Mitochondrial enzyme GPT2 regulates metabolic mechanisms required for neuron growth and motor function in vivo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozan Baytas ◽  
Shawn M Davidson ◽  
Ralph J DeBerardinis ◽  
Eric M Morrow
Keyword(s):  
Motor Function ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Null Mouse ◽  
Mitochondrial Enzyme ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Neuronal Growth ◽  
Tca Cycle Intermediates

Abstract The metabolic needs for postnatal growth of the human nervous system are vast. Recessive loss-of-function mutations in the mitochondrial enzyme glutamate pyruvate transaminase 2 (GPT2) in humans cause postnatal undergrowth of brain, and cognitive and motor disability. We demonstrate that GPT2 governs critical metabolic mechanisms in neurons required for neuronal growth and survival. These metabolic processes include neuronal alanine synthesis and anaplerosis, the replenishment of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates. We performed metabolomics across postnatal development in Gpt2-null mouse brain to identify the trajectory of dysregulated metabolic pathways: alterations in alanine occur earliest; followed by reduced TCA cycle intermediates and reduced pyruvate; followed by elevations in glycolytic intermediates and amino acids. Neuron-specific deletion of GPT2 in mice is sufficient to cause motor abnormalities and death pre-weaning, a phenotype identical to the germline Gpt2-null mouse. Alanine biosynthesis is profoundly impeded in Gpt2-null neurons. Exogenous alanine is necessary for Gpt2-null neuronal survival in vitro, but is not needed for Gpt2-null astrocytes. Dietary alanine supplementation in Gpt2-null mice enhances animal survival, and improves the metabolic profile of Gpt2-null brain, but does not alone appear to correct motor function. In surviving Gpt2-null animals, we observe smaller upper and lower motor neurons in vivo. We also observe selective death of lower motor neurons in vivo with worsening motor behavior with age. In conclusion, these studies of the pathophysiology of GPT2 Deficiency have identified metabolic mechanisms required for neuronal growth and that potentially underlie selective neuronal vulnerabilities in motor neurons.

scholarly journals Cytochrome c Deficiency Differentially Affects the In Vivo Mitochondrial Electron Partitioning and Primary Metabolism Depending on the Photoperiod

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 444
Author(s):  
Igor Florez-Sarasa ◽  
Elina Welchen ◽  
Sofia Racca ◽  
Daniel H. Gonzalez ◽  
José G. Vallarino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome C ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Primary Metabolism ◽  
Stress Signaling ◽  
Alternative Pathways ◽  
Tca Cycle Intermediates ◽  
Growth Adaptation ◽  
Plant Respiration

Plant respiration provides metabolic flexibility under changing environmental conditions by modulating the activity of the nonphosphorylating alternative pathways from the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which bypass the main energy-producing components of the cytochrome oxidase pathway (COP). While adjustments in leaf primary metabolism induced by changes in day length are well studied, possible differences in the in vivo contribution of the COP and the alternative oxidase pathway (AOP) between different photoperiods remain unknown. In our study, in vivo electron partitioning between AOP and COP and expression analysis of respiratory components, photosynthesis, and the levels of primary metabolites were studied in leaves of wild-type (WT) plants and cytochrome c (CYTc) mutants, with reduced levels of COP components, under short- and long-day photoperiods. Our results clearly show that differences in AOP and COP in vivo activities between WT and cytc mutants depend on the photoperiod likely due to energy and stress signaling constraints. Parallel responses observed between in vivo respiratory activities, TCA cycle intermediates, amino acids, and stress signaling metabolites indicate the coordination of different pathways of primary metabolism to support growth adaptation under different photoperiods.

scholarly journals Smcr8 deficiency disrupts axonal transport-dependent lysosomal function and promotes axonal swellings and gain of toxicity in C9ALS/FTD mouse models

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (23) ◽  
pp. 3940-3953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Liang ◽  
Qiang Shao ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Mei Yang ◽  
Qing Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Axonal Transport ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Lysosomal Function ◽  
Repeat Expansions ◽  
Axonal Swellings

