Dictyostelium Differentiation-Inducing Factor 1 Promotes Glucose Uptake via Direct Inhibition of Mitochondrial Malate Dehydrogenase in Mouse 3T3-L1 Cells.

Differentiation-inducing factor 1 (DIF-1), found in Dictyostelium discoideum, has antiproliferative and glucose-uptake-promoting activities in mammalian cells. DIF-1 is a potential lead for the development of antitumor and/or antiobesity/antidiabetes drugs, but the mechanisms underlying its actions have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we searched for target molecules of DIF-1 that mediate the actions of DIF-1 in mammalian cells by identifying DIF-1-binding proteins in human cervical cancer HeLa cells and mouse 3T3-L1 fibroblast cells using affinity chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and found mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (MDH2) to be a DIF-1-binding protein in both cell lines. Since DIF-1 has been shown to directly inhibit MDH2 activity, we compared the effects of DIF-1 and the MDH2 inhibitor LW6 on the growth of HeLa and 3T3-L1 cells and on glucose uptake in confluent 3T3-L1 cells in vitro. In both HeLa and 3T3-L1 cells, DIF-1 at 10-40 µM dose-dependently suppressed growth, whereas LW6 at 20 µM, but not at 2-10 µM, significantly suppressed growth in these cells. In confluent 3T3-L1 cells, DIF-1 at 10-40 µM significantly promoted glucose uptake, with the strongest effect at 20 µM DIF-1, whereas LW6 at 2-20 µM significantly promoted glucose uptake, with the strongest effect at 10 µM LW6. Western blot analyses showed that LW6 (10 µM) and DIF-1 (20 µM) phosphorylated and, thus, activated AMP kinase in 3T3-L1 cells. Our results suggest that MDH2 inhibition can suppress cell growth and promote glucose uptake in the cells, but appears to promote glucose uptake more strongly than it suppresses cell growth. Thus, DIF-1 may promote glucose uptake, at least in part, via direct inhibition of MDH2 and a subsequent activation of AMP kinase in 3T3-L1 cells.

The gastrointestinal tract is a major source of the acute metformin-stimulated rise in GDF15.

The hormone GDF15 is secreted in response to cellular stressors. Metformin elevates circulating levels of GDF15, an action important for the drug's beneficial effects on body weight. Metformin can also inhibit mammalian respiratory complex I, leading to decreases in ATP:AMP ratio, activation of AMP Kinase (AMPK), and increased GDF15 production. We undertook studies using a range of mice with tissue-specific loss of Gdf15 (namely gut, liver and global deletion) to determine the relative contributions of two classical metformin target tissues, the gut and liver, to the elevation of GDF15 seen with metformin. In addition, we performed comparative studies with another pharmacological agent, the AMP kinase pan-activator, MK-8722. Deletion of Gdf15 from the intestinal epithelium significantly reduced the circulating GDF15 response to oral metformin, whereas deletion of Gdf15 from the liver had no effect. In contrast, deletion of Gdf15 from the liver, but not the gut, markedly reduced circulating GDF15 responses to MK-8722. Further, our data show that, while GDF15 restricts high-fat diet-induced weight gain, the intestinal production of GDF15 is not necessary for this effect. These findings add to the body of evidence implicating the intestinal epithelium in key aspects of the pharmacology of metformin action.

Integrative analyses of N6-methyladenosine-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (m6A-SNPs) identify tumor suppressor gene AK9 in lung cancer.

N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) modification has been identified as one of the most important epigenetic regulation mechanisms in the development of human cancers. However, the association between m6 A-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (m6 A-SNPs) and lung cancer risk remains largely unknown. Here, we identified m6 A-SNPs and examined the association of these m6 A-SNPs with lung cancer risk in 13,793 lung cancer cases and 14,027 controls. In silico functional annotation was used to identify causal m6 A-SNPs and target genes. Furthermore, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (MeRIP-qPCR) assay was performed to assess the m6 A modification level of different genotypes of the causal SNP. In vitro assays were performed to validate the potential role of the target gene in lung cancer. A total of 8794 m6 A-SNPs were detected, among which 397 SNPs in nine susceptibility loci were associated with lung cancer risk, including six novel loci. Bioinformatics analyses indicated that rs1321328 in 6q21 was located around the m6 A modification site of AK9 and significantly reduced AK9 expression (ß = -0.15, p = 2.78 × 10-8 ). Moreover, AK9 was significantly downregulated in lung cancer tissues than that in adjacent normal tissues of samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas and Nanjing Lung Cancer Cohort. MeRIP-qPCR assay suggested that C allele of rs1321328 could significantly decrease the m6 A modification level of AK9 compared with G allele. In vitro assays verified the tumor-suppressing role of AK9 in lung cancer. These findings shed light on the pathogenic mechanism of lung cancer susceptibility loci linked with m6 A modification.

