Temporal dynamics of liver mitochondrial protein acetylation and succinylation and metabolites due to high fat diet and/or excess glucose or fructose

Structural and systems characterization of phosphorylation on metabolic enzymes identifies sex-specific metabolic reprogramming in obesity

Coordination of adaptive metabolism through cellular signaling networks and metabolic response is essential for balanced flow of energy and homeostasis. Post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation offer a rapid, efficient, and dynamic mechanism to regulate metabolic networks. Although numerous phosphorylation sites have been identified on metabolic enzymes, much remains unknown about their contribution to enzyme function and systemic metabolism. In this study, we stratify phosphorylation sites on metabolic enzymes based on their location with respect to functional and dimerization domains. Our analysis reveals that the majority of published phosphosites are on oxidoreductases, with particular enrichment of phosphotyrosine (pY) sites in proximity to binding domains for substrates, cofactors, active sites, or dimer interfaces. We identify phosphosites altered in obesity using a high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity model coupled to multiomics, and interrogate the functional impact of pY on hepatic metabolism. HFD induced dysregulation of redox homeostasis and reductive metabolism at the phosphoproteome and metabolome level in a sex-specific manner, which was reversed by supplementing with the antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis identified pY sites that predict HFD or BHA induced changes of redox metabolites. We characterize predictive pY sites on glutathione S-transferase pi 1 (GSTP1), isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), and uridine monophosphate synthase (UMPS) using CRISPRi-rescue and stable isotope tracing. Our analysis revealed that sites on GSTP1 and UMPS inhibit enzyme activity while the pY site on IDH1 induces activity to promote reductive carboxylation. Overall, our approach provides insight into the convergence points where cellular signaling fine-tunes metabolism.

The Future of Proteomics is Up in the Air: Can Ion Mobility Replace Liquid Chromatography for High Throughput Proteomics?

The coevolution of liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometry (MS) has shaped contemporary proteomics. LC hyphenated to MS now enables quantification of more than 10,000 proteins in a single injection, a number that likely represents most proteins in specific human cells or tissues. Separations by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) have recently emerged to complement LC and further improve the depth of proteomics. Given the theoretical advantages in speed and robustness of IMS in comparison to LC, we envision that ongoing improvements to IMS paired with MS may eventually make LC obsolete, especially when combined with targeted or simplified analyses, such as rapid clinical proteomics analysis of defined biomarker panels. In this perspective, we describe the need for faster analysis that might drive this transition, the current state of direct infusion proteomics, and discuss some technical challenges that must be overcome to fully complete the transition to entirely gas phase proteomics.

Post-translational modulation of cell signalling through protein succinylation

Cells need to adapt their activities to extra- and intracellular signalling cues. To translate a received extracellular signal, cells have specific receptors that transmit the signal to downstream proteins so that it can reach the nucleus to initiate or repress gene transcription. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are reversible or irreversible chemical modifications that help to further modulate protein activity. The most commonly observed PTMs are the phosphorylation of serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues, followed by acetylation, glycosylation, and amidation. In addition to PTMs that involve the modification of a certain amino acid (phosphorylation, hydrophobic groups for membrane localisation, or chemical groups like acylation), or the conjugation of peptides (SUMOylation, NEDDylation), structural changes such as the formation of disulphide bridge, protein cleavage or splicing can also be classified as PTMs. Recently, it was discovered that metabolites from the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle are not only intermediates that support cellular metabolism but can also modify lysine residues. This has been shown for acetate, succinate, and lactate, among others. Due to the importance of mitochondria for the overall fitness of organisms, the regulatory function of such PTMs is critical for protection from aging, neurodegeneration, or cardiovascular disease. Cancer cells and activated immune cells display a phenotype of accelerated metabolic activity known as the Warburg effect. This metabolic state is characterised by enhanced glycolysis, the use of the pentose phosphate pathway as well as a disruption of the TCA cycle, ultimately causing the accumulation of metabolites like citrate, succinate, and malate. Succinate can then serve as a signalling molecule by directly interacting with proteins, by binding to its G protein-coupled receptor 91 (GPR91) and by post-translationally modifying proteins through succinylation of lysine residues, respectively. This review is focus on the process of protein succinylation and its importance in health and disease.

Ketohexokinase-C regulates global protein acetylation to decrease carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a-mediated fatty acid oxidation

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The consumption of sugar and a high-fat diet (HFD) promotes the development of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Despite their well-known synergy, the mechanisms by which sugar worsens the outcomes associated with a HFD are largely elusive.

METHODS

Six-week-old, male, C57Bl/6 J mice were fed either chow or a HFD and were provided with regular, fructose- or glucose-sweetened water. Moreover, cultured AML12 hepatocytes were engineered to overexpress ketohexokinase-C (KHK-C) using a lentivirus vector, while CRISPR-Cas9 was used to knockdown CPT1α. The cell culture experiments were complemented with in vivo studies using mice with hepatic overexpression of KHK-C and in mice with liver-specific CPT1α knockout. We used comprehensive metabolomics, electron microscopy, mitochondrial substrate phenotyping, proteomics and acetylome analysis to investigate underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

Fructose supplementation in mice fed normal chow and fructose or glucose supplementation in mice fed a HFD increase KHK-C, an enzyme that catalyzes the first step of fructolysis. Elevated KHK-C is associated with an increase in lipogenic proteins, such as ACLY, without affecting their mRNA expression. An increase in KHK-C also correlates with acetylation of CPT1α at K508, and lower CPT1α protein in vivo. In vitro, KHK-C overexpression lowers CPT1α and increases triglyceride accumulation. The effects of KHK-C are, in part, replicated by a knockdown of CPT1α. An increase in KHK-C correlates negatively with CPT1α protein levels in mice fed sugar and a HFD, but also in genetically obese db/db and lipodystrophic FIRKO mice. Mechanistically, overexpression of KHK-C in vitro increases global protein acetylation and decreases levels of the major cytoplasmic deacetylase, SIRT2.

