Cited by 272Genomics and Chromatin DynamicsHistone Deacetylase Inhibitors ResearchEpigenetics and DNA Methylation

Compartmentalised acyl-CoA metabolism and roles in chromatin regulation

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Trefely, Sophie, Lovell, Claudia D., Snyder, Nathaniel W., Wellen, Kathryn E.·2020·Molecular Metabolism

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many metabolites serve as important signalling molecules to adjust cellular activities and functions based on nutrient availability. Links between acetyl-CoA metabolism, histone lysine acetylation, and gene expression have been documented and studied over the past decade. In recent years, several additional acyl modifications to histone lysine residues have been identified, which depend on acyl-coenzyme A thioesters (acyl-CoAs) as acyl donors. Acyl-CoAs are intermediates of multiple distinct metabolic pathways, and substantial evidence has emerged that histone acylation is metabolically sensitive. Nevertheless, the metabolic sources of acyl-CoAs used for chromatin modification in most cases remain poorly understood. Elucidating how these diverse chemical modifications are coupled to and regulated by cellular metabolism is important in deciphering their functional significance. SCOPE OF REVIEW: In this article, we review the metabolic pathways that produce acyl-CoAs, as well as emerging evidence for functional roles of diverse acyl-CoAs in chromatin regulation. Because acetyl-CoA has been extensively reviewed elsewhere, we will focus on four other acyl-CoA metabolites integral to major metabolic pathways that are also known to modify histones: succinyl-CoA, propionyl-CoA, crotonoyl-CoA, and butyryl-CoA. We also briefly mention several other acyl-CoA species, which present opportunities for further research; malonyl-CoA, glutaryl-CoA, 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA, and lactyl-CoA. Each acyl-CoA species has distinct roles in metabolism, indicating the potential to report shifts in the metabolic status of the cell. For each metabolite, we consider the metabolic pathways in which it participates and the nutrient sources from which it is derived, the compartmentalisation of its metabolism, and the factors reported to influence its abundance and potential nuclear availability. We also highlight reported biological functions of these metabolically-linked acylation marks. Finally, we aim to illuminate key questions in acyl-CoA metabolism as they relate to the control of chromatin modification. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: A majority of acyl-CoA species are annotated to mitochondrial metabolic processes. Since acyl-CoAs are not known to be directly transported across mitochondrial membranes, they must be synthesized outside of mitochondria and potentially within the nucleus to participate in chromatin regulation. Thus, subcellular metabolic compartmentalisation likely plays a key role in the regulation of histone acylation. Metabolite tracing in combination with targeting of relevant enzymes and transporters will help to map the metabolic pathways that connect acyl-CoA metabolism to chromatin modification. The specific function of each acyl-CoA may be determined in part by biochemical properties that affect its propensity for enzymatic versus non-enzymatic protein modification, as well as the various enzymes that can add, remove and bind each modification. Further, competitive and inhibitory effects of different acyl-CoA species on these enzymes make determining the relative abundance of acyl-CoA species in specific contexts important to understand the regulation of chromatin acylation. An improved and more nuanced understanding of metabolic regulation of chromatin and its roles in physiological and disease-related processes will emerge as these questions are answered.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.molmet.2020.01.005

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  • An emerging body of literature provides evidence for the presence of anaplerotic enzymes outside of the mitochondria, including SCS.

    “an emerging body of literature provides evidence for the presence of anaplerotic enzymes outside of the mitochondria, including SCS.44,45”

    From Loss of succinyl-CoA synthetase in mouse forebrain results in hypersuccinylation with perturbed neuronal transcription and metabolism (2023) · cites this paper as [44]

    The Succinyl-CoA generation section (page unavailable) reports nuclear localization of the OGDH complex and discusses possible cytosolic succinyl-CoA production. But it describes succinyl-CoA synthase (SCS, termed SUCL in the paper) as acting in the mitochondrial TCA cycle; it does not provide evidence that SCS is present outside mitochondria. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • By co-opting the production and localization of select TCA cycle metabolites, cells can modulate the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes and exert control over gene expression and cell fate.

    “By co-opting the production and localization of select TCA cycle metabolites, cells can modulate the activity of chromatin-modifying enzymes and exert control over gene expression and cell fate (158, 159, 160).”

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Authors
Trefely, S., Lovell, C. D., Snyder, N. W., & Wellen, K. E.
Affiliations
  • Abramson Cancer Center (US)
  • Temple University (US)
Corresponding author
  • Snyder, Nathaniel W.
  • Wellen, Kathryn E.
Venue
Molecular Metabolism
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-08
Volume
38
Pages
100941
ISSN
2212-8778 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3006138245
Cited by
272
References
182
Citations by year
2026: 45 · 2025: 54 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 1
FWCI
3.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Metabolism (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
  • National Cancer Institute
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
Keywords
acyl-CoA metabolism, chromatin regulation, succinyl-CoA, propionyl-CoA, butyryl-CoA, malonyl-CoA, glutaryl-CoA, 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, mitochondrial metabolism
MeSH terms
Acetyl Coenzyme A, Acetylation, Acyl Coenzyme A, Animals, Chromatin, Histones, Humans, Lysine, Gene Expression

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