UK-5099, a mitochondrial pyruvate carrier inhibitor, recovers impaired neutrophil maturation caused by AK2 deficiency in human pluripotent stem cell models.

Reticular dysgenesis (RD) is a rare genetic disease caused by gene mutations in the ATP:AMP phosphotransferase, adenylate kinase 2 (AK2). Patients with RD suffer from severe combined immunodeficiency with neutrophil maturation arrest. Although hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be a curative option, it is invasive, and complications of agranulocytosis-induced infection worsen the prognosis. Here, we report that the use of UK-5099, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), on hemo-angiogenic progenitor cells (HAPCs) derived from AK2-deficient induced pluripotent stem cells improved neutrophil maturation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in AK2-deficient HAPCs remained unchanged throughout all experiments, implying that UK-5099 improved the phenotype without affecting ROS levels. Overall, our results suggest that the MPC is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neutrophil maturation defects in RD.

Rat and mouse cardiomyocytes show subtle differences in creatine kinase expression and compartmentalization.

Creatine kinase (CK) and adenylate kinase (AK) are energy transfer systems. Different studies on permeabilized cardiomyocytes suggest that ADP-channelling from mitochondrial CK alone stimulates respiration to its maximum, VO2_max, in rat but not mouse cardiomyocytes. Results are ambiguous on ADP-channelling from AK to mitochondria. This study was undertaken to directly compare the CK and AK systems in rat and mouse hearts. In homogenates, we assessed CK- and AK-activities, and the CK isoform distribution. In permeabilized cardiomyocytes, we assessed mitochondrial respiration stimulated by ADP from CK and AK, VO2_CK and VO2_AK, respectively. The ADP-channelling from CK or AK to mitochondria was assessed by adding PEP and PK to competitively inhibit the respiration rate. We found that rat compared to mouse hearts had a lower aerobic capacity, higher VO2_CK/VO2_max, and different CK-isoform distribution. Although rat hearts had a larger fraction of mitochondrial CK, less ADP was channeled from CK to the mitochondria. This suggests different intracellular compartmentalization in rat and mouse cardiomyocytes. VO2_AK/VO2_max was similar in mouse and rat cardiomyocytes, and AK did not channel ADP to the mitochondria. In the absence of intracellular compartmentalization, the AK- and CK-activities in homogenate should have been similar to the ADP-phosphorylation rates estimated from VO2_AK and VO2_CK in permeabilized cardiomyocytes. Instead, we found that the ADP-phosphorylation rates estimated from permeabilized cardiomyocytes were 2 and 9 times lower than the activities recorded in homogenate for CK and AK, respectively. Our results highlight the importance of energetic compartmentalization in cardiac metabolic regulation and signalling.

Hypoxia increases persulfide and polysulfide formation by AMP kinase dependent cystathionine gamma lyase phosphorylation.

Hydropersulfide and hydropolysulfide metabolites are increasingly important reactive sulfur species (RSS) regulating numerous cellular redox dependent functions. Intracellular production of these species is known to occur through RSS interactions or through translational mechanisms involving cysteinyl t-RNA synthetases. However, regulation of these species under cell stress conditions, such as hypoxia, that are known to modulate RSS remain poorly understood. Here we define an important mechanism of increased persulfide and polysulfide production involving cystathionine gamma lyase (CSE) phosphorylation at serine 346 and threonine 355 in a substrate specific manner, under acute hypoxic conditions. Hypoxic phosphorylation of CSE occurs in an AMP kinase dependent manner increasing enzyme activity involving unique inter- and intramolecular interactions within the tetramer. Importantly, both cellular hypoxia and tissue ischemia result in AMP Kinase dependent CSE phosphorylation that regulates blood flow in ischemic tissues. Our findings reveal hypoxia molecular signaling pathways regulating CSE dependent persulfide and polysulfide production impacting tissue and cellular response to stress.

Adenylate kinase 9 is essential for sperm function and male fertility in mammals.

