scieee Open visual document viewer

The combined partial knockdown of CBS and MPST genes induces inflammation, impairs adipocyte function-related gene expression and disrupts protein persulfidation in human adipocytes

Latorre, Jessica; Aroca Aguilar, Ángeles; Fernández Real, José Manuel; Romero , Luis C.; Moreno Navarrete, José María

Abstract

Recent studies in mice and humans demonstrated the relevance of H2S synthesising enzymes, such as CTH, CBS, and MPST, in the physiology of adipose tissue and the differentiation of preadipocyte into adipocytes. Here, our objective was to investigate the combined role of CTH, CBS, and MPST in the preservation of adipocyte protein persulfidation and adipogenesis. Combined partial CTH, CBS, and MPST gene knockdown was achieved treating fully human adipocytes with siRNAs against these transcripts (siRNA_MIX). Adipocyte protein persulfidation was analyzed using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry coupled with a dimedone-switch method for protein labeling and purification. Proteomic analysis quantified 216 proteins with statistically different levels of persulfidation in KD cells compared to control adipocytes. In fully differentiated adipocytes, CBS and MPST mRNA and protein levels were abundant, while CTH expression was very low. It is noteworthy that siRNA_MIX administration resulted in a significant decrease in CBS and MPST expression, without impacting on CTH. The combined partial knockdown of the CBS and MPST genes resulted in reduced cellular sulfide levels in parallel to decreased expression of relevant genes for adipocyte biology, including adipogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and lipogenesis, but increased proinflammatory- and senescence-related genes. It should be noted that the combined partial knockdown of CBS and MPST genes also led to a significant disruption in the persulfidation pattern of the adipocyte proteins. Although among the less persulfidated proteins, we identified several relevant proteins for adipocyte adipogenesis and function, among the most persulfidated, key mediators of adipocyte inflammation and dysfunction as well as some proteins that might play a positive role in adipogenesis were found. In conclusion, the current study indicates that the combined partial elimination of CBS and MPST (but not CTH) in adipocytes affects the expression of genes related to the maintenance of adipocyte function and promotes inflammation, possibly by altering the pattern of protein persulfidation in these cells, suggesting that these enzymes were required for the functional maintenance of adipocytes.

Full text

Ci a ion: La o e, J.; A oca, A.; Fe nández-Real, J.M.; Rome o, L.C.; Mo eno-Na a e e, J.M. The Combined Pa ial Knockdown o CBS and MPST Genes Induces In lamma ion, Impai s Adipocy e Func ion-Rela ed Gene Exp ession and Dis up s P o ein Pe sul ida ion in Human Adipocy es. An ioxidan s 2022,11, 1095. h ps://doi.o g/ 10.3390/an iox11061095 Academic Edi o s: Emma Mi idie i and Vincenzo B ancaleone Recei ed: 29 Ma ch 2022 Accep ed: 27 May 2022 Published: 31 May 2022 Publishe ’s No e: MDPI s ays neu al wi h ega d o ju isdic ional claims in published maps and ins i u ional a il- ia ions. Copy igh : © 2022 by he au ho s. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Swi ze land. This a icle is an open access a icle dis ibu ed unde he e ms and condi ions o he C ea i e Commons A ibu ion (CC BY) license (h ps:// c ea i ecommons.o g/licenses/by/ 4.0/). an ioxidan s A icle The Combined Pa ial Knockdown o CBS and MPST Genes Induces In lamma ion, Impai s Adipocy e Func ion-Rela ed Gene Exp ession and Dis up s P o ein Pe sul ida ion in Human Adipocy es Jessica La o e 1,2 , Angeles A oca 3, JoséManuel Fe nández-Real 1,2,4 , Luis C. Rome o 3 and JoséMa ía Mo eno-Na a e e 1,2,* 1 Depa men o Diabe es, Endoc inology and Nu i ion, Ins i u d’In es igacióBiomèdica de Gi ona (IdIBGi), 17190 Sal , Spain; [email p o ec ed]g (J.L.); jm [email p o ec ed] (J.M.F.-R.) 2CIBER Fisiopa ología de la Obesidad y Nu ición (CIBERobn, CB06/03/010), Ins i u o de Salud Ca los III, 28029 Mad id, Spain 3Ins i u o de Bioquímica Vege al y Fo osín esis, Consejo Supe io de In es igaciones and Uni e sidad de Se illa, 41092 Se ille, Spain; [email p o ec ed] (A.A.); l ome [email p o ec ed] (L.C.R.) 4Depa men o Medicine, Uni e si a de Gi ona, 17003 Gi ona, Spain *Co espondence: jmo [email p o ec ed]g; Tel.: +34-872-987087 (ex . 