CONCLUSIONS

KHK-C-induced acetylation is a novel mechanism by which dietary fructose augments lipogenesis and decreases fatty acid oxidation to promote the development of metabolic complications.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

Fructose is a highly lipogenic nutrient whose negative consequences have been largely attributed to increased de novo lipogenesis. Herein, we show that fructose upregulates ketohexokinase, which in turn modifies global protein acetylation, including acetylation of CPT1a, to decrease fatty acid oxidation. Our findings broaden the impact of dietary sugar beyond its lipogenic role and have implications on drug development aimed at reducing the harmful effects attributed to sugar metabolism.

Biomarkers of aging

Aging biomarkers are a combination of biological parameters to (i) assess age-related changes, (ii) track the physiological aging process, and (iii) predict the transition into a pathological status. Although a broad spectrum of aging biomarkers has been developed, their potential uses and limitations remain poorly characterized. An immediate goal of biomarkers is to help us answer the following three fundamental questions in aging research: How old are we? Why do we get old? And how can we age slower? This review aims to address this need. Here, we summarize our current knowledge of biomarkers developed for cellular, organ, and organismal levels of aging, comprising six pillars: physiological characteristics, medical imaging, histological features, cellular alterations, molecular changes, and secretory factors. To fulfill all these requisites, we propose that aging biomarkers should qualify for being specific, systemic, and clinically relevant.

Fructose impairs fat oxidation: Implications for the mechanism of western diet-induced NAFLD

Increased fructose intake from sugar-sweetened beverages and highly processed sweets is a well-recognized risk factor for the development of obesity and its complications. Fructose strongly supports lipogenesis on a normal chow diet by providing both, a substrate for lipid synthesis and activation of lipogenic transcription factors. However, the negative health consequences of dietary sugar are best observed with the concomitant intake of a HFD. Indeed, the most commonly used obesogenic research diets, such as "Western diet", contain both fructose and a high amount of fat. In spite of its common use, how the combined intake of fructose and fat synergistically supports development of metabolic complications is not fully elucidated. Here we present the preponderance of evidence that fructose consumption decreases oxidation of dietary fat in human and animal studies. We provide a detailed review of the mitochondrial β-oxidation pathway. Fructose affects hepatic activation of fatty acyl-CoAs, decreases acylcarnitine production and impairs the carnitine shuttle. Mechanistically, fructose suppresses transcriptional activity of PPARα and its target CPT1α, the rate limiting enzyme of acylcarnitine production. These effects of fructose may be, in part, mediated by protein acetylation. Acetylation of PGC1α, a co-activator of PPARα and acetylation of CPT1α, in part, account for fructose-impaired acylcarnitine production. Interestingly, metabolic effects of fructose in the liver can be largely overcome by carnitine supplementation. In summary, fructose decreases oxidation of dietary fat in the liver, in part, by impairing acylcarnitine production, offering one explanation for the synergistic effects of these nutrients on the development of metabolic complications, such as NAFLD.

Nutrients, Physical Activity, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Setting of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic risk factors for diabetes, coronary heart disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and some tumors. It includes insulin resistance, visceral adiposity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. MetS is primarily linked to lipotoxicity, with ectopic fat deposition from fat storage exhaustion, more than obesity per se. Excessive intake of long-chain saturated fatty acid and sugar closely relates to lipotoxicity and MetS through several pathways, including toll-like receptor 4 activation, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma regulation (PPARγ), sphingolipids remodeling, and protein kinase C activation. These mechanisms prompt mitochondrial dysfunction, which plays a key role in disrupting the metabolism of fatty acids and proteins and in developing insulin resistance. By contrast, the intake of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and medium-chain saturated (low-dose) fatty acids, as well as plant-based proteins and whey protein, favors an improvement in sphingolipid composition and metabolic profile. Along with dietary modification, regular exercises including aerobic, resistance, or combined training can target sphingolipid metabolism and improve mitochondrial function and MetS components. This review aimed to summarize the main dietary and biochemical aspects related to the physiopathology of MetS and its implications for mitochondrial machinery while discussing the potential role of diet and exercise in counteracting this complex clustering of metabolic dysfunctions.

Cardiac metabolism in HFpEF: from fuel to signalling

Heart failure (HF) is marked by distinctive changes in myocardial uptake and utilization of energy substrates. Among the different types of HF, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a highly prevalent, complex, and heterogeneous condition for which metabolic derangements seem to dictate disease progression. Changes in intermediate metabolism in cardiometabolic HFpEF-among the most prevalent forms of HFpEF-have a large impact both on energy provision and on a number of signalling pathways in the heart. This dual, metabolic vs. signalling, role is played in particular by long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) and short-chain carbon sources [namely, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and ketone bodies (KBs)]. LCFAs are key fuels for the heart, but their excess can be harmful, as in the case of toxic accumulation of lipid by-products (i.e. lipotoxicity). SCFAs and KBs have been proposed as a potential major, alternative source of energy in HFpEF. At the same time, both LCFAs and short-chain carbon sources are substrate for protein post-translational modifications and other forms of direct and indirect signalling of pivotal importance in HFpEF pathogenesis. An in-depth molecular understanding of the biological functions of energy substrates and their signalling role will be instrumental in the development of novel therapeutic approaches to HFpEF. Here, we summarize the current evidence on changes in energy metabolism in HFpEF, discuss the signalling role of intermediate metabolites through, at least in part, their fate as substrates for post-translational modifications, and highlight clinical and translational challenges around metabolic therapy in HFpEF.

