ChREBP plays a pivotal role in the nutrient-mediated regulation of metabolic gene expression in brown adipose tissue.

AIMS: Carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) is a transcription factor that regulates several metabolic genes, including the lipogenic enzymes necessary for the metabolic conversion of carbohydrates into lipids. Although the crucial role of ChREBP in the liver, the primary site of de novo lipogenesis, has been studied, its functional role in adipose tissues, particularly brown adipose tissue (BAT), remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of ChREBP in BAT under conditions of a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) and ketogenic diet (KD), represented by extremely low carbohydrate intake. MAIN METHODS: Using an adeno-associated virus and Cas9 knock-in mice, we rapidly generated Chrebp brown adipocyte-specific knock-out (B-KO) mice, bypassing the necessity for prolonged breeding by using the Cre-Lox system. KEY FINDINGS: We demonstrated that ChREBP is essential for glucose metabolism and lipogenic gene expression in BAT under HCD conditions in Chrebp B-KO mice. After nutrient intake, Chrebp B-KO attenuated the KD-induced expression of several inflammatory genes in BAT. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicated that ChREBP, a nutrient-sensing regulator, is indispensable for expressing a diverse range of metabolic genes in BAT.

TRIM22 induces cellular senescence by targeting PHLPP2 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system is a vital protein degradation system that is involved in various cellular processes, such as cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and differentiation. Dysregulation of this system has been implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer, vascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Induction of cellular senescence in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a potential anticancer strategy, but the precise role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in cellular senescence remains unclear. In this study, we show that the E3 ubiquitin ligase, TRIM22, plays a critical role in the cellular senescence of HCC cells. TRIM22 expression is transcriptionally upregulated by p53 in HCC cells experiencing ionizing radiation (IR)-induced senescence. Overexpression of TRIM22 triggers cellular senescence by targeting the AKT phosphatase, PHLPP2. Mechanistically, the SPRY domain of TRIM22 directly associates with the C-terminal domain of PHLPP2, which contains phosphorylation sites that are subject to IKKß-mediated phosphorylation. The TRIM22-mediated PHLPP2 degradation leads to activation of AKT-p53-p21 signaling, ultimately resulting in cellular senescence. In both human HCC databases and patient specimens, the levels of TRIM22 and PHLPP2 show inverse correlations at the mRNA and protein levels. Collectively, our findings reveal that TRIM22 regulates cancer cell senescence by modulating the proteasomal degradation of PHLPP2 in HCC cells, suggesting that TRIM22 could potentially serve as a therapeutic target for treating cancer.

Regulation of CMGC kinases by hypoxia.

Hypoxia, a widespread occurrence observed in various malignant tumors, results from rapid tumor growth that outpaces the oxygen supply. Tumor hypoxia precipitates several effects on tumor biology; these include activating angiogenesis, intensifying invasiveness, enhancing the survival of tumor cells, suppressing anti-tumor immunity, and fostering resistance to therapy. Aligned with the findings that correlate CMGC kinases with the regulation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF), a pivotal modulator, reports also indicate that hypoxia governs the activity of CMGC kinases, including DYRK1 kinases. Prolyl hydroxylation of DYRK1 kinases by PHD1 constitutes a novel mechanism of kinase maturation and activation. This modification "primes" DYRK1 kinases for subsequent tyrosine autophosphorylation, a vital step in their activation cascade. This mechanism adds a layer of intricacy to comprehending the regulation of CMGC kinases, and underscores the complex interplay between distinct post-translational modifications in harmonizing precise kinase activity. Overall, hypoxia assumes a substantial role in cancer progression, influencing diverse aspects of tumor biology that include angiogenesis, invasiveness, cell survival, and resistance to treatment. CMGC kinases are deeply entwined in its regulation. To fathom the molecular mechanisms underpinning hypoxia's impact on cancer cells, comprehending how hypoxia and prolyl hydroxylation govern the activity of CMGC kinases, including DYRK1 kinases, becomes imperative. This insight may pave the way for pioneering therapeutic approaches that target the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and its associated challenges. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(11): 584-593].

