European Network of Fourier-Transform Ion-Cyclotron-Resonance Mass Spectrometry Centers

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Metabolomics and transcriptomics to decipher molecular mechanisms underlying ectomycorrhizal root colonization of an oak tree

Publication . Sebastiana, M.; Gargallo-Garriga, A.; Sardans, J.; Pérez-Trujillo, M.; Monteiro, Filipa; Figueiredo, A.; Maia, M.; Nascimento, R.; Silva, M. Sousa; Ferreira, A. N.; Cordeiro, C.; Marques, A. P.; Sousa, L.; Malhó, R.; Peñuelas, J.

Mycorrhizas are known to have a positive impact on plant growth and ability to resist major biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the metabolic alterations underlying mycorrhizal symbiosis are still understudied. By using metabolomics and transcriptomics approaches, cork oak roots colonized by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius were compared with non-colonized roots. Results show that compounds putatively corresponding to carbohydrates, organic acids, tannins, long-chain fatty acids and monoacylglycerols, were depleted in ectomycorrhizal cork oak colonized roots. Conversely, non-proteogenic amino acids, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and several putative defense-related compounds, including oxylipin-family compounds, terpenoids and B6 vitamers were induced in mycorrhizal roots. Transcriptomic analysis suggests the involvement of GABA in ectomycorrhizal symbiosis through increased synthesis and inhibition of degradation in mycorrhizal roots. Results from this global metabolomics analysis suggest decreases in root metabolites which are common components of exudates, and in compounds related to root external protective layers which could facilitate plant-fungal contact and enhance symbiosis. Root metabolic pathways involved in defense against stress were induced in ectomycorrhizal roots that could be involved in a plant mechanism to avoid uncontrolled growth of the fungal symbiont in the root apoplast. Several of the identified symbiosis-specific metabolites, such as GABA, may help to understand how ectomycorrhizal fungi such as P. tinctorius benefit their host plants.

2021-04-21Journal article

Open access

Brain-sparing sympathofacilitators mitigate obesity without adverse cardiovascular effects

Publication . Mahú, Inês; Barateiro, Andreia; Rial-Pensado, Eva; Martinéz-Sánchez, Noelia; Vaz, Sandra H.; Cal, Pedro M.S.D.; Jenkins, Benjamin; Rodrigues, Tiago M.; Cordeiro, Carlos; Costa, Miguel F.; Mendes, Raquel; Seixas, Elsa; Pereira, Mafalda M.A.; Kubasova, Nadiya; Gres, Vitka; Morris, Imogen; Temporão, Carolina; Olivares, Marta; Sanz, Yolanda; Koulman, Albert; Corzana, Francisco; Sebastião, Ana M; López, Miguel; Bernardes, Gonçalo J. L.; Domingos, Ana I.

Anti-obesity drugs in the amphetamine (AMPH) class act in the brain to reduce appetite and increase locomotion. They are also characterized by adverse cardiovascular effects with origin that, despite absence of any in vivo evidence, is attributed to a direct sympathomimetic action in the heart. Here, we show that the cardiac side effects of AMPH originate from the brain and can be circumvented by PEGylation (PEGyAMPH) to exclude its central action. PEGyAMPH does not enter the brain and facilitates SNS activity via theβ2-adrenoceptor, protecting mice against obesity by increasing lipolysis and thermogenesis, coupled to higher heat dissipation, which acts as an energy sink to increase energy expenditure without altering food intake or locomotor activity. Thus, we provide proof-of-principle for a novel class of exclusively peripheral anti-obesity sympathofacilitators that are devoid of any cardiovascular and brain-related side effects.

2020Journal article

Open access