Thiamine metabolism genes in diatoms are not regulated by thiamine despite the presence of predicted riboswitches

Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), an essential co-factor for all species, is biosynthesised through a metabolically expensive pathway regulated by TPP riboswitches in bacteria, fungi, plants and green algae. Diatoms are microalgae responsible for approximately 20% of global primary production. They have been predicted to contain TPP aptamers in the 3'UTR of some thiamine metabolism-related genes, but little is known about their function and regulation. We used bioinformatics, antimetabolite growth assays, RT-qPCR, targeted mutagenesis and reporter constructs to test whether the predicted TPP riboswitches respond to thiamine supplementation in diatoms. Gene editing was used to investigate the functions of the genes with associated TPP riboswitches in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. We found that thiamine-related genes with putative TPP aptamers are not responsive to thiamine or its precursor 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine (HMP), and the targeted mutation of the TPP aptamer in the HMP-P synthase (THIC) does not deregulate thiamine biosynthesis in P. tricornutum. Through genome editing we established that PtSSSP is necessary for thiamine uptake and that PtTHIC is essential for thiamine biosynthesis. Our results highlight the importance of experimentally testing bioinformatic aptamer predictions and provide new insights into the thiamine metabolism shaping the structure of marine microbial communities with global biogeochemical importance.

Identification and functional analysis of novel SLC25A19 variants causing thiamine metabolism dysfunction syndrome 4

Background Thiamine metabolism dysfunction syndrome 4 (THMD4, OMIM #613710) is an autosomal recessive inherited disease caused by the deficiency of SLC25A19 that encodes the mitochondrial thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) transporter. This disorder is characterized by bilateral striatal degradation and progressive polyneuropathy with the onset of fever of unknown origin. The limited number of reported cases and lack of functional annotation of related gene variants continue to limit diagnosis. Results We report three cases of encephalopathy from two unrelated pedigrees with basal ganglia signal changes after fever of unknown origin. To distinguish this from other types of encephalopathy, such as acute necrotizing encephalopathy, exome sequencing was performed, and four novel heterozygous variations, namely, c.169G>A (p.Ala57Thr), c.383C>T (p.Ala128Val), c.76G>A (p.Gly26Arg), and c.745T>A (p.Phe249Ile), were identified in SLC25A19. All variants were confirmed using Sanger sequencing. To determine the pathogenicity of these variants, functional studies were performed. We found that mitochondrial TPP levels were significantly decreased in the presence of SLC25A19 variants, indicating that TPP transport activities of mutated SLC25A19 proteins were impaired. Thus, combining clinical phenotype, genetic analysis, and functional studies, these variants were deemed as likely pathogenic. Conclusions Exome sequencing analysis enables molecular diagnosis as well as provides potential etiology. Further studies will enable the elucidation of SLC25A19 protein function. Our investigation supplied key molecular evidence for the precise diagnosis of and clinical decision-making for a rare disease.

A novel PET tracer 18F-deoxy-thiamine: synthesis, metabolic kinetics, and evaluation on cerebral thiamine metabolism status

Background Some neuropsychological diseases are associated with abnormal thiamine metabolism, including Korsakoff–Wernicke syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. However, in vivo detection of the status of brain thiamine metabolism is still unavailable and needs to be developed. Methods A novel PET tracer of 18F-deoxy-thiamine was synthesized using an automated module via a two-step route. The main quality control parameters, such as specific activity and radiochemical purity, were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Radiochemical concentration was determined by radioactivity calibrator. Metabolic kinetics and the level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in brains of mice and marmosets were studied by micro-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). In vivo stability, renal excretion rate, and biodistribution of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in the mice were assayed using HPLC and γ-counter, respectively. Also, the correlation between the retention of cerebral 18F-deoxy-thiamine in 60 min after injection as represented by the area under the curve (AUC) and blood thiamine levels was investigated. Results The 18F-deoxy-thiamine was stable both in vitro and in vivo. The uptake and clearance of 18F-deoxy-thiamine were quick in the mice. It reached the max standard uptake value (SUVmax) of 4.61 ± 0.53 in the liver within 1 min, 18.67 ± 7.04 in the kidney within half a minute. The SUV dropped to 0.72 ± 0.05 and 0.77 ± 0.35 after 60 min of injection in the liver and kidney, respectively. After injection, kidney, liver, and pancreas exhibited high accumulation level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine, while brain, muscle, fat, and gonad showed low accumulation concentration, consistent with previous reports on thiamine distribution in mice. Within 90 min after injection, the level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in the brain of C57BL/6 mice with thiamine deficiency (TD) was 1.9 times higher than that in control mice, and was 3.1 times higher in ICR mice with TD than that in control mice. The AUC of the tracer in the brain of marmosets within 60 min was 29.33 ± 5.15 and negatively correlated with blood thiamine diphosphate levels (r = − 0.985, p = 0.015). Conclusion The 18F-deoxy-thiamine meets the requirements for ideal PET tracer for in vivo detecting the status of cerebral thiamine metabolism.