Targeting E3 ubiquitin ligases and their adaptors as a therapeutic strategy for metabolic diseases.

Posttranslational modification of proteins via ubiquitination determines their activation, translocation, dysregulation, or degradation. This process targets a large number of cellular proteins, affecting all biological pathways involved in the cell cycle, development, growth, and differentiation. Thus, aberrant regulation of ubiquitination is likely associated with several diseases, including various types of metabolic diseases. Among the ubiquitin enzymes, E3 ubiquitin ligases are regarded as the most influential ubiquitin enzymes due to their ability to selectively bind and recruit target substrates for ubiquitination. Continued research on the regulatory mechanisms of E3 ligases and their adaptors in metabolic diseases will further stimulate the discovery of new targets and accelerate the development of therapeutic options for metabolic diseases. In this review, based on recent discoveries, we summarize new insights into the roles of E3 ubiquitin ligases and their adaptors in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases by highlighting recent evidence obtained in both human and animal model studies.

Integrative Evaluation of the Clinical Significance Underlying Protein Arginine Methyltransferases in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

HCC is a major contributor to cancer-related mortality worldwide. Curative treatments are available for a minority of patients diagnosed at early stages; however, only a few multikinase inhibitors are available and are marginally effective in advanced cases, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic targets. One potential target is the protein arginine methyltransferase, which catalyzes various forms of arginine methylation and is often overexpressed in various cancers. However, the diverse expression patterns and clinical values of PRMTs in HCC remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the transcriptional expression of PRMTs in HCC cohorts using publicly available datasets. Our results revealed a significant association between PRMTs and prognosis in HCC patients with diverse clinical characteristics and backgrounds. This highlights the promising potential of PRMTs as prognostic biomarkers in patients with HCC. In particular, single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing analysis coupled with another human cohort study highlighted the pivotal role of PRMT1 in HCC progression, particularly in the context of Tex. Translating these findings into specific therapeutic decisions may address the unmet therapeutic needs of patients with HCC.

Kctd17-mediated Chop degradation promotes adipogenic differentiation.

Obesity is commonly associated with excessive adipogenesis, a process by which preadipocytes undergo differentiation into mature adipocytes; however, the mechanisms underlying adipogenesis are not completely understood. Potassium channel tetramerization domain-containing 17 (Kctd17) belongs to the Kctd superfamily and act as a substrate adaptor of the Cullin 3-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase, which is involved in a wide variety of cell functions. However, its function in the adipose tissue remains largely unknown. Here, we found that Kctd17 expression levels were increased in white adipose tissue, especially in adipocytes, in obese mice compared to lean control mice. Gain or loss of function of Kctd17 in preadipocytes inhibited or promoted adipogenesis, respectively. Furthermore, we found that Kctd17 bound to C/EBP homologous protein (Chop) to target it for ubiquitin-mediated degradation, and this process was likely associated with increased adipogenesis. In conclusion, these data suggest that Kctd17 plays an important role in adipogenesis and can be a novel therapeutic target for obesity.

Notch-mediated hepatocyte MCP-1 secretion causes liver fibrosis.

Patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have increased expression of liver monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), but its cellular source and contribution to various aspects of NASH pathophysiology remain debated. We demonstrated increased liver CCL2 (which encodes MCP-1) expression in patients with NASH, and commensurately, a 100-fold increase in hepatocyte Ccl2 expression in a mouse model of NASH, accompanied by increased liver monocyte-derived macrophage (MoMF) infiltrate and liver fibrosis. To test repercussions of increased hepatocyte-derived MCP-1, we generated hepatocyte-specific Ccl2-knockout mice, which showed reduced liver MoMF infiltrate as well as decreased liver fibrosis. Forced hepatocyte MCP-1 expression provoked the opposite phenotype in chow-fed wild-type mice. Consistent with increased hepatocyte Notch signaling in NASH, we observed a close correlation between markers of Notch activation and CCL2 expression in patients with NASH. We found that an evolutionarily conserved Notch/recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region binding site in the Ccl2 promoter mediated transactivation of the Ccl2 promoter in NASH diet-fed mice. Increased liver MoMF infiltrate and liver fibrosis seen in opposite gain-of-function mice was ameliorated with concomitant hepatocyte Ccl2 knockout or CCR2 inhibitor treatment. Hepatocyte Notch activation prompts MCP-1-dependent increase in liver MoMF infiltration and fibrosis.