The freezability of Mediterranean buffalo sperm is associated with lysine succinylation and lipid metabolism

Semen cryopreservation is used for the propagation of variety among species and domestic breeding. Mitochondria are implicated in sperm freezability, and their proteins are prone to succinylation, but the relationship between sperm freezability and mitochondrial protein succinylation is unclear. In this study, six bulls were classified as having good or poor freezability ejaculates (GFE or PFE, each 3 bulls). The fresh sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and pan succinylation level of the two groups were first detected. Then the lysine succinylome and fatty acid content of the two groups were analyzed using label-free LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) modes, respectively. The results indicated that the GFE sperm had significantly higher MMPs than the PFE group (p < 0.05). A total of 1393 succinylation sites corresponding to 426 proteins were assessed and 5 succinylated peptides of the GFE group were markedly upregulated, while 3 were significantly downregulated (FC > 2.0 - < 0.5 and p-value < 0.05) when compared to the PFE group. Forty-six succinylated proteins were identified to have consistent presence/absence expression. The upregulated succinylated proteins in the GFE sperm were enriched in lipid metabolic processes. A total of 31 fatty acids were further subjected to quantitative analysis of which 23 including arachidic (C20:0), linolenic (C18:3n3), and docosahexaenoic acids (C22:6n3) were decreased in GFE sperm when compared with PFE (p < 0.05). These results suggest that lysine succinylation can potentially influence the sperm freezability of Mediterranean buffaloes through mitochondrial lipid metabolism. This novel study provides our understanding of sperm succinylation and the molecular basis for the mechanism of sperm freezability.

Data-independent acquisition proteomics methods for analyzing post-translational modifications

Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) increase the functional diversity of the cellular proteome. Accurate and high throughput identification and quantification of protein PTMs is a key task in proteomics research. Recent advancements in data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry (MS) technology have achieved deep coverage and accurate quantification of proteins and PTMs. This review provides an overview of DIA data processing methods that cover three aspects of PTMs analysis, i.e., detection of PTMs, site localization, and characterization of complex modification moieties, such as glycosylation. In addition, a survey of deep learning methods that boost DIA-based PTMs analysis is presented, including in silico spectral library generation, as well as feature scoring and error rate control. The limitations and future directions of DIA methods for PTMs analysis are also discussed. Novel data analysis methods will take advantage of advanced MS instrumentation techniques to empower DIA MS for in-depth and accurate PTMs measurements. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Biochemical Mechanisms of Sirtuin-Directed Protein Acylation in Hepatic Pathologies of Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Mitochondrial protein acetylation is associated with a host of diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and metabolic syndrome. Deciphering the mechanisms regarding how protein acetylation contributes to disease pathologies remains difficult due to the complex diversity of pathways targeted by lysine acetylation. Specifically, protein acetylation is thought to direct feedback from metabolism, whereby nutritional status influences mitochondrial pathways including beta-oxidation, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. Acetylation provides a crucial connection between hepatic metabolism and mitochondrial function. Dysregulation of protein acetylation throughout the cell can alter mitochondrial function and is associated with numerous liver diseases, including non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. This review introduces biochemical mechanisms of protein acetylation in the regulation of mitochondrial function and hepatic diseases and offers a viewpoint on the potential for targeted therapies.

A Newly Developed Indicator of Overeating Saturated Fat Based on Serum Fatty Acids and Amino Acids and Its Association With Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence From Two Randomized Controlled Feeding Trials and a Prospective Study

Objective

Hyper-caloric intake of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) is common in modern societies, probably contributing to the epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study conducted two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for developing a new indicator that can assess the nutritional status and examined its association with incidence of T2DM.

Methods

In RCT 1, healthy participants were randomly assigned into three groups, namely, control group (n = 40), overfeeding group 1 (100 g butter per day, n = 37), and overfeeding group 2 (120 g butter per day, n = 37). In RCT 2, healthy subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, namely, control group (n = 52) and high-fat group (300-extra kcal/day from diet that was designed by high-fat diet, n = 58). In the prospective cohort, 4,057 participants aged 20–74 years were enrolled and followed up over 5.3 years. Serum profiles of fatty acids and amino acids were measured.

Results

In RCT 1, serum fatty acids, including C14:0 and C18:0, increased, whereas C18:2, C20:4, C22:5, and C22:6 decreased; serum amino acids, including tyrosine, alanine, and aminobutyric acid, increased, whereas histidine and glycine decreased (p < 0.05). Among these serum fatty acids and amino acids, changes in C14:0, C20:4, tyrosine, histidine, and glycine were also observed in RCT 2. An indicator was developed based on the five fatty acids and amino acids, namely, C14:0 × tyrosine × 1,000/[C20:4 × (glycine + histidine)], and it significantly identified participants in the intervention group with area under the curve (AUC) (95% CI) being 0.85 (0.77–0.92). The indicator was significantly associated with incidence of T2DM in the prospective cohort with HRs (95% CIs) from bottom quartile to top quartile being 1,1.21 (0.82–1.77), 1.60 (1.12–2.30), 2.04 (1.42–2.94).

Conclusion

The newly developed indicator in RCTs can be used in assessing the nutritional status of hypercaloric intake of SFA and predicting the development of T2DM.

Metabolic Flexibility and Its Impact on Health Outcomes

A metabolically flexible state exists when there is a rapid switch between glucose and fatty acids during the transition between the fed and fasting state. This flexibility in fuel choice serves to prevent hyperglycemia following a meal and simultaneously ensures an adequate amount of blood glucose is available for delivery to the brain and exclusively glycolytic tissues during fasting. The modern era is characterized by chronic overnutrition in which a mixture of fuels is delivered to the mitochondria in an unabated manner thereby uncoupling the feast and famine situation. The continuous influx of fuel leads to accumulation of reducing equivalents in the mitochondria and an increase in the mitochondrial membrane potential. These changes create a microenvironment fostering the generation of reactive oxygen species and other metabolites leading to deleterious protein modification, cell injury, and ultimately clinical disease. Insulin resistance may also play a primary role in this deleterious effect. The imbalance between mitochondrial energy delivery and use is made worse with a sedentary lifestyle. Maneuvers that restore energy balance across the mitochondria activate pathways that remove or repair damaged molecules and restore the plasticity characteristic of normal energy metabolism. Readily available strategies to maintain energy balance across the mitochondria include exercise, various forms of caloric restriction, administration of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, cold exposure, and hypobaric hypoxia.

Acetylation of conserved lysines fine-tunes mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase activity in land plants

Plants need to rapidly and flexibly adjust their metabolism to changes of their immediate environment. Since this necessity results from the sessile lifestyle of land plants, key mechanisms for orchestrating central metabolic acclimation are likely to have evolved early. Here, we explore the role of lysine acetylation as a post-translational modification to directly modulate metabolic function. We generated a lysine acetylome of the moss Physcomitrium patens and identified 638 lysine acetylation sites, mostly found in mitochondrial and plastidial proteins. A comparison with available angiosperm data pinpointed lysine acetylation as a conserved regulatory strategy in land plants. Focusing on mitochondrial central metabolism, we functionally analyzed acetylation of mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH), which acts as a hub of plant metabolic flexibility. In P. patens mMDH1, we detected a single acetylated lysine located next to one of the four acetylation sites detected in Arabidopsis thaliana mMDH1. We assessed the kinetic behavior of recombinant A. thaliana and P. patens mMDH1 with site-specifically incorporated acetyl-lysines. Acetylation of A. thaliana mMDH1 at K169, K170, and K334 decreases its oxaloacetate reduction activity, while acetylation of P. patens mMDH1 at K172 increases this activity. We found modulation of the malate oxidation activity only in A. thaliana mMDH1, where acetylation of K334 strongly activated it. Comparative homology modeling of MDH proteins revealed that evolutionarily conserved lysines serve as hotspots of acetylation. Our combined analyses indicate lysine acetylation as a common strategy to fine-tune the activity of central metabolic enzymes with likely impact on plant acclimation capacity.

The metabolic roots of senescence: mechanisms and opportunities for intervention

Cellular senescence entails a permanent proliferative arrest, coupled to multiple phenotypic changes. Among these changes is the release of numerous biologically active molecules collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, or SASP. A growing body of literature indicates that both senescence and the SASP are sensitive to cellular and organismal metabolic states, which in turn can drive phenotypes associated with metabolic dysfunction. Here, we review the current literature linking senescence and metabolism, with an eye toward findings at the cellular level, including both metabolic inducers of senescence and alterations in cellular metabolism associated with senescence. Additionally, we consider how interventions that target either metabolism or senescent cells might influence each other and mitigate some of the pro-aging effects of cellular senescence. We conclude that the most effective interventions will likely break a degenerative feedback cycle by which cellular senescence promotes metabolic diseases, which in turn promote senescence.

Post-translational Acetylation Control of Cardiac Energy Metabolism

Perturbations in myocardial energy substrate metabolism are key contributors to the pathogenesis of heart diseases. However, the underlying causes of these metabolic alterations remain poorly understood. Recently, post-translational acetylation-mediated modification of metabolic enzymes has emerged as one of the important regulatory mechanisms for these metabolic changes. Nevertheless, despite the growing reports of a large number of acetylated cardiac mitochondrial proteins involved in energy metabolism, the functional consequences of these acetylation changes and how they correlate to metabolic alterations and myocardial dysfunction are not clearly defined. This review summarizes the evidence for a role of cardiac mitochondrial protein acetylation in altering the function of major metabolic enzymes and myocardial energy metabolism in various cardiovascular disease conditions.

Western Diet Decreases the Liver Mitochondrial Oxidative Flux of Succinate: Insight from a Murine NAFLD Model

Mitochondria play an essential role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Previously, we found that succinate-activated respiration was the most affected mitochondrial parameter in mice with mild NAFLD. In this study, we focused on the role of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in NAFLD pathogenesis. To induce the progression of NAFLD to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), C57BL/6J mice were fed a Western-style diet (WD) or control diet for 30 weeks. NAFLD severity was evaluated histologically and the expression of selected proteins and genes was assessed. Mitochondrial respiration was measured by high-resolution respirometry. Liver redox status was assessed using glutathione, malondialdehyde, and mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Metabolomic analysis was performed by GC/MS. WD consumption for 30 weeks led to reduced succinate-activated respiration. We also observed decreased SDH activity, decreased expression of the SDH activator sirtuin 3, decreased gene expression of SDH subunits, and increased levels of hepatic succinate, an important signaling molecule. Succinate receptor 1 (SUCNR1) gene and protein expression were reduced in the livers of WD-fed mice. We did not observe signs of oxidative damage compared to the control group. The changes observed in WD-fed mice appear to be adaptive to prevent mitochondrial respiratory chain overload and massive ROS production.

A link between protein acetylation and mitochondrial dynamics under energy metabolism: A comprehensive overview

Cells adjust mitochondrial morphologies to coordinate between the cellular demand for energy and the availability of resources. Mitochondrial morphology is regulated by the balance between two counteracting mitochondrial processes of fusion and fission. Fission and fusion are dynamic and reversible processes that depend on the coordination of a number of proteins and are primarily regulated by posttranslational modifications. In the mitochondria, more than 20% of proteins are acetylated in proteomic surveys, partly involved in the dynamic regulation of mitochondrial fusion and fission. This article focuses on the molecular mechanism of the mitochondrial dynamics of fusion and fission, and summarizes the related mechanisms and targets of mitochondrial protein acetylation to regulate the mitochondrial dynamics of fusion and fission in energy metabolism.

