The short-chain fatty acid acetate modulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

ABSTRACT: Normal tissue and organ morphogenesis requires epithelial cell plasticity and conversion to a mesenchymal phenotype through a tightly regulated process-epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Alterations of EMT go far beyond cell-lineage segregation and contribute to pathologic conditions such as cancer. EMT is subject to intersecting control pathways; however, EMT's metabolic mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-induced EMT is accompanied by decreased fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and reduced acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) levels. Acetyl-CoA is a central metabolite and the sole donor of acetyl groups to acetylate key proteins. Further, the short-chain fatty acid acetate increases acetyl-CoA levels--robustly inhibiting EMT and

SUBMITTER: Lyu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9635288 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature