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Liu Y, Yu X, Jiang W. The Role of Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier in Neurological Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04435-7. [PMID: 39177735 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04435-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is a specific protein complex located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Comprising a heterodimer of two homodimeric membrane proteins, mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 and mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 2, MPC connects cytoplasmic metabolism to mitochondrial metabolism by transferring pyruvate from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria. The nervous system requires substantial energy to maintain its function, and the mitochondrial energy supply is closely linked to neurological function. Mitochondrial dysfunction can induce or exacerbate intracerebral pathologies. MPC influences mitochondrial function due to its specific role as a pyruvate transporter. However, recent studies on MPC and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological disorders have yielded controversial results, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this brief review, we provide an overview of the structure and function of MPC. We further discuss the potential mechanisms and feasibility of targeting MPC in treating Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cerebral ischemia/hypoxia injury. This review aims to offer insights into MPC as a target for clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Liu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xiying Yu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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2
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Hadfield CM, Walker JK, Arnatt C, McCommis KS. Computational structural prediction and chemical inhibition of the human mitochondrial pyruvate carrier protein heterodimer complex. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.16.594520. [PMID: 39071381 PMCID: PMC11275797 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.16.594520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) plays a role in numerous diseases including neurodegeneration, metabolically dependent cancers, and the development of insulin resistance. Several previous studies in genetic mouse models or with existing inhibitors suggest that inhibition of the MPC could be used as a viable therapeutic strategy in these diseases. However, the MPC's structure is unknown, making it difficult to screen for and develop therapeutically viable inhibitors. Currently known MPC inhibitors would make for poor drugs due to their poor pharmacokinetic properties, or in the case of the thiazolidinediones (TZDs), off-target specificity for peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) leads to unwanted side effects. In this study, we develop several structural models for the MPC heterodimer complex and investigate the chemical interactions required for the binding of these known inhibitors to MPC and PPARγ. Based on these models, the MPC most likely takes on outward-facing (OF) and inward-facing (IF) conformations during pyruvate transport, and inhibitors likely plug the carrier to inhibit pyruvate transport. Although some chemical interactions are similar between MPC and PPARγ binding, there is likely enough difference to reduce PPARγ specificity for future development of novel, more specific MPC inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy M Hadfield
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
| | - John K Walker
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University
| | - Chris Arnatt
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
- Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University
| | - Kyle S McCommis
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
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3
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Giafaglione JM, Crowell PD, Delcourt AML, Hashimoto T, Ha SM, Atmakuri A, Nunley NM, Dang RMA, Tian M, Diaz JA, Tika E, Payne MC, Burkhart DL, Li D, Navone NM, Corey E, Nelson PS, Lin NYC, Blanpain C, Ellis L, Boutros PC, Goldstein AS. Prostate lineage-specific metabolism governs luminal differentiation and response to antiandrogen treatment. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1821-1832. [PMID: 38049604 PMCID: PMC10709144 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01274-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Lineage transitions are a central feature of prostate development, tumourigenesis and treatment resistance. While epigenetic changes are well known to drive prostate lineage transitions, it remains unclear how upstream metabolic signalling contributes to the regulation of prostate epithelial identity. To fill this gap, we developed an approach to perform metabolomics on primary prostate epithelial cells. Using this approach, we discovered that the basal and luminal cells of the prostate exhibit distinct metabolomes and nutrient utilization patterns. Furthermore, basal-to-luminal differentiation is accompanied by increased pyruvate oxidation. We establish the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier and subsequent lactate accumulation as regulators of prostate luminal identity. Inhibition of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier or supplementation with exogenous lactate results in large-scale chromatin remodelling, influencing both lineage-specific transcription factors and response to antiandrogen treatment. These results establish reciprocal regulation of metabolism and prostate epithelial lineage identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna M Giafaglione
- Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Preston D Crowell
- Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amelie M L Delcourt
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Takao Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sung Min Ha
