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Anti-cancer actions of carnosine and the restoration of normal cellular homeostasis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:119117. [PMID: 34384791 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Carnosine is a naturally occurring dipeptide found in meat. Alternatively it can be formed through synthesis from the amino acids, β-alanine and L-histidine. Carnosine has long been advocated for use as an anti-oxidant and anti-glycating agent to facilitate healthy ageing, and there have also been reports of it having anti-proliferative effects that have beneficial actions against the development of a number of different cancers. Carnosine is able to undertake multiple molecular processes, and it's mechanism of action therefore remains controversial - both in healthy tissues and those associated with cancer or metabolic diseases. Here we review current understanding of its mechanistic role in different physiological contexts, and how this relates to cancer. Carnosine turns over rapidly in the body due to the presence of both serum and tissue carnosinase enzymes however, so its use as a dietary supplement would require ingestion of multiple daily doses. Strategies are therefore being developed that are based upon either resistance of carnosine analogs to enzymatic turnover, or else β-alanine supplementation, and the development of these potential therapeutic agents is discussed.
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2
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Nitrogen source-dependent inhibition of yeast growth by glycine and its N-methylated derivatives. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2019; 113:437-445. [PMID: 31630298 PMCID: PMC7033051 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-019-01342-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The effect of nitrogen source on the inhibitory properties of glycine and its N-methylated derivatives N-methylglycine (sarcosine), N,N-dimethylglycine, N,N,N-trimethylglycine (glycine betaine) on yeast growth was investigated. On solid minimal medium, all four glycine species completely or partially inhibited growth of Kluyveromyces lactis, Komagataella pastoris, Ogataea arabinofermentans, Spathaspora passalidarum and Yamadazyma tenuis at concentrations 5–10 mM when 10 mM NH4Cl was the sole source of nitrogen. If NH4Cl was substituted by sodium L-glutamate as the sole source of nitrogen, obvious growth inhibition by glycine and its N-methylated derivatives was generally not observed in any of these species. No obvious growth inhibition by any of the glycine species at a concentration of 10 mM was observed in Cyberlindnera jadinii, Lipomyces starkeyi, Lodderomyces elongisporus, Scheffersomyces stipitis or Yarrowia lipolytica on solid minimal medium irrespective of whether the nitrogen source was NH4Cl or sodium L-glutamate. Growth inhibition assays of K. pastoris in liquid minimal medium supplemented with increasing concentrations of N,N-dimethylglycine demonstrated inhibitory effects for nine tested nitrogen sources. In most cases, N,N-dimethylglycine supplementation caused a decrease in growth efficiency that appeared to be proportional to the concentration of N,N-dimethylglycine. The biological relevance of these results is discussed.
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3
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Linder T. Phenotypical characterisation of a putative ω-amino acid transaminase in the yeast Scheffersomyces stipitis. Arch Microbiol 2018; 201:185-192. [PMID: 30519708 PMCID: PMC6514085 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-018-1608-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Phylogenetic analysis of class III transaminases in the budding yeasts Lachancea kluyveri, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Scheffersomyces stipitis identified a hitherto uncharacterised Sch. stipitis transaminase encoded by the PICST_54153 gene, which clustered with previously described γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) and β-alanine transaminases. Deletion of the PICST_54153 gene in Sch. stipitis resulted in a complete loss in the utilisation of β-alanine and β-ureidopropionic acid as nitrogen sources, while growth on 1,3-diaminopropane displayed a significant lag phase compared to the wild-type control. It was therefore concluded that the Sch. stipitis PICST_54153 gene likely encodes a β-alanine transaminase. However, minor growth defects when 1,4-diaminobutane or 1,5-diaminopentane was provided as the nitrogen source suggested that the Picst_54153 transaminase may also participate in the catabolism of other diamine-derived ω-amino acids. Unexpectedly, the ∆picst_54153 deletion mutant failed to grow on solid minimal medium in the presence of 5 mM β-alanine even if a preferred nitrogen source was provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Linder
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7015, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
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4
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Ou-yang L, Liu Y, Wang BY, Cao P, Zhang JJ, Huang YY, Shen Y, Lyu JX. Carnosine suppresses oxygen-glucose deprivation/recovery-induced proliferation and migration of reactive astrocytes of rats in vitro. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2018; 39:24-34. [PMID: 28933425 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2017.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial scar formation resulted from excessive astrogliosis limits axonal regeneration and impairs recovery of function, thus an intervention to ameliorate excessive astrogliosis is crucial for the recovery of neurological function after cerebral ischemia. In this study we investigated the effects of carnosine, an endogenous water-soluble dipeptide (β-alanyl-L-histidine), on astrogliosis of cells exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/recovery (OGD/R) in vitro. Primary cultured rat astrocytes exhibited a significant increase in proliferation at 24 h recovery after OGD for 2 h. Pretreatment with carnosine (5 mmol/L) caused G1 arrest of reactive astrocytes, significantly attenuated OGD/R-induced increase in cyclin D1 protein expression and suppressed OGD/R-induced proliferation of reactive astrocytes. Carnosine treatment also reversed glycolysis and ATP production, which was elevated at 24 h recovery after OGD. A marked increase in migration of reactive astrocytes was observed at 24 h after OGD, whereas carnosine treatment reversed the expression levels of MMP-9 and suppressed the migration of astrocytes. Furthermore, carnosine also improved neurite growth of cortical neurons co-cultured with astrocytes under ischemic conditions. These results demonstrate that carnosine may be a promising candidate for inhibiting astrogliosis and promoting neurological function recovery after ischemic stroke.
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Hipkiss AR. Depression, Diabetes and Dementia: Formaldehyde May Be a Common Causal Agent; Could Carnosine, a Pluripotent Peptide, Be Protective? Aging Dis 2017; 8:128-130. [PMID: 28400979 PMCID: PMC5362172 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2017.0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Hipkiss
- Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing (ARCHA), Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, U.K
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6
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Bao Y, Ding S, Cheng J, Liu Y, Wang B, Xu H, Shen Y, Lyu J. Carnosine Inhibits the Proliferation of Human Cervical Gland Carcinoma Cells Through Inhibiting Both Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and Glycolysis Pathways and Retarding Cell Cycle Progression. Integr Cancer Ther 2016; 17:80-91. [PMID: 28008780 PMCID: PMC5950946 DOI: 10.1177/1534735416684551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Carnosine has been demonstrated to play an antitumorigenic role in certain types
of cancer. However, its underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, the
roles of carnosine in cell proliferation and its underlying mechanism were
investigated in the cultured human cervical gland carcinoma cells HeLa and
cervical squamous carcinoma cells SiHa. The results showed that carnosine
exerted a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HeLa cells,
whereas its inhibitory action on the proliferation of SiHa cells was much
weaker. Carnosine decreased the ATP content through inhibiting both
mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis pathways in cultured HeLa cells but not
SiHa cells. Carnosine reduced the activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase and
malate dehydrogenase in TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle and the activities of
mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I, II, III, and IV in HeLa cells
but not SiHa cells. Carnosine also decreased the mRNA and protein expression
levels of ClpP, which plays a key role in maintaining the mitochondrial function
in HeLa cells. In addition, carnosine induced G1 arrest by inhibiting the G1-S
phase transition in both HeLa and SiHa cells. Taken together, these findings
suggest that carnosine has a strong inhibitory action on the proliferation of
human cervical gland carcinoma cells rather than cervical squamous carcinoma
cells. Mitochondrial bioenergetics and glycolysis pathways and cell cycle may be
involved in the carnosine action on the cell proliferation in cultured human
cervical gland carcinoma cells HeLa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Bao
- 1 Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, Peoples Republic of China.,2 Jinhua People's Hospital, Jinhua, Zhejiang, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Saidan Ding
- 3 The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Jiaoyan Cheng
- 1 Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Yuan Liu
- 1 Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Bingyu Wang
- 1 Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Huijuan Xu
- 1 Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Yao Shen
- 1 Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Jianxin Lyu
- 1 Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, Peoples Republic of China
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7
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Carnosine and the processes of ageing. Maturitas 2016; 93:28-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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8
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Legras JL, Moreno-Garcia J, Zara S, Zara G, Garcia-Martinez T, Mauricio JC, Mannazzu I, Coi AL, Bou Zeidan M, Dequin S, Moreno J, Budroni M. Flor Yeast: New Perspectives Beyond Wine Aging. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:503. [PMID: 27148192 PMCID: PMC4830823 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The most important dogma in white-wine production is the preservation of the wine aroma and the limitation of the oxidative action of oxygen. In contrast, the aging of Sherry and Sherry-like wines is an aerobic process that depends on the oxidative activity of flor strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Under depletion of nitrogen and fermentable carbon sources, these yeast produce aggregates of floating cells and form an air–liquid biofilm on the wine surface, which is also known as velum or flor. This behavior is due to genetic and metabolic peculiarities that differentiate flor yeast from other wine yeast. This review will focus first on the most updated data obtained through the analysis of flor yeast with -omic tools. Comparative genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics of flor and wine yeast strains are shedding new light on several features of these special yeast, and in particular, they have revealed the extent of proteome remodeling imposed by the biofilm life-style. Finally, new insights in terms of promotion and inhibition of biofilm formation through small molecules, amino acids, and di/tri-peptides, and novel possibilities for the exploitation of biofilm immobilization within a fungal hyphae framework, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Luc Legras
- SPO, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - SupAgro, Université de Montpellier Montpellier, France
| | - Jaime Moreno-Garcia
- Department of Microbiology, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, University of Cordoba Cordoba, Spain
| | - Severino Zara
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari Sassari, Italy
| | - Giacomo Zara
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari Sassari, Italy
| | - Teresa Garcia-Martinez
- Department of Microbiology, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, University of Cordoba Cordoba, Spain
| | - Juan C Mauricio
- Department of Microbiology, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, University of Cordoba Cordoba, Spain
| | - Ilaria Mannazzu
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari Sassari, Italy
| | - Anna L Coi
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari Sassari, Italy
| | - Marc Bou Zeidan
- Department of Agri-Food Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik Jounieh, Lebanon
| | - Sylvie Dequin
