. Using microarray analysis, this study investigated the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) profiles of subcutaneous adipose tissues from mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces. A total of 1052 mRNA (541 upregulated, 511 downregulated) and 220 lncRNA (126 upregulated, 94 downregulated) transcripts were differentially expressed (fold change ≥2, P < 0.05) in the infected subcutaneous adipose tissues. When compared with the control group, the infected mice showed a decrease in adipose tissue mass and a reduction in adipocyte size. Indirect calorimetry revealed the change in the energy metabolism after infection, characterized by a lower CO2 production and O2 consumption, a sharp decline in carbohydrate oxidation, and a slight increase in fat oxidation. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses showed that the parasitic infection reprogrammed a complex metabolic network. Notably, “lipoxygenase” and “arginine and proline metabolism” pathways were significantly upregulated while “glycolysis,” “tricarboxylic acid cycle,” “de novo lipogenesis,” and “lipid droplet” pathways were dramatically downregulated. In addition, several key lncRNAs were associated with insulin resistance and adipocyte differentiation. Overall, the present study suggested that E. granulosus infection could enhance lipolysis. Thus, our findings provide novel insights into parasite-mediated metabolic homeostasis, and into the mechanism of hypertrophic adipocytes in obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jia-Xue Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Meng-Yu Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jia-Cheng Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yu-Xin Guo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Tian-Cheng Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Fen-Fen Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Wei Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Effects of Propolis Extract and Propolis-Derived Compounds on Obesity and Diabetes: Knowledge from Cellular and Animal Models. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24234394. [PMID: 31805752 PMCID: PMC6930477 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Propolis is a natural product resulting from the mixing of bee secretions with botanical exudates. Since propolis is rich in flavonoids and cinnamic acid derivatives, the application of propolis extracts has been tried in therapies against cancer, inflammation, and metabolic diseases. As metabolic diseases develop relatively slowly in patients, the therapeutic effects of propolis in humans should be evaluated over long periods of time. Moreover, several factors such as medical history, genetic inheritance, and living environment should be taken into consideration in human studies. Animal models, especially mice and rats, have some advantages, as genetic and microbiological variables can be controlled. On the other hand, cellular models allow the investigation of detailed molecular events evoked by propolis and derivative compounds. Taking advantage of animal and cellular models, accumulating evidence suggests that propolis extracts have therapeutic effects on obesity by controlling adipogenesis, adipokine secretion, food intake, and energy expenditure. Studies in animal and cellular models have also indicated that propolis modulates oxidative stress, the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and adipose tissue inflammation, all of which contribute to insulin resistance or defects in insulin secretion. Consequently, propolis treatment may mitigate diabetic complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, foot ulcers, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This review describes the beneficial effects of propolis on metabolic disorders.
Collapse
|
5
|
Li Q, Qin Z, Wang Q, Xu T, Yang Y, He Z. Applications of Genome Editing Technology in Animal Disease Modeling and Gene Therapy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 17:689-698. [PMID: 31303973 PMCID: PMC6603303 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome editing technology is a technique for targeted genetic modifications, enabling the knockout and addition of specific DNA fragments. This technology has been widely used in various types of biomedical research, clinics and agriculture. In terms of disease research, constructing appropriate animal models is necessary. Combining reproductive technology with genome editing, many animal disease models have been generated for basic and clinical research. In addition, precisely targeted modifications allow genome editing to flourish in the field of gene therapy. Many mutations refractory to traditional gene therapy could be permanently corrected at the DNA level. Thus, genome editing is undoubtedly a promising technology for gene therapy. In this review, we mainly introduce the applications of genome editing in constructing animal disease models and gene therapies, as well as its future prospects and challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zhou Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Qingnan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Ting Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zhiyao He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Department of Pharmacy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|