70) Abs ac : Recen s udies in mice and humans demons a ed he ele ance o H 2 S syn hesising enzymes, such as CTH, CBS, and MPST, in he physiology o adipose issue and he di e en ia ion o p eadipocy e in o adipocy es. He e, ou objec i e was o in es iga e he combined ole o CTH, CBS, and MPST in he p ese a ion o adipocy e p o ein pe sul ida ion and adipogenesis. Combined pa ial CTH,CBS, and MPST gene knockdown was achie ed ea ing ully human adipocy es wi h siRNAs agains hese ansc ip s (siRNA_MIX). Adipocy e p o ein pe sul ida ion was analyzed using label- ee quan i a i e mass spec ome y coupled wi h a dimedone-swi ch me hod o p o ein labeling and pu i ica ion. P o eomic analysis quan i ied 216 p o eins wi h s a is ically di e en le els o pe sul ida ion in KD cells compa ed o con ol adipocy es. In ully di e en ia ed adipocy es, CBS and MPST mRNA and p o ein le els we e abundan , while CTH exp ession was e y low. I is no ewo hy ha siRNA_MIX adminis a ion esul ed in a signi ican dec ease in CBS and MPST exp ession, wi hou impac ing on CTH. The combined pa ial knockdown o he CBS and MPST genes esul ed in educed cellula sul ide le els in pa allel o dec eased exp ession o ele an genes o adipocy e biology, including adipogenesis, mi ochond ial biogenesis, and lipogenesis, bu inc eased p oin lamma o y- and senescence- ela ed genes. I should be no ed ha he combined pa ial knockdown o CBS and MPST genes also led o a signi ican dis up ion in he pe sul ida ion pa e n o he adipocy e p o eins. Al hough among he less pe sul ida ed p o eins, we iden i ied se e al ele an p o eins o adipocy e adipogenesis and unc ion, among he mos pe sul ida ed, key media o s o adipocy e in lamma ion and dys unc ion as well as some p o eins ha migh play a posi i e ole in adipogenesis we e ound. In conclusion, he cu en s udy indica es ha he combined pa ial elimina ion o CBS and MPST (bu no CTH) in adipocy es a ec s he exp ession o genes ela ed o he main enance o adipocy e unc ion and p omo es in lamma ion, possibly by al e ing he pa e n o p o ein pe sul ida ion in hese cells, sugges ing ha hese enzymes we e equi ed o he unc ional main enance o adipocy es. Keywo ds: human adipocy es; adipogenesis; in lamma ion; p o ein pe sul ida ion 1. In oduc ion Func ional adipocy es a e cha ac e ized by an inc eased capaci y o s o e excess uel and p oduce bene icial adipokines, inc eased exp ession o adipogenic genes, bu dec eased exp ession o p oin lamma o y- and cellula senescence- ela ed genes [ 1 – 4 ]. Op imal An ioxidan s 2022,11, 1095. h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/an iox11061095 h ps://www.mdpi.com/jou nal/an ioxidan s An ioxidan s 2022,11, 1095 2 o 14 adipocy e unc ion is equi ed o main ain adipose issue physiology and p e en s obesi y- associa ed me abolic dis u bances [3–6]. Recen s udies in mice and humans demons a ed he ele ance o H 2 S-syn hesising enzymes, such as CTH, CBS, and MPST, o p ese e adipogenesis o adipose issue, heal hy a mass expansion and insulin ac ion [ 7 , 8 ]. These enzymes play a c ucial ole in he di e en ia ion o adipocy es. Speci ically, gene knockdown expe imen s in mouse 3T3-L1 cells and human p eadipocy es demons a ed he ele ance o CTH, CBS and MPST in adipogenesis [7–9]. In e es ingly, inc eased pe sul ida ion in ele an adipogenic p o eins has also been epo ed in human adipocy es [ 8 ]. Since pe sul ida ion o en inc eases he eac i i y o a ge p o eins [ 10 ], inc eased pe sul ida ion in adipogenic enzymes sugges s a possible ole o hese pos - ansla ional modi ica ions in he p omo ion o adipocy e di e en ia ion and in he main enance o adipogenic s a us. Despi e hese in iguing s udies, o he bes o ou knowledge, he combined ole o hese enzymes in he main enance o adipocy e unc ion has no been ye examined. In he p esen s udy, ou objec i e was o in es iga e he combined ole o CTH, CBS, and MPST in he p ese a ion o adipocy e adipogenesis and unc ion and o in es iga e how he combined pa ial knockdown o hese enzymes migh impac he pe sul ida ion o he adipocy e p o eins. 2. Ma e ials and Me hods 2.1. Human P eadipocy e Di e en ia ion and Adipocy e Main enance P ima y human subcu aneous p eadipocy es om a non-diabe ic Caucasian emale wi h BMI < 30 kg/m 2 (Zen-Bio Inc., Resea ch T iangle Pa k, Du ham, NC, USA) we e cul u ed wi h P eadipocy e Medium (PM-1, Zen-Bio Inc.) in a humidi ied incuba o a 37 ◦ C wi h 5% CO 2 . Twen y- ou hou s a e pla ing, cells we e checked o con luence. Once eached, di e en ia ion s a ed wi h comme cially a ailable Di e en ia ion Medium (DM-2, Zen-Bio Inc.) and Main enance Medium (AM-1 Zen-Bio Inc.), ollowing he man- u ac u e ’s ins uc ions. Two weeks a e ini ia ing di e en ia ion, di e en ia ed cells appea ed ounded wi h la ge lipid d ople s appa en in he cy oplasm. The cells we e hen conside ed ma u e adipocy es. Fo wa d siRNA ans ec ions using siRNA_MIX, which included siRNAs agains MPST,CBS, and CTH gene exp ession, we e pe o med a he end o he di e en ia ion p ocess. 