Biology subjects

Alonso-Batan, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Alonso-Batan, P..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Astrocytic glycolysis attenuates mitochondrial efficiency to preserve cognition

Astrocytic glycolysis is tightly coupled to neurotransmission and thought to be essential for neurological health. However, the metabolic adaptations that enable astrocytes to maintain a durable glycolytic profile without compromising viability are elusive. Here, using in vivo approaches including cell-specific gene expression disruption, metabolic flux analyses and behavioral tests in mice, we addressed this issue. We found that Pfkfb3 (6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase-3) is instrumental in maintaining the astrocytic glycolytic phenotype. Importantly, astrocytic glycolysis sustained by Pfkfb3 is required for normal cognitive performance. Mechanistically, ATP generated through glycolysis is consumed by mitochondria, via the reverse mode of ATP synthase, to conserve the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This enables mitochondria to attenuate pyruvate decarboxylation, tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain activity, thereby preserving pyruvate for conversion into lactate and delivery to neurons. These findings reveal that astrocytes sacrifice mitochondrial bioenergetic efficiency as a previously underappreciated strategy to support cognition.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Mitochondrial collapse links PFKFB3-promoted glycolysis with CLN7/MFSD8 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis pathogenesis

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a family of monogenic life-limiting pediatric neurodegenerative disorders collectively known as Batten disease1. Although genetically heterogeneous2, NCLs share several clinical symptoms and pathological hallmarks such as lysosomal accumulation of lipofuscin and astrogliosis2,3. CLN7 disease belongs to a group of NCLs that present in late infancy4-6 and, whereas CLN7/MFSD8 gene is known to encode a lysosomal membrane glycoprotein4,7-9, the biochemical processes affected by CLN7-loss of function are unexplored thus preventing development of potential treatments1,10. Here, we found in the Cln7{Delta}ex2 mouse model11 of CLN7 disease that failure in the autophagy-lysosomal pathway causes accumulation of structurally and bioenergetically impaired, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producing neuronal mitochondria that contribute to CLN7 pathogenesis. Cln7{Delta}ex2 neurons exhibit a metabolic shift mediated by pro-glycolytic enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase-3 (PFKFB3). PFKFB3 inhibition in Cln7{Delta}ex2 mice in vivo and in CLN7 patients-derived cells rectified key disease hallmarks. Thus, specifically targeting glycolysis may alleviate CLN7 pathogenesis.

neuroscience↗