scholarly journals The Intermediates in Branched-Chain Amino Acid Biosynthesis Are Indispensable for Conidial Germination of the Insect-Pathogenic Fungus Metarhizium robertsii

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Feifei Luo ◽  
Hongxia Zhou ◽  
Xue Zhou ◽  
Xiangyun Xie ◽  
You Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Conidial Germination ◽  
Keto Acid ◽  
Metarhizium Robertsii ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acid ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
Branched Chain

ABSTRACT Metarhizium spp. are well-known biocontrol agents used worldwide to control different insect pests. Keto-acid reductoisomerase (ILVC) is a key enzyme for branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis, and it regulates many physiological activities. However, its functions in insect-pathogenic fungi are poorly understood. In this work, we identified MrilvC in M. robertsii and dissected its roles in fungal growth, conidiation, germination, destruxin biosynthesis, environmental stress response, and insecticidal virulence. BCAA metabolism affects conidial yields and germination. However, BCAAs cannot recover the conidial germination of an MrilvC-deficient strain. Further feeding assays with intermediates showed that some conidia of the ΔMrilvC mutant start to germinate. Therefore, it is the germination defect that causes the complete failures of conidial penetration and pathogenicity in the ΔMrilvC mutant. In conclusion, we found intermediates in BCAA biosynthesis are indispensable for Metarhizium robertsii conidial germination. This study will advance our understanding of the fungal germination mechanism. IMPORTANCE Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism plays a significant role in many biological activities beyond protein synthesis. Spore germination initiates the first stage of vegetative growth, which is critical for the virulence of pathogenic fungi. In this study, we demonstrated that the keto-acid reductoisomerase MrILVC, a key enzyme for BCAA biosynthesis, from the insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii is associated with conidial germination and fungal pathogenicity. Surprisingly, the germination of the ΔMrilvC mutant was restored when supplemented with the intermediates of BCAA metabolism rather than three BCAAs. The result was significantly different from that of plant-pathogenic fungi. Therefore, this report highlights that the intermediates in BCAA biosynthesis are indispensable for conidial germination of M. robertsii.

scholarly journals Acid Stress-Mediated Metabolic Shift in Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis LSCE1

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 2656-2666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana I. Serrazanetti ◽  
Maurice Ndagijimana ◽  
Sylvain L. Sado-Kamdem ◽  
Aldo Corsetti ◽  
Rudi F. Vogel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Acid Stress ◽  
Redox Balance ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Metabolic Shift ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lactobacillus Sanfranciscensis ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acid ◽  
Branched Chain

ABSTRACTLactobacillus sanfranciscensisLSCE1 was selected as a target organism originating from recurrently refreshed sourdough to study the metabolic rerouting associated with the acid stress exposure during sourdough fermentation. In particular, the acid stress induced a metabolic shift toward overproduction of 3-methylbutanoic and 2-methylbutanoic acids accompanied by reduced sugar consumption and primary carbohydrate metabolite production. The fate of labeled leucine, the role of different nutrients and precursors, and the expression of the genes involved in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism were evaluated at pH 3.6 and 5.8. The novel application of the program XCMS to the solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) data allowed accurate separation and quantification of 2-methylbutanoic and 3-methylbutanoic acids, generally reported as a cumulative datum. The metabolites coming from BCAA catabolism increased up to seven times under acid stress. The gene expression analysis confirmed that some genes associated with BCAA catabolism were overexpressed under acid conditions. The experiment with labeled leucine showed that 2-methylbutanoic acid originated also from leucine. While the overproduction of 3-methylbutanoic acid under acid stress can be attributed to the need to maintain redox balance, the rationale for the production of 2-methylbutanoic acid from leucine can be found in a newly proposed biosynthesis pathway leading to 2-methylbutanoic acid and 3 mol of ATP per mol of leucine. Leucine catabolism to 3-methylbutanoic and 2-methylbutanoic acids suggests that the switch from sugar to amino acid catabolism supports growth inL. sanfranciscensisin restricted environments such as sourdough characterized by acid stress and recurrent carbon starvation.

scholarly journals Branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase 2 regulates ferroptotic cell death in cancer cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kang Wang ◽  
Zhengyang Zhang ◽  
Hsiang-i Tsai ◽  
Yanfang Liu ◽  
Jie Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acid ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Key Enzyme ◽  
Branched Chain