A novel PET tracer 18F-deoxy-thiamine: synthesis, metabolic kinetics, and evaluation on cerebral thiamine metabolism status

Background: Some neuropsychological diseases are associated with abnormal thiamine metabolism, including Korsakoff-Wernicke syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. However, in vivo detection of the status of brain thiamine metabolism is still unavailable and needs to be developed. Methods: A novel PET tracer of 18F-deoxy-thiamine was synthesized using an automated module via a two-step route. The main quality control parameters, such as specific activity and radiochemical purity, were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Radiochemical concentration was determined by radioactivity calibrator. Metabolic kinetics and the level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in brains of mice and marmosets were studied by micro-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). In vivo stability, renal excretion rate, biodistribution of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in the mice were assayed using HPLC and γ-counter, respectively. Also, the correlation between the retention of cerebral 18F-deoxy-thiamine in 60 minutes after injection as represented by the area under the curve (AUC) and blood thiamine levels were investigated. Results: The 18F-deoxy-thiamine was stable both in vitro and in vivo. The uptake and clearance of 18F-deoxy-thiamine were quick in the mice. It reached the max standard uptake value (SUVmax) of 4.61±0.53 in the liver within 1 minute, 18.67±7.04 in the kidney within half a minute. The SUV dropped to 0.72±0.05 and 0.77±0.35 after 60 minutes of injection in the liver and kidney, respectively. After injection, kidney, liver, and pancreas exhibited high accumulation level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine, while brain, muscle, fat, and gonad showed low accumulation concentration, consistent with previous reports on thiamine distribution in mice. Within 90 minutes after injection, the level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in the brain of C57BL/6 mice with thiamine deficiency (TD) was 1.9 times higher than that in control mice, and was 3.1 times higher in ICR mice with TD than that in control mice. The AUC of the tracer in the brain of marmosets within 60 minutes was 29.33 ± 5.15 and negatively correlated with blood thiamine diphosphate levels (r = - 0.985, p = 0.015).Conclusion: The 18F-deoxy-thiamine meets the requirements for ideal PET tracer for in vivo detecting the status of cerebral thiamine metabolism.

A novel PET tracer 18F-deoxy-thiamine: synthesis, metabolic kinetics, and evaluation on cerebral thiamine metabolism status

Background: Some neuropsychological diseases are associated with abnormal thiamine metabolism, including Korsakoff-Wernicke syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. However, in vivo detection of the status of brain thiamine metabolism is still unavailable and needs to be developed. Methods: A novel PET tracer of 18F-deoxy-thiamine was synthesized using an automated module via a two-step route. The main quality control parameters, such as specific activity, radiochemical purity, radiochemical concentration, were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Metabolic kinetics and brain level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in mice and marmosets were studied by micro-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). In vivo stability, renal excretion rate, biodistribution of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in the mice were assayed using HPLC and γ-counter. Also, the correlation between the retention of cerebral 18F-deoxy-thiamine in 60 minutes after injection as represented by the area under the curve (AUC) and blood thiamine levels were investigated. Results: The 18F-deoxy-thiamine was stable both in vitro and in vivo. The uptake and clearance of 18F-deoxy-thiamine were quick in the mice. It reached the max standard uptake value (SUVmax) of 4.61±0.53 in the liver within 1 minute, 18.67±7.04 in the kidney within half a minute. The SUV dropped to 0.72±0.05 and 0.77±0.35 after 60 minutes of injection in the liver and kidney, respectively. After injection, kidney, liver, and pancreas exhibited high accumulation level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine, while brain, muscle, fat, and gonad showed low accumulation concentration, consistent with previous reports on thiamine distribution in mice. Within 90 minutes after injection, the level of 18F-deoxy-thiamine in the brain of C57BL/6 mice with thiamine deficiency by thiamine-deprived diet (TD) was 1.9 times higher than that in control mice, and was 3.1 times higher in ICR mice with TD than that in control mice. The AUC of the tracer in the brain of marmosets within 60 minutes was 29.33 ± 5.15 and negatively correlated with blood thiamine diphosphate levels (r = -0.985, p = 0.015).Conclusion: The 18F-deoxy-thiamine meets the requirements for ideal PET tracer for in vivo detecting the status of cerebral thiamine metabolism.

A Novel Pet Tracer 18f-labeled Thiamine: Synthesis, Metabolic Kinetics, and Evaluation on Cerebral Thiamine Metabolism Status

Background:Someneuropsychological diseases are associated with abnormal thiamine metabolism, including Korsakoff-Wernicke syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. However, in vivo detection of brain thiamine metabolism status isstill unavailable and needs to be developed.Methods:A novel PET tracer 18F-labeled thiaminewasautomatically radio-synthesized via a two-step route. The main parameters of characterization were proved by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Metabolic kinetics of 18F-labeled thiamine and the status of cerebral thiamine uptakein mice and marmosets were studied by micro-positron emission tomography (PET)/computer tomography imaging. Also, in vivo stability, renal excretion rate, biodistribution, and the correlation between cerebral 18F-labeled thiamine retention and blood thiamine levels were investigated.Results: The 18F-labeled thiamine was stableboth in vitro and in vivoand manifested fast uptake and clearance in vivo. The biodistribution of 18F-labeled thiamine were consistent with previously reports on thiamine distribution in mice. The retention of cerebral 18F-labeled thiamine was higher in mice with thiamine deficiency than that in control mice, and negatively correlated with blood thiaminediphosphate levels in marmosets.Conclusion:The 18F-labeled thiamine met the requirements for ideal PET tracer to in vivoevaluate the status of cerebral thiamine metabolism. This study laid the foundation for further studies on the relevant diseases.