Intracellular Protective Functions and Therapeutical Potential of Trehalose

Abstract

Trehalose is a naturally occurring, non-reducing saccharide widely distributed in nature. Over the years, research on trehalose has revealed that this initially thought simple storage molecule is a multifunctional and multitasking compound protecting cells against various stress factors. This review presents data on the role of trehalose in maintaining cellular homeostasis under stress conditions and in the virulence of bacteria and fungi. Numerous studies have demonstrated that trehalose acts in the cell as an osmoprotectant, chemical chaperone, free radical scavenger, carbon source, virulence factor, and metabolic regulator. The increasingly researched medical and therapeutic applications of trehalose are also discussed.

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“…Trehalose is a widely conserved and physiologically relevant non-reducing disaccharide which consists of two glucose molecules linked by an α (1,1) bond. This sugar plays a crucial role in various biological processes that are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis in numerous organisms [1].…”

“…Trehalose is a widely conserved and physiologically relevant non-reducing disaccharide which consists of two glucose molecules linked by an (1,1) bond. This sugar plays a crucial role in various biological processes that are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis in numerous organisms [ 1 ]. The importance of trehalose is underscored by its involvement in cell protection against both nutritional and environmental stress conditions (i.e., starvation, dehydration, heat or freezing).…”

“…The importance of trehalose is underscored by its involvement in cell protection against both nutritional and environmental stress conditions (i.e., starvation, dehydration, heat or freezing). This success can largely be explained by its chemical structure and singular physical properties, as it is the thermodynamically and kinetically most stable disaccharide in the biosphere [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Furthermore, recent intensive research also suggests promising applications of trehalose in food, cosmetic or clinical therapy [ 1 ].…”

“…This success can largely be explained by its chemical structure and singular physical properties, as it is the thermodynamically and kinetically most stable disaccharide in the biosphere [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Furthermore, recent intensive research also suggests promising applications of trehalose in food, cosmetic or clinical therapy [ 1 ]. Notably, trehalose is undergoing intensive investigation for its relevant neuroprotective effects, particularly when it is used to treat devastating neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease [ 1 ].…”

“…Furthermore, recent intensive research also suggests promising applications of trehalose in food, cosmetic or clinical therapy [ 1 ]. Notably, trehalose is undergoing intensive investigation for its relevant neuroprotective effects, particularly when it is used to treat devastating neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease [ 1 ]. Indeed, trehalose is able to cross the blood–brain barrier and may induce direct protection of proteins prone to forming aggregates, and it could be involved in the activation of autophagy [ 1 ].…”