Abstract Ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death driven by cellular metabolism and iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has been implicated as a tumor-suppressor function for cancer therapy. Recent advance revealed that the sensitivity to ferroptosis is tightly linked to numerous biological processes, including metabolism of amino acid and the biosynthesis of glutathione. Here, by using a high-throughput CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic screen in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells to search for metabolic proteins inhibiting ferroptosis, we identified a branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase 2 (BCAT2) as a novel suppressor of ferroptosis. Mechanistically, ferroptosis inducers (erastin, sorafenib, and sulfasalazine) activated AMPK/SREBP1 signaling pathway through iron-dependent ferritinophagy, which in turn inhibited BCAT2 transcription. We further confirmed that BCAT2 as the key enzyme mediating the metabolism of sulfur amino acid, regulated intracellular glutamate level, whose activation by ectopic expression specifically antagonize system Xc– inhibition and protected liver and pancreatic cancer cells from ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. On the contrary, direct inhibition of BCAT2 by RNA interference, or indirect inhibition by blocking system Xc– activity, triggers ferroptosis. Finally, our results demonstrate the synergistic effect of sorafenib and sulfasalazine in downregulating BCAT2 expression and dictating ferroptotic death, where BCAT2 can also be used to predict the responsiveness of cancer cells to ferroptosis-inducing therapies. Collectively, these findings identify a novel role of BCAT2 in ferroptosis, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for overcoming sorafenib resistance.

scholarly journals Ubiquity of Insect-Derived Nitrogen Transfer to Plants by Endophytic Insect-Pathogenic Fungi: an Additional Branch of the Soil Nitrogen Cycle

2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 1553-1560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott W. Behie ◽  
Michael J. Bidochka
Keyword(s):  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Insect Herbivory ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Nitrogen Transfer ◽  
Metarhizium Robertsii ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lecanicillium Lecanii ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Insect Pathogenic Fungi

ABSTRACTThe study of symbiotic nitrogen transfer in soil has largely focused on nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Vascular plants can lose a substantial amount of their nitrogen through insect herbivory. Previously, we showed that plants were able to reacquire nitrogen from insects through a partnership with the endophytic, insect-pathogenic fungusMetarhizium robertsii. That is, the endophytic capability and insect pathogenicity ofM. robertsiiare coupled so that the fungus acts as a conduit to provide insect-derived nitrogen to plant hosts. Here, we assess the ubiquity of this nitrogen transfer in fiveMetarhiziumspecies representing those with broad (M. robertsii,M. brunneum, andM. guizhouense) and narrower insect host ranges (M. acridumandM. flavoviride), as well as the insect-pathogenic fungiBeauveria bassianaandLecanicillium lecanii. Insects were injected with15N-labeled nitrogen, and we tracked the incorporation of15N into two dicots, haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and soybean (Glycine max), and two monocots, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and wheat (Triticum aestivum), in the presence of these fungi in soil microcosms. AllMetarhiziumspecies andB. bassianabut notL. lecaniishowed the capacity to transfer nitrogen to plants, although to various degrees. Endophytic association by these fungi increased overall plant productivity. We also showed that in the field, where microbial competition is potentially high,M. robertsiiwas able to transfer insect-derived nitrogen to plants.Metarhiziumspp. andB. bassianahave a worldwide distribution with high soil abundance and may play an important role in the ecological cycling of insect nitrogen back to plant communities.

scholarly journals NET BLOOD EXCHANGE OF BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO AND α-KETO ACIDS ACROSS THE PORTAL-DRAINED VISCERA AND HINDLIMB OF CATTLE DURING INFUSIONS OF LEUCINE AND INSULIN

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. EARLY ◽  
J. R. THOMPSON ◽  
R. J. CHRISTOPHERSON
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Plasma Glucose ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Keto Acid ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acid ◽  
Keto Acids ◽  
Blood Exchange ◽  
Branched Chain

