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- Bader, Erik, et al.
(author)
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Identification of proliferative and mature beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans
- 2016
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 535:7612, s. 430-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Insulin-dependent diabetes is a complex multifactorial disorder characterized by loss or dysfunction of beta-cells. Pancreatic beta-cells differ in size, glucose responsiveness, insulin secretion and precursor cell potential(1-5); understanding the mechanisms that underlie this functional heterogeneity might make it possible to develop new regenerative approaches. Here we show that Fltp (also known as Flattop and Cfap126), a Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) effector and reporter gene(6), acts as a marker gene that subdivides endocrine cells into two subpopulations and distinguishes proliferation-competent from mature beta-cells with distinct molecular, physiological and ultrastructural features. Genetic lineage tracing revealed that endocrine subpopulations from Fltp-negative and -positive lineages react differently to physiological and pathological changes. The expression of Fltp increases when endocrine cells cluster together to form polarized and mature 3D islet mini-organs(7-9). We show that 3D architecture and Wnt/PCP ligands are sufficient to trigger beta-cell maturation. By contrast, the Wnt/PCP effector Fltp is not necessary for beta-cell development, proliferation or maturation. We conclude that 3D architecture and Wnt/PCP signalling underlie functional beta-cell heterogeneity and induce beta-cell maturation. The identification of Fltp as a marker for endocrine subpopulations sheds light on the molecular underpinnings of islet cell heterogeneity and plasticity and might enable targeting of endocrine subpopulations for the regeneration of functional beta-cell mass in diabetic patients.
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2. |
- Galluzzi, Lorenzo, et al.
(author)
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Prognostic Impact of Vitamin B6 Metabolism in Lung Cancer
- 2012
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Ingår i: Cell Reports. - Cambridge : Cell press. - 2211-1247. ; 2:2, s. 257-269
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are routinely treated with cytotoxic agents such as cisplatin. Through a genome-wide siRNA-based screen, we identified vitamin B6 metabolism as a central regulator of cisplatin responses in vitro and in vivo. By aggravating a bioenergetic catastrophe that involves the depletion of intracellular glutathione, vitamin B6 exacerbates cisplatin-mediated DNA damage, thus sensitizing a large panel of cancer cell lines to apoptosis. Moreover, vitamin B6 sensitizes cancer cells to apoptosis induction by distinct types of physical and chemical stress, including multiple chemotherapeutics. This effect requires pyridoxal kinase (PDXK), the enzyme that generates the bioactive form of vitamin B6. In line with a general role of vitamin B6 in stress responses, low PDXK expression levels were found to be associated with poor disease outcome in two independent cohorts of patients with NSCLC. These results indicate that PDXK expression levels constitute a biomarker for risk stratification among patients with NSCLC.
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3. |
- Russo, Gianluca L., et al.
(författare)
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CRISPR-Mediated Induction of Neuron-Enriched Mitochondrial Proteins Boosts Direct Glia-to-Neuron Conversion
- 2021
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Ingår i: Cell Stem Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 1934-5909 .- 1875-9777. ; 28:3, s. 524-534
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Astrocyte-to-neuron conversion is a promising avenue for neuronal replacement therapy. Neurons are particularly dependent on mitochondrial function, but how well mitochondria adapt to the new fate is unknown. Here, we determined the comprehensive mitochondrial proteome of cortical astrocytes and neurons, identifying about 150 significantly enriched mitochondrial proteins for each cell type, including transporters, metabolic enzymes, and cell-type-specific antioxidants. Monitoring their transition during reprogramming revealed late and only partial adaptation to the neuronal identity. Early dCas9-mediated activation of genes encoding mitochondrial proteins significantly improved conversion efficiency, particularly for neuron-enriched but not astrocyte-enriched antioxidant proteins. For example, Sod1 not only improves the survival of the converted neurons but also elicits a faster conversion pace, indicating that mitochondrial proteins act as enablers and drivers in this process. Transcriptional engineering of mitochondrial proteins with other functions improved reprogramming as well, demonstrating a broader role of mitochondrial proteins during fate conversion.
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4. |
- Schwarz, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Excessive copper impairs intrahepatocyte trafficking and secretion of selenoprotein P.
- 2023
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Ingår i: Nature communications. - 2041-1723. ; 14:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Selenium homeostasis depends on hepatic biosynthesis of selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and SELENOP-mediated transport from the liver to e.g. the brain. In addition, the liver maintains copper homeostasis. Selenium and copper metabolism are inversely regulated, as increasing copper and decreasing selenium levels are observed in blood during aging and inflammation. Here we show that copper treatment increased intracellular selenium and SELENOP in hepatocytes and decreased extracellular SELENOP levels. Hepatic accumulation of copper is a characteristic of Wilson's disease. Accordingly, SELENOP levels were low in serum of Wilson's disease patients and Wilson's rats. Mechanistically, drugs targeting protein transport in the Golgi complex mimicked some of the effects observed, indicating a disrupting effect of excessive copper on intracellular SELENOP transport resulting in its accumulation in the late Golgi. Our data suggest that hepatic copper levels determine SELENOP release from the liver and may affect selenium transport to peripheral organs such as the brain.
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