BACKGROUND

Lithium has been known as a second-line treatment for hyperthyroidism. However, it has a narrow therapeutic range especially in patients with impaired renal function. Toxicity can cause neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal symptoms, including rare cases of renal failure needing renal replacement therapy. This case report highlights a rare instance of acute lithium toxicity in a patient with multinodular goiter and chronic kidney disease, following methimazole-induced agranulocytosis.

A 55-year-old Filipino woman with chronic kidney disease and multinodular toxic goiter who developed methimazole-induced agranulocytosis presented with altered mental status after pre-treatment with lithium. Laboratory tests confirmed elevated lithium levels, consistent with acute lithium toxicity. She developed acute kidney injury, necessitating urgent hemodialysis with hemoperfusion. After two sessions, her neurological status and renal function improved. The patient resumed pre-treatment with carbimazole and subsequently underwent successful RAI then maintained on levothyroxine for long-term thyroid management

Lithium toxicity is rare but can cause life-threatening complications, particularly in patients with pre-existing kidney disease. Hemodialysis remains the treatment of choice for severe toxicity, significantly improving patient outcomes. Lithium toxicity can occur even within therapeutic levels, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring. This case highlights the importance of clinical vigilance when using lithium.

S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCO) is a non-protein sulfur-containing amino acid with a variety of functions. There are few reports on the enzymes catalyzing the biosynthesis of SMCO from S-methyl-L-cysteine (SMC). In this study, the flavin-containing monooxygenase gene derived from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (spfmo) was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and the enzymatic properties of the expressed protein were analyzed. The optimum catalytic conditions of the recombinant SpFMO were 30 ℃ and pH 8.0, under which the enzyme activity reached 72.77 U/g. An appropriate amount of Mg²⁺ improved the enzyme activity. The enzyme kinetic analysis showed that the K_m and k_cat/K_m of SpFMO on the substrate SMC were 23.89 μmol/L and 61.71 L/(min·mmol), respectively. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the yield of SMCO synthesized from SMC catalyzed by SpFMO was 12.31% within 9 h. This study provides reference for the enzymatic synthesis of SMCO.
Schizosaccharomyces/genetics* ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism* ; Cysteine/biosynthesis* ; Mixed Function Oxygenases/metabolism* ; Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins/metabolism* ; Oxygenases/metabolism* ; Kinetics

Ergothioneine is a natural antioxidant known for its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. It has been applied in various sectors such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Edible fungi, both wild and cultivated, stand as the primary natural sources capable of synthesizing ergothioneine. This paper reviews the research progress in the content, physiological functions, extraction and detection methods, synthetic genes and pathways, mycelium fermentation, and engineering strain construction for ergothioneine production. The aim is to provide a comprehensive reference for advancing the research and industrial development related to ergothioneine in edible fungi.
Ergothioneine/isolation & purification* ; Fungi/genetics* ; Antioxidants/metabolism* ; Fermentation

Caspase-2, a highly conserved member of the caspase family, is considered an initiator caspase that triggers apoptosis in response to some cellular stresses. Previous studies suggest that an intracellular multi-protein complex PIDDosome, induced by genotoxic stress, serves as a platform for caspase-2 activation. Due to caspase-2's inability to process effector caspases, however, the mechanism underlying caspase-2-mediated cell death upon PIDDosome activation remains unclear. Here, we conducted an unbiased genome-wide genetic screen and identified that the Bcl2 family protein BID is required for PIDDosome-induced, caspase-2-mediated apoptosis. PIDDosome-activated caspase-2 directly and functionally processes BID to signal the mitochondrial pathway for apoptosis induction. In addition, a designed chemical screen identified a compound, HUHS015, which specifically activates caspase-2-mediated apoptosis. HUHS015-stimulated apoptosis also requires BID but is independent of the PIDDosome. Through extensive structure-activity relationship efforts, we identified a derivative with a potency of ~60 nmol/L in activating caspase-2-mediated apoptosis. The HUHS015-series of compounds act as efficient agonists that directly target the interdomain linker in caspase-2, representing a new mode of initiator caspase activation. Human and mouse caspase-2 differ in two crucial residues in the linker, rendering a selectivity of the agonists for human caspase-2. The caspase-2 agonists are valuable tools to explore the physiological roles of caspase-2-mediated cell death and a base for developing small-molecule drugs for relevant diseases.
Caspase 2/genetics* ; Humans ; BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Death Domain Receptor Signaling Adaptor Proteins/metabolism* ; Animals ; Mice ; Cysteine Endopeptidases

