Acetoacetate (AA) is a ketone body and acts as a fuel to supply energy for cellular activity of various tissues. Here, we uncovered a novel function of AA in promoting muscle cell proliferation. Notably, the functional role of AA in regulating muscle cell function is further evidenced by its capability to accelerate muscle regeneration in normal mice, and it ameliorates muscular dystrophy in mdx mice. Mechanistically, our data from multiparameter analyses consistently support the notion that AA plays a non-metabolic role in regulating muscle cell function. Finally, we show that AA exerts its function through activation of the MEK1-ERK1/2-cyclin D1 pathway, revealing a novel mechanism in which AA serves as a signaling metabolite in mediating muscle cell function. Our findings highlight the profound functions of a small metabolite as signaling molecule in mammalian cells.Satellite cells, which are among the most abundant well defined adult stem cell types in skeletal muscle, play functionally important roles in postnatal growth, repair, and the regeneration of skeletal muscle (1-6). Because of their powerful ability to regenerate in vivo in response to muscle damage and various stimuli, satellite cells represent important targets for the treatment of muscular diseases (7-10). The recent development of stem cell-based regenerative medicine strategies has brought enormous interest in the discovery of regulatory factors capable of controlling satellite cell functions, such as activation, proliferation, differentiation, and self-renewal (11-13). Identification of such factors is expected to not only improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that govern satellite cell functions, but also to facilitate the development of stem cell-based therapies for the treatment of muscular dystrophy or other chronic diseases associated with muscle wasting.Recent studies demonstrating a close correlation between cell proliferation and metabolic alterations in various tumor types have drawn attention to the significance of intrinsic small metabolites as signaling molecules responsible for regulating various cellular activities (14, 15). Although only a very limited number of such metabolites have been identified to date, accumulating evidence suggests that these metabolites can be oncogenic and alter cell signaling through epigenetic regulation. For example, 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG), 4 succinate, and fumarate, which are the best characterized small metabolites with oncogenic function, have come to be regarded as oncometabolites (16 -19). In tumor cells, 2-HG is generated by mutant forms of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1 and IDH2) (20 -23), whereas succinate and fumarate accumulate via mutant forms of succinate dehydrogenase and fumarate hydratase, respectively (24 -27). It has been clearly demonstrated that increases in the levels of these oncometabolites play causal roles in tumorigenesis (26 -34). Recent studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying their action have revealed that 2-HG and elevated levels of succinate ...

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been implicated in muscle stem cell function. miR-127 is known to be predominantly expressed in skeletal muscle, but its roles in myogenic differentiation and muscle regeneration are unknown. Here, we show that miR-127 is upregulated during C2C12 and satellite cell (SC) differentiation and, by establishing C2C12 cells stably expressing miR-127, demonstrate that overexpression of miR-127 in C2C12 cells enhances myogenic cell differentiation. To investigate the function of miR-127 during muscle development and regeneration in vivo, we generated miR-127 transgenic mice. These mice exhibited remarkably accelerated muscle regeneration compared with wild-type mice by promoting SC differentiation. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that the gene encoding sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1PR3), a G-protein-coupled receptor for sphingosine-1-phosphate, is a target of miR-127 required for its function in promoting myogenic cell differentiation. Importantly, overexpression of miR-127 in muscular dystrophy model mdx mice considerably ameliorated the disease phenotype. Thus, our findings suggest that miR-127 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of skeletal muscle disease in humans.

Skeletal muscle mass and homeostasis during postnatal muscle development and regeneration largely depend on adult muscle stem cells (satellite cells). We recently showed that global overexpression of miR-378 significantly reduced skeletal muscle mass in mice. In the current study, we used miR-378 transgenic (Tg) mice to assess the in vivo functional effects of miR-378 on skeletal muscle growth and regeneration. Cross-sectional analysis of skeletal muscle tissues showed that the number and size of myofibers were significantly lower in miR-378 Tg mice than in wild-type mice. Attenuated cardiotoxin-induced muscle regeneration in miR-378 Tg mice was found to be associated with delayed satellite cell activation and differentiation. Mechanistically, miR-378 was found to directly target Igf1r in muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo. These miR-378 Tg mice may provide a model for investigating the physiological and pathological roles of skeletal muscle in muscle-associated diseases in humans, particularly in sarcopenia.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor with a poor median survival of less than 15 months. However, clinical strategies and effective therapies are limited. Here, we found that the second-generation small molecule multi-CDK inhibitor AT7519 is a potential drug for GBM treatment according to high-throughput screening via the Approved Drug Library and Clinical Compound Library (2718 compounds). We found that AT7519 significantly inhibited the cell viability and proliferation of U87MG, U251, and patient-derived primary GBM cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, AT7519 also inhibited the phosphorylation of CDK1/2 and arrested the cell cycle at the G1-S and G2-M phases. More importantly, AT7519 induced intrinsic apoptosis and pyroptosis via caspase-3-mediated cleavage of gasdermin E (GSDME). In the glioblastoma intracranial and subcutaneous xenograft assays, tumor volume was significantly reduced after treatment with AT7519. In summary, AT7519 induces cell death through multiple pathways and inhibits glioblastoma growth, indicating that AT7519 is a potential chemical available for GBM treatment.

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