Biology subjects

Virtanen, H.

Publications and source records attributed to Virtanen, H..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Photoperiod modulates mu-opioid receptor availability in brown adipose tissue

Photoperiod drives metabolic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT), and affects food intake and weight gain in mammals. Sympathetic innervation in BAT controls thermogenesis and facilitates physiological adaption to seasons, but the exact mechanism remains elusive. Previous studies show that the central opioid signaling tunes BAT heating and the brain muopioid receptor (MOR) levels have seasonal patterns. It is hence intriguing to know whether the peripheral MOR signaling shows seasonal variation. Here, we examined the effect of photoperiod on BAT MOR availability using [11C]carfentanil positron emission topography (PET). Adult rats (n = 9) were repeatedly imaged under changing photoperiods which simulates the local seasons. Long photoperiod downregulated MOR availability in BAT, while MOR availability in the muscles was unaffected. We confirmed the expression of MOR in BAT and muscle using immunofluorescence imaging. We conclude that photoperiod causally affects MOR availability in BAT, and sympathetic innervation of BAT may influence thermogenesis via the peripheral MOR system. Significance of the studyPhotoperiod impacts the metabolic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) with the exact mechanism still unclear. The current study shows that photoperiod causally affects the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) levels in BAT, with longer photoperiod leading to lower MOR availability. This possibly indicates down-regulated innervation during bright seasons. Immunofluorescence staining data reveal expression of MOR in both brain and peripheral tissues, drawing attention to the under-investigated peripheral MOR system. Also, the study highlights the feasibility of [11C]carfentanil PET in studying the peripheral MOR signaling.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Multiomics and digital monitoring during lifestyle changes reveal independent dimensions of human biology and health

In order to explore opportunities for personalized and predictive health care, we collected serial clinical measurements, health surveys and multiomics profiles (genomics, proteomics, autoantibodies, metabolomics and gut microbiome) from 96 individuals. The participants underwent data-driven health coaching over a 16-month period with continuous digital monitoring of activity and sleep. Multiomics factor analysis resulted in an unsupervised, data-driven and integrated view of human health, revealing distinct and independent molecular factors linked to obesity, diabetes, liver function, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, immunity, exercise, diet and hormonal effects. The data revealed novel and previously uncovered associations between risk factors, molecular pathways, and quantitative lifestyle parameters. For example, ethinyl estradiol use had a distinct impact on metabolites, proteins and physiology. Multidimensional molecular and digital health signatures uncovered biological variability between people and quantitative effects of lifestyle changes, hence illustrating the value of the combined use of molecular and digital monitoring of human health.

systems biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Production of alkanes from CO2 by engineered bacteria

BackgroundMicrobial biosynthesis of alkanes is considered a promising method for the sustainable production of drop-in fuels and chemicals. Carbon dioxide would be an ideal carbon source for these production systems, but efficient production of long carbon chains from CO2 is difficult to achieve in a single organism. A potential solution is to employ acetogenic bacteria for the reduction of CO2 to acetate, and engineer a second organism to convert the acetate into long-chain hydrocarbons.\n\nResultsIn this study, we demonstrate alkane production from CO2 by a system combining the acetogen Acetobacterium woodii and a non-native alkane producer Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 engineered for alkane production. Nine synthetic two-step alkane biosynthesis pathways consisting of different aldehyde- and alkane-producing enzymes were combinatorically constructed and expressed in A. baylyi. The aldehyde-producing enzymes studied were AAR from Synechococcus elongatus, Acr1 from A. baylyi, and Ramo, a putative dehydrogenase, from Nevskia ramosa. The alkane-producing enzymes were ADOs from S. elongatus and Nostoc punctiforme, and CER1 from Arabidopsis thaliana. The performance of the pathways was evaluated with a twin-layer biosensor, which allowed the monitoring of both the intermediate, fatty aldehyde, as well as the alkane production. The highest alkane production, as indicated by the biosensor, was achieved with a pathway consisting of AAR and ADO from S. elongatus. The performance of this pathway was further improved by balancing the relative expression levels of the enzymes in order to limit the accumulation of the intermediate fatty aldehyde. Finally, the acetogen A. woodii was used to produce acetate from CO2 and H2, and the acetate was used for alkane production by the engineered A. baylyi, thereby leading to the net production of long-chain alkanes from CO2.\n\nConclusionsA modular system for the production of drop-in liquid fuels from CO2 was demonstrated. Among the studied synthetic pathways, the combination of ADO and AAR from S. elongatus was found to be the most efficient in heterologous alkane production in A. baylyi. Furthermore, limiting the accumulation of the fatty aldehyde intermediate was found to be beneficial for the alkane production.

bioengineering↗