Hepatic COX-2 expression protects mice from an alcohol-high fat diet-induced metabolic disorder by involving protein acetylation related energy metabolism

PURPOSE

A diet high in fat and ethanol often results in chronic metabolic disorder, hepatic steatosis, and liver inflammation. Constitutive hepatic cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression could protect from high fat-induced metabolism disturbance in a murine model. In this study, we explored the influence of hCOX-2 transgenic [TG] to high fat with ethanol-induced metabolic disorder and liver injury using a mouse animal model.

METHODS

12-week-old male hepatic hCOX-2 transgenic (TG) or wild type mice (WT) were fed either a high fat and ethanol liquid diet (HF+Eth) or a regular control diet (RCD) for 5 weeks (four groups: RCD/WT, RCD/TG; HF+Eth/TG, HF+Eth/WT). We assessed metabolic biomarkers, cytokine profiles, histomorphology, and gene expression to study the impact of persistent hepatic COX-2 expression on diet-induced liver injury.

RESULTS

In the HF+Eth diet, constitutively hepatic human COX-2 expression protects mice from body weight gain and white adipose tissue accumulation, accompanied by improved IPGTT response, serum triglyceride/cholesterol levels, and lower levels of serum and liver inflammatory cytokines. Histologically, hCOX-2 mice showed decreased hepatic lipid droplets accumulation, decreased hepatocyte ballooning, and improved steatosis scores. Hepatic hCOX-2 overexpression enhanced AKT insulin signaling and increased fatty acid synthesis in both RCD and HF+Eth diet groups. The anti-lipogenic effect of hCOX-2 TG in the HF+Eth diet animals was mediated by increasing lipid disposal through enhanced β-oxidation via elevations in the expression of PPARα and PPARγ, and increased hepatic autophagy as assessed by the ratio of autophagy markers LC3 II/I in hepatic tissue. Various protein acetylation pathway components, including HAT, HDAC1, SIRT1, and SNAIL1, were modulated in hCOX-2 TG mice in either RCD or HF+Eth diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic human COX-2 expression protected mice from the metabolic disorder and liver injury induced by a high fat and ethanol diet by enhancing hepatic lipid expenditure. Epigenetic reprogramming of diverse metabolic genes might be involved in the anti-lipogenic effect of COX-2.

Pathways of Non-enzymatic Lysine Acylation

Posttranslational protein modification by lysine acylation is an emerging mechanism of cellular regulation and fine-tunes metabolic processes to environmental changes. In this review we focus on recently discovered pathways of non-enzymatic lysine acylation by reactive acyl-CoA species, acyl phosphates, and α-dicarbonyls. We summarize the metabolic sources of these highly reactive intermediates, demonstrate their reaction mechanisms, give an overview of the resulting acyl lysine modifications, and evaluate the consequences for cellular regulatory processes. Finally, we discuss interferences between lysine acylation and lysine ubiquitylation as a potential molecular mechanism of dysregulated protein homeostasis in aging and related diseases.

Proteomics in aging research: A roadmap to clinical, translational research

The identification of plasma proteins that systematically change with age and, independent of chronological age, predict accelerated decline of health is an expanding area of research. Circulating proteins are ideal translational "omics" since they are final effectors of physiological pathways and because physicians are accustomed to use information of plasma proteins as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and tracking the effectiveness of treatments. Recent technological advancements, including mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics, multiplexed proteomic assay using modified aptamers (SOMAscan), and Proximity Extension Assay (PEA, O-Link), have allowed for the assessment of thousands of proteins in plasma or other biological matrices, which are potentially translatable into new clinical biomarkers and provide new clues about the mechanisms by which aging is associated with health deterioration and functional decline. We carried out a detailed literature search for proteomic studies performed in different matrices (plasma, serum, urine, saliva, tissues) and species using multiple platforms. Herein, we identified 232 proteins that were age-associated across studies. Enrichment analysis of the 232 age-associated proteins revealed metabolic pathways previously connected with biological aging both in animal models and in humans, most remarkably insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1), cytokine signaling, Forkhead Box O (FOXO) metabolic pathways, folate metabolism, advance glycation end products (AGE), and receptor AGE (RAGE) metabolic pathway. Information on these age-relevant proteins, likely expanded and validated in longitudinal studies and examined in mechanistic studies, will be essential for patient stratification and the development of new treatments aimed at improving health expectancy.

Quantification and Identification of Post-Translational Modifications Using Modern Proteomics Approaches

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) occur dynamically, allowing cells to quickly respond to changes in the environment. Lysine residues can be targeted by several modifications including acylations (acetylation, succinylation, malonylation, glutarylation, and others), methylation, ubiquitination, and other modifications. One of the most efficient methods for the identification of post-translational modifications is utilizing immunoaffinity enrichment followed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. This workflow can be coupled with comprehensive data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry to be a high-throughput, label-free PTM quantification approach. Below we describe a detailed protocol to process tissue by homogenization and proteolytically digest proteins, followed by immunoaffinity enrichment of lysine-acetylated peptides to identify and quantify relative changes of acetylation comparing different conditions.

Measuring acetyl-CoA and acetylated histone turnover in vivo: Effect of a high fat diet

Cellular availability of acetyl-CoA, a central intermediate of metabolism, regulates histone acetylation. The impact of a high-fat diet (HFD) on the turnover rates of acetyl-CoA and acetylated histones is unknown. We developed a method for simultaneous measurement of acetyl-CoA and acetylated histones kinetics using a single ²H₂O tracer, and used it to examine effect of HFD-induced perturbations on hepatic histone acetylation in LDLR^-/- mice, a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Mice were given ²H₂O in the drinking water and the kinetics of hepatic acetyl-CoA, histones, and acetylated histones were quantified based on their ²H-labeling. Consumption of a high fat Western-diet (WD) for twelve weeks led to decreased acetylation of hepatic histones (p< 0.05), as compared to a control diet. These changes were associated with 1.5-3-fold increased turnover rates of histones without any change in acetyl-CoA flux. Acetylation significantly reduced the stability of histones and the turnover rates of acetylated peptides were correlated with the number of acetyl groups in neighboring lysine sites. We conclude that ²H₂O-method can be used to study metabolically controlled histone acetylation and acetylated histone turnover in vivo.