- SPO, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - SupAgro, Université de Montpellier Montpellier, France
| | - Juan Moreno
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, University of Cordoba Cordoba, Spain
| | - Marilena Budroni
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari Sassari, Italy
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9
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L-carnosine enhanced reproductive potential of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast growing on medium containing glucose as a source of carbon. Biogerontology 2016; 17:737-47. [PMID: 27040824 PMCID: PMC4933726 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-016-9645-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Carnosine is an endogenous dipeptide composed of β-alanine and L-histidine, which occurs in vertebrates, including humans. It has a number of favorable properties including buffering, chelating, antioxidant, anti-glycation and anti-aging activities. In our study we used the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast as a model organism to examine the impact of L-carnosine on the cell lifespan. We demonstrated that L-carnosine slowed down the growth and decreased the metabolic activity of cells as well as prolonged their generation time. On the other hand, it allowed for enhancement of the yeast reproductive potential and extended its reproductive lifespan. These changes may be a result of the reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and decreased ATP content in the yeast cells. However, due to reduction of the post-reproductive lifespan, L-carnosine did not have an influence on the total lifespan of yeast. In conclusion, L-carnosine does not extend the total lifespan of S. cerevisiae but rather it increases the yeast's reproductive capacity by increasing the number of daughter cells produced.
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10
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Baye E, Ukropcova B, Ukropec J, Hipkiss A, Aldini G, de Courten B. Physiological and therapeutic effects of carnosine on cardiometabolic risk and disease. Amino Acids 2016; 48:1131-49. [PMID: 26984320 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2208-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are the most common preventable causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. They represent major public health threat to our society. Increasing prevalence of obesity and T2DM contributes to escalating morbidity and mortality from CVD and stroke. Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a dipeptide with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-glycation, anti-ischaemic and chelating roles and is available as an over-the-counter food supplement. Animal evidence suggests that carnosine may offer many promising therapeutic benefits for multiple chronic diseases due to these properties. Carnosine, traditionally used in exercise physiology to increase exercise performance, has potential preventative and therapeutic benefits in obesity, insulin resistance, T2DM and diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications (CVD and stroke) as well as number of neurological and mental health conditions. However, relatively little evidence is available in humans. Thus, future studies should focus on well-designed clinical trials to confirm or refute a potential role of carnosine in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases in humans, in addition to advancing knowledge from the basic science and animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estifanos Baye
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 43-51 Kanooka Grove, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Barbara Ukropcova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Ukropec
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Alan Hipkiss
- School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Giancarlo Aldini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbora de Courten
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 43-51 Kanooka Grove, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia. .,Diabetes and Vascular Medicine Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
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11
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Macedo LW, Cararo JH, Maravai SG, Gonçalves CL, Oliveira GMT, Kist LW, Guerra Martinez C, Kurtenbach E, Bogo MR, Hipkiss AR, Streck EL, Schuck PF, Ferreira GC. Acute Carnosine Administration Increases Respiratory Chain Complexes and Citric Acid Cycle Enzyme Activities in Cerebral Cortex of Young Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:5582-90. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9475-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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12
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Bou Zeidan M, Zara G, Viti C, Decorosi F, Mannazzu I, Budroni M, Giovannetti L, Zara S. L-histidine inhibits biofilm formation and FLO11-associated phenotypes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae flor yeasts. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112141. [PMID: 25369456 PMCID: PMC4219837 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Flor yeasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have an innate diversity of Flo11p which codes for a highly hydrophobic and anionic cell-wall glycoprotein with a fundamental role in biofilm formation. In this study, 380 nitrogen compounds were administered to three S. cerevisiae flor strains handling Flo11p alleles with different expression levels. S. cerevisiae strain S288c was used as the reference strain as it cannot produce Flo11p. The flor strains generally metabolized amino acids and dipeptides as the sole nitrogen source, although with some exceptions regarding L-histidine and histidine containing dipeptides. L-histidine completely inhibited growth and its effect on viability was inversely related to Flo11p expression. Accordingly, L-histidine did not affect the viability of the Δflo11 and S288c strains. Also, L-histidine dramatically decreased air-liquid biofilm formation and adhesion to polystyrene of the flor yeasts with no effect on the transcription level of the Flo11p gene. Moreover, L-histidine modified the chitin and glycans content on the cell-wall of flor yeasts. These findings reveal a novel biological activity of L-histidine in controlling the multicellular behavior of yeasts [corrected].