The effects of intra external iliac arterial infusions of leucine (114 μmol h−1 kg0.75) and insulin (0.34 U h−1 kg0.75) into the hindlimb on net whole blood branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), plasma branched-chain α-keto acid (BCKA) and glucose exchange across the hindlimb (HL) and portal-drained viscera (PDV) were investigated in chronically catheterized cattle. Leucine infusions increased (P < 0.05) arterial leucine and α-ketoisocaproate concentrations but did not affect the concentrations of other BCAA, BCKA or glucose. Leucine infusions resulted in a 4-fold increase (P < 0.1) in the net HL removal of leucine and a small increase (P < 0.1) in the net HL release of α-ketoisocaproate. Net whole blood BCAA, plasma BCKA and plasma glucose exchange across the PDV were unaffected by leucine infusions. Insulin infusions decreased (P < 0.1) whole blood leucine, plasma α-ketoisocaproate and plasma glucose concentrations and increased (P < 0.1) the HL extraction of plasma glucose. The HL and PDV extraction of whole blood BCAA and plasma BCKA were unaffected by insulin infusions. The data suggest that cattle are less sensitive to the effects of leucine and insulin on tissue BCAA catabolism compared to nonruminant species. Key words: Branched-chain amino acid, branched-chain α-keto acid, leucine, insulin, cattle

BLOOD BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO AND α-KETO ACID CONCENTRATIONS AND NET EXCHANGE ACROSS THE PORTAL-DRAINED VISCERA AND HINDLIMB OF FED AND FASTED RUMINANTS

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1011-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD J. EARLY ◽  
JAMES R. THOMPSON ◽  
ROBERT J. CHRISTOPHERSON ◽  
GARY W. SEDGWICK
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Hind Limb ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acids ◽  
Keto Acid ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acid ◽  
Keto Acids ◽  
Branched Chain ◽  
Cattle And Sheep

In the first of two experiments, whole blood branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) and plasma branched-chain α-keto acid (BCKA) concentrations in jugular venous blood were determined in cattle and sheep before and during a 6-d fast. In cattle, concentrations of valine, isoleucine, α-ketoisovalerate (KIV) and α-ketomethylvalerate (KMV) remained unchanged whereas leucine and α-ketoisocaproate (KTC) increased (P < 0.05) during fasting. In sheep, only KIV and KMV remained unchanged whereas BCAA and KIC increased (P < 0.05) during fasting. In a second experiment on cattle chronically catheterized to measure BCAA and BCKA exchange across the portal-drained viscera (PDV) and hindlimb (HL), the PDV added and the HL removed BCAA from the blood of fed cattle. The opposite exchange occurred after a 6-d fast. Releases of BCKA from the PDV and HL in both fed and fasted states were small compared to BCAA exchanges. The data suggest that blood BCAA but not BCKA concentrations may respond differently to starvation in sheep versus cattle and that in cattle the PDV and HL do not release appreciable amounts of BCKA relative to the net movements of the BCAA. Key words: Portal-drained viscera, hind limb, branched-chain amino acids, branched-chain α-keto acids, fasting, ruminants

scholarly journals Importance of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Utilization in Francisella Intracellular Adaptation

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gael Gesbert ◽  
Elodie Ramond ◽  
Fabiola Tros ◽  
Julien Dairou ◽  
Eric Frapy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Metabolic Adaptation ◽  
Amino Acid Transporters ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acid ◽  
Branched Chain

Intracellular bacterial pathogens have adapted their metabolism to optimally utilize the nutrients available in infected host cells. We recently reported the identification of an asparagine transporter required specifically for cytosolic multiplication ofFrancisella. In the present work, we characterized a new member of the major super family (MSF) of transporters, involved in isoleucine uptake. We show that this transporter (here designated IleP) plays a critical role in intracellular metabolic adaptation ofFrancisella. Inactivation of IleP severely impaired intracellularF. tularensissubsp.novicidamultiplication in all cell types tested and reduced bacterial virulence in the mouse model. To further establish the importance of theilePgene inF. tularensispathogenesis, we constructed a chromosomal deletion mutant ofileP(ΔFTL_1803) in theF. tularensissubsp.holarcticalive vaccine strain (LVS). Inactivation of IleP in theF. tularensisLVS provoked comparable intracellular growth defects, confirming the critical role of this transporter in isoleucine uptake. The data presented establish, for the first time, the importance of isoleucine utilization for efficient phagosomal escape and cytosolic multiplication ofFrancisellaand suggest that virulentF. tularensissubspecies have lost their branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic pathways and rely exclusively on dedicated uptake systems. This loss of function is likely to reflect an evolution toward a predominantly intracellular life style of the pathogen. Amino acid transporters should be thus considered major players in the adaptation of intracellular pathogens.

scholarly journals PccD Regulates Branched-Chain Amino Acid Degradation and Exerts a Negative Effect on Erythromycin Production inSaccharopolyspora erythraea

