Biology subjects

Niraula, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Niraula, A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Branch-Enabling N-Methyltransferase in Golgi Reconciles Divergent Models of Galanthamine Biosynthesis

Galanthamine, a therapeutic Amaryllidaceae alkaloid produced exclusively by species within the Amaryllidoideae subfamily, is a key treatment for early-stage symptoms of Alzheimers disease. Elucidating its biosynthetic pathway is essential for strategies aimed at enhancing production through metabolic engineering. Galantamine derives from the metabolic precursor 4'-O-methylnorbelladine, which undergoes cytochrome P450-mediated para-ortho C-C phenol coupling to yield nornarwedine. Two competing terminal routes have been proposed: (i) reduction of nornarwedine to norgalanthamine, followed by N-methylation, or (ii) N-methylation of nornarwedine to narwedine prior to reduction. Here, we identify three N-methyltransferase (NMT) candidates from Leucojum aestivum: LaNMT, related to coclaurine NMTs, and two {gamma}-tocopherol methyltransferases (TMT) homologs, LaTMT1 and LaTMT2. Subcellular localization studies revealed distinct compartmentalization, with LaNMT targeted to the ER-cytosol, LaTMT1 to plastids, and LaTMT2 to the Golgi apparatus. In vitro enzyme assays demonstrated that LaTMT2 methylates both nornarwedine and norgalanthamine, with a kinetic preference for nornarwedine. Agroinfiltration for transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana further confirmed LaTMT2 as a catalytically efficient and substrate-promiscuous enzyme that supports both terminal routes. These findings identify LaTMT2 as a key branch-enabling N-methyltransferase that reconcile long-standing models of galanthamine biosynthesis and provides a strategic target for metabolic engineering strategies to enhance galanthamine production. Significant statementThis study identifies LaTMT2, a Golgi-localized {gamma}-tocopherol methyltransferase homolog, as a branch-enabling N-methyltransferase that resolves competing models of galanthamine biosynthesis. By revealing an unanticipated Golgi-associated step in Amaryllidaceae alkaloid metabolism, it redefines the subcellular organization of specialized metabolic pathways and provides a strategic enzymatic target for metabolic engineering of high-value therapeutic alkaloids.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Microglial inflammatory activation paradoxically improves glucose tolerance during diet-induced obesity

Hypothalamic gliosis associated with high fat diet (HFD) feeding increases susceptibility to hyperphagia and weight gain, and is therefore presumed to promote obesity-associated consequences such as glucose intolerance as well. Nevertheless, the body weight-independent contribution of microglial activation to glucose regulation has not been determined. Here we show that reducing microglial NF-{kappa}B signaling via cell-specific IKK{beta} deletion exacerbates HFD-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance despite reducing body weight and adiposity. This effect was associated with reduced activity of hypothalamic glucose sensing neurons. Conversely, a genetic approach to increase microglial inflammatory activity improved glucose tolerance independently of diet in lean rodents. To avoid confounding effects due to chronic alterations to microglial signaling pathways from dietary or genetic interventions, we developed an inducible model of microglial activation using DREADD-based chemogenetics. Gq-coupled GPCR activation rapidly increased microglial calcium levels, cytokine gene expression, and morphological hallmarks of inflammatory activation. In both lean and obese rodents, chemogenetic microglial activation caused a marked improvement in glucose tolerance along with increased activation of hypothalamic glucose sensing neurons, effects abrogated by central blockade of TNF signaling. Thus, while diet-induced microglial activation promotes weight gain, it may also serve an adaptive function--to prevent the deterioration of glucose tolerance associated with obesity, an important consideration for immune-modulating metabolic therapies.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Prostaglandin PGE2 receptor EP4 regulates microglial phagocytosis and increases susceptibility to diet-induced obesity

BackgroundIn rodents, susceptibility to diet-induced obesity requires microglial activation, but the molecular components of this pathway remain incompletely defined. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels increase in the mediobasal hypothalamus during high fat diet (HFD) feeding, and the PGE2 receptor EP4 regulates microglial activation state and phagocytic activity, suggesting a potential role for microglial EP4 signaling in obesity pathogenesis. MethodMetabolic phenotyping, as assessed by body weight, energy expenditure, glucose, and insulin tolerance, was performed in microglia-specific EP4 knockout (MG-EP4 KO) mice and littermate controls on HFD. Morphological and gene expression analysis of microglia, and a histological survey of microglia-neuron interactions in the arcuate nucleus was performed. Phagocytosis was assessed using in vivo and in vitro pharmacological techniques. ResultsMicroglial EP4 deletion markedly reduced weight gain and food intake in response to HFD feeding. In correspondence with this lean phenotype, insulin sensitivity was also improved in the HFD-fed MG-EP4 KO mice though glucose tolerance remained surprisingly unaffected. Mechanistically, EP4-deficient microglia showed an attenuated phagocytic state marked by reduced CD68 expression and fewer contacts with POMC neuron soma and processes. These cellular changes observed in the microglial EP4 knockout mice corresponded with an increased density of POMC neurites extending into the paraventricular nucleus. ConclusionThese findings reveal that microglial EP4 signaling promotes body weight gain and insulin resistance during HFD feeding. Furthermore, the data suggest that curbing microglial phagocytic function may preserve POMC cytoarchitecture and PVN input to limit overconsumption during diet-induced obesity.

physiology↗