2.2. siRNA-Induced Gene Knockdown in Fully Di e en ia ed Adipocy es P ima y human subcu aneous adipocy es we e o wa d ans ec ed wi h siRNAs a he end o di e en ia ion (on day 11). B ie ly, siRNA (Sigma-Ald ich, S . Louis, MO, USA) agains CTH (NM_001190463), CBS (NM_000071), and MPST (NM_001130517) and Lipo- ec amine RNAiMAX (Li e Technologies, Da ms ad , Ge many) we e dilu ed sepa a ely wi h Op i-MEM I Reduced Se um Medium (Li e Technologies, Da ms ad , Ge many) and mixed by pipe ing a e wa ds. The siRNA-RNAiMAX complexes we e le o incuba e o 20 min a oom empe a u e and hen added o he op o he adhe en cells d op-wise. The inal concen a ions o Lipo ec amine RNAiMAX and siRNAs we e 1.6 µ L/cm 2 and 100 nM, espec i ely, in 12-well cell cul u e pla es, and he inal amoun o medium pe well was 1 mL. The ans ec ion condi ions included combined silencing o CTH, CBS and MSPT (100 nM), and a non- a ge ing siRNA (100 nM) o he ehicle. Adipocy es we e ha es ed on day 14 o di e en ia ion, i.e., 72 h a e ans ec ion wi hou changing cell cul u e medium. T ans ec ion e iciency was assessed by eal- ime PCR and Wes e n blo . The MISSION ® siRNAs (Sigma-Ald ich) used we e MISSION ® esiRNA a ge ing human MPST (EHU086511), CBS (EHU099041), and CTH (EHU078251). The MISSION ® siRNA Uni e sal Nega i e Con ol #1 (Sigma-Ald ich, SIC001) was used as a con ol in all expe imen s (siRNA_SCR). An ioxidan s 2022,11, 1095 3 o 14 2.3. Gene Exp ession RNA was ex ac ed om cells using he RNeasy Lipid Tissue Mini Ki (Qiagen, Ge - man own, MD, USA). To al RNA was quan i ied using a spec opho ome e (GeneQuan ; GE Heal h Ca e, Waukesha, WI, USA). RNA was e e se ansc ibed o cDNA using he High-Capaci y cDNA Re e se T ansc ip ion Ki (Li e Technology, Da ms ad , Ge many) acco ding o s anda d p ocedu es. Comme cially a ailable Taq-Man p ime and p obe se s we e used o gene exp ession. Exp ession was assessed by eal- ime PCR using he Ligh Cycle 480 Real-Time PCR Sys em (Roche Diagnos ics, Ba celona, Spain). The comme cially a ailable and p e- alida ed TaqMan ® p ime /p obe se s used we e as ol- lows: Pep idylp olylisome ase A(cyclophilin A)(4333763,PPIA asendogenous con ol),cys a hio- nine γ -lyase (CTH, Hs00542284_m1), cys a hionine β -syn hase (CBS, Hs00163925_m1), me cap- opy u a e sul u ans e ase (MPST, Hs00560401_m1), adiponec in (ADIPOQ, Hs00605917_m1), a yacidbindingp o ein4,adipocy e(FABP4, Hs01086177_m1), pe oxisomep oli e a o -ac i a ed ecep o gamma (PPARG, Hs00234592_m1), pe ilipin 1 (PLIN1, Hs00160173_m1), PPARG coac i a- o 1alpha(PPARGC1A,Hs00173304_m1), a yacidsyn hase(FASN,Hs00188012_m1),ace yl-CoA ca boxylase alpha (ACACA, Hs00167385_m1), solu e ca ie amily 2 membe 4 (SLC2A4 o GLUT4, Hs00168966_m1), in e leukin 6 (in e e on, be a 2) (IL6, Hs00985639_m1), umo nec osis ac o (TNF, Hs00174128_m1), C-X-C mo i chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8 o IL8, Hs00174103_m1), C–C mo i chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2 o MCP1, Hs00234140_m1), and umo p o ein p53 (TP53, Hs01034249_m1). 2.4. Wes e n Blo The p o eins we e ex ac ed om cells using adioimmunop ecipi a ion assay (RIPA) bu e (0.1% SDS, 0.5% sodium deoxy-chola e, 1% Nonide P-40, 150 mmol/L NaCl, and 50 mmol/L T is-HCl, pH 8.0) supplemen ed wi h a comme cially a ailable cock ail o p o ease inhibi o s (Millipo e, Sigma, Mad id, Spain). Cellula deb is and lipids we e elimina ed by cen i uga ion o he solubilized samples a 12,000 × g o 10 min a 4 ◦ C, e- co e ing he soluble ac ion. The p o ein concen a ion was de e mined using he RC/DC P o ein Assay (Bio-Rad Labo a o ies, He cules, CA, USA). P o ein ex ac s we e p ocessed in SDS-PAGE and ans e ed o ni ocellulose memb anes by con en ional p ocedu es. A e blocking wi h 5% BSA in TBS-Tween, he memb anes we e incuba ed wi h p ima y an ibodies, ollowed by incuba ion wi h ho se adish pe oxidase conjuga ed goa an i- abbi an ibody (Cell Signaling, 7074). P o ein signal was de ec ed by chemiluminescence Chemi- Doc ™ Gel Imaging Sys em (Bio-Rad, Cali o nia, USA). Ac in was used as a housekeeping gene-coded p o ein. All p ima y an ibodies we e used a 1:1000 dilu ions and we e he ol- lowing: CBS (sc-133154, San a C uz Bio echnology, San a C uz, CA, USA), CTH (sc-365382, San a C uz Bio echnology), MPST (sc-376168, San a C uz Bio echnology), FAS (C20G5, Cell Signaling), and β-ac in (sc-47778, San a C uz Bio echnology). 2.5. Quan i ica ion o Hyd ogen Sul ide in Biological Ma ices by LC-MS/MS Hyd ogen sul ide was quan i ied ollowing a p e iously desc ibed me hod [ 11 ]. A 50 µ L sample (cell lysa e) was spiked wi h 70 µ L o MBB solu ion (20 mM). The mix u e was o exed, incuba ed o 60 min a oom empe a u e, and he de i a iza ion eac ion s opped by adding 10 µ L 20% o mic acid. The mix u e was subjec ed o cen i uga ion a 12,000 × pm o 10 min. The de i a i e sul ide dibimane was analyzed by LC-MS/MS using he ExionLC ™ UPLC sys em (Sciex, F amingham, MA, USA) wi h a e e sed-phase column (100 mm × 4.6 mm × 100 Å pa icle, Kine ex XB-C18, Phenomenex, To ance, CA, USA). The mobile phases we e 0.1% o mic acid in H 2 O (Bu e A, HPLC/LCMS g ade) and 0.1% o mic acid in ace oni ile (Bu e B, HPLC/LC-MS g ade). A 5 µ L sample was loaded pe injec ion, and he g adien , applied a a low a e o 600 µ L min −1 , was as ollows: 1.7 min 80% A, om 1.7 o 3 min linea g adien om 80% A o 20% A, 1 min isoc a ic 20% A, 1 min linea g adien om 20% A o 80% A, and hold 3 min a 80% A o e-equilib a e he column. Mass spec a we e acqui ed using a QTRAP 6500 + iple quad upole (Sciex, F amingham, MA, USA) equipped wi h an elec osp ay ioniza ion sou ce ope a ing in An ioxidan s 2022,11, 1095 4 o 14 nega i e ioniza ion mode using an ion sp ay ol age o − 4500 V. The o he ESI pa ame e s we e as