Despite recent advances in analytical and computational chemistry, lipid identification remains a significant challenge in lipidomics. Ion-mobility spectrometry provides an accurate measure of the molecules’ rotationally averaged collision cross-section (CCS) in the gas phase and is thus related to ionic shape. Here, we investigate the use of CCS as a highly specific molecular descriptor for identifying lipids in biological samples. Using traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (MS), we measured the CCS values of over 200 lipids within multiple chemical classes. CCS values derived from ion mobility were not affected by instrument settings or chromatographic conditions, and they were highly reproducible on instruments located in independent laboratories (interlaboratory RSD < 3% for 98% of molecules). CCS values were used as additional molecular descriptors to identify brain lipids using a variety of traditional lipidomic approaches. The addition of CCS improved the reproducibility of analysis in a liquid chromatography-MS workflow and maximized the separation of isobaric species and the signal-to-noise ratio in direct-MS analyses (e.g., “shotgun” lipidomics and MS imaging). These results indicate that adding CCS to databases and lipidomics workflows increases the specificity and selectivity of analysis, thus improving the confidence in lipid identification compared to traditional analytical approaches. The CCS/accurate-mass database described here is made publicly available.

Background: Regulation of G6PD expression by nutrients occurs by changes in accumulation of spliced mRNA without changes in transcriptional activity of the gene. Results: Refeeding enhances SRSF3 binding to G6PD mRNA. Loss of SRSF3 inhibits G6PD expression. Conclusion: SRSF3 is a target for nutritional regulation of splicing. Significance: Regulation of RNA splicing is a novel target for nutrient action.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment regimens have dramatically improved the survival of ALL patients. However, chemoresistant minimal residual disease (MRD) that persists following cessation of therapy contributes to aggressive relapse. The bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) is an established “site of sanctuary” for ALL as well as myeloid lineage hematopoietic disease, with signals in this unique anatomical location contributing to drug resistance. Several models have been developed to recapitulate the interactions between the BMM and ALL cells. However, many in vitro models fail to accurately reflect the level of protection afforded to the most resistant sub-set of leukemic cells during co-culture with BMM elements. Pre-clinical in vivo models have advantages, but can be costly, and are often not fully informed by optimal in vitro studies. In the current report we describe an innovative extension of 2D co-culture wherein ALL cells uniquely interact with bone marrow derived stromal cells. Tumor cells in this model bury beneath primary human bone marrow derived stromal cells or osteoblasts, termed “phase dim” (PD) ALL, and exhibit a unique phenotype characterized by altered metabolism, distinct protein expression profiles, increased quiescence, and pronounced chemotherapy resistance. Investigation focused on the PD subpopulation may more efficiently inform pre-clinical design and investigation of MRD and relapse that arises from BMM supported leukemic tumor cells.

The inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) expression by arachidonic acid occurs by changes in the rate of pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we have identified a cis-acting RNA element required for regulated splicing of G6PD mRNA. Using transfection of G6PD RNA reporter constructs into rat hepatocytes, the cis-acting RNA element involved in this regulation was localized to nucleotides 43-72 of exon 12 in the G6PD mRNA. In in vitro splicing assays, RNA substrates containing exon 12 were not spliced. In contrast, RNA substrates containing other regions (exons 8 and 9 or exons 10 and 11) of the G6PD mRNA were efficiently spliced. Furthermore, exon 12 can inhibit splicing when substituted for other exons in RNA substrates that are readily spliced. This activity of the exon 12 regulatory element suggests that it is an exonic splicing silencer. Consistent with its activity as a splicing silencer, spliceosome assembly was inhibited on RNA substrates containing exon 12 compared with RNAs representing other regions of the G6PD transcript. Elimination of nucleotides 43-72 of exon 12 did not restore splicing of exon 12-containing RNA; thus, the 30-nucleotide element may not be exclusively a silencer. The binding of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins K, L, and A2/B1 from both HeLa and hepatocyte nuclear extracts to the element further supports its activity as a silencer. In addition, SR proteins bind to the element, consistent with the presence of enhancer activity within this sequence. Thus, an exonic splicing silencer is involved in the inhibition of splicing of a constitutively spliced exon in the G6PD mRNA.Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) 2 is a member of a family of enzymes that catalyze the de novo synthesis of fatty acids. In liver, the lipogenic pathway plays an essential role in converting excess dietary energy into a storage form. Consistent with this role in energy homeostasis, the capacity of this pathway is regulated by dietary changes, such as fasting, feeding, and the amount and type of carbohydrate and polyunsaturated fat in the diet (1). For many of the lipogenic enzymes, regulation of enzyme amount occurs primarily by changes in the transcription rate of the gene, but posttranscriptional regulation via mRNA stability has also been implicated (1). G6PD differs from the other family members in that dietary regulation occurs exclusively at a posttranscriptional step (2-4).G6PD expression is inhibited by polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid; this occurs at a unique posttranscriptional step involving a decrease in the rate of splicing of the nascent G6PD transcript. Several lines of evidence indicate that changes in mature mRNA accumulation are caused by changes in the efficiency of splicing of the G6PD transcript. First, changes in the cytoplasmic accumulation of G6PD mRNA are preceded by changes in the accumulation of mRNA in the nucleus in the absence of changes in transcriptional activity of the gene (3-5). Second, stimulatory treatments, such as refeeding, enhance the ...