Hepatocyte Kctd17 Inhibition Ameliorates Glucose Intolerance and Hepatic Steatosis Caused by Obesity-induced Chrebp Stabilization.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Obesity predisposes to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Potassium channel tetramerization domain-containing protein 17 (Kctd17) levels are increased in livers from obese mice and humans. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of increased Kctd17 and whether it is causal to obesity-induced metabolic complications. METHODS: We transduced Rosa26-LSL-Cas9 knockin mice with AAV8-TBG-Cre (Control), AAV8-U6-Kctd17 sgRNA-TBG-Cre (L-Kctd17), AAV8-U6-Oga sgRNA-TBG-Cre (L-Oga), or AAV8-U6-Kctd17/Oga sgRNA-TBG-Cre (DKO). We fed mice a high-fat diet (HFD) and assessed for hepatic glucose and lipid homeostasis. We generated Kctd17, O-GlcNAcase (Oga), or Kctd17/Oga-knockout hepatoma cells by CRISPR-Cas9, and Kctd17-directed antisense oligonucleotide to test therapeutic potential in vivo. We analyzed transcriptomic data from patients with NAFLD. RESULTS: Hepatocyte Kctd17 expression was increased in HFD-fed mice due to increased Srebp1c activity. HFD-fed L-Kctd17 or Kctd17 antisense oligonucleotide-treated mice show improved glucose tolerance and hepatic steatosis, whereas forced Kctd17 expression caused glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis even in lean mice. Kctd17 induced Oga degradation, resulting in increasing carbohydrate response element-binding protein (Chrebp) protein, so concomitant Oga knockout negated metabolic benefits of hepatocyte Kctd17 deletion. In patients with NAFLD, KCTD17 messenger RNA was positively correlated with expression of Chrebp target and other lipogenic genes. CONCLUSIONS: Srebp1c-induced hepatocyte Kctd17 expression in obesity disrupted glucose and lipid metabolism by stabilizing Chrebp, and may represent a novel therapeutic target for obesity-induced T2D and NAFLD.

Quantitative measure of concrete fragment using ANN to consider uncertainties under impact loading.

In this study, numerical analysis was performed to predict amount of fragments and travel distance after collision of a concrete median barrier with a truck under impact loading using Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH). The obtained results of the SPH analysis showed that amount of fragments and the travel distance can be changed depending on different velocity-to-mass ratios under same local impact energy. Using the results of the SPH analysis, artificial neural network (ANN) was constructed to consider the uncertainties for the prediction of amount of fragments and travel distance of concrete after collision. In addition, the results of the ANN were compared with the results of multiple linear regression analysis (MRA). The ANN results showed better coefficient of determination (R2) than the MRA results. Therefore, the ANN showed improvement than the MRA results in terms of the uncertainties of the prediction of amount of fragments and travel distance. Using the constructed ANN, data augmentation was conducted from a limited number of analysis data using a statistical distribution method. Finally, the fragility curves of the concrete median barrier were suggested to estimate the probability of exceed specific amount of fragments and travel distance under same impact energy.

Regulated interaction of ID2 with the anaphase-promoting complex links progression through mitosis with reactivation of cell-type-specific transcription.

