BRIC-inStem research group gets new insights into metabolic adaptation to glucose depletion
Kinases and phosphatases are two enzymes that regulate such signaling processes to enable metabolic rewiring in limited nutrient environments. Using yeast, Dr Laxman’s lab discovered a novel mechanism of metabolic adaptation to changing nutrient environments. When deprived of glucose, yeast cells employ a PP2A-like phosphatase to assemble a large protein complex in the endoplasmic reticulum or mitochondrial membrane spaces that acts as a scaffold/signaling hub. This helps maintain appropriate carbon flux, enabling cells to metabolically adapt to glucose depletion. Notably, the novel phosphatase-mediated metabolic adaptation pathway is distinct from large-scale transcriptional responses typically observed in response to changing environmental conditions. Link to the article: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1011202 , Citation: Niphadkar S, Karinje L, Laxman S. The PP2A-like phosphatase Ppg1 mediates assembly of the Far complex to balance gluconeogenic outputs and enables adaptation to glucose depletion. Butler G, editor. PLOS Genet. 2024 Mar 7;20(3):e1011202.