Fly larvae raised on a low-tyrosine diet turn on genes (shown in red) that repress protein metabolism. Credit: RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
‘Non-essential’ amino acids can serve as nutritional cues that guide the body’s response to a low-protein diet because the body can make them from other nutrients, a RIKEN-led team found in a study. About Drosophila larvae. If a similar control mechanism works in mammals, it may be used to control appetite.
To determine whether to eat beef or fish, our brains have evolved mechanisms to sense changes in the protein composition of the body and adjust our intake of protein-rich foods accordingly. Researchers have long believed that this process relied solely on building blocks known as amino acids.
However, RIKEN-led research now shows that this is not necessarily the case. “We have discovered a new mechanism that senses and adapts to dietary protein deficiency,” says Fumiaki Obata of the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR).
The amino acid known as tyrosine is found in dairy products, meats, nuts, beans and other protein-rich foods. However, the body can also synthesize tyrosine from another amino acid called phenylalanine. It is found in both plant and animal foods alike.
As shown by Obata and BDR colleague Hina Kosakamoto, flies slow protein metabolism and increase food consumption when levels of tyrosine in the diet are low. Conversely, when tyrosine is ingested in large amounts, flies accelerate protein metabolism. Try to stay within range.
The team has identified several of the molecular players and signaling pathways involved in regulating the body’s response to tyrosine levels, but exactly how this happens remains unclear. They ruled out one general mechanism by which the brain senses nutrient imbalances. not.”
Another research priority for the team is to corroborate their findings in mouse models. This helps determine how relevant the results are to human physiology and medicine, and agriculture and animal husbandry. “If tyrosine has a similar role in mammals, tyrosine restriction could be used to control appetite, treat metabolic syndrome, and even forestall aging,” says Obata. “Our knowledge could also be applied to animal husbandry to improve animal health and production.”
This research natural metabolism.
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Hina Kosakamoto et al. Sensing of the nonessential amino acid tyrosine governs the response to protein restriction in Drosophila natural metabolism (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00608-7
Quote: ‘Non-Essential’ Building Blocks Proven Critical to a Healthy Protein Diet (17 Oct 2022) https://phys.org/news/2022-10-non-essential Retrieved on Oct 18, 2022 from -block-vital-healthy- protein.html
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