ollows: cu ain gas, 35 psi; collision gas, medium; empe a u e, 500 ◦ C; nebulize gas (GS1), 60 psi; and hea e gas (GS2), 60 psi. Da a we e acqui ed wi h Analys ® 1.7 so wa e in he mul iple eac ion moni o ing (MRM) mode wi h a de ec ion window o 60 s . The measu ed ioniza ion adduc s [M-H] − selec ed o iden i ica ion and quan i ica ion we e 412.9 m/z (Q1) and 190.9 m/z (Q3) and op imized declus e ing po en ial ( DP −45 V ) and collision ene gy (CE − 24 V). Da a we e p ocessed wi h Sciex OS ® so wa e (Sciex, Redwood Ci y, CA, USA) o peak in eg a ion and quan i ica ion. 2.6. P o ein Pe sul ida ion A o al o 500 µ g o p o eins om adipocy e lysa es in 50 mM T is-HCl, pH 8, supple- men ed wi h 1% p o ease inhibi o (cOmple e ™ , SigmaAld ich) and 2% SDS was incuba ed wi h 5 mM 4-chlo o-7-ni obenzo u azan (Cl-NBF) a 37 ◦ C o 30 min, p o ec ed om ligh . A me hanol/chlo o o m p ecipi a ion was pe o med o elimina e excess Cl-NBF, and p o ein pelle s ob ained we e washed wi h cold me hanol, d ied, and dissol ed in 50 mM T is-HCl, pH 8, wi h 2% SDS, as p e iously desc ibed [ 12 , 13 ]. The p o eins we e hen incuba ed wi h 100 µ M DCP-Bio1 a 37 ◦ C o 1.5 h. A e wa ds, p o eins we e p ecip- i a ed wi h me hanol/chlo o o m and dissol ed in 50 mM T is-HCl, pH 8, supplemen ed wi h 0.1% SDS. P o eins we e incuba ed wi h Se a-Mag ™ Magne ic S ep a idin (Cy i a, Mad id, Spain) a 4 ◦ C o e nigh wi h agi a ion and hen, beads we e washed wi h 8 col- umn olumes o 50 mM T is-HCl, pH 8, wi h 0.001% Tween, 2 column olumes o 50 mM T is-HCl, pH 8, and 1 column olume o pu e HPLC-quali y wa e . A e washing, beads we e incuba ed 5 h wi h agi a ion wi h 2.25 M ammonium hyd oxide a RT. The sample was hen neu alized wi h o mic acid and he p o ein concen a ion was de e mined. A o al o 50 µ g o p o eins we e ypsinized (GOLD, P omega) ollowing he il e -aided sample p epa a ion (FASP) me hod [14]. T ypsin was added o a ypsin:p o ein a io o 1:20, and he mix u e was incuba ed o e nigh a 37 ◦ C, d ied ou in a RVC2 25 speed ac concen a o (Ch is ), and esuspended in 0.1% FA. Pep ides we e desal ed and esuspended in 0.1% FA using C18 s age ips (Millipo e). The samples we e analyzed in a imsTOF P o wi h PASEF (B uke Dal onics, Bille ica, MA, USA) coupled online o an E osep ONE liquid ch oma og aph (E osep). Hence, 200 ng we e di ec ly loaded on o he E osep ONE and esol ed using he 30 samples-pe -day p o ocol. The p ocessed da a we e analyzed wi h he MQ (Max Quan ) sea ch engine and he label- ee quan i ica ion was pe o med using PEAKS S udio (BSI, Mississauga, Canada) [ 15 ]. P o ein iden i ica ion and quan i ica ion we e ca ied ou using PEAKS X so wa e (Bioin o ma ics solu ions). The sea ches we e ca - ied ou agains a da abase consis ing o Homo sapiens (Unip o /Swissp o ), wi h p ecu so and agmen ole ances o 20 ppm and 0.05 Da. Only p o eins iden i ied wi h a leas wo pep ides a FDR < 1% we e conside ed o u he analysis. P o ein abundances in e ed om PEAKS we e loaded on o Pe seus compu a ional pla o m [ 16 ], log2 ans o med, and impu a ed. A - es was used o add ess signi ican di e ences in p o ein abundances wi hin each sample g oup unde analysis. The mass spec ome y p o eomics da a ha e been deposi ed in he P o eomeXchange Conso ium [ 17 ] ia he PRIDE pa ne eposi o y wi h he da ase iden i ie PXD032370 and 10.6019/PXD032370. Func ional p o ein associa ion ne wo ks we e explo ed using he STRING da abase (STRING: unc ional p o ein associa ion ne wo ks (s ing-db.o g) access da e 26 Feb ua y 2022). 2.7. S a is ical Analysis S a is ical analyses we e pe o med using SPSS 12.0 so wa e. The unpai ed - es and nonpa ame ic es (Mann–Whi ney es ) we e used o analyze in i o expe imen al da a. The le els o s a is ical signi icance we e se a p< 0.05. An ioxidan s 2022,11, 1095 5 o 14 3. Resul s and Discussion 3.1. The Rele ance o CTH, CBS and MPST on Human Adipocy es In ully di e en ia ed adipocy es, CBS and MPST mRNA and p o ein le els we e abundan , whe eas CTH exp ession was e y low (Figu e 1A,B). I should be no ed ha siRNA_MIX adminis a ion esul ed in a signi ican dec ease in CBS and MPST exp es- sion, wi hou impac ing on CTH (Figu e 1A,B). Possibly, he e y low ansc ip ion and u no e o CTH make i esis an o he e ec o siRNA. The combined pa ial knock- down o CBS and MPST genes led o a signi ican educ ion in cellula sul ide le els (Figu e 1C), indica ing ha H 2 S biosyn hesis was a enua ed in hese cells. In e es ingly, he combined pa ial CBS and MPST gene knockdown also esul ed in dec eased exp es- sion o ele an genes o adipocy e biology, including adipogenesis (ADIPOQ, FABP4, PLIN1, SLC2A4, PPARG), mi ochond ial biogenesis (PPARGC1A), and lipogenesis (ACACA and FASN mRNA, and FAS p o ein) (Figu e 1D–L), bu inc eased p oin lamma o y- and senescence- ela ed genes (TP53) (Figu e 1M–Q). Impo an ly, hese da a indica ed ha MPST and CBS we e no only equi ed du ing adipocy e di e en ia ion o mouse 3T3- L1 cells [ 9 ] o human p eadipocy es [ 8 ], bu hese p o eins we e also necessa y o he unc ional main enance o adipocy es. In con as o ha obse ed du ing adipocy e di e - en ia ion o in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocy es [ 7 , 18 , 19 ], in ully di e en ia ed human adipocy es, he exp ession o CTH was much lowe han CBS and MPST. An ioxidan s 2022, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 o 15 2.7. S a is ical Analysis S a is ical analyses we e pe o med using SPSS 12.0 so wa e. The unpai ed - es and nonpa ame ic es (Mann–Whi ney es ) we e used o analyze in i o expe imen al da a. The le els o s a is ical signi icance we e se a p < 0.05. 