SUCLA2 mutations cause global protein succinylation contributing to the pathomechanism of a hereditary mitochondrial disease

Mitochondrial acyl-coenzyme A species are emerging as important sources of protein modification and damage. Succinyl-CoA ligase (SCL) deficiency causes a mitochondrial encephalomyopathy of unknown pathomechanism. Here, we show that succinyl-CoA accumulates in cells derived from patients with recessive mutations in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) gene succinyl-CoA ligase subunit-β (SUCLA2), causing global protein hyper-succinylation. Using mass spectrometry, we quantify nearly 1,000 protein succinylation sites on 366 proteins from patient-derived fibroblasts and myotubes. Interestingly, hyper-succinylated proteins are distributed across cellular compartments, and many are known targets of the (NAD⁺)-dependent desuccinylase SIRT5. To test the contribution of hyper-succinylation to disease progression, we develop a zebrafish model of the SCL deficiency and find that SIRT5 gain-of-function reduces global protein succinylation and improves survival. Thus, increased succinyl-CoA levels contribute to the pathology of SCL deficiency through post-translational modifications.

The pathomechanism of succinyl-CoA ligase (SCL) deficiency, a hereditary mitochondrial disease, is not fully understood. Here, the authors show that increased succinyl-CoA levels contribute to SCL pathology by causing global protein hyper-succinylation.

An optimized desuccinylase activity assay reveals a difference in desuccinylation activity between proliferative and differentiated cells

Succinylation is a novel post-translational modification identified on many proteins and is involved in multiple biological processes. Succinylation levels are dynamically regulated, balanced by succinylation and desuccinylation processes, and are closely connected to metabolic state in vivo. Sirtuins have been shown to possess NAD⁺-dependent desuccinylation activity in vitro and in vivo, among which the desuccinylation activity of SIRT5 is most extensively studied. Our understanding of the response of succinylation levels to different metabolic conditions, is hampered by the lack of a fast NAD⁺-dependent desuccinylation assay in a physiological context. In the present study, we therefore optimized and validated a fluorescence-based assay for measuring NAD⁺-dependent desuccinylation activity in cell lysates. Our results demonstrated that shorter and stricter reaction time was critical to approach the initial rate of NAD⁺-dependent desuccinylation activity in crude cell lysate systems, as compared to the desuccinylation reaction of purified His-SIRT5. Analysis of desuccinylation activity in SIRT5 knockout HEK293T cells confirmed the relevance of SIRT5 in cellular desuccinylation activity, as well as the presence of other NAD⁺-dependent desuccinylase activities. In addition, we were able to analyse desuccinylation and deacetylation activity in multiple cell lines using this assay. We showed a remarkably higher desuccinylase activity, but not deacetylase activity, in proliferative cultured muscle and adipose cells in comparison with their differentiated counterparts. Our results reveal an alteration in NAD⁺-dependent desuccinylation activity under different metabolic states.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase-derived nitric oxide in the regulation of metabolism

Nitric oxide is an endogenously formed gas that acts as a signaling molecule in the human body. The signaling functions of nitric oxide are accomplished through two primer mechanisms: cGMP-mediated phosphorylation and the formation of S-nitrosocysteine on proteins. This review presents and discusses previous and more recent findings documenting that nitric oxide signaling regulates metabolic activity. These discussions primarily focus on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) as the source of nitric oxide.

Compartmentalised acyl-CoA metabolism and roles in chromatin regulation

BACKGROUND

Many metabolites serve as important signalling molecules to adjust cellular activities and functions based on nutrient availability. Links between acetyl-CoA metabolism, histone lysine acetylation, and gene expression have been documented and studied over the past decade. In recent years, several additional acyl modifications to histone lysine residues have been identified, which depend on acyl-coenzyme A thioesters (acyl-CoAs) as acyl donors. Acyl-CoAs are intermediates of multiple distinct metabolic pathways, and substantial evidence has emerged that histone acylation is metabolically sensitive. Nevertheless, the metabolic sources of acyl-CoAs used for chromatin modification in most cases remain poorly understood. Elucidating how these diverse chemical modifications are coupled to and regulated by cellular metabolism is important in deciphering their functional significance.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

In this article, we review the metabolic pathways that produce acyl-CoAs, as well as emerging evidence for functional roles of diverse acyl-CoAs in chromatin regulation. Because acetyl-CoA has been extensively reviewed elsewhere, we will focus on four other acyl-CoA metabolites integral to major metabolic pathways that are also known to modify histones: succinyl-CoA, propionyl-CoA, crotonoyl-CoA, and butyryl-CoA. We also briefly mention several other acyl-CoA species, which present opportunities for further research; malonyl-CoA, glutaryl-CoA, 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA, and lactyl-CoA. Each acyl-CoA species has distinct roles in metabolism, indicating the potential to report shifts in the metabolic status of the cell. For each metabolite, we consider the metabolic pathways in which it participates and the nutrient sources from which it is derived, the compartmentalisation of its metabolism, and the factors reported to influence its abundance and potential nuclear availability. We also highlight reported biological functions of these metabolically-linked acylation marks. Finally, we aim to illuminate key questions in acyl-CoA metabolism as they relate to the control of chromatin modification.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