Abstract G4C2 repeat expansions in an intron of C9ORF72 cause the most common familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (collectively, C9ALS/FTD). Mechanisms and mediators of C9ALS/FTD pathogenesis remain poorly understood. C9orf72 and Smcr8 form a protein complex. Here, we show that expression of Smcr8, like C9orf72, is reduced in C9ALS/FTD mouse models and patient tissues. Since Smcr8 is highly conserved between human and mouse, we evaluated the effects of Smcr8 downregulation in mice. Smcr8 knockout (KO) mice exhibited motor behavior deficits, which resemble those of C9ALS/FTD mouse models, and displayed axonal swellings in their spinal cords and neuromuscular junctions. These deficits are caused by impaired autophagy-lysosomal functions due to disrupted axonal transport in mutant motor neurons. Consistent with its interaction with C9orf72 and their downregulation in patient tissues, Smcr8 deficiency exacerbated autophagy-lysosomal impairment in C9orf72 KO mice. The disease relevance of Smcr8 downregulation was reflected by exacerbated axonal swellings and gain of toxicity pathology arising from Smcr8 haploinsufficiency in a mouse model of C9ALS/FTD. Thus, our in vivo studies suggested that Smcr8 deficiency impairs axonal transport dependent autophagy-lysosomal function and exacerbates axonal degeneration and gain of toxicity in C9ALS/FTD mouse models.

scholarly journals In Vivo Detection of Brain Krebs Cycle Intermediate by Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 2108-2113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mor Mishkovsky ◽  
Arnaud Comment ◽  
Rolf Gruetter
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Krebs Cycle ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Energy Regulation ◽  
Biochemical Processes ◽  
In Vivo Detection ◽  
Intact Brain ◽  
Tca Cycle Intermediates ◽  
Rate Limiting

The Krebs (or tricarboxylic acid (TCA)) cycle has a central role in the regulation of brain energy regulation and metabolism, yet brain TCA cycle intermediates have never been directly detected in vivo. This study reports the first direct in vivo observation of a TCA cycle intermediate in intact brain, namely, 2-oxoglutarate, a key biomolecule connecting metabolism to neuronal activity. Our observation reveals important information about in vivo biochemical processes hitherto considered undetectable. In particular, it provides direct evidence that transport across the inner mitochondria membrane is rate limiting in the brain. The hyperpolarized magnetic resonance protocol designed for this study opens the way to direct and real-time studies of TCA cycle kinetics.

scholarly journals Evidence for reverse flux through pyruvate kinase in skeletal muscle

2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (4) ◽  
pp. E748-E757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunsook S. Jin ◽  
A. Dean Sherry ◽  
Craig R. Malloy
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Glucose Production ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Hepatic Glycogen ◽  
Direct Transfer ◽  
The Tca Cycle ◽  
Tca Cycle Intermediates ◽  
Minced Muscle ◽  
Labeling Pattern

Conversion of lactate to glucose was examined in myotubes, minced muscle tissue, and rats exposed to 2H2O or 13C-enriched substrates. Myotubes or minced skeletal muscle incubated with [U-13C3]lactate released small amounts of [1,2,3-13C3]- or [4,5,6-13C3]glucose. This labeling pattern is consistent with direct transfer from lactate to glucose without randomization in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. After exposure of incubated muscle to 2H2O, [U-13C3]lactate, glucose, and glutamine, there was minimal release of synthesized glucose to the medium based on a low level of 2H enrichment in medium glucose but 50- to 100-fold greater 2H enrichment in glucosyl units from glycogen. The 13C enrichment pattern in glycogen from incubated skeletal muscle was consistent only with direct transfer of lactate to glucose without exchange in TCA cycle intermediates. 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of glutamate from the same tissue showed flux from lactate through pyruvate dehydrogenase but not flux through pyruvate carboxylase into the TCA cycle. Carbon from an alternative substrate for glucose production that requires metabolism through the TCA cycle, propionate, did not enter glycogen, suggesting that TCA cycle intermediates do not exchange with phospho enolpyruvate. In vivo, the 13C labeling patterns in hepatic glycogen and plasma glucose after administration of [U-13C3]lactate did not differ significantly. However, skeletal muscle glycogen was substantially enriched in [1,2,3-13C3]- and [4,5,6-13C3]glucose units that could only occur through skeletal muscle glyconeogenesis rather than glycogenesis. Lactate serves as a substrate for glyconeogenesis in vivo without exchange into symmetric intermediates of the TCA cycle.

scholarly journals Excess dietary sugar impairs colonic epithelial regeneration in response to damage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ansen H.P. Burr ◽  
Junyi Ji ◽  
Kadir Ozler ◽  
Onur Eskiocak ◽  
Brian Yueh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Lineage Tracing ◽  
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase ◽  
Proliferative Potential ◽  
Epithelial Proliferation ◽  
Epithelial Regeneration ◽  
High Sugar ◽  
Dietary Sugar ◽  
Tca Cycle Intermediates

