Defects in mitochondrial energetic function compels Fanconi Anaemia cells to glycolytic metabolism.
Energetic metabolism plays an essential role in the differentiation of haematopoietic stem cells (HSC). In Fanconi Anaemia (FA), DNA damage is accumulated during HSC differentiation, an event that is likely associated with bone marrow failure (BMF). One of the sources of the DNA damage is altered mitochondrial metabolism and an associated increment of oxidative stress. Recently, altered mitochondrial morphology and a deficit in the energetic activity in FA cells have been reported. Considering that mitochondria are the principal site of aerobic ATP production, we investigated FA metabolism in order to understand what pathways are able to compensate for this energy deficiency. In this work, we report that the impairment in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in FA cells is countered by an increase in glycolytic flux. By contrast, glutaminolysis appears lower with respect to controls. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that in FA cells glycolysis represents the main pathway for producing energy, balancing the NADH/NAD+ratio by the conversion of pyruvate to lactate. Finally, we show that a forced switch from glycolytic to OXPHOS metabolism increases FA cell oxidative stress. This could be the cause of the impoverishment in bone marrow HSC during exit from the homeostatic quiescent state. This is the first work that systematically explores FA energy metabolism, highlighting its flaws, and discusses the possible relationships between these defects and BMF.
Hematology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16148 Genova, Italy.
Enrico
E
Cappelli
U.O. Mutagenesis, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST (Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro), Genova, Italy.
Paola
P
Cuccarolo
Laboratorio Diagnosi Pre e Postnatale Malattie Metaboliche, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16148 Genova, Italy.
Giorgia
G
Stroppiana
Hematology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16148 Genova, Italy.
Maurizio
M
Miano
Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
Roberta
R
Bottega
Laboratorio di Biochimica, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy.
Vanessa
V
Cossu
U.O. Mutagenesis, IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST (Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro), Genova, Italy. Electronic address: paolo.degan@hsanmartino.it.
Paolo
P
Degan
Laboratorio di Biochimica, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy.
Silvia
S
Ravera
D002460:Cell Line; D005199:Fanconi Anemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006019:Glycolysis; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D018384:Oxidative Stress
Cancer-prone diseases; Energy metabolism; Fanconi Anaemia; Glycolysis; Oxidative phosphorylation; Oxidative stress