A majority of acyl-CoA species are annotated to mitochondrial metabolic processes. Since acyl-CoAs are not known to be directly transported across mitochondrial membranes, they must be synthesized outside of mitochondria and potentially within the nucleus to participate in chromatin regulation. Thus, subcellular metabolic compartmentalisation likely plays a key role in the regulation of histone acylation. Metabolite tracing in combination with targeting of relevant enzymes and transporters will help to map the metabolic pathways that connect acyl-CoA metabolism to chromatin modification. The specific function of each acyl-CoA may be determined in part by biochemical properties that affect its propensity for enzymatic versus non-enzymatic protein modification, as well as the various enzymes that can add, remove and bind each modification. Further, competitive and inhibitory effects of different acyl-CoA species on these enzymes make determining the relative abundance of acyl-CoA species in specific contexts important to understand the regulation of chromatin acylation. An improved and more nuanced understanding of metabolic regulation of chromatin and its roles in physiological and disease-related processes will emerge as these questions are answered.

PINE: An Automation Tool to Extract and Visualize Protein-Centric Functional Networks

Recent surges in mass spectrometry-based proteomics studies demand a concurrent rise in speedy and optimized data processing tools and pipelines. Although several stand-alone bioinformatics tools exist that provide protein-protein interaction (PPI) data, we developed Protein Interaction Network Extractor (PINE) as a fully automated, user-friendly, graphical user interface application for visualization and exploration of global proteome and post-translational modification (PTM) based networks. PINE also supports overlaying differential expression, statistical significance thresholds, and PTM sites on functionally enriched visualization networks to gain insights into proteome-wide regulatory mechanisms and PTM-mediated networks. To illustrate the relevance of the tool, we explore the total proteome and its PTM-associated relationships in two different nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mouse models to demonstrate different context-specific case studies. The strength of this tool relies in its ability to (1) perform accurate protein identifier mapping to resolve ambiguity, (2) retrieve interaction data from multiple publicly available PPI databases, and (3) assimilate these complex networks into functionally enriched pathways, ontology categories, and terms. Ultimately, PINE can be used as an extremely powerful tool for novel hypothesis generation to understand underlying disease mechanisms.

SIRT3 and GCN5L regulation of NADP+- and NADPH-driven reactions of mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase IDH2

Wild type mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH2) was previously reported to produce oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG). Besides, mitochondrial deacetylase SIRT3 has been shown to regulate the oxidative function of IDH2. However, regulation of 2HG formation by SIRT3-mediated deacetylation was not investigated yet. We aimed to study mitochondrial IDH2 function in response to acetylation and deacetylation, and focus specifically on 2HG production by IDH2. We used acetylation surrogate mutant of IDH2 K413Q and assayed enzyme kinetics of oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate, 2HG production by the enzyme, and 2HG production in cells. The purified IDH2 K413Q exhibited lower oxidative reaction rates than IDH2 WT. 2HG production by IDH2 K413Q was largely diminished at the enzymatic and cellular level, and knockdown of SIRT3 also inhibited 2HG production by IDH2. Contrary, the expression of putative mitochondrial acetylase GCN5L likely does not target IDH2. Using mass spectroscopy, we further identified lysine residues within IDH2, which are the substrates of SIRT3. In summary, we demonstrate that 2HG levels arise from non-mutant IDH2 reductive function and decrease with increasing acetylation level. The newly identified lysine residues might apply in regulation of IDH2 function in response to metabolic perturbations occurring in cancer cells, such as glucose-free conditions.

Hat1-Dependent Lysine Acetylation Targets Diverse Cellular Functions

Lysine acetylation has emerged as one of the most important post-translational modifications, regulating different biological processes. However, its regulation by lysine acetyltransferases is still unclear in most cases. Hat1 is a lysine acetyltransferase originally identified based on its ability to acetylate histones. Using an unbiased proteomics approach, we have determined how loss of Hat1 affects the mammalian acetylome. Hat1^+/+ and Hat1^-/- mouse embryonic fibroblast cell lines were grown in both glucose- and galactose-containing media, as Hat1 is required for growth on galactose, and Hat1^-/- cells exhibit defects in mitochondrial function. Following trypsin digestion of whole cell extracts, acetylated peptides were enriched by acetyllysine affinity purification, and acetylated peptides were identified and analyzed by label-free quantitation. Comparison of the acetylome from Hat1^+/+ cells grown on galactose and glucose demonstrated that there are large carbon source-dependent changes in the mammalian acetylome where the acetylation of enzymes involved in glycolysis were the most affected. Comparisons of the acetylomes from Hat1^+/+ and Hat1^-/- cells identified 65 proteins whose acetylation decreased by at least 2.5-fold in cells lacking Hat1. In Hat1^-/- cells, acetylation of the autoregulatory loop of CBP (CREB-binding protein) was the most highly affected, decreasing by up to 20-fold. In addition to the proteins involved in chromatin structure, Hat1-dependent acetylation was also found in a number of transcriptional regulators, including p53 and mitochondrial proteins. Hat1 mitochondrial localization suggests that it may be directly involved in the acetylation of mitochondrial proteins. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD017362.