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are ubiquitous pathogens often found together in polymicrobial, biofilm-associated infections. This study is the first to use laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LAESI-MS) to rapidly study bacteria within a mixed biofilm. Fast, direct, non-invasive LAESI-MS analysis of biofilm could significantly accelerate biofilm studies and provide previously unavailable information on both biofilm composition and the effects of antibiofilm treatment. LAESI-MS was applied directly to a polymicrobial biofilm and analyzed with respect to whether P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were co-localized or self-segregated within the mixed biofilm. LAESI-MS was also used to analyze ions following LL-37 antimicrobial peptide treatment of the biofilm. This ambient ionization method holds promise for future biofilm studies. The use of this innovative technique has profound implications for the study of biofilms, as LAESI-MS eliminates the need for lengthy and disruptive sample preparation while permitting rapid analysis of unfixed and wet biofilms.

SummaryNutrient regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) expression occurs through changes in the rate of splicing of G6PD pre-mRNA. This posttranscriptional mechanism accounts for the 12-to 15-fold increase in G6PD expression in livers of mice that were starved and then refed a high-carbohydrate diet. Regulation of G6PD pre-mRNA splicing requires a cis-acting element in exon 12 of the pre-mRNA. Using RNA probes to exon 12 and nuclear extracts from livers of mice that were starved or refed, proteins of 60 kDa and 37 kDa were detected bound to nucleotides 65-79 of exon 12 and this binding was decreased by 50% with nuclear extracts from refed mice. The proteins were identified as hnRNP K, and L, and hnRNP A2/B1 by LC-MS/MS. The decrease in binding of these proteins to exon 12 during refeeding was not accompanied by a decrease in the total amount of these proteins in total nuclear extract. HnRNPs K, L and A2/B1 have known roles in the regulation of mRNA splicing. The decrease in binding of these proteins during treatments that increase G6PD expression is consistent with a role for these proteins in the inhibition of G6PD mRNA splicing.

Recent findings suggest that the inhibition of Aurora A (AURKA) kinase may offer a novel treatment strategy against metastatic cancers. In the current study, we determined the effects of AURKA inhibition by the small molecule inhibitor MLN8237 both as a monotherapy and in combination with the microtubule targeting drug eribulin on different stages of metastasis in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and defined the potential mechanism of its action. MLN8237 as a single agent and in combination with eribulin affected multiple steps in the metastatic process including migration, attachment, and proliferation in distant organs, resulting in suppression of metastatic colonization and recurrence of cancer. Eribulin application induces accumulation of active AURKA in TNBC cells providing foundation for the combination therapy. Mechanistically, AURKA inhibition induced cytotoxic autophagy via activation of the LC3B/p62 axis and inhibition of pAKT, leading to eradication of metastases, but has no effect on growth of mammary tumor. Combination of MLN8237 with eribulin leads to a synergistic increase in apoptosis in mammary tumors, as well as cytotoxic autophagy in metastases. This preclinical data provides a new understanding of the mechanisms by which MLN8237 mediates its anti-metastatic effects and advocates for its combination with eribulin in future clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer and early stage solid tumors.

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