AbstractThe colonic epithelium requires continuous renewal by intestinal stem cells (ISCs) to restore the barrier after damage and proliferation of epithelial cells is modulated by dietary metabolites. We demonstrate that mice fed a high sugar diet failed to repair colonic barrier damage, resulting in increased intestinal pathology. Culturing ISCs in excess sugar limited murine and human colonoid development, indicating that dietary sugar can directly affect colonic epithelial proliferation. Similarly, in vivo lineage tracing experiments and transcriptomic analysis indicated that dietary sugar impeded the proliferative potential of ISCs. ISCs and their immediate daughter cells predominantly rely on mitochondrial respiration for energy; however, metabolic analysis of colonic crypts revealed that a high sugar diet primed the epithelium for glycolysis without a commensurate increase in aerobic respiration. Colonoids cultured in high-glucose conditions accumulated glycolytic metabolites but not TCA cycle intermediates, indicating that the two metabolic pathways may not be coupled in proliferating intestinal epithelium. Accordingly, biochemically inducing pyruvate flux through the TCA cycle by inhibiting pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase rescued sugar-impaired colonoid development. Our results indicate that excess dietary sugar can directly inhibit epithelial proliferation in response to damage and may inform diets that better support the treatment of acute intestinal injury.

scholarly journals Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2B mutations in rab7 cause dosage-dependent neurodegeneration due to partial loss of function

eLife ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smita Cherry ◽  
Eugene Jennifer Jin ◽  
Mehmet Neset Özel ◽  
Zhiyuan Lu ◽  
Egemen Agi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Quantitative Imaging ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Gain Of Function ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
Charcot Marie Tooth ◽  
Function Mechanism

The small GTPase Rab7 is a key regulator of endosomal maturation in eukaryotic cells. Mutations in rab7 are thought to cause the dominant neuropathy Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2B (CMT2B) by a gain-of-function mechanism. Here we show that loss of rab7, but not overexpression of rab7 CMT2B mutants, causes adult-onset neurodegeneration in a Drosophila model. All CMT2B mutant proteins retain 10–50% function based on quantitative imaging, electrophysiology, and rescue experiments in sensory and motor neurons in vivo. Consequently, expression of CMT2B mutants at levels between 0.5 and 10-fold their endogenous levels fully rescues the neuropathy-like phenotypes of the rab7 mutant. Live imaging reveals that CMT2B proteins are inefficiently recruited to endosomes, but do not impair endosomal maturation. These findings are not consistent with a gain-of-function mechanism. Instead, they indicate a dosage-dependent sensitivity of neurons to rab7-dependent degradation. Our results suggest a therapeutic approach opposite to the currently proposed reduction of mutant protein function.

scholarly journals CDNF rescues motor neurons in three animal models of ALS by targeting ER stress

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca De Lorenzo ◽  
Patrick Lüningschrör ◽  
Jinhan Nam ◽  
Federica Pilotto ◽  
Emilia Galli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Er Stress ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Disease Etiology ◽  
Unfolded Protein ◽  
The Unfolded Protein Response ◽  
Protein Response

AbstractThe role of chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pathophysiology of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as a potential drug target, has received increasing attention. Here, we investigated the mode of action and therapeutic effect of the ER resident protein cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) in preclinical models of ALS harboring different genetic mutations. We identify that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of CDNF significantly halts the progression of the disease and improves motor behavior in TDP43-M337V and SOD1-G93A rodent models of ALS. CDNF rescues motor neurons (MNs) in vitro and in vivo from ER stress associated cell death and its beneficial effect is independent of genetic disease etiology. Notably, CDNF regulates the unfolded protein response (UPR) initiated by transducers IRE1α, PERK, and ATF6, thereby enhancing MN survival. Thus, CDNF holds great promise for the design of new rational treatments for ALS.

scholarly journals Mutations in mitochondrial enzyme GPT2 cause metabolic dysfunction and neurological disease with developmental and progressive features

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (38) ◽  
pp. E5598-E5607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Ouyang ◽  
Tojo Nakayama ◽  
Ozan Baytas ◽  
Shawn M. Davidson ◽  
Chendong Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Metabolic Dysfunction ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Human Phenotype ◽  
Recessive Mutations ◽  
Reversible Addition ◽  
Glutamate Pyruvate ◽  
Tca Cycle Intermediates

Mutations that cause neurological phenotypes are highly informative with regard to mechanisms governing human brain function and disease. We report autosomal recessive mutations in the enzyme glutamate pyruvate transaminase 2 (GPT2) in large kindreds initially ascertained for intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). GPT2 [also known as alanine transaminase 2 (ALT2)] is one of two related transaminases that catalyze the reversible addition of an amino group from glutamate to pyruvate, yielding alanine and α-ketoglutarate. In addition to IDD, all affected individuals show postnatal microcephaly and ∼80% of those followed over time show progressive motor symptoms, a spastic paraplegia. Homozygous nonsense p.Arg404* and missense p.Pro272Leu mutations are shown biochemically to be loss of function. The GPT2 gene demonstrates increasing expression in brain in the early postnatal period, and GPT2 protein localizes to mitochondria. Akin to the human phenotype, Gpt2-null mice exhibit reduced brain growth. Through metabolomics and direct isotope tracing experiments, we find a number of metabolic abnormalities associated with loss of Gpt2. These include defects in amino acid metabolism such as low alanine levels and elevated essential amino acids. Also, we find defects in anaplerosis, the metabolic process involved in replenishing TCA cycle intermediates. Finally, mutant brains demonstrate misregulated metabolites in pathways implicated in neuroprotective mechanisms previously associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Overall, our data reveal an important role for the GPT2 enzyme in mitochondrial metabolism with relevance to developmental as well as potentially to neurodegenerative mechanisms.

scholarly journals Multiple Factors Affecting Cellular Redox Status and Energy Metabolism Modulate Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase Activity In Vivo and In Vitro

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 912-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Pan ◽  
Kyle D. Mansfield ◽  
Cara C. Bertozzi ◽  
Viktoriya Rudenko ◽  
Denise A. Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Cellular Responses ◽  
Prolyl Hydroxylase ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Tca Cycle Intermediates

ABSTRACT Prolyl hydroxylation of hypoxible-inducible factor alpha (HIF-α) proteins is essential for their recognition by pVHL containing ubiquitin ligase complexes and subsequent degradation in oxygen (O2)-replete cells. Therefore, HIF prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) enzymatic activity is critical for the regulation of cellular responses to O2 deprivation (hypoxia). Using a fusion protein containing the human HIF-1α O2-dependent degradation domain (ODD), we monitored PHD activity both in vivo and in cell-free systems. This novel assay allows the simultaneous detection of both hydroxylated and nonhydroxylated PHD substrates in cells and during in vitro reactions. Importantly, the ODD fusion protein is regulated with kinetics identical to endogenous HIF-1α during cellular hypoxia and reoxygenation. Using in vitro assays, we demonstrated that the levels of iron (Fe), ascorbate, and various tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates affect PHD activity. The intracellular levels of these factors also modulate PHD function and HIF-1α accumulation in vivo. Furthermore, cells treated with mitochondrial inhibitors, such as rotenone and myxothiazol, provided direct evidence that PHDs remain active in hypoxic cells lacking functional mitochondria. Our results suggest that multiple mitochondrial products, including TCA cycle intermediates and reactive oxygen species, can coordinate PHD activity, HIF stabilization, and cellular responses to O2 depletion.

scholarly journals Recovery of motor function of chronic spinal cord injury by extracellular pyruvate kinase isoform M2 and the underlying mechanism

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takahiro Kikuchi ◽  
Chihiro Tohda ◽  
Masato Suyama
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Pyruvate Kinase ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Axonal Density ◽  
Recovery Of Motor Function

Abstract In our previous study, we found that pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2) was secreted from the skeletal muscle and extended axons in the cultured neuron. Indirect evidence suggested that secreted PKM2 might relate to the recovery of motor function in spinal cord injured (SCI) mice. However, in vivo direct evidence has not been obtained, showing that extracellular PKM2 improved axonal density and motor function in SCI mice. In addition, the signal pathway of extracellular PKM2 underlying the increase in axons remained unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to identify a target molecule of extracellular PKM2 in neurons and investigate the critical involvement of extracellular PKM2 in functional recovery in the chronic phase of SCI. Recombinant PKM2 infusion to the lateral ventricle recovered motor function in the chronic phase of SCI mice. The improvement of motor function was associated with axonal increase, at least of raphespinal tracts connecting to the motor neurons directly or indirectly. Target molecules of extracellular PKM2 in neurons were identified as valosin-containing protein (VCP) by the drug affinity responsive target stability method. ATPase activation of VCP mediated the PKM2-induced axonal increase and recovery of motor function in chronic SCI related to the increase in axonal density. It is a novel finding that axonal increase and motor recovery are mediated by extracellular PKM2-VCP-driven ATPase activity.

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