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Bou Zeidan
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giacomo Zara
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Carlo Viti
- Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Agroalimentari e dell'Ambiente, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesca Decorosi
- Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Agroalimentari e dell'Ambiente, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Ilaria Mannazzu
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Luciana Giovannetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Agroalimentari e dell'Ambiente, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Severino Zara
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- * E-mail:
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13
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Shen Y, Tian Y, Yang J, Shi X, Ouyang L, Gao J, Lu J. Dual effects of carnosine on energy metabolism of cultured cortical astrocytes under normal and ischemic conditions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 192-193:45-52. [PMID: 25195162 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2014.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carnosine on the bioenergetic profile of cultured cortical astrocytes under normal and ischemic conditions. METHODS The Seahorse Bioscience XF96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer was used to measure the oxygen consumption rates (OCRs) and extracellular acidification rates (ECARs) of cultured cortical astrocytes treated with and without carnosine under normal and ischemic conditions. RESULTS Under the normal growth condition, the basal OCRs and ECARs of astrocytes were 21.72±1.59 pmol/min/μg protein and 3.95±0.28 mpH/min/μg protein respectively. Mitochondrial respiration accounted for ~80% of the total cellular respiration and 85% of this coupled to ATP synthesis. Carnosine significantly reduced basal OCRs and ECARs and ATP-linked respiration, but it strikingly increased the spare respiratory capacity of astrocytes. The cellular ATP level in carnosine-treated astrocytes was reduced to ~42% of the control. However, under the ischemic condition, carnosine upregulated the mitochondrial respiratory and cellular ATP content of astrocytes exposed to 8h of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by 24 h of recovery under the normal growth condition. CONCLUSIONS Carnosine may be an endogenous regulator of astrocyte energy metabolism and a clinically safe therapeutic agent for promoting brain energy metabolism recovery after ischemia/reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Shen
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Yueyang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jianbo Yang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaojie Shi
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Li Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jieqiong Gao
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jianxin Lu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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14
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Letzien U, Oppermann H, Meixensberger J, Gaunitz F. The antineoplastic effect of carnosine is accompanied by induction of PDK4 and can be mimicked by L-histidine. Amino Acids 2014; 46:1009-19. [PMID: 24398899 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-014-1664-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a naturally occurring dipeptide that shows antineoplastic effects in cell culture as well as in animal experiments. Since its mode of action and the targets at the molecular level have not yet been elucidated, we performed qRT-PCR experiments with RNA isolated from glioblastoma cell lines treated with carnosine, β-alanine, L-alanine, L-histidine and the dipeptide L-alanine-L-histidine. The experiments identified a strong induction of expression of the gene encoding pyruvate dehydrogenase 4 (PDK4) under the influence of carnosine and L-histidine, but not by the other substances employed. In addition, inhibition of cell viability was only detected in cells treated with carnosine and L-histidine, with the latter showing a significantly stronger effect than carnosine. Since the tumor cells expressed the tissue form of carnosinase (CN2) but almost no serum carnosinase (CN1), we conclude that cleavage by CN2 is a prerequisite for the antineoplastic effect of carnosine. In addition, enhanced expression of PDK4 under the influence of carnosine/L-histidine opens a new perspective for the interpretation of the ergogenic potential of dietary β-alanine supplementation and adds a new contribution to a growing body of evidence that single amino acids can regulate key metabolic pathways important in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Letzien
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany,
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15
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Abstract
Carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine) was discovered in 1900 as an abundant non-protein nitrogen-containing compound of meat. The dipeptide is not only found in skeletal muscle, but also in other excitable tissues. Most animals, except humans, also possess a methylated variant of carnosine, either anserine or ophidine/balenine, collectively called the histidine-containing dipeptides. This review aims to decipher the physiological roles of carnosine, based on its biochemical properties. The latter include pH-buffering, metal-ion chelation, and antioxidant capacity as well as the capacity to protect against formation of advanced glycation and lipoxidation end-products. For these reasons, the therapeutic potential of carnosine supplementation has been tested in numerous diseases in which ischemic or oxidative stress are involved. For several pathologies, such as diabetes and its complications, ocular disease, aging, and neurological disorders, promising preclinical and clinical results have been obtained. Also the pathophysiological relevance of serum carnosinase, the enzyme actively degrading carnosine into l-histidine and β-alanine, is discussed. The carnosine system has evolved as a pluripotent solution to a number of homeostatic challenges. l-Histidine, and more specifically its imidazole moiety, appears to be the prime bioactive component, whereas β-alanine is mainly regulating the synthesis of the dipeptide. This paper summarizes a century of scientific exploration on the (patho)physiological role of carnosine and related compounds. However, far more experiments in the fields of physiology and related disciplines (biology, pharmacology, genetics, molecular biology, etc.) are required to gain a full understanding of the function and applications of this intriguing molecule.
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16
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Hipkiss AR. Aging risk factors and Parkinson's disease: contrasting roles of common dietary constituents. Neurobiol Aging 2013; 35:1469-72. [PMID: 24388766 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/30/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a Parkinson's disease (PD) risk factor. It is suggested here that certain dietary components may either contribute to or ameliorate PD risk. There is evidence, which indicates that excessive carbohydrate (glucose or fructose) catabolism is a cause of mitochondrial dysfunction in PD, one consequence is increased production of methylglyoxal (MG). However, other dietary components (carnosine and certain plant extracts) not only scavenge MG but can also influence some of the biochemical events (signal transduction, stress protein synthesis, glycation, and toxin generation) associated with PD pathology. As double blind, placebo-controlled carnosine supplementation studies have revealed beneficial outcomes in humans, it is suggested that MG scavengers such as carnosine be further explored for their therapeutic potential toward PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Hipkiss
- Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing (ARCHA), School of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
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17
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Inhibition of tumour cell growth by carnosine: some possible mechanisms. Amino Acids 2013; 46:327-37. [PMID: 24292217 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1627-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The naturally occurring dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) has been shown to inhibit, selectively, growth of transformed cells mediated, at least in part, by depleting glycolytic ATP levels. The mechanism(s) responsible has/have yet to be determined. Here, we discuss a number of probable and/or possible processes which could, theoretically, suppress glycolytic activity which would decrease ATP supply and generation of metabolic intermediates required for continued cell reproduction. Possibilities include effects on (i) glycolytic enzymes, (ii) metabolic regulatory activities, (iii) redox biology, (iv) protein glycation, (v) glyoxalase activity, (vi) apoptosis, (vii) gene expression and (viii) metastasis. It is possible, by acting at various sites that this pluripotent dipeptide may be an example of an endogenous "smart drug".
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18
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Hipkiss AR, Cartwright SP, Bromley C, Gross SR, Bill RM. Carnosine: can understanding its actions on energy metabolism and protein homeostasis inform its therapeutic potential? Chem Cent J 2013; 7:38. [PMID: 23442334 PMCID: PMC3602167 DOI: 10.1186/1752-153x-7-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) has contrasting but beneficial effects on cellular activity. It delays cellular senescence and rejuvenates cultured senescent mammalian cells. However, it also inhibits the growth of cultured tumour cells. Based on studies in several organisms, we speculate that carnosine exerts these apparently opposing actions by affecting energy metabolism and/or protein homeostasis (proteostasis). Specific effects on energy metabolism include the dipeptide's influence on cellular ATP concentrations. Carnosine's ability to reduce the formation of altered proteins (typically adducts of methylglyoxal) and enhance proteolysis of aberrant polypeptides is indicative of its influence on proteostasis. Furthermore these dual actions might provide a rationale for the use of carnosine in the treatment or prevention of diverse age-related conditions where energy metabolism or proteostasis are compromised. These include cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and the complications of type-2 diabetes (nephropathy, cataracts, stroke and pain), which might all benefit from knowledge of carnosine's mode of action on human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Hipkiss
- Aston Research Centre for Healthy Ageing, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
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