Despite passing routine laboratory tests for semen quality, bulls used in artificial insemination exhibit significant variation in fertility. Routine analysis of fertility data identified a dairy bull with extreme subfertility (10% pregnancy rate). To characterize the subfertility phenotype, a range of in vitro, in vivo, and molecular assays were carried out. Sperm from the subfertile bull exhibited reduced motility and severely reduced caffeine-induced hyperactivation compared to controls. Ability to penetrate the zona pellucida, cleavage rate, cleavage kinetics, and blastocyst yield after IVF or AI were significantly lower than in control bulls. Whole-genome sequencing from semen and RNA sequencing of testis tissue revealed a critical mutation in adenylate kinase 9 (AK9) that impaired splicing, leading to a premature termination codon and a severely truncated protein. Mice deficient in AK9 were generated to further investigate the function of the gene; knockout males were phenotypically indistinguishable from their wild-type littermates but produced immotile sperm that were incapable of normal fertilization. These sperm exhibited numerous abnormalities, including a low ATP concentration and reduced motility. RNA-seq analysis of their testis revealed differential gene expression of components of the axoneme and sperm flagellum as well as steroid metabolic processes. Sperm ultrastructural analysis showed a high percentage of sperm with abnormal flagella. Combined bovine and murine data indicate the essential metabolic role of AK9 in sperm motility and/or hyperactivation, which in turn affects sperm binding and penetration of the zona pellucida. Thus, AK9 has been found to be directly implicated in impaired male fertility in mammals.

1H, 13C, 15N backbone resonance assignment of Escherichia coli adenylate kinase.

Adenylate kinase reversibly catalyzes the conversion of ATP plus AMP to two ADPs. This essential catalyst is present in every cell, and the Escherichia coli protein is often employed as a model enzyme. Our aim is to use the E. coli enzyme to understand dry protein structure and protection. Here, we report the expression, purification, steady-state assay, NMR conditions and 1H, 13C, 15N backbone resonance NMR assignments of its C77S variant. These data will also help others utilize this prototypical enzyme.

GP-2250, a novel anticancer agent, inhibits the energy metabolism, activates AMP-Kinase and impairs the NF-kB pathway in pancreatic cancer cells.

GP-2250, a novel anticancer agent, severely limits the energy metabolism, as demonstrated by the inhibition of hexokinase 2 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and a decrease of ATP. Rescue experiments with supplementary pyruvate or oxaloacetate demonstrated that a TCA cycle deficit largely contributed to cytotoxicity. Activation of the energy-deficit sensor, AMP-dependent protein kinase, was associated with increased phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and Raptor, pointing to a possible deficit in the synthesis of fatty acids and proteins as essential cell components. Binding of p65 to DNA was dose-dependently reduced in nuclear lysates. A transcriptional deficit of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) was substantiated by the downregulation of cyclin D1 and of the anti-apoptotic Bcl2, in line with reduction in tumour cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis, respectively. The upregulation of p53 concomitant with an excess of ROS supported apoptosis. Thus, the anticancer activity of GP-2250 is a result of disruption of energy metabolism and inhibition of tumour promotion by NF-κB.

Adenylate kinase immobilized on graphene oxide impairs progression of human lung carcinoma epithelial cells through adenosinergic pathway.

Purinergic signaling, the oldest evolutionary transmitter system, has been increasingly studied as a pivotal target for novel anti-cancer therapies. In the present work, the developed nanobiocatalytic system consisting of adenylate kinase immobilized on graphene oxide (AK-GO) was characterized in terms of its physicochemical and biochemical properties. We put special emphasis on the AK-GO influence on purinergic signaling components, that is, ecto-nucleotides concentration and ecto-enzymes expression and activity in human lung carcinoma epithelial (A549) cells. The immobilization-dependent modification of AK kinetic parameters allowed for the removal of ATP excess while maintaining low ATP concentrations, efficient decrease in adenosine concentration, and control of the nucleotide balance in carcinoma cells. The cyto- and hemocompatibility of developed AK-GO nanobiocatalytic system indicates that it can be successfully harnessed for biomedical applications. In A549 cells treated with AK-GO nanobiocatalytic system, the significantly decreased adenosinergic signaling results in reduction of the proliferation and migration capability of cancer cells. This finding is particularly relevant in regard to AK-GO prospective anti-cancer applications.

Allosteric communication between ligand binding domains modulates substrate inhibition in adenylate kinase.