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC) on atherosclerosis progression in mice. A mouse model of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque was created in ApoE^-/- mice by carotid artery tandem stenosis (TS) combined with a Western diet. Macrophotography, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers were measured to evaluate the antiatherosclerotic effects of SPRC compared to atorvastatin as a control. Histopathological analysis was performed to assess the plaque stability. To explore the protective mechanism of SPRC, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro and challenged with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Cell viability was determined with a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and mRNA expression were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR respectively. The results showed that the lesion area quantified by en face photographs of the aortic arch and carotid artery was significantly less, plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were reduced, plaque collagen content was increased and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was decreased in 80 mg/kg per day SPRC-treated mice compared with model mice. These findings support the role of SPRC in plaque stabilization. In vitro studies revealed that 100 μmol/L SPRC increased the cell viability and the phosphorylation level of eNOS after ox-LDL challenge. These results suggest that SPRC delays the progression of atherosclerosis and enhances plaque stability. The protective effect may be at least partially related to the increased phosphorylation of eNOS in endothelial cells.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Atherosclerosis ; Cholesterol/metabolism* ; Cysteine/pharmacology* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Lipoproteins, LDL/pharmacology* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism* ; Phosphorylation ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/pathology*

BACKGROUND: Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a (SERCA2a) is a key protein that maintains myocardial Ca 2+ homeostasis. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the SERCA2a-SUMOylation (small ubiquitin-like modifier) process after ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/RI) in vitro and in vivo . METHODS: Calcium transient and systolic/diastolic function of cardiomyocytes isolated from Serca2a knockout (KO) and wild-type mice with I/RI were compared. SUMO-relevant protein expression and localization were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence in vitro and in vivo . Serca2a-SUMOylation, infarct size, and cardiac function of Senp1 or Senp2 overexpressed/suppressed adenovirus infected cardiomyocytes, were detected by immunoprecipitation, triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC)-Evans blue staining, and echocardiography respectively. RESULTS: The results showed that the changes of Fura-2 fluorescence intensity and contraction amplitude of cardiomyocytes decreased in the I/RI groups and were further reduced in the Serca2a KO + I/RI groups. Senp1 and Senp2 messenger ribose nucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression levels in vivo and in cardiomyocytes were highest at 6 h and declined at 12 h after I/RI. However, the highest levels in HL-1 cells were recorded at 12 h. Senp2 expression increased in the cytoplasm, unlike that of Senp1. Inhibition of Senp2 protein reversed the I/RI-induced Serca2a-SUMOylation decline, reduced the infarction area, and improved cardiac function, while inhibition of Senp1 protein could not restore the above indicators. CONCLUSION I/RI activated Senp1 and Senp2 protein expression, which promoted Serca2a-deSUMOylation, while inhibition of Senp2 expression reversed Serca2a-SUMOylation and improved cardiac function.
Animals ; Mice ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Cysteine Endopeptidases/metabolism* ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Proteins/metabolism* ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases/genetics*

L-methionine, also known as L-aminomethane, is one of the eight essential amino acids required by the human body and has important applications in the fields of feed, medicine, and food. In this study, an L-methionine high-yielding strain was constructed using a modular metabolic engineering strategy based on the M2 strain (Escherichia coli W3110 ΔIJAHFEBC/PAM) previously constructed in our laboratory. Firstly, the production of one-carbon module methyl donors was enhanced by overexpression of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, MetF) and screening of hydroxymethyltransferase (GlyA) from different sources, optimizing the one-carbon module. Subsequently, cysteamine lyase (hydroxymethyltransferase, MalY) and cysteine internal transporter gene (fliY) were overexpressed to improve the supply of L-homocysteine and L-cysteine, two precursors of the one-carbon module. The production of L-methionine in shake flask fermentation was increased from 2.8 g/L to 4.05 g/L, and up to 18.26 g/L in a 5 L fermenter. The results indicate that the one carbon module has a significant impact on the biosynthesis of L-methionine, and efficient biosynthesis of L-methionine can be achieved through optimizing the one carbon module. This study may facilitate further improvement of microbial fermentation production of L-methionine.
Humans ; Methionine ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Carbon ; Cysteine ; Escherichia coli/genetics* ; Hydroxymethyl and Formyl Transferases ; Carrier Proteins ; Escherichia coli Proteins

