Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, one of the most common human genetic enzymopathies, is caused by over 160 different point mutations and contributes to the severity of many acute and chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress, including hemolytic anemia and bilirubin-induced neurological damage particularly in newborns. As no medications are available to treat G6PD deficiency, here we seek to identify a small molecule that corrects it. Crystallographic study and mutagenesis analysis identify the structural and functional defect of one common mutant (Canton, R459L). Using high-throughput screening, we subsequently identify AG1, a small molecule that increases the activity of the wild-type, the Canton mutant and several other common G6PD mutants. AG1 reduces oxidative stress in cells and zebrafish. Furthermore, AG1 decreases chloroquine- or diamide-induced oxidative stress in human erythrocytes. Our study suggests that a pharmacological agent, of which AG1 may be a lead, will likely alleviate the challenges associated with G6PD deficiency.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases. In order to maintain a healthy population of functional mitochondria in cells, defective mitochondria must be properly eliminated by lysosomal machinery in a process referred to as mitophagy. Here, we uncover a new molecular mechanism underlying mitophagy driven by glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) under the pathological condition of Huntington’s disease (HD) caused by expansion of polyglutamine repeats. Expression of expanded polyglutamine tracts catalytically inactivates GAPDH (iGAPDH), which triggers its selective association with damaged mitochondria in several cell culture models of HD. Through this mechanism, iGAPDH serves as a signaling molecule to induce direct engulfment of damaged mitochondria into lysosomes (micro-mitophagy). However, abnormal interaction of mitochondrial GAPDH with long polyglutamine tracts stalled GAPDH-mediated mitophagy, leading to accumulation of damaged mitochondria, and increased cell death. We further demonstrated that overexpression of inactive GAPDH rescues this blunted process and enhances mitochondrial function and cell survival, indicating a role for GAPDH-driven mitophagy in the pathology of HD.

Background: How damaged mitochondria are removed by mitophagy is not fully described. Results: Ischemia and reoxygenation (I/R)-induced injury triggers mitochondria association of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and mitophagy, and protein kinase C␦ (PKC␦) activation inhibits it. Conclusion: PKC␦-mediated phosphorylation of GAPDH inhibits mitophagy. Significance: GAPDH/PKC␦ is a signaling switch, which is activated during ischemic injury to regulate the balance between cell survival by mitophagy and cell death by apoptosis.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in a variety of age-related diseases including multiple cardiovascular disorders. However, translation of ROS scavengers (anti-oxidants) into the clinic has not been successful. These anti-oxidants grossly reduce total levels of cellular ROS including ROS that participate in physiological signaling. In this review, we challenge the traditional anti-oxidant therapeutic approach that targets ROS directly with novel approaches that improve mitochondrial functions to more effectively treat cardiovascular diseases.

The role of basal suppression of the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway and its interaction with Indian hedgehog (Ihh) signaling during limb/skeletal morphogenesis is not well understood. The orphan G protein-coupled receptor Gpr161 localizes to primary cilia and functions as a negative regulator of Shh signaling by promoting Gli transcriptional repressor versus activator formation. Here, we show that forelimb buds are not formed in knockout mouse embryos despite establishment of prospective limb fields. Limb-specific deletion of resulted in prematurely expanded Shh signaling and ectopic Shh-dependent patterning defects resulting in polysyndactyly. In addition, endochondral bone formation in forearms, including formation of both trabecular bone and bone collar was prevented. Endochondral bone formation defects resulted from accumulation of proliferating round/periarticular-like chondrocytes, lack of differentiation into columnar chondrocytes, and corresponding absence of Ihh signaling. deficiency in craniofacial mesenchyme also prevented intramembranous bone formationin calvarium. Defects in limb patterning, endochondral and intramembranous skeletal morphogenesis were suppressed in the absence of cilia. Overall, Gpr161 promotes forelimb formation, regulates limb patterning, prevents periarticular chondrocyte proliferation and drives osteoblastogenesis in intramembranous bones in a cilium-dependent manner.