Tissue-specific transcriptional activity is silenced in mitotic cells but it remains unclear whether the mitotic regulatory machinery interacts with tissue-specific transcriptional programs. We show that such cross-talk involves the controlled interaction between core subunits of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) and the ID2 substrate. The N-terminus of ID2 is independently and structurally compatible with a pocket composed of core APC/C subunits that may optimally orient ID2 onto the APCCDH1 complex. Phosphorylation of serine-5 by CDK1 prevented the association of ID2 with core APC, impaired ubiquitylation and stabilized ID2 protein at the mitosis-G1 transition leading to inhibition of basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH)-mediated transcription. The serine-5 phospho-mimetic mutant of ID2 that inefficiently bound core APC remained stable during mitosis, delayed exit from mitosis and reloading of bHLH transcription factors on chromatin. It also locked cells into a "mitotic stem cell" transcriptional state resembling the pluripotent program of embryonic stem cells. The substrates of APCCDH1 SKP2 and Cyclin B1 share with ID2 the phosphorylation-dependent, D-box-independent interaction with core APC. These results reveal a new layer of control of the mechanism by which substrates are recognized by APC.

Prediction of Concrete Fragments Amount and Travel Distance under Impact Loading Using Deep Neural Network and Gradient Boosting Method.

In the present study, the amount of fragments generated and their travel distances due to vehicle collision with concrete median barrier (CMB) was analyzed and predicted. In this regard, machine learning was applied to the results of numerical analysis, which were developed by comparing with field test. The numerical model was developed using smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). SPH is a mesh-free method that can be used to predict the amount of fragments and their travel distances from concrete structures under impact loading. In addition, deep neural network (DNN) and gradient boosting machine (GBM) were also employed as machine learning methods. In this study, the results of DNN, GBM, and numerical analysis were then compared with the conducted field test. Such comparisons revealed that numerical analysis generated lower error than both DNN and GBM. When prediction results of both the amount of fragments and their travel distances were considered, the result of DNN showed smaller errors than that of GBM. Therefore, in studies where machine learning is used to predict the amount of fragments and their travel distances, careful selection of an appropriate method from the various available machine learning methods such as DNN, GBM, and random forest is absolutely important.

Emerging roles of PHLPP phosphatases in metabolism.

Over the last decades, research has focused on the role of pleckstrin homology (PH) domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatases (PHLPPs) in regulating cellular signaling via PI3K/Akt inhibition. The PKB/Akt signaling imbalances are associated with a variety of illnesses, including various types of cancer, inflammatory response, insulin resistance, and diabetes, demonstrating the relevance of PHLPPs in the prevention of diseases. Furthermore, identification of novel substrates of PHLPPs unveils their role as a critical mediator in various cellular processes. Recently, researchers have explored the increasing complexity of signaling networks involving PHLPPs whereby relevant information of PHLPPs in metabolic diseases was obtained. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of PHLPPs on the well-known substrates and metabolic regulation, especially in liver, pancreatic beta cell, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle in relation with the stated diseases. Understanding the context-dependent functions of PHLPPs can lead to a promising treatment strategy for several kinds of metabolic diseases. [BMB Reports 2021; 54(9): 451-457].

Hepatocyte TLR4 triggers inter-hepatocyte Jagged1/Notch signaling to determine NASH-induced fibrosis.

Aberrant hepatocyte Notch activity is critical to the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-induced liver fibrosis, but mechanisms underlying Notch reactivation in developed liver are unclear. Here, we identified that increased expression of the Notch ligand Jagged1 (JAG1) tracked with Notch activation and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score (NAS) in human liver biopsy specimens and mouse NASH models. The increase in Jag1 was mediated by hepatocyte Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling in pericentral hepatocytes. Hepatocyte-specific Jag1 overexpression exacerbated fibrosis in mice fed a high-fat diet or a NASH-provoking diet rich in palmitate, cholesterol, and sucrose and reversed the protection afforded by hepatocyte-specific TLR4 deletion, whereas hepatocyte-specific Jag1 knockout mice were protected from NASH-induced liver fibrosis. To test therapeutic potential of this biology, we designed a Jag1-directed antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and a hepatocyte-specific N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-modified siRNA, both of which reduced NASH diet-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Overall, these data demonstrate that increased hepatocyte Jagged1 is the proximal hit for Notch-induced liver fibrosis in mice and suggest translational potential of Jagged1 inhibitors in patients with NASH.

