Abstract Understanding how food-derived bioactive molecules regulate lipid metabolism has become a central issue in molecular nutritional science. Recent advances have demonstrated that these molecules function not merely as nutrients but as signaling regulators acting on specific molecular targets. This review summarizes the discovery and molecular mechanisms of food-derived peptides, proteins, amino acids, and polyphenols involved in lipid metabolism. Lactostatin (IIAEK), soystatin (VAWWMY), FP, and RPR regulate intestinal and hepatic lipid metabolism through IAP-, bile acid (taurocholic acid) -, PepT1-, and PPARα-mediated pathways, whereas MRJP1 from royal jelly, sulfur amino acids (cysteine, SMCS), and polyphenols (EGCG, ellagic acid, eugeniin, rose polyphenol) modulate complementary metabolic networks. Together, these findings establish a new paradigm in which structurally diverse food-derived bioactive molecules regulate lipid metabolism through distinct molecular targets. This concept provides a mechanistic framework for the development of next-generation functional foods, precision nutrition, and food-inspired therapeutics for metabolic diseases.
Abstract The synthesis of several polypeptides (145, 76, 66, 52, 42, 32, and 16 kDa) in Pyropia yezoensis was markedly induced under phosphorus-starved conditions. The most abundant 32-kDa polypeptide was purified and characterized. Comparison of the genomic and cDNA sequences revealed an intronless gene encoding a 323-amino-acid precursor protein with a 24-amino-acid signal peptide and a 299-amino-acid mature protein. The mature 32-kDa polypeptide showed high sequence similarity to periplasmic phosphate-binding proteins (PBPs) from Escherichia coli and marine cyanobacteria. Both the native and recombinant proteins exhibited phosphate-binding ability in equilibrium dialysis assays. Immunological analyses indicated that the phosphorus-starvation-induced 32-kDa PBP is localized to the periplasmic space. Northern blot and quantitative real-time PCR analyses demonstrated that PBP gene expression was strongly induced by phosphorus starvation. These findings support a model of phosphate acquisition in P. yezoensis under phosphorus-starved conditions involving a periplasmic PBP and alkaline phosphatase.
Abstract Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT-7) contributes approximately 30% of total protein arginine monomethylation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Loss of prmt-7 extended lifespan without affecting brood size. However, prmt-7 mutants showed reduced heat-stress resistance, and transient heat stress did not further extend their lifespan, suggesting distinct roles for PRMT-7 in longevity and heat-stress adaptation.
Abstract In methionine biosynthesis, homoserine O-acylation is catalyzed by MetX together with its regulatory protein, MetW, in some bacteria. MetW interacts with MetX and regulates its enzymatic activity. Although this interaction and regulation are likely indispensable for efficient methionine biosynthesis, the specific regions of MetW crucial for these functions remain unidentified. Here, we characterize this system using MetW and MetX from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PaMetW and PaMetX, respectively). We found that the N-terminal region of PaMetW and the C-terminal region of PaMetX are critical for their interaction. Additionally, the C-terminal region of PaMetW is essential for enhancing homoserine O-succinylation activity. Structural models predict that the PaMetW N-terminal region is located near the PaMetX C-terminal region and that the two terminal regions form an intermolecular parallel β-sheet. These results suggest that the N- and C-terminal regions of PaMetW play important roles in the interaction with PaMetX and enhancement of its enzymatic activity, respectively.
Abstract Equisetum arvense polysaccharides (EAP) represent promising functional nutrients with anti-obesity properties. Using a high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese aging mouse model, this study investigated the anti-obesity efficacy and underlying mechanisms of EAP from the perspective of intestinal microbiota and systemic metabolic networks. Histological assays, biochemical measurements, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics were adopted to comprehensively detect inflammatory factors, oxidative stress markers, lipid profiles, intestinal flora, and metabolites. The results demonstrated that EAP reduced body weight, alleviated lipid accumulation in hepatic and epididymal adipose tissues, restored lipid homeostasis, recovered the gut microbial diversity impaired by high-fat feeding, and modulated intestinal metabolites. In conclusion, EAP may represent a potential functional dietary ingredient for obesity management.