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aishwarya Atmakuri
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas M Nunley
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachel M A Dang
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mao Tian
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Johnny A Diaz
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elisavet Tika
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, WEL Research Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie C Payne
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Deborah L Burkhart
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dapei Li
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nora M Navone
- Department of GU Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eva Corey
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Neil Y C Lin
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cedric Blanpain
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, WEL Research Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leigh Ellis
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul C Boutros
- Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Vector Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Precision Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrew S Goldstein
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Yiew NK, Deja S, Ferguson D, Cho K, Jarasvaraparn C, Jacome-Sosa M, Lutkewitte AJ, Mukherjee S, Fu X, Singer JM, Patti GJ, Burgess SC, Finck BN. Effects of hepatic mitochondrial pyruvate carrier deficiency on de novo lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis in mice. iScience 2023; 26:108196. [PMID: 37942005 PMCID: PMC10628847 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver coordinates the systemic response to nutrient deprivation and availability by producing glucose from gluconeogenesis during fasting and synthesizing lipids via de novo lipogenesis (DNL) when carbohydrates are abundant. Mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism is thought to play important roles in both gluconeogenesis and DNL. We examined the effects of hepatocyte-specific mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) deletion on the fasting-refeeding response. Rates of DNL during refeeding were impaired by hepatocyte MPC deletion, but this did not reduce intrahepatic lipid content. During fasting, glycerol is converted to glucose by two pathways; a direct cytosolic pathway and an indirect mitochondrial pathway requiring the MPC. Hepatocyte MPC deletion reduced the incorporation of 13C-glycerol into TCA cycle metabolites, but not into new glucose. Furthermore, suppression of glycerol and alanine metabolism did not affect glucose concentrations in fasted hepatocyte-specific MPC-deficient mice, suggesting multiple layers of redundancy in glycemic control in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole K.H. Yiew
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Stanislaw Deja
- Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Daniel Ferguson
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kevin Cho
- Department of Chemistry, Siteman Cancer Center, Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chaowapong Jarasvaraparn
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Miriam Jacome-Sosa
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Andrew J. Lutkewitte
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sandip Mukherjee
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xiaorong Fu
- Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jason M. Singer
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Gary J. Patti
- Department of Chemistry, Siteman Cancer Center, Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shawn C. Burgess
- Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Brian N. Finck
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Yiew NK, Deja S, Ferguson D, Cho K, Jarasvaraparn C, Jacome-Sosa M, Lutkewitte AJ, Mukherjee S, Fu X, Singer JM, Patti GJ, Burgess SC, Finck BN. Effects of hepatic mitochondrial pyruvate carrier deficiency on de novo lipogenesis and glycerol-mediated gluconeogenesis in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.17.528992. [PMID: 36824879 PMCID: PMC9949129 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.17.528992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
The liver coordinates the systemic response to nutrient deprivation and availability by producing glucose from gluconeogenesis during fasting and synthesizing lipids via de novo lipogenesis (DNL) when carbohydrates are abundant. Mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism is thought to play important roles in both gluconeogenesis and DNL. We examined the effects of hepatocyte-specific mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) deletion on the fasting-refeeding response. Rates of DNL during refeeding were impaired by liver MPC deletion, but this did not reduce intrahepatic lipid content. During fasting, glycerol is converted to glucose by two pathways; a direct cytosolic pathway essentially reversing glycolysis and an indirect mitochondrial pathway requiring the MPC. MPC deletion reduced the incorporation of 13C-glycerol into TCA cycle metabolites but not into newly synthesized glucose. However, suppression of glycerol metabolism did not affect glucose concentrations in fasted hepatocyte-specific MPC-deficient mice. Thus, glucose production by kidney and intestine may compensate for MPC deficiency in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole K.H. Yiew
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Stanislaw Deja
- Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Daniel Ferguson
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Kevin Cho
- Department of Chemistry, Siteman Cancer Center, Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Chaowapong Jarasvaraparn
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Miriam Jacome-Sosa
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Andrew J. Lutkewitte
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Sandip Mukherjee
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Xiaorong Fu
- Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Jason M. Singer
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Gary J. Patti
- Department of Chemistry, Siteman Cancer Center, Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Shawn C. Burgess
- Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Brian N. Finck
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
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6
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Tavoulari S, Sichrovsky M, Kunji ERS. Fifty years of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier: New insights into its structure, function, and inhibition. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2023; 238:e14016. [PMID: 37366179 PMCID: PMC10909473 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) resides in the mitochondrial inner membrane, where it links cytosolic and mitochondrial metabolism by transporting pyruvate produced in glycolysis into the mitochondrial matrix. Due to its central metabolic role, it has been proposed as a potential drug target for diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, neurodegeneration, and cancers relying on mitochondrial metabolism. Little is known about the structure and mechanism of MPC, as the proteins involved were only identified a decade ago and technical difficulties concerning their purification and stability have hindered progress in functional and structural analyses. The functional unit of MPC is a hetero-dimer comprising two small homologous membrane proteins, MPC1/MPC2 in humans, with the alternative complex MPC1L/MPC2 forming in the testis, but MPC proteins are found throughout the tree of life. The predicted topology of each protomer consists of an amphipathic helix followed by three transmembrane helices. An increasing number of inhibitors are being identified, expanding MPC pharmacology and providing insights into the inhibitory mechanism. Here, we provide critical insights on the composition, structure, and function of the complex and we summarize the different classes of small molecule inhibitors and their potential in therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotiria Tavoulari
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology UnitUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Maximilian Sichrovsky
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology UnitUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Edmund R. S. Kunji
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology UnitUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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7
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Wang Z, Ding W, Ruan M, Liu Y, Yang J, Zhang H, Shen B, Wang J, Li Y. NMR and Patch-Clamp Characterization of Yeast Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier Complexes. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050719. [PMID: 37238591 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (Mpc) plays an indispensable role in the transport of pyruvates across the mitochondrial inner membrane. Despite the two distinct homologous proteins, Mpc1 and Mpc2, were identified in 2012, there are still controversies on the basic functional units and oligomeric state of Mpc complexes. In this study, yeast Mpc1 and Mpc2 proteins were expressed in a prokaryotic heterologous system. Both homo- and hetero-dimers were successfully reconstituted in mixed detergents. Interactions among Mpc monomers were recorded utilizing paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. By single-channel patch-clamp assays, we discovered that both the Mpc1-Mpc2 hetero-dimer and Mpc1 homo-dimer are able to transport K+ ions. Furthermore, the Mpc1-Mpc2 hetero-dimer demonstrated the ability to transport pyruvates, at a rate significantly higher than that of the Mpc1 homo-dimer, indicating that it could be the basic functional unit of Mpc complexes. Our findings provide valuable insights for further structural determination and the study of the transport mechanism of Mpc complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (Branch of Graduate School), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Wen Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Maosen Ruan
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Yong Liu
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (Branch of Graduate School), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jing Yang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Huiqin Zhang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Bing Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Junfeng Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (Branch of Graduate School), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yunyan Li
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
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Targeting Mitochondrial Metabolic Reprogramming as a Potential Approach for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054954. [PMID: 36902385 PMCID: PMC10003438 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal energy metabolism is a characteristic of tumor cells, and mitochondria are important components of tumor metabolic reprogramming. Mitochondria have gradually received the attention of scientists due to their important functions, such as providing chemical energy, producing substrates for tumor anabolism, controlling REDOX and calcium homeostasis, participating in the regulation of transcription, and controlling cell death. Based on the concept of reprogramming mitochondrial metabolism, a range of drugs have been developed to target the mitochondria. In this review, we discuss the current progress in mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming and summarized the corresponding treatment options. Finally, we propose mitochondrial inner membrane transporters as new and feasible therapeutic targets.