3. Resul s and Discussion 3.1. The Rele ance o CTH, CBS and MPST on Human Adipocy es In ully di e en ia ed adipocy es, CBS and MPST mRNA and p o ein le els we e abundan , whe eas CTH exp ession was e y low (Figu e 1A,B). I should be no ed ha siRNA_MIX adminis a ion esul ed in a signi ican dec ease in CBS and MPST exp es- sion, wi hou impac ing on CTH (Figu e 1A,B). Possibly, he e y low ansc ip ion and u no e o CTH make i esis an o he e ec o siRNA. The combined pa ial knock- down o CBS and MPST genes led o a signi ican educ ion in cellula sul ide le els (Fig- u e 1C), indica ing ha H2S biosyn hesis was a enua ed in hese cells. In e es ingly, he combined pa ial CBS and MPST gene knockdown also esul ed in dec eased exp ession o ele an genes o adipocy e biology, including adipogenesis (ADIPOQ, FABP4, PLIN1, SLC2A4, PPARG), mi ochond ial biogenesis (PPARGC1A), and lipogenesis (ACACA and FASN mRNA, and FAS p o ein) (Figu e 1D–L), bu inc eased p oin lamma o y- and se- nescence- ela ed genes (TP53) (Figu e 1M–Q). Impo an ly, hese da a indica ed ha MPST and CBS we e no only equi ed du ing adipocy e di e en ia ion o mouse 3T3-L1 cells [9] o human p eadipocy es [8], bu hese p o eins we e also necessa y o he unc- ional main enance o adipocy es. In con as o ha obse ed du ing adipocy e di e en- ia ion o in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocy es [7,18,19], in ully di e en ia ed human adipocy es, he exp ession o CTH was much lowe han CBS and MPST. No isual di e ences in lipid d ople s we e obse ed be ween con ol and combined pa ial knockdown cells (da a no shown). Conside ing ha adipocy e dedi e en ia ion becomes mo phologically e iden a leas one week a e he s a o he p ocess [20], longe gene knockdown expe imen s should be equi ed o app ecia e signi ican changes in in acellula lipid accumula ion. Figu e 1. The impac o he combined pa ial knockdown o CBS and MPST gene on ele an genes o adipocy e biology. The e ec o siRNA_MIX adminis a ion on CBS,CTH and MPST mRNA ( A ) and p o ein ( B ) le els, on in acellula sul ide le els ( C ), and on exp ession o adipogenic (ADIPOQ, FABP4, PLIN1, SLC2A4, PPARG, PPARGC1A)-, lipogenic (ACACA, FASN)-, p oin lamma o y (CCL2, IL6, IL8, TNF)- and cellula senescence (TP53)- ela ed genes and on FAS p o ein le els ( D – Q ). *p< 0.05 , ** p< 0.01 and *** p< 0.001 compa ed o siRNA_SCR. No isual di e ences in lipid d ople s we e obse ed be ween con ol and combined pa ial knockdown cells (da a no shown). Conside ing ha adipocy e dedi e en ia ion becomes mo phologically e iden a leas one week a e he s a o he p ocess [ 20 ], longe gene knockdown expe imen s should be equi ed o app ecia e signi ican changes in in acellula lipid accumula ion. An ioxidan s 2022,11, 1095 6 o 14 3.2. Impac o he Combined Pa ial Knockdown o MPST and CBS Genes on Adipocy e P o ein Pe sul ida ion The possible link be ween CTH, CBS, and MPST ac i i ies and p o ein pe sul ida ion du ing human adipocy e di e en ia ion [ 8 ] sugges s ha hese enzymes migh modula e pe sul ida ion in se e al adipogenic p o eins, a ec ing he physiology o adipocy es. To es his hypo hesis, we examined whe he he educ ion o adipogenic ma ke s obse ed in human adipocy es wi h he combined pa ial knockdown o MPST and CBS genes was linked o al e ed pe sul ida ion in key adipogenic p o eins. Fo his pu pose, we used a mass spec ome y label- ee quan i a i e p o eomic app oach combined wi h he dimedone-swi ch me hod o measu e he p o ein p o ile o pe sul ida ion. P o eins om h ee biological eplica es om ully di e en ia ed human adipocy es, con ol, and he combined pa ial MPST and CBS gene knockdown we e isola ed and subjec ed o he dimedone-swi ch p ocedu e o isola ion o he pe sul ida ed p o eins. The p o eomic analysis quan i ied 1834 p o eins wi h a FDR h eshold o 1% (Supplemen a y Da ase S1) o which 216 showed s a is ically di e en le els o pe sul ida ion in KD cells compa ed o con ol adipocy es (S uden - es , p< 0.05) (Supplemen a y Da ase S2). F om hese p o eins, 136 p o eins we e less pe sul ida ed in KD cells, and 80 p o eins we e mo e pe sul ida ed. When unc ional p o ein associa ion ne wo ks we e explo ed using he STRING da abase, we ound ha hose di e en ially less pe sul ida ed p o eins in human adipocy es wi h he combined pa ial knockdown o MPST and CBS genes we e associa ed wi h ele- an me abolic p ocesses o adipocy es. These p ocesses included he biosyn he ic p ocess o ace yl-CoA and acyl-CoA, ica boxylic acid cycle, he me abolic p ocess o py u a e and glucose, ex