Published We extend our congratulations to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sakda Khoomrung from the Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Metabolomics and Systems Biology (SiCORE-MSB), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, for his latest research publication in The Journal of Biological Chemistry (published May 31, 2024).
Please follow the link to access the publication: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021925825021799
This study uncovers a crucial link between amino acid metabolism and protein homeostasis (proteostasis) in the context of yeast aging. The research shows that aged yeast cells accumulate high levels of L-serine and L-threonine, disrupting proteostasis and promoting protein aggregation. Notably, inducing similar metabolic imbalances in young cells by deleting the CHA4 gene resulted in the accumulation of misfolded proteins.
The study also identifies the protein RTG2, a sensor of mitochondrial stress, as a key mediator connecting mitochondrial function to proteostasis. Genetic interactions between CHA4 and RTG2 influence mitochondrial metabolism, lifespan, and aggregate formation. Furthermore, activating retrograde signaling—either by overexpressing RTG2 or deleting MKS1—improved the clearance of protein aggregates, independent of heat shock proteins.
These findings shed light on the interplay between amino acid metabolism, mitochondrial signaling, and protein quality control, offering new perspectives on age-related proteostasis decline.