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (8) ◽  
pp. e00049-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Xu ◽  
Yong Liu ◽  
Bang-Ce Ye
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Transcriptional Regulator ◽  
Fermentation Medium ◽  
Industrial Fermentation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acid ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Branched Chain ◽  
Erythromycin Production

ABSTRACTBranched-chain amino acid (BCAA) degradation is a major source of propionyl coenzyme A (propionyl-CoA), a key precursor of erythromycin biosynthesis inSaccharopolyspora erythraea. In this study, we found that thebkdoperon, responsible for BCAA degradation, was regulated directly by PccD, a transcriptional regulator of propionyl-CoA carboxylase genes. The transcriptional level of thebkdoperon was upregulated 5-fold in apccDgene deletion strain (ΔpccDstrain) and decreased 3-fold in apccDoverexpression strain (WT/pIB-pccD), demonstrating that PccD was a negative transcriptional regulator of the operon. The deletion ofpccDsignificantly improved the ΔpccDstrain's growth rate, whereaspccDoverexpression repressed WT/pIB-pccDgrowth rate, in basic Evans medium with 30 mM valine as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. The deletion ofgdhA1and the BcdhE1 gene (genes in thebkdoperon) resulted in lower growth rates of ΔgdhA1and ΔBcdhE1 strains, respectively, on 30 mM valine, further suggesting that thebkdoperon is involved in BCAA degradation. Bothbkdoverexpression (WT/pIB-bkd) andpccDinactivation (ΔpccDstrain) improve erythromycin production (38% and 64%, respectively), whereas the erythromycin production of strain WT/pIB-pccDwas decreased by 48%. Lastly, we explored the applications of engineeringpccDandbkdin an industrial high-erythromycin-producing strain.pccDdeletion in industrial strainS. erythraeaE3 (E3pccD) improved erythromycin production by 20%, and the overexpression ofbkdin E3ΔpccD(E3ΔpccD/pIB-bkd) increased erythromycin production by 39% compared withS. erythraeaE3 in an industrial fermentation medium. Addition of 30 mM valine to industrial fermentation medium further improved the erythromycin production by 23%, a 72% increase from the initial strainS. erythraeaE3.IMPORTANCEWe describe abkdoperon involved in BCAA degradation inS. erythraea. The genes of the operon are repressed by a TetR regulator, PccD. The results demonstrated that PccD controlled the supply of precursors for biosynthesis of erythromycin via regulating the BCAA degradation and propionyl-CoA assimilation and exerted a negative effect on erythromycin production. The findings reveal a regulatory mechanism in feeder pathways and provide new strategies for designing metabolic engineering to increase erythromycin yield.

Regulation of valine and alpha-ketoisocaproate metabolism in rat kidney mitochondria

1988 ◽  
Vol 255 (4) ◽  
pp. E475-E481 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Miller ◽  
A. E. Harper
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Co2 Evolution ◽  
Radioactive Tracers ◽  
Keto Acid ◽  
Kidney Mitochondria ◽  
Assay Medium ◽  
Branched Chain Amino Acid ◽  
Keto Acids ◽  
Branched Chain

Activities of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) aminotransferase (BCAT) and alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKD) were assayed in mitochondria isolated from kidneys of rats. Rates of transamination of valine and oxidation of keto acids alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC) or alpha-ketoisovalerate (KIV) were estimated using radioactive tracers of the appropriate substrate from amounts of 14C-labeled products formed (14CO2 or [1-14C]-keto acid). Because of the high mitochondrial BCAT activity, an amino acceptor for BCAT, alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha-KG) or KIC, was added to the assay medium when valine was the substrate. Rates of valine transamination and subsequent oxidation of the KIV formed were determined with 0.5 mM alpha-KG as the amino acceptor; these rates were 5- to 50-fold those without added alpha-KG. Rates of CO2 evolution from valine also increased when KIC (0.01-0.10 mM) was present; however, with KIC concentrations above 0.2 mM, rates of CO2 evolution from valine declined although rates of transamination continued to rise. When 0.05 mM KIC was added to the assay medium, oxidation of KIC was suppressed by inclusion of valine or glutamate in the medium. When valine was present KIC was not oxidized preferentially, presumably because it was also serving as an amino acceptor for BCAT. These results indicate that as the supply of amino acceptor, alpha-KG or KIC, is increased in mitochondria not only is the rate of valine transamination stimulated but also the rate of oxidation of the KIV formed from valine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document