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Yiew NKH, Finck BN. The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier at the crossroads of intermediary metabolism. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2022; 323:E33-E52. [PMID: 35635330 PMCID: PMC9273276 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00074.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pyruvate metabolism, a central nexus of carbon homeostasis, is an evolutionarily conserved process and aberrant pyruvate metabolism is associated with and contributes to numerous human metabolic disorders including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. As a product of glycolysis, pyruvate is primarily generated in the cytosol before being transported into the mitochondrion for further metabolism. Pyruvate entry into the mitochondrial matrix is a critical step for efficient generation of reducing equivalents and ATP and for the biosynthesis of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids from pyruvate. However, for many years, the identity of the carrier protein(s) that transported pyruvate into the mitochondrial matrix remained a mystery. In 2012, the molecular-genetic identification of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), a heterodimeric complex composed of protein subunits MPC1 and MPC2, enabled studies that shed light on the many metabolic and physiological processes regulated by pyruvate metabolism. A better understanding of the mechanisms regulating pyruvate transport and the processes affected by pyruvate metabolism may enable novel therapeutics to modulate mitochondrial pyruvate flux to treat a variety of disorders. Herein, we review our current knowledge of the MPC, discuss recent advances in the understanding of mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism in various tissue and cell types, and address some of the outstanding questions relevant to this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole K H Yiew
- Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Brian N Finck
- Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Tavoulari S, Schirris TJJ, Mavridou V, Thangaratnarajah C, King MS, Jones DTD, Ding S, Fearnley IM, Kunji ERS. Key features of inhibitor binding to the human mitochondrial pyruvate carrier hetero-dimer. Mol Metab 2022; 60:101469. [PMID: 35278701 PMCID: PMC8968063 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) has emerged as a promising drug target for metabolic disorders, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and diabetes, metabolically dependent cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. A range of structurally diverse small molecule inhibitors have been proposed, but the nature of their interaction with MPC is not understood, and the composition of the functional human MPC is still debated. The goal of this study was to characterise the human MPC protein in vitro, to understand the chemical features that determine binding of structurally diverse inhibitors and to develop novel higher affinity ones. METHODS We recombinantly expressed and purified human MPC hetero-complexes and studied their composition, transport and inhibitor binding properties by establishing in vitro transport assays, high throughput thermostability shift assays and pharmacophore modeling. RESULTS We determined that the functional unit of human MPC is a hetero-dimer. We compared all different classes of MPC inhibitors to find that three closely arranged hydrogen bond acceptors followed by an aromatic ring are shared characteristics of all inhibitors and represent the minimal requirement for high potency. We also demonstrated that high affinity binding is not attributed to covalent bond formation with MPC cysteines, as previously proposed. Following the basic pharmacophore properties, we identified 14 new inhibitors of MPC, one outperforming compound UK5099 by tenfold. Two are the commonly prescribed drugs entacapone and nitrofurantoin, suggesting an off-target mechanism associated with their adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS This work defines the composition of human MPC and the essential MPC inhibitor characteristics. In combination with the functional assays we describe, this new understanding will accelerate the development of clinically relevant MPC modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotiria Tavoulari
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, United Kingdom.
| | - Tom J J Schirris
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Vasiliki Mavridou
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Chancievan Thangaratnarajah
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Martin S King
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel T D Jones
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Shujing Ding
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Ian M Fearnley
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, United Kingdom
| | - Edmund R S Kunji
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Keith Peters Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, United Kingdom.