acellula ma ix o ganiza ion, he egula ion o he mRNA s abili y, me abolic p ocess o sul u compound, he oxida ion- educ ion p ocess, and he egula ion o ca abolic p ocess (FDR < 0.02, Figu e 2A). O he wise, di e en ially inc eased pe sul ida ed p o eins in human adipocy es wi h he combined pa ial knockdown o MPST and CBS genes we e mainly associa ed wi h p ocesses ela ed o immune esponse- and cy okine-media ed signaling pa hways (FDR < 0.005, Figu e 2B). An ioxidan s 2022, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 o 15 Figu e 2. P o eomic pe sul ida ion ne wo ks analysis. Analysis o unc ional p o ein associa ion ne - wo ks using STRING da abase o di e en ially dec eased (A) and inc eased (B) pe sul ida ed p o- eins in siRNA_MIX- compa ed o siRNA_SCR- ea ed cells. FDR, alse disco e y a e adjus ed p- alue. Speci ically, among hose p o eins ound less pe sul ida ed, se e al ele an p o eins o he main enance o adipocy e adipogenesis and unc ion we e iden i ied, including RAB4A, IDH2, ITGA5, NPC1, ACO1, LRP1, AHNAK, ARPC3, ADH1B, ALDH1A3, LGALS1, PHB, COL6A3, PLIN3, FABP4, THBS1, ANXA2, PLIN4, ACSL1, ANXA1, ELAVL1, ALDH1A1, and HNRNPA1 (Figu e 3A, all wi h p < 0.05). P e ious s udies sup- po ed he ele ance o hese p o eins in adipocy e biology. RAB4A is a small GTPase ha pa icipa es in adipocy e GLUT4 a icking, exe ing an impo an ole in glucose up ake [21,22]. IDH2 a enua es adipocy e in lamma ion h ough he induc ion o α-ke oglu a a e p oduc ion [23] and is equi ed o lipogenesis in hese cells [24]. ITGA5 p omo es ib osis o adipose issue [25] and inhibi s adipocy e di e en ia ion in human adipose issue-de- i ed s em cells [26]. Dec eased exp ession o he NPC1 gene o he pa ial dele ion o his gene p omo ed weigh gain and a mass expansion [27–29], sugges ing a ele an ole o NPC1 in he p e en ion o obesi y and adipocy e hype ophy, possibly inc easing lipol- ysis and be a oxida ion and dec easing lipogenesis and iglyce ide accumula ion in adi- pocy es [30]. NPC1 is inc eased in adipocy es[31], bu i was no associa ed wi h adipo- genesis [32]. ACO1 is impo an o main ain adipogenesis in adipocy es, possibly modu- la ing cy osolic NADPH le els and in acellula i on homeos asis, bo h p ocesses equi ed o adipocy e biology [33]. LRP1 is equi ed o adipocy e di e en ia ion and o main ain adipocy e adipogenesis [34], possibly in pa due o i s in e ac ion wi h ShcA [35], o ac - ing as APOA4 ecep o , and a o ing APOA4-induced glucose up ake [36]. Se e al s ud- ies ha e demons a ed ha AHNAK is equi ed o adipocy e di e en ia ion [37–39]. Mechanis ically, a ecen s udy demons a ed ha AHNAK gene knockdown dec eased adipogenesis h ough he supp ession o Bmp 1α exp ession and dec eased BMP4/ Bmp 1α signaling [39]. ARPC3 is ano he p o ein equi ed o adipocy e di e en ia ion, exe ing a ele an ole in he la e s age o he p ocess, pa icipa ing in GLUT4 exocy osis and insulin signal ansduc ion, and sugges ing a ele an ole in main aining insulin ac- ion in adipocy es [40]. ADH1B modula es in acellula lipid accumula ion, wi hou im- pac ing adipogenesis [41], and p ese ed insulin-s imula ed glucose up ake in adipocy es Figu e 2. P o eomic pe sul ida ion ne wo ks analysis. Analysis o unc ional p o ein associa ion ne - wo ks using STRING da abase o di e en ially dec eased ( A ) and inc eased ( B ) pe sul ida ed p o eins in siRNA_MIX- compa ed o siRNA_SCR- ea ed cells. FDR, alse disco e y a e adjus ed p- alue. An ioxidan s 2022,11, 1095 7 o 14 Speci ically, among hose p o eins ound less pe sul ida ed, se e al ele an p o- eins o he main enance o adipocy e adipogenesis and unc ion we e iden i ied, includ- ing RAB4A, IDH2, ITGA5, NPC1, ACO1, LRP1, AHNAK, ARPC3, ADH1B, ALDH1A3, LGALS1, PHB, COL6A3, PLIN3, FABP4, THBS1, ANXA2, PLIN4, ACSL1, ANXA1, ELAVL1, ALDH1A1, and HNRNPA1 (Figu e 3A, all wi h p< 0.05). P e ious s udies suppo ed he ele ance o hese p o eins in adipocy e biology. RAB4A is a small GTPase ha pa ici- pa es in adipocy e GLUT4 a icking, exe ing an impo an ole in glucose up ake [ 21 , 22 ]. IDH2 a enua es adipocy e in lamma ion h ough he induc ion o α -ke oglu a a e p o- duc ion [ 23 ] and is equi ed o lipogenesis in hese cells [ 24 ]. ITGA5 p omo es ib osis o adipose issue [ 25 ] and inhibi s adipocy e di e en ia ion in human adipose issue-de i ed s em cells [ 26 ]. Dec eased exp ession o he NPC1 gene o he pa ial dele ion o his gene p omo ed weigh gain and a mass expansion [ 27 – 29 ], sugges ing a ele an ole o NPC1 in he p e en ion o obesi y and adipocy e hype ophy, possibly inc easing lipolysis and be a oxida ion and dec easing lipogenesis and iglyce ide accumula ion in adipocy es [ 30 ]. NPC1 is inc eased in adipocy es [ 31 ], bu i was no associa ed wi h adipogenesis [ 32 ]. ACO1 is impo an o main ain adipogenesis in adipocy es, possibly modula ing cy osolic NADPH le els and in acellula i on homeos asis, bo h p ocesses equi ed o adipocy e biology [ 33 ]. LRP1 is equi ed o adipocy e di e en ia ion and o main ain adipocy e adipogenesis [ 34 ], possibly in pa due o i s in e ac ion wi h ShcA [ 35 ], o