Glycine decarboxylase regulates the maintenance and induction of pluripotency via metabolic control

  • Phil Jun Kang
  • , Jie Zheng
  • , Gilju Lee
  • , Daryeon Son
  • , In Yong Kim
  • , Gwonhwa Song
  • , Gyuman Park
  • , Seungkwon You*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Reprogramming of ‘adult’ differentiated somatic cells to ‘embryonic’ pluripotent stem cells accompanied by increased rate of glycolysis. Conversely, glycolysis triggers accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a potential causative factor in aging, by promoting methylglyoxal production. Therefore, it is reasonable that pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) would specifically regulate glycolysis to maintain their embryonic features. In this study, we focused on glycine decarboxylase (GLDC), a key enzyme in the glycine cleavage system that regulates glycolysis and methylglyoxal production in cancer. GLDC was exclusively expressed in PSCs, and inhibition of this enzyme induced alterations of metabolome and AGE accumulation, thereby suppressing the embryonic pluripotent state. Surprisingly, the level of accumulated AGEs in somatic cells gradually decreased during reprogramming, ultimately disappearing in iPSCs. In addition, ectopic expression of GLDC or treatment with the AGE inhibitor LR-90 promoted reprogramming. Together, these findings suggest that GLDC-mediated regulation of glycolysis and controlling AGE accumulation is related to maintenance and induction of pluripotency.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)35-47
    Number of pages13
    JournalMetabolic engineering
    Volume53
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019 May

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This research was supported by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation (NRF, South Korea) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea [NRF-2014M3A9D3034158 and NRF-2015M3A9B4071074], Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology Grant, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology for BK21 PLUS, Korea University.

    Funding Information:
    This research was supported by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation ( NRF, South Korea ) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea [ NRF-2014M3A9D3034158 and NRF-2015M3A9B4071074 ], Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology Grant, and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology for BK21 PLUS, Korea University. Appendix A

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2019

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
      SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

    Keywords

    • Advanced glycation end product (AGE)
    • Glycine decarboxylase (GLDC)
    • Glycolysis
    • Methylglyoxal
    • Pluripotent stem cell
    • Reprogramming

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Biotechnology
    • Bioengineering
    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

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