Research Highlights

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  • Cell & molecular biology

Published online: 1 October 2008 | doi:10.1038/nchina.2008.228

Glucose homeostasis: Sugar boost

Felix Cheung

Introduction

© (2008) Nature Chemical Biology

Millions of people in the world suffer from hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). The condition produces a variety of symptoms and effects, ranging from mood swings to coma — and sometimes even death. Studies have shown that Nur77, a class of 'nuclear receptors' found within the cell interiors, works in concert with genes involved in glucose production to increase blood sugar levels. Nur77 also plays a key role in apoptosis (programmed cell death) for various cell types. Shengcai Lin, Yuemao Shen and Qiao Wu at Xiamen University and co-workers¹ have identified the biological switch that triggers these functions of Nur77.

The researchers found cytosporone B (Csn-B), a compound isolated from the tree fungus Dothiorella, could stimulate Nur77 activity towards target genes. The compound does this (see image, active Nur77 marked in yellow) by binding to a specific domain (marked in blue) of Nur77 (marked in red).

Tests showed that Csn-B raised blood sugar levels in fasting mice. This biological effect, however, was not observed in mice without the ability to produce Nur77, indicating that Csn-B regulates glucose production through Nur77.

In addition, Csn-B induced apoptosis and retarded the growth of gastric cancer cells in mice. Therefore Csn-B may be a promising therapeutic drug for cancers and hypoglycaemia.

The authors of this work are from:
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Cell Biology and Tumor Cell Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; Center for Integrated BioSystems, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA.

Reference

1. Zhan, Y. et al. Cytosporone B is an agonist for nuclear orphan receptor Nur77. Nature Chem. Biol. doi: 10.1038/nchembio.106 (2008). | Article | ChemPort |