Diurnal regulation of the function of the rat brain glutamate dehydrogenase by acetylation and its dependence on thiamine administration

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is essential for the brain function and highly regulated, according to its role in metabolism of the major excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Here we show a diurnal pattern of the GDH acetylation in rat brain, associated with specific regulation of GDH function. Mornings the acetylation levels of K84 (near the ADP site), K187 (near the active site), and K503 (GTP-binding) are highly correlated. Evenings the acetylation levels of K187 and K503 decrease, and the correlations disappear. These daily variations in the acetylation adjust the GDH responses to the enzyme regulators. The adjustment is changed when the acetylation of K187 and K503 shows no diurnal variations, as in the rats after a high dose of thiamine. The regulation of GDH function by acetylation is confirmed in a model system, where incubation of the rat brain GDH with acetyl-CoA changes the enzyme responses to GTP and ADP, decreasing the activity at subsaturating concentrations of substrates. Thus, the GDH acetylation may support cerebral homeostasis, stabilizing the enzyme function during diurnal oscillations of the brain metabolome. Daytime and thiamine interact upon the (de)acetylation of GDH in vitro. Evenings the acetylation of GDH from control animals increases both IC₅₀ ^GTP and EC₅₀ ^ADP . Mornings the acetylation of GDH from thiamine-treated animals increases the enzyme IC₅₀ ^GTP . Molecular mechanisms of the GDH regulation by acetylation of specific residues are proposed. For the first time, diurnal and thiamine-dependent changes in the allosteric regulation of the brain GDH due to the enzyme acetylation are shown.

Adaptation of Mitochondrial Substrate Flux in a Mouse Model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Maladaptation of mitochondrial oxidative flux seems to be a considerable feature of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this work was to induce NAFLD in mice fed a Western-style diet (WD) and to evaluate liver mitochondrial functions. Experiments were performed on male C57BL/6J mice fed with a control diet or a WD for 24 weeks. Histological changes in liver and adipose tissue as well as hepatic expression of fibrotic and inflammatory genes and proteins were evaluated. The mitochondrial respiration was assessed by high-resolution respirometry. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring lipoperoxidation, glutathione, and reactive oxygen species level. Feeding mice a WD induced adipose tissue inflammation and massive liver steatosis accompanied by mild inflammation and fibrosis. We found decreased succinate-activated mitochondrial respiration and decreased succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity in the mice fed a WD. The oxidative flux with other substrates was not affected. We observed increased ketogenic capacity, but no impact on the capacity for fatty acid oxidation. We did not confirm the presence of oxidative stress. Mitochondria in this stage of the disease are adapted to increased substrate flux. However, inhibition of SDH can lead to the accumulation of succinate, an important signaling molecule associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis.

Dietary Sugars Alter Hepatic Fatty Acid Oxidation via Transcriptional and Post-translational Modifications of Mitochondrial Proteins

Dietary sugars, fructose and glucose, promote hepatic de novo lipogenesis and modify the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on the development of insulin resistance. Here, we show that fructose and glucose supplementation of an HFD exert divergent effects on hepatic mitochondrial function and fatty acid oxidation. This is mediated via three different nodes of regulation, including differential effects on malonyl-CoA levels, effects on mitochondrial size/protein abundance, and acetylation of mitochondrial proteins. HFD- and HFD plus fructose-fed mice have decreased CTP1a activity, the rate-limiting enzyme of fatty acid oxidation, whereas knockdown of fructose metabolism increases CPT1a and its acylcarnitine products. Furthermore, fructose-supplemented HFD leads to increased acetylation of ACADL and CPT1a, which is associated with decreased fat metabolism. In summary, dietary fructose, but not glucose, supplementation of HFD impairs mitochondrial size, function, and protein acetylation, resulting in decreased fatty acid oxidation and development of metabolic dysregulation.

Should we consider subcellular compartmentalization of metabolites, and if so, how do we measure them?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To examine the consequences of metabolism compartmentalized at the subcellular level, provide prototypical examples of compartmentalized metabolism, and describe methods to examine compartmentalized metabolism.

RECENT FINDINGS

Progress in metabolomics and isotope tracing has underscored the importance of subcellular compartments of metabolism. The discovery of biological effects of metabolites as bioenergetic intermediates, anabolic building blocks, signaling mediators, and effectors in posttranslation modifications of proteins and nucleic acids have highlighted the role of compartmentalization in determining metabolic fate. Recent advances in both direct and indirect methods to quantify compartmentalized metabolism have improved upon historical approaches. Genetically encoded metabolite sensors, chemical probes, immunoaffinity purification, and compartment-resolved metabolic modeling have all been recently applied to study compartmentalization.

SUMMARY

Accurate measurement of metabolites in distinct subcellular compartments is important for understanding and pharmacologically targeting metabolic pathways in diverse disease contexts, including cancer, diabetes, heart failure, obesity, and regulation of the immune system. Direct and indirect approaches to quantify compartmentalized metabolism are advancing rapidly. Yet, major challenges remain in the generalizability, rigor, and interpretation of data from the available methods to quantify compartmentalized metabolism.

Amino acid-induced regulation of hepatocyte growth: possible role of Drosha

In an adult healthy liver, hepatocytes are in a quiescent stage unless a physical injury, such as ablation, or a toxic attack occur. Indeed, to maintain their crucial organismal homeostatic role, the damaged or remaining hepatocytes will start proliferating to restore their functional mass. One of the limiting conditions for cell proliferation is amino-acid availability, necessary both for the synthesis of proteins important for cell growth and division, and for the activation of the mTOR pathway, known for its considerable role in the regulation of cell proliferation. The overarching aim of our present work was to investigate the role of amino acids in the regulation of the switch between quiescence and growth of adult hepatocytes. To do so we used non-confluent primary adult rat hepatocytes as a model of partially ablated liver. We discovered that the absence of amino acids induces in primary rat hepatocytes the entrance in a quiescence state together with an increase in Drosha protein, which does not involve the mTOR pathway. Conversely, Drosha knockdown allows the hepatocytes, quiescent after amino-acid deprivation, to proliferate again. Further, hepatocyte proliferation appears to be independent of miRNAs, the canonical downstream partners of Drosha. Taken together, our observations reveal an intriguing non-canonical action of Drosha in the control of growth regulation of adult hepatocytes responding to a nutritional strain, and they may help to design novel preventive and/or therapeutic approaches for hepatic failure.