ac ing as APOA4 ecep o , and a o ing APOA4-induced glucose up ake [ 36 ]. Se e al s udies ha e demons a ed ha AHNAK is equi ed o adipocy e di e en ia ion [ 37 – 39 ]. Mechanis ically, a ecen s udy demons a ed ha AHNAK gene knockdown dec eased adi- pogenesis h ough he supp ession o Bmp 1αexp ession and dec eased BMP4/ Bmp 1α signaling [ 39 ]. ARPC3 is ano he p o ein equi ed o adipocy e di e en ia ion, exe ing a ele an ole in he la e s age o he p ocess, pa icipa ing in GLUT4 exocy osis and insulin signal ansduc ion, and sugges ing a ele an ole in main aining insulin ac ion in adipocy es [ 40 ]. ADH1B modula es in acellula lipid accumula ion, wi hou impac ing adipogenesis [ 41 ], and p ese ed insulin-s imula ed glucose up ake in adipocy es [ 42 ]. Inhibi ion o ALDH1A1 educed isce al a [ 43 ], nega i ely impac ing adipogenesis in isce al adipose issue [ 44 ]. LGALS1 (galec in 1) is an adipocy e sec e ed ac o [ 45 ] ha enhances he ansc ip ional ac i i y o PPARG, inc easing adipogenesis and accumula ion o lipids in adipocy es [ 46 ]. Gain–loss in i o s udies demons a ed ha his p o ein is c ucial o adipose issue expansion and adiposi y [ 46 ]. LGALS1 exp ession in subcu a- neous adipose issue has been iden i ied as a ele an ac o o con e he isk o weigh egain [ 47 ]. Pha macological inhibi ion o LGALS1 displayed impo an an i-obesogenic and an i-adipogenic e ec s [ 48 , 49 ], s eng hening he ole o his p o ein in he de elopmen o a mass and obesi y. O he wise, ci cula ing galec in-1 le els we e nega i ely associa ed wi h ype 2 diabe es [ 50 , 51 ], indica ing ha i migh be associa ed wi h heal hy adiposi y. PHB is induced du ing adipocy e di e en ia ion, in esponse o insulin and PPAR γ agonis , and i s o e exp ession in 3T3-L1 ib oblas s was su icien o induce adipogenesis [ 52 ], bu i s gene knockdown educes he exp ession o adipogenic genes and lipid accumula ion and impai s mi ochond ial dys unc ion [ 53 , 54 ]. In adipocy es, p ohibi in is equi ed o a y acid up ake [ 55 ]. COL6A3 gene knockdown inc eased he iglyce ide con en , lipolysis, insulin-induced Ak phospho yla ion, and he exp ession o adipogenic genes (pe oxisome p oli e a o -ac i a ed ecep o - γ , glucose anspo e , adiponec in, and a y acid binding p o ein), indica ing imp o ed adipocy e unc ion and insulin sensi i i y [ 56 ]. In addi ion, COL6A3 knockdown also dec eased basal adipocy e MCP1 mRNA exp ession, educed sec e ed p o ein le els, and a enua ed TNF α - and LPS-induced MCP1 gene exp ession [ 57 ]. In con as , inc eased COL6A3 mRNA in adipocy es is associa ed wi h obesi y, insulin esis ance, and in lamma ion o adipose issue [ 58 , 59 ], suppo ing he nega i e impac o his p o ein on adipocy es and adipose issue. Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is an endogenous glucoco icoid egula ed p o ein ha modula es sys emic an i-in lamma o y p ocesses. AnxA1 gene exp ession and p o ein we e signi ican ly up- egula ed du ing adipogenesis in human SGBS p eadipocy es [ 60 ]. Epididymal a mass was educed by ANXA1 gene An ioxidan s 2022,11, 1095 8 o 14 dele ion, bu adipocy e size was unchanged, sugges ing ha ANXA1 is equi ed o main- aining adipocy e cell numbe [ 61 ]. Fu he mo e, he p og essi e accumula ion o Annexin A2 (AnxA2) in he myo ibe ma ix causes muscle- esiden ib o/adipogenic p ecu so s (FAP) di e en ia ion in o adipocy es, and deple ion o AnxA2 p e en s FAP adipogenesis and muscle loss [ 62 ]. ACSL1 is equi ed o be a oxida ion in adipocy es, and i is associ- a ed o adipose insulin sensi i i y, adipogenesis and adipocy e a y acid up ake [ 63 – 70 ]. ELAVL1 (also named HuR) is an impo an ep esso o adipogenesis. Knockdown and o e exp ession o HuR in p ima y adipocy e cul u e enhances and inhibi s adipogenesis, espec i ely [ 71 ]. HuR also exe s an impo an ole in he p e en ion o adipocy e hype - ophy and in lamma ion o adipose issue [ 72 ]. Howe e , p e ious s udies in 3T3-L1 cells indica e ha HuR is equi ed in ea ly e en s o adipogenesis, allowing C/EBP β mRNA ansloca ion in o he cy osol, and i s p ope ansla ion, a p ocess equi ed o ac i a e CEBP α and PPAR γ in mi o ic clonal expansion [ 73 , 74 ]. Impo an ly, he educ ion in HuR pe sul ida ion, esul ed in he s abiliza ion o HuR- a ge mRNAs, and inc eased i s ans- la ion and exp ession [ 75 ], sugges ing ha he dec ease in HuR pe sul ida ion imp o ed HuR dime iza ion and i s ac i i y, and consequen ly, i has nega i e e ec s on adipocy e adipogenesis. In e es ingly, pe ilipin pe sul ida ion inhibi s lipid mobiliza ion and lipolysis in adipocy es, and con ibu es o adequa e main enance o lipid s o age [ 76 ]. HNRNPA1 is a known egula o o INSR exon 11 splicing, which could ha e an impac on adipose insulin ac ion [77]. An ioxidan s 2022, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 o 15 Figu e 3. Ra e o pe sul ida ion o ele an p o eins in ol ed in adipocy e unc ion and he main e- nance o adipogenesis. Le el o p o ein pe sul ida ion in siRNA_MIX samples (black boxes, in pe - cen age) compa e o he le el in con ol samples (g ey boxes). (A) ACO1, Cy oplasmic