Biology subjects

Sul, H. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Sul, H. S..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Selective disruption of lipid peroxide homeostasis in intratumoral regulatory T cells by targeting FSP1 enhances cancer immunity

A burgeoning approach to treat cancer is the pharmacological induction of ferroptotic cell death of tumor cells. However, the impact of disrupting anti-ferroptotic pathways in the broader tumor microenvironment (TME), such as in immune cells, is still undefined and may complicate treatments. Here, we show that Ferroptosis Suppressor Protein 1 (FSP1/Aifm2) is critically required for regulatory T cell (Treg) resistance to ferroptosis and their immunosuppressive function within the TME. Compared to other canonical ferroptosis regulators such as GPX4, GCH1, and NRF2, only FSP1 was induced upon T cell activation. Deletion of Aifm2 in all T cells, or Tregs specifically, enhanced tumor control by selectively disrupting Treg immunosuppression within tumors without inciting autoimmune pathology in mice. As opposed to deletion of Gpx4 in all T cells, T cell deletion of Aifm2 did not impair antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses. These results reveal a unique opportunity for targeting a regulator of ferroptosis that can not only directly target cancer cells, but also simultaneously enhance anti-cancer immune responses without inciting autoimmunity.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2022

A new LD protein, ApoL6 disrupts the Perilipin 1-HSL interaction to inhibit lipolysis

ApoL6 is a new LD-associated protein containing an apoprotein-like domain, expressed mainly in adipose tissue, specifically in adipocytes. ApoL6 expression is low in fasting but induced upon feeding. ApoL6 knockdown results in smaller LD with lower triglyceride (TAG) content in adipocytes, while ApoL6 overexpression causes larger LD with higher TAG content. We show that ApoL6 effect in adipocytes is by inhibition of lipolysis. While ApoL6, Perilipin 1 (Plin1) and HSL can form a complex on LD, C-terminal domain of ApoL6 directly interacts with Plin1, to compete with Plin1 binding to HSL through Plin1 N-terminal domain, thereby keeping HSL in a "stand by" status. Thus, ApoL6 ablation decreases WAT mass, protecting mice from diet-induced obesity, while adipose overexpression increases WAT mass to bring obesity and insulin resistance with hepatosteatosis, making ApoL6 a potential future target against obesity and diabetes.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Extreme longevity of highly fecund termite queens achieved by mitochondrial and insulin upregulation without harmful lipid signatures or accumulation

Kings and queens of eusocial termites can live for decades, while queens sustain a nearly maximal fertility. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying their long lifespan, we carried out transcriptomics, lipidomics and metabolomics in Macrotermes natalensis on sterile short-lived workers, long-lived kings and five stages spanning twenty years of adult queen maturation. Reproductives share gene expression differences from workers in agreement with a reduction of several aging-related processes, involving upregulation of DNA damage repair and mitochondrial functions. Anti-oxidant gene expression is downregulated, while peroxidability of membranes in queens decreases. Against expectations, we observed an upregulated gene expression in fat bodies of reproductives of several components of the IIS pathway, including an insulin-like peptide, Ilp9. This pattern does not lead to deleterious fat storage in physogastric queens, while simple sugars dominate in their hemolymph and large amounts of resources are allocated towards oogenesis. Our findings support the notion that all processes causing aging need to be addressed simultaneously in order to prevent it.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Dot1L interacts with Zc3h10 to activate UCP1 transcription and promote thermogenesis

Brown adipose tissue is a metabolically beneficial organ capable of dissipating chemical energy into heat, thereby increasing energy expenditure. Here, we identify Dot1L, the only known H3K79 methyltransferase, as an interacting partner of Zc3h10 that transcriptionally activates the UCP1 promoter and other BAT genes. Through a direct interaction, Dot1L is recruited by Zc3h10 to the promoter regions of thermogenic genes to function as a coactivator by methylating H3K79. We also show that Dot1L is induced during brown fat cell differentiation and by cold exposure and that Dot1L and its H3K79 methyltransferase activity is required for thermogenic gene program. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Dot1L ablation in mice using UCP1-Cre prevents activation of UCP1 and other target genes to reduce thermogenic capacity and energy expenditure, promoting adiposity. Hence, Dot1L plays a critical role in the thermogenic program and may present as a future target for obesity therapeutics.

developmental biology↗