Epigenetic Research Papers 10/21/24 - 10/25/24

Roychaudhuri R et. al. (October 2024). Mammalian D-Cysteine controls insulin secretion in the pancreas Mol Metab. :102043.
This study identifies D-cysteine in the mammalian pancreas as a regulator of insulin secretion. Researchers found that D-cysteine, synthesized by serine racemase (SR), inhibits insulin secretion more effectively than D-serine. In diabetic models, increased D-cysteine and SR expression were linked to insulin dysregulation. SR-/- mice showed elevated insulin and altered metabolic markers, with dietary methyl donors restoring normal insulin levels. D-cysteine may offer therapeutic insights for diabetes management.
Products Used: 5-Methylcytosine (5-mC) Monoclonal Antibody [33D3], 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) Monoclonal Antibody [HMC/4D9], EpiQuik Tissue Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Kit

Carlsson B et. al. (October 2024).  Quantification of deoxythioguanosine in human DNA with LC-MS/MS, a marker for thiopurine therapy optimisation Anal Bioanal Chem.
This study developed a sensitive method using LC-MS/MS to quantify deoxythioguanosine (dTG) in human DNA, providing a more accurate marker for optimizing thiopurine therapy in conditions like acute childhood leukemia (ALL) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). By measuring dTG incorporated into DNA, the method aims to improve therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) compared to current approaches. The method demonstrated high sensitivity and precision, with stable samples for up to 4 years. This approach will help better understand thiopurines' mode of action and improve therapy optimization.
Products Used: EpiQuik One-Step DNA Hydrolysis Kit

Pupak A et. al. (October 2024). https://www.epigentek.com/catalog/epiquik-m6a-rna-methylation-quantification-kit-colorimetric-p-3646.html EMBO Rep.
This study explores the role of m6A methylation in the generation of pathogenic huntingtin (HTT) transcripts in Huntington's disease (HD). Researchers found increased m6A methylation near cryptic poly(A) sites in mutant HTT RNA from HD mouse models and human samples. By inhibiting METTL3 or using targeted demethylation, they demonstrated that m6A influences the production of pathogenic HTT1a transcripts. The study links expanded CAG repeats to m6A methylation and suggests that m6A plays a role in the aberrant splicing of mutant HTT mRNA, offering new insights into HD pathogenesis.
Products Used: EpiQuik m6A RNA Methylation Quantification Kit (Colorimetric)

Yang L et. al. (October 2024). Tumor Suppressors RBL1 and PTEN are Epigenetically Silenced in IPF5 Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells by a CD44/Brg1/PRMT5 Regulatory Complex Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol.
This study shows that tumor suppressors RBL1 and PTEN are epigenetically silenced in IPF mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) by a CD44/Brg1/PRMT5 complex, promoting self-renewal and fibrosis. Inhibiting Brg1 or PRMT5 restored gene expression and reduced fibrosis, revealing a cancer-like mechanism in IPF that drives disease progression through silencing of key tumor suppressor genes.
Products Used: Histone H3R2 Dimethyl Symmetric (H3R2me2s) Polyclonal Antibody

Zhang RK et. al. (October 2024). RNA methyltransferase NSUN2-mediated m5C methylation promotes Cr(VI)-induced malignant transformation and lung cancer by accelerating metabolism reprogramming Environ Int. 192:109055.
This study explores how RNA methyltransferase NSUN2 drives Cr(VI)-induced lung cancer by promoting m5C methylation, which reprograms metabolism and cell cycle regulation. NSUN2 enhances the stability of cancer-related mRNAs, and its inhibition reduces tumor growth. The NSUN2/ALYREF pathway and EP300-induced upregulation highlight potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis.
Products Used: MethylFlash 5-mC RNA Methylation ELISA Easy Kit (Fluorometric)

Liang H et. al. (October 2024). ALKBH5-Mediated m6A Modification of XBP1 Facilitates NSCLC Progression Through the IL-6-JAK-STAT3 Pathway Mol Carcinog.
This study reveals that ALKBH5-mediated m6A modification of XBP1 promotes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression by enhancing XBP1 mRNA stability. Knockdown of ALKBH5 increased m6A modification and activated the IL-6-JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway, driving NSCLC cell proliferation and invasion. IGF2BP3 was identified as a key reader of XBP1 m6A methylation, further stabilizing XBP1 mRNA. These findings suggest that the ALKBH5/IGF2BP3/XBP1 axis is critical for NSCLC progression and could serve as a potential therapeutic target.
Products Used: EpiQuik m6A RNA Methylation Quantification Kit (Colorimetric)

Van Gils J et. al. (October 2024).  Transcriptome and acetylome profiling identify crucial steps of neuronal differentiation in Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome Commun Biol. 7(1):1331.
This study investigates key epigenetic disruptions in neuronal differentiation in Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS), caused by mutations in CREBBP or EP300. By profiling the transcriptome and acetylome of neurons derived from RTS patient stem cells, researchers identified altered acetylation at 25 specific histone residues and delayed neuronal maturation. The transition from neural progenitors to immature neurons was highlighted as a crucial step affected in RTS. These findings provide new insights into epigenetic biomarkers for RTS and suggest broader applications for studying chromatin-related disorders.
Products Used: EpiQuik Total Histone Extraction Kit

Xie YX et. al. (October 2024). m6A RNA methyltransferase METTL16 induces Cr(VI) carcinogenesis and lung cancer development through glutamine biosynthesis and GLUL expression J Hazard Mater. 480:136093.
This study examines how METTL16 promotes Cr(VI)-induced lung cancer by enhancing glutamine metabolism. METTL16 upregulates GLUL expression via m6A methylation, facilitating GLUL mRNA splicing through YTHDC1. Animal models confirmed increased METTL16 and GLUL in Cr(VI) exposure, revealing a key mechanism in metal-induced carcinogenesis.
Products Used: EpiQuik m6A RNA Methylation Quantification Kit (Colorimetric)