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Jiang H, Alahmad A, Fu S, Fu X, Liu Z, Han X, Li L, Song T, Xu M, Liu S, Wang J, Albash B, Alaqeel A, Catalina V, Prokisch H, Taylor RW, McFarland R, Fang F. Identification and characterization of novel MPC1 gene variants causing mitochondrial pyruvate carrier deficiency. J Inherit Metab Dis 2022; 45:264-277. [PMID: 34873722 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis, is a key metabolic molecule enabling mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate synthesis and takes part in multiple biosynthetic pathways within mitochondria. The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) plays a vital role in transporting pyruvate from the cytosol into the organelle. In humans, MPC is a hetero-oligomeric complex formed by the MPC1 and MPC2 paralogs that are both necessary to stabilize each other and form a functional MPC. MPC deficiency (OMIM#614741) due to pathogenic MPC1 variants is a rare autosomal recessive disease involving developmental delay, microcephaly, growth failure, and increased serum lactate and pyruvate. To date, two MPC1 variants in four cases have been reported, though only one with a detailed clinical description. Herein, we report three novel pathogenic MPC1 variants in six patients from three unrelated families, identified within European, Kuwaiti, and Chinese mitochondrial disease patient cohorts, one of whom presented as a Leigh-like syndrome. Functional analysis in primary fibroblasts from the patients revealed decreased expression of MPC1 and MPC2. We rescued pyruvate-driven oxygen consumption rate in patient's fibroblasts by reconstituting with wild-type MPC1. Complementing homozygous MPC1 mutant cDNA with CRISPR-deleted MPC1 C2C12 cells verified the mechanism of variants: unstable MPC complex or ablated pyruvate uptake activity. Furthermore, we showed that glutamine and beta-hydroxybutyrate were alternative substrates to maintain mitochondrial respiration when cells lack pyruvate. In conclusion, we expand the clinical phenotypes and genotypes associated with MPC deficiency, with our studies revealing glutamine as a potential therapy for MPC deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huafang Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Ahmad Alahmad
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Kuwait Medical Genetics Centre, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Song Fu
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoling Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhimei Liu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodi Han
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Lanlan Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Song
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Manting Xu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junling Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Vasilescu Catalina
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Holger Prokisch
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert W Taylor
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NHS Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Robert McFarland
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NHS Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
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12
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Xu L, Phelix CF, Chen LY. Structural Insights into the Human Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier Complexes. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:5614-5625. [PMID: 34664967 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pyruvate metabolism requires the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) proteins to transport pyruvate from the intermembrane space through the inner mitochondrial membrane to the mitochondrial matrix. The lack of the atomic structures of MPC hampers the understanding of the functional states of MPC and molecular interactions with the substrate or inhibitor. Here, we develop the de novo models of human MPC complexes and characterize the conformational dynamics of the MPC heterodimer formed by MPC1 and MPC2 (MPC1/2) by computational simulations. Our results reveal that functional MPC1/2 prefers to adopt an inward-open conformation, with the carrier open to the matrix side, whereas the outward-open states are less populated. The energy barrier for pyruvate transport in MPC1/2 is low enough, and the inhibitor UK5099 blocks the pyruvate transport by stably binding to MPC1/2. Notably, consistent with experimental results, the MPC1 L79H mutation significantly alters the conformations of MPC1/2 and thus fails for substrate transport. However, the MPC1 R97W mutation seems to retain the transport activity. The present de novo models of MPC complexes provide structural insights into the conformational states of MPC complexes and mechanistic understanding of interactions between the substrate/inhibitor and MPC proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Xu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Clyde F Phelix
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Liao Y Chen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