Enzymes play a vital role in life processes; they control chemical reactions and allow functional cycles to be synchronized. Many enzymes harness large-scale motions of their domains to achieve tremendous catalytic prowess and high selectivity for specific substrates. One outstanding example is provided by the three-domain enzyme adenylate kinase (AK), which catalyzes phosphotransfer between ATP to AMP. Here we study the phenomenon of substrate inhibition by AMP and its correlation with domain motions. Using single-molecule FRET spectroscopy, we show that AMP does not block access to the ATP binding site, neither by competitive binding to the ATP cognate site nor by directly closing the LID domain. Instead, inhibitory concentrations of AMP lead to a faster and more cooperative domain closure by ATP, leading in turn to an increased population of the closed state. The effect of AMP binding can be modulated through mutations throughout the structure of the enzyme, as shown by the screening of an extensive AK mutant library. The mutation of multiple conserved residues reduces substrate inhibition, suggesting that substrate inhibition is an evolutionary well conserved feature in AK. Combining these insights, we developed a model that explains the complex activity of AK, particularly substrate inhibition, based on the experimentally observed opening and closing rates. Notably, the model indicates that the catalytic power is affected by the microsecond balance between the open and closed states of the enzyme. Our findings highlight the crucial role of protein motions in enzymatic activity.

Regulation of Adenine Nucleotide Metabolism by Adenylate Kinase Isozymes: Physiological Roles and Diseases.

Adenylate kinase (AK) regulates adenine nucleotide metabolism and catalyzes the ATP + AMP ⇌ 2ADP reaction in a wide range of organisms and bacteria. AKs regulate adenine nucleotide ratios in different intracellular compartments and maintain the homeostasis of the intracellular nucleotide metabolism necessary for growth, differentiation, and motility. To date, nine isozymes have been identified and their functions have been analyzed. Moreover, the dynamics of the intracellular energy metabolism, diseases caused by AK mutations, the relationship with carcinogenesis, and circadian rhythms have recently been reported. This article summarizes the current knowledge regarding the physiological roles of AK isozymes in different diseases. In particular, this review focused on the symptoms caused by mutated AK isozymes in humans and phenotypic changes arising from altered gene expression in animal models. The future analysis of intracellular, extracellular, and intercellular energy metabolism with a focus on AK will aid in a wide range of new therapeutic approaches for various diseases, including cancer, lifestyle-related diseases, and aging.

Adenylate Kinase Fused to Spidroin as a Catalyst for Decreasing Leakage out of 3D-Bioprinted Hydrogels and for ATP Regeneration.

Numerous metabolic reactions and pathways use adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) as an energy source and as a phosphorous or pyrophosphorous donor. Based on three-dimensional (3D)-printing, enzyme immobilization can be used to improve ATP regeneration and operability and reduce cost. However, due to the relatively large mesh size of 3D-bioprinted hydrogels soaked in a reaction solution, the lower-molecular-weight enzymes cannot avoid leaking out of the hydrogels readily. Here, a chimeric adenylate-kinase-spidroin (ADK-RC) is created, with ADK serving as the N-terminal domain. The chimera is capable of self-assembling to form micellar nanoparticles at a higher molecular scale. Although fused to spidroin (RC), ADK-RC remains relatively consistent and exhibits high activity, thermostability, pH stability, and organic solvent tolerance. Considering different surface-to-volume ratios, three shapes of enzyme hydrogels are designed, 3D bioprinted, and measured. In addition, a continuous enzymatic reaction demonstrates that ADK-RC hydrogels have higher specific activity and substrate affinity but a lower reaction rate and catalytic power compared to free enzymes in solution. With ATP regeneration, the ADK and ADK-RC hydrogels significantly increase the production of d-glucose-6-phosphate and obtain an efficient usage frequency. In conclusion, enzymes fused to spidroin might be an efficient strategy for maintaining activity and reducing leakage in 3D-bioprinted hydrogels under mild conditions.

Influence of chrysin on D-galactose induced-aging in mice: Up regulation of AMP kinase/liver kinase B1/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1-α signaling pathway.

Adenosine monophosphate kinase/liver kinase B1/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1-α (AMPK/LKB1/PGC1α) pathway has a vital role in regulating age-related diseases. It controls neurogenesis, cell proliferation, axon outgrowth, and cellular energy homeostasis. AMPK pathway also regulates mitochondrial synthesis. The current study evaluated the effect of chrysin on D-galactose (D-gal) induced-aging, neuron degeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation in mice. The mice were allocated randomly into four groups (10 each group): Group 1: normal control group, Group 2: D-gal group, Groups 3 and 4: chrysin (125 and 250 mg/kg, respectively). Groups 2-4 were injected with D-gal (200 mg/kg/day; s.c) for 8 weeks to induce aging. Groups 3 and 4 were orally gavaged every day concurrent with D-gal. At the end of experiment, behavioral, brain biochemical and histopathological changes were monitored. Chrysin administration elevated discrimination ratio in object recognition, Y Maze percentage alternation, locomotor activity and brain contents of AMPK, LKB1, PGC1α, NAD (P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), nerve growth factor (NGF) (neurotrophin-3; NT-3), and seretonin as well as reduced brain contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) compared to D-gal-treated mice. Chrysin also alleviated cerebral cortex and white matter neurons degeneration. Chrysin protects against neurodegeneration, improves mitochondrial autophagy and biogenesis as well as activates antioxidant genes expression. In addition, chrysin ameliorates neuroinflammation and stimulates the release of NGF and serotonin neurotransmitter. So, chrysin has a neuroprotective effect in D-gal induced-aging in mice.

An AMP Kinase-pathway dependent integrated stress response regulates ageing and longevity.

The purpose of this article is to investigate the role of the AMP-kinase pathway (AMPK pathway) in the induction of a concomitant set of health benefits by exercise, numerous drugs, and health ingredients, all of which are adversely affected by ageing. Despite the AMPK pathway being frequently mentioned in relation to both these health effects and ageing, it appears challenging to understand how the activation of a single biochemical pathway by various treatments can produce such a diverse range of concurrent health benefits, involving so many organs. We discovered that the AMPK pathway functions as an integrated stress response system because of the presence of a feedback loop in it. This evolutionary conserved stress response system detects changes in AMP/ATP and NAD/NADH ratios, as well as the presence of potential toxins, and responds by activating a common protective transcriptional response that protects against aging and promotes longevity. The inactivation of the AMPK pathway with age most likely explains why ageing has a negative impact on the above-mentioned set of health benefits. We conclude that the presence of a feedback loop in the AMP-kinase pathway positions this pathway as an AMPK-ISR (AMP Kinase-dependent integrated stress response) system that responds to almost any type of (moderate) environmental stress by inducing various age-related health benefits and longevity.

The association of ODF4 with AK1 and AK2 in mice is essential for fertility through its contribution to flagellar shape.

Normal sperm flagellar shape and movement are essential for fertilization. The integral protein outer dense fiber 4 (ODF4) localizes to ODFs, but its function remains unclear. Adenylate kinase (AK) is a phosphotransferase that catalyzes the interconversion and controls the concentration equilibrium of adenine nucleotides. AK shuttles ATP to energy-consuming sites. Here, we report on the relationship of flagellar shape and movement with ODF4, AK1 and AK2 by using Odf4-deletion (Odf4-/-) mice. Soluble ODF4 is coimmunoprecipitated with AK1 and AK2 in Odf4+/+ spermatozoa. ODF4, AK1 and AK2 localize to whole flagella (plasmalemma, mitochondria, ODFs, and residual cytoplasmic droplets (CDs)), principal pieces, and midpieces, respectively. Odf4-/- sperm flagella lose ODF4 and reduce AK1 and AK2 but produce ATP. The flagellum is bent (hairpin flagellum) with a large CD in the midpiece. There is no motility in the midpiece, but the principal piece is motile. Odf4-/- spermatozoa progress backward and fail to ascend in the uterus. Thus, Odf4-/- males are infertile owing to abnormal flagellar shape and movement caused mainly by the loss of ODF4 with AK1 and AK2. This study is supported by the rescue experiment; the abnormalities and male infertility caused by Odf4 deletion were reversed by Odf4 restoration.

Magnesium and cell energetics: At the junction of metabolism of adenylate and non-adenylate nucleotides.

Free magnesium (Mg2+) represents a powerful signal arising from interconversions of adenylates (ATP, ADP and AMP). This is a consequence of the involvement of adenylate kinase (AK) which equilibrates adenylates and uses defined species of Mg-complexed and Mg-free adenylates in both directions of its reaction. However, cells contain also other reversible Mg2+-dependent enzymes that equilibrate non-adenylate nucleotides (uridylates, cytidylates and guanylates), i.e. nucleoside monophosphate kinases (NMPKs) and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK). Here, we propose that AK activity is tightly coupled to activities of NMPK and NDPK, linking adenylate equilibrium to equilibria of other nucleotides, and with [Mg2+] controlling the ratios of Mg-chelated and Mg-free nucleotides. This coupling establishes main hubs for adenylate-driven equilibration of non-adenylate nucleotides, with [Mg2+] acting as signal arising from all nucleotides rather than adenylates only. Further consequences involve an overall adenylate control of UTP-, GTP- and CTP-dependent pathways and the availability of substrates for RNA and DNA synthesis.

A key regulatory loop AK4P1/miR-375/SP1 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is one of the leading lethal human cancer types and is notorious for its poor prognosis. A series of bioinformatic analyses and experimental validations were employed to explore the role and mechanism of pseudogene-derived RNAs in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Consequently, a total of 13 upregulated and 7 downregulated pseudogene-derived RNAs in pancreatic adenocarcinoma were identified. Survival analysis revealed a statistically predictive role of AK4P1 for unfavourable prognosis of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Subcellular location analysis indicated that AK4P1 was mainly located in cytoplasm, in which AK4P1 might competitively bind to tumour suppressive miR-375 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Further analysis showed that SP1 was a potential downstream target gene of miR-375 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Intriguingly, expression determination validated that SP1 could positively regulate AK4P1 levels in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Finally, AK4P1 might also exert its effects by interacting with oncogenic parental gene AK4 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Conclusively, the present study elucidated a key regulatory loop AK4P1/miR-375/SP1 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

AMP kinase activation by Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid protects the retina against ischemic insult: An in vitro and in vivo study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the possible beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3-PUFAs) in ischemic retinal angiogenesis and whether AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is involved. METHODS: Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs) were exposed to dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), a hypoxia-inducible factor hydroxylase inhibitor, in the presence or absence of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) for AMPKα for 24 h. Ischemic factors, endothelial mesenchymal transition marker, endothelial barrier integrity, cell migration, and tube formation were evaluated. Neonatal AMPKα2-/- and control wild-type (WT) mice were submitted to an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) protocol; their nursing mother mice were either fed ω3-PUFAs or not. In the end, ischemic markers and endothelial cell proliferation were evaluated in neonatal mouse retinal tissue through immunohistochemical or immunofluorescent assays among all studied groups. RESULTS: Cells exposed to DMOG displayed increased expressions of hypoxic and endothelial mesenchymal transition (vimentin) markers and barrier disarrangement of Zonula Occludens-1 compared to the control, accompanied by increased cellular migration and tube formation (p < 0.05). AMPK activity was significantly decreased. Supplementation with DHA restored the mentioned alterations compared to DMOG (p<0.05). In siRNAAMPKα-treated cells, the beneficial effects observed with DHA were abolished. DHA upregulated G-protein receptor-120 (GPR120), which promptly increased intracellular levels of calcium (p ≤ 0.001), which consequently increased Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase ß expression (CaMKKß) thus phosphorylating AMPKThr172. AMPKα2-/- and wild-type (WT) OIR mice exhibited similar retinal ischemic changes, and the oral supplementation with ω3-PUFA efficiently prevented the noticed ischemic alterations only in WT mice, suggesting that AMPKα2 is pivotal in the protective effects of ω3-PUFA. CONCLUSIONS: ω3-PUFAs protect the retina from the effects of ischemic conditions, and this effect occurs via the GPR120-CaMKKß-AMPK axis. A better understanding of this mechanism might improve the control of pathological angiogenesis in retinal ischemic diseases.

The Effect of Heterozygous Mutation of Adenylate Kinase 2 Gene on Neutrophil Differentiation.

Mitochondrial ATP production plays an important role in most cellular activities, including growth and differentiation. Previously we reported that Adenylate kinase 2 (AK2) is the main ADP supplier in the mitochondrial intermembrane space in hematopoietic cells, especially in the bone marrow. AK2 is crucial for the production of neutrophils and T cells, and its deficiency causes reticular dysgenesis. However, the relationship between ADP supply by AK2 and neutrophil differentiation remains unclear. In this study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to establish two heterozygous AK2 knock-out HL-60 clones as models for reticular dysgenesis. Their AK2 activities were about half that in the wild-type (WT). Furthermore, neutrophil differentiation was impaired in one of the clones. In silico analysis predicted that the obtained mutations might cause a structural change in AK2. Time course microarray analysis of the WT and mutants revealed that similar gene clusters responded to all-trans retinoic acid treatment, but their expression was lower in the mutants than in WT. Application of fructose partially restored neutrophil differentiation in the heterozygous knock-out HL-60 clone after all-trans retinoic acid treatment. Collectively, our study suggests that the mutation of N-terminal region in AK2 might play a role in AK2-dependent neutrophil differentiation and fructose could be used to treat AK2 deficiency.