Effects of human collagen α-1 type I-derived proteins on collagen synthesis and elastin production in human dermal fibroblasts.

Collagen type I is the most abundant form of collagen in human tissues, and is composed of two identical α-1 type I chains and an α-2 type I chain organized in a triple helical structure. A previous study has shown that human collagen α-2 type I (hCOL1A2) promotes collagen synthesis, wound healing, and elastin production in normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). However, the biological effects of human collagen α-1 type I (hCOL1A1) on various skin properties have not been investigated. Here, we isolate and identify the hCOL1A1-collagen effective domain (CED) which promotes collagen type I synthesis. Recombinant hCOL1A1-CED effectively induces cell proliferation and collagen biosynthesis in HDFs, as well as increased cell migration and elastin production. Based on these results, hCOL1A1-CED may be explored further for its potential use as a preventative agent against skin aging. [BMB Reports 2021; 54(6): 329-334].

Novel Bandwidth Expander Supported Power Amplifier for Wideband Ultrasound Transducer Devices.

Ultrasound transducer devices have their own frequency ranges, depending on the applications and specifications, due to penetration depth, sensitivity, and image resolution. For imaging applications, in particular, the transducer devices are preferable to have a wide bandwidth due to the specific information generated by the tissue or blood vessel structures. To support these ultrasound transducer devices, ultrasound power amplifier hardware with a wide bandwidth can improve the transducer performance. Therefore, we developed a new bandwidth expander circuit using specially designed switching architectures to increase the power amplifier bandwidth. The measured bandwidth of the power amplifier with the help of the bandwidth expander circuit increased by 56.9%. In addition, the measured echo bandwidths of the 15-, 20-, and 25-MHz transducer devices were increased by 8.1%, 6.0%, and 9.8%, respectively, with the help of the designed bandwidth expander circuit. Therefore, the designed architecture could help an ultrasound system hardware with a wider bandwidth, thus supporting the use of different frequency ultrasound transducer devices with a single developed ultrasound system.

A New Approach to Power Efficiency Improvement of Ultrasonic Transmitters via a Dynamic Bias Technique.

To obtain a high-quality signal from an ultrasound system through the transmitter, it is necessary to achieve an appropriate operating point of the power amplifier in the ultrasonic transmitter by applying high static bias voltage. However, the power amplifier needs to be operated at low bias voltage, because a power amplifier operating at high bias voltage may consume a large amount of power and increase the temperature of the active devices, worsening the signal characteristics of the ultrasound systems. Therefore, we propose a new method of increasing the bias voltage for a specific period to solve this problem by reducing the output signal distortion of the power amplifier and decreasing the load on the active device. To compare the performance of the proposed method, we measured and compared the signals of the amplifier with the proposed technique and the amplifier only. Notably, improvement was achieved with 11.1% of the power added efficiency and 3.23% of the total harmonic distortion (THD). Additionally, the echo signal generated by the ultrasonic transducer was improved by 2.73 dB of amplitude and 0.028% of THD under the conditions of an input signal of 10 mW. Therefore, the proposed method could be useful for improving ultrasonic transmitter performance using the developed technique.

Adipocyte PHLPP2 inhibition prevents obesity-induced fatty liver.

Increased adiposity confers risk for systemic insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D), but mechanisms underlying this pathogenic inter-organ crosstalk are incompletely understood. We find PHLPP2 (PH domain and leucine rich repeat protein phosphatase 2), recently identified as the Akt Ser473 phosphatase, to be increased in adipocytes from obese mice. To identify the functional consequence of increased adipocyte PHLPP2 in obese mice, we generated adipocyte-specific PHLPP2 knockout (A-PHLPP2) mice. A-PHLPP2 mice show normal adiposity and glucose metabolism when fed a normal chow diet, but reduced adiposity and improved whole-body glucose tolerance as compared to Cre- controls with high-fat diet (HFD) feeding. Notably, HFD-fed A-PHLPP2 mice show increased HSL phosphorylation, leading to increased lipolysis in vitro and in vivo. Mobilized adipocyte fatty acids are oxidized, leading to increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα)-dependent adiponectin secretion, which in turn increases hepatic fatty acid oxidation to ameliorate obesity-induced fatty liver. Consistently, adipose PHLPP2 expression is negatively correlated with serum adiponectin levels in obese humans. Overall, these data implicate an adipocyte PHLPP2-HSL-PPARα signaling axis to regulate systemic glucose and lipid homeostasis, and suggest that excess adipocyte PHLPP2 explains decreased adiponectin secretion and downstream metabolic consequence in obesity.

High-efficiency high-voltage class F amplifier for high-frequency wireless ultrasound systems.

This paper presents a novel amplifier that satisfies both low distortion and high efficiency for high-frequency wireless ultrasound systems with limited battery life and size. While increasing the amplifier efficiency helps to address the problems for wireless ultrasound systems, it can cause signal distortion owing to harmonic components. Therefore, a new type of class F amplifier is designed to achieve high efficiency and low distortion. In the amplifier, the resonant circuit at each stage controls the harmonic components to reduce distortion and improve efficiency. Transformers with a large shunt resistor are also helpful to reduce the remaining noise in the input signal. The proposed class F amplifier is tested using simulations, and the voltage and current waveforms are analyzed to achieve correct operation with adequate efficiency and distortion. The measured performance of the class F amplifier has a gain of 23.2 dB and a power added efficiency (PAE) of 88.9% at 25 MHz. The measured DC current is 121 mA with a variance of less than 1% when the PA is operating. We measured the received echo signal through the pulse-echo response using a 25-MHz transducer owing to the compatibility of the designed class F amplifier with high- frequency transducers. The measured total harmonic distortion (THD) of the echo signal was obtained as 4.5% with a slightly low ring-down. The results show that the low THD and high PAE of the new high-efficiency and high-voltage amplifier may increase battery life and reduce the cooling fan size, thus providing a suitable environment for high-frequency wireless ultrasound systems.

Human collagen alpha-2 type I stimulates collagen synthesis, wound healing, and elastin production in normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs).

Skin aging appears to be the result of overlapping intrinsic (including genetic and hormonal factors) and extrinsic (external environment including chronic light exposure, chemicals, and toxins) processes. These factors cause decreases in the synthesis of collagen type I and elastin in fibroblasts and increases in the melanin in melanocytes. Collagen Type I is the most abundant type of collagen and is a major structural protein in human body tissues. In previous studies, many products containing collagen derived from land and marine animals as well as other sources have been used for a wide range of purposes in cosmetics and food. However, to our knowledge, the effects of human collagenderived peptides on improvements in skin condition have not been investigated. Here we isolate and identify the domain of a human COL1A2-derived protein which promotes fibroblast cell proliferation and collagen type I synthesis. This human COL 1A2-derived peptide enhances wound healing and elastin production. Finally, the human collagen alpha-2 type I-derived peptide (SMM) ameliorates collagen type I synthesis, cell proliferation, cell migration, and elastin synthesis, supporting a significant anti-wrinkle effect. Collectively, these results demonstrate that human collagen alpha-2 type I-derived peptides is practically accessible in both cosmetics and food, with the goal of improving skin condition. [BMB Reports 2020; 53(10): 539-544].

A new aspect of an old friend: the beneficial effect of metformin on anti-tumor immunity.

T-cell-based cancer immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-Tcells, have significant anti-tumor effects against certain types of cancer, providing a new paradigm for cancer treatment. However, the activity of tumor infiltrating T-cells (TILs) can be effectively neutralized in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of most solid tumors, rich in various immunosuppressive factors and cells. Therefore, to improve the clinical outcomes of established T-cell-based immunotherapy, adjuvants that can comprehensively relieve multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms of TME are needed. In this regard, recent studies have revealed that metformin has several beneficial effects on anti-tumor immunity. In this mini-review, we understand the immunosuppressive properties of TME and how metformin comprehensively enhances anti-tumor immunity. Finally, we will discuss this old friend's potential as an adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy. [BMB Reports 2020; 53(10): 512-520].