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Ruiz-Iglesias A, Mañes S. The Importance of Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier in Cancer Cell Metabolism and Tumorigenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071488. [PMID: 33804985 PMCID: PMC8037430 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The characteristic metabolic hallmark of cancer cells is the massive catabolism of glucose by glycolysis, even under aerobic conditions—the so-called Warburg effect. Although energetically unfavorable, glycolysis provides “building blocks” to sustain the unlimited growth of malignant cells. Aberrant glycolysis is also responsible for lactate accumulation and acidosis in the tumor milieu, which fosters hypoxia and immunosuppression. One of the mechanisms used by cancer cells to increase glycolytic flow is the negative regulation of the proteins that conform the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) complex, which transports pyruvate into the mitochondrial matrix to be metabolized in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Evidence suggests that MPC downregulation in tumor cells impacts many aspects of tumorigenesis, including cancer cell-intrinsic (proliferation, invasiveness, stemness, resistance to therapy) and -extrinsic (angiogenesis, anti-tumor immune activity) properties. In many cancers, but not in all, MPC downregulation is associated with poor survival. MPC regulation is therefore central to tackling glycolysis in tumors. Abstract Pyruvate is a key molecule in the metabolic fate of mammalian cells; it is the crossroads from where metabolism proceeds either oxidatively or ends with the production of lactic acid. Pyruvate metabolism is regulated by many enzymes that together control carbon flux. Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is responsible for importing pyruvate from the cytosol to the mitochondrial matrix, where it is oxidatively phosphorylated to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and to generate intermediates used in multiple biosynthetic pathways. MPC activity has an important role in glucose homeostasis, and its alteration is associated with diabetes, heart failure, and neurodegeneration. In cancer, however, controversy surrounds MPC function. In some cancers, MPC upregulation appears to be associated with a poor prognosis. However, most transformed cells undergo a switch from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism, the so-called Warburg effect, which, amongst other possibilities, is induced by MPC malfunction or downregulation. Consequently, impaired MPC function might induce tumors with strong proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities. Moreover, glycolytic cancer cells secrete lactate, acidifying the microenvironment, which in turn induces angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and the expansion of stromal cell populations supporting tumor growth. This review examines the latest findings regarding the tumorigenic processes affected by MPC.
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Insights on the Quest for the Structure-Function Relationship of the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9110407. [PMID: 33227948 PMCID: PMC7699257 DOI: 10.3390/biology9110407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The atomic structure of a biological macromolecule determines its function. Discovering how one or more amino acid chains fold and interact to form a protein complex is critical, from understanding the most fundamental cellular processes to developing new therapies. However, this is far from a straightforward task, especially when studying a membrane protein. The functional link between the oligomeric state and complex composition of the proteins involved in the active mitochondrial transport of cytosolic pyruvate is a decades-old question but remains urgent. We present a brief historical review beginning with the identification of the so-called mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) proteins, followed by a rigorous conceptual analysis of technical approaches in more recent biochemical studies that seek to isolate and reconstitute the functional MPC complex(es) in vitro. We correlate these studies with early kinetic observations and current experimental and computational knowledge to assess their main contributions, identify gaps, resolve ambiguities, and better define the research goal. Abstract The molecular identity of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) was presented in 2012, forty years after the active transport of cytosolic pyruvate into the mitochondrial matrix was first demonstrated. An impressive amount of in vivo and in vitro studies has since revealed an unexpected interplay between one, two, or even three protein subunits defining different functional MPC assemblies in a metabolic-specific context. These have clear implications in cell homeostasis and disease, and on the development of future therapies. Despite intensive efforts by different research groups using state-of-the-art computational tools and experimental techniques, MPCs’ structure-based mechanism remains elusive. Here, we review the current state of knowledge concerning MPCs’ molecular structures by examining both earlier and recent studies and presenting novel data to identify the regulatory, structural, and core transport activities to each of the known MPC subunits. We also discuss the potential application of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies of MPC reconstituted into nanodiscs of synthetic copolymers for solving human MPC2.
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The Multifaceted Pyruvate Metabolism: Role of the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10071068. [PMID: 32708919 PMCID: PMC7407832 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis, plays a major role in cell metabolism. Produced in the cytosol, it is oxidized in the mitochondria where it fuels the citric acid cycle and boosts oxidative phosphorylation. Its sole entry point into mitochondria is through the recently identified mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC). In this review, we report the latest findings on the physiology of the MPC and we discuss how a dysfunctional MPC can lead to diverse pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer.
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