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Corni Fructus on β-amyloid protein 25-35(Aβ_(25-35))-induced brain injury and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease(AD) mice to provide an experimental basis for the treatment of AD by aqueous extract of Corni Fructus. Sixty C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into a sham group, a model group, a positive control group(huperizine A, 0.2 mg·kg~(-1)), a low-dose aqueous extract of Corni Fructus group(1.3 g·kg~(-1)), a medium-dose aqueous extract of Corni Fructus group(2.6 g·kg~(-1)), and a high-dose aqueous extract of Corni Fructus group(5.2 g·kg~(-1)). The AD model was induced by lateral ventricular injection of Aβ_(25-35) in mice except for those in the sham group, and AD model mice were treated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 24 days. The behavioral test was performed one week before animal dissection. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was performed to observe the morphology of neurons in the hippocampal region. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis level of primary hippocampal cells in mice. ELISA kits were used to detect the levels of β-amyloid protein 1-42(Aβ_(1-42)) and phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein Tau(p-Tau) in mouse brain tissues. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect the expression of related proteins in mouse brain tissues. MTT assay was used to detect the effect of compounds in aqueous extract of Corni Fructus on Aβ_(25-35)-induced N9 cell injury. Molecular docking was employed to analyze the interactions of caffeic acid, trans-p-hydroxy cinnamic acid, isolariciresinol-9'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, esculetin, and(+)-lyoniresinol with β-amyloid precursor protein(APP), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Aqueous extract of Corni Fructus could improve the learning and memory abilities of Aβ_(25-35)-induced mice by increasing the duration of the autonomous activity, the rate of autonomous alternation, the preference coefficient, and the discrimination coefficient, and reduce Aβ_(25-35)-induced brain injury and neuroinflammation in mice by increasing the expression levels of interleukin-10(IL-10) and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) in brain tissues, decreasing the expression levels of Aβ_(1-42), p-Tau, IL-6, TNF-α, cysteine aspartate-specific protease 3(caspase-3), cysteine aspartate-specific protease 9(caspase-9), and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and decreasing the number of activated glial cells in brain tissues. The results of cell experiments showed that esculetin and(+)-lyoniresinol could improve Aβ_(25-35)-induced N9 cell injury. Molecular docking results showed that caffeic acid, trans-p-hydroxy cinnamic acid, isolariciresinol-9'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, esculetin, and(+)-lyoniresinol had good binding affinity with APP and weak binding affinity with IL-6 and TNF-α. Aqueous extract of Corni Fructus could ameliorate cognitive dysfunction and brain damage in Aβ_(25-35)-induced mice by reducing the number of apoptotic cells and activated glial cells in the brain and decreasing the expression level of inflammatory factors. Caffeic acid, trans-p-hydroxy cinnamic acid, isolariciresinol-9'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, esculetin, and(+)-lyoniresinol may be the material basis for the anti-AD effect of aqueous extract of Corni Fructus.
Mice ; Male ; Animals ; Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Cornus/metabolism* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6 ; Aspartic Acid ; Cysteine/therapeutic use* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain Injuries ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Transgenic

While several previous studies have indicated the link between periodontal disease (PD) and myocardial infarction (MI), the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Autophagy, a cellular quality control process that is activated in several diseases, including heart failure, can be suppressed by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.). However, it is uncertain whether autophagy impairment by periodontal pathogens stimulates the development of cardiac dysfunction after MI. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between PD and the development of MI while focusing on the role of autophagy. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) and MI model mice were inoculated with wild-type P.g. or gingipain-deficient P.g. to assess the effect of autophagy inhibition by P.g. Wild-type P.g.-inoculated NRCMs had lower cell viability than those inoculated with gingipain-deficient P.g. This study also revealed that gingipains can cleave vesicle-associated membrane protein 8 (VAMP8), a protein involved in lysosomal sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs), at the 47th lysine residue, thereby inhibiting autophagy. Wild-type P.g.-inoculated MI model mice were more susceptible to cardiac rupture, with lower survival rates and autophagy activity than gingipain-deficient P.g.-inoculated MI model mice. After inoculating genetically modified MI model mice (VAMP8-K47A) with wild-type P.g., they exhibited significantly increased autophagy activation compared with the MI model mice inoculated with wild-type P.g., which suppressed cardiac rupture and enhanced overall survival rates. These findings suggest that gingipains, which are virulence factors of P.g., impair the infarcted myocardium by cleaving VAMP8 and disrupting autophagy. This study confirms the strong association between PD and MI and provides new insights into the potential role of autophagy in this relationship.
Mice ; Rats ; Animals ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Gingipain Cysteine Endopeptidases ; Autophagosomes ; Myocardium ; Periodontal Diseases ; Heart Rupture

Humans ; Child ; Methimazole/adverse effects* ; Graves Disease/drug therapy*