aconi a e hyd a ase; ACSL1, Long-chain- a y-acid—CoA ligase 1; ADH1B, All- ans- e inol dehyd ogenase [NAD(+)] ADH1B; AHNAK, Neu oblas di e en ia ion-associa ed p o ein AHNAK; ALDH1A1, Re inal dehyd ogenase 1; ALDH1A3, Aldehyde dehyd ogenase amily 1 membe A3; ANXA1, An- nexin A1; ANXA2, Annexin A2; ARPC3, Ac in- ela ed p o ein 2/3 complex subuni 3; COL6A3, Col- lagen alpha-3(VI) chain; ELAVL1, ELAV-like p o ein 1; FABP4, Fa y acid-binding p o ein adipo- cy e; HNRNPA1, He e ogeneous nuclea ibonucleop o ein A1; IDH2, Isoci a e dehyd ogenase [NADP] mi ochond ial; ITGA5, In eg in alpha-5; LGALS1, Galec in-1; LRP1, Low-densi y lipop o- ein ecep o - ela ed p o ein 1; NPC1, NPC in acellula choles e ol anspo e 1; PHB, P ohibi in; PLIN3, Pe ilipin-3; PLIN4, Pe ilipin-4;RAB4A, Ras- ela ed p o ein Rab-4A; THBS1, Th ombospon- din-1. (B) EXOC7, Exocys complex componen 7; IFI16, Gamma-in e e on-inducible p o ein 16; MAP4K4, Mi ogen-ac i a ed p o ein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4; PREB, P olac in egula o y ele- men -binding p o ein; RELA, T ansc ip ion ac o p65; SLC39A14, Me al ca ion sympo e ZIP14; STAT1, Signal ansduce and ac i a o o ansc ip ion 1-alpha/be a; STAT3, Signal ansduce and ac i a o o ansc ip ion 3. S uden - es signi icance: * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01. Among he mos pe sul ida ed p o eins, some key media o s o adipocy e in lamma- ion and dys unc ion (IFI16, STAT3, RELA, STAT1, MAP4K4, PREB) we e ound, bu also p o eins ha migh ha e a posi i e ole in adipogenesis (EXOC7, SLC39A14) (Figu e 3B, all wi h p < 0.05). In mice and humans, inc eased IFI16 le els a e associa ed wi h la ge adipocy es, enhanced in lamma o y s a e, and impai ed insulin-s imula ed glucose up- ake in whi e adipose issue [78]. STAT3 is a ele an ansc ip ion ac o o p oin lamma- o y genes in adipocy es ha is associa ed wi h adipocy e in lamma ion [79,80]. RELA is a ele an ansc ip ion ac o associa ed wi h adipocy e in lamma ion [81] ha inhibi s adipogenesis and accumula ion o lipids in adipocy es [82]. The ac i a ion o STAT1 an- sc ip ion ac o inhibi s adipogenesis and p omo es adipocy e and adipose issue in lam- ma ion [83–88]. Isola ed ma u e adipocy es om obese indi iduals had inc eased exp es- sion o mi ogen-ac i a ed p o ein 4 kinase 4 (MAP4K4), which is known o inhibi PPARγ ansc ip ional ac i i y, adipogenesis, and insulin-s imula ed glucose anspo [89,90]. In Figu e 3. Ra e o pe sul ida ion o ele an p o eins in ol ed in adipocy e unc ion and he main- enance o adipogenesis. Le el o p o ein pe sul ida ion in siRNA_MIX samples (black boxes, in pe cen age) compa e o he le el in con ol samples (g ey boxes). ( A ) ACO1, Cy oplasmic aconi a e hyd a ase; ACSL1, Long-chain- a y-acid—CoA ligase 1; ADH1B, All- ans- e inol dehyd ogenase [NAD(+)] ADH1B; AHNAK, Neu oblas di e en ia ion-associa ed p o ein AHNAK; ALDH1A1, Re i- nal dehyd ogenase 1; ALDH1A3, Aldehyde dehyd ogenase amily 1 membe A3; ANXA1, Annexin A1; ANXA2, Annexin A2; ARPC3, Ac in- ela ed p o ein 2/3 complex subuni 3; COL6A3, Colla- gen alpha-3(VI) chain; ELAVL1, ELAV-like p o ein 1; FABP4, Fa y acid-binding p o ein adipocy e; HNRNPA1, He e ogeneous nuclea ibonucleop o ein A1; IDH2, Isoci a e dehyd ogenase [NADP] mi ochond ial; ITGA5, In eg in alpha-5; LGALS1, Galec in-1; LRP1, Low-densi y lipop o ein ecep o - ela ed p o ein 1; NPC1, NPC in acellula choles e ol anspo e 1; PHB, P ohibi in; PLIN3, Pe ilipin- 3; PLIN4, Pe ilipin-4;RAB4A, Ras- ela ed p o ein Rab-4A; THBS1, Th ombospondin-1. ( B ) EXOC7, Exocys complex componen 7; IFI16, Gamma-in e e on-inducible p o ein 16; MAP4K4, Mi ogen- ac i a ed p o ein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4; PREB, P olac in egula o y elemen -binding p o ein; RELA, T ansc ip ion ac o p65; SLC39A14, Me al ca ion sympo e ZIP14; STAT1, Signal ansduce and ac i a o o ansc ip ion 1-alpha/be a; STAT3, Signal ansduce and ac i a o o ansc ip ion 3. S uden - es signi icance: * p< 0.05; ** p< 0.01. An ioxidan s 2022,11, 1095 9 o 14 Among he mos pe sul ida ed p o eins, some key media o s o adipocy e in lamma- ion and dys unc ion (IFI16, STAT3, RELA, STAT1, MAP4K4, PREB) we e ound, bu also p o eins ha migh ha e a posi i e ole in adipogenesis (EXOC7, SLC39A14) ( Figu e 3B, all wi h p< 0.05). In mice and humans, inc eased IFI16 le els a e associa ed wi h la ge adipocy es, enhanced in lamma o y s a e, and impai ed insulin-s imula ed glucose up ake in whi e adipose issue [ 78 ]. STAT3 is a ele an ansc ip ion ac o o p oin lamma o y genes in adipocy es ha is associa ed wi h adipocy e in lamma ion [ 79 , 80 ]. RELA is a ele an ansc ip ion ac o associa ed wi h adipocy e in lamma ion [ 81 ] ha inhibi s adipogenesis and accumula ion o lipids in adipocy es [ 82 ]. The ac i a ion o STAT1 an- sc ip ion ac o inhibi s adipogenesis and p omo es adipocy e and adipose issue in lamma- ion [ 83 – 88 ]. Isola ed ma u e adipocy es om obese indi iduals had inc eased exp ession o mi ogen-ac i a ed p o ein 4 kinase 4 (MAP4K4), which is known o inhibi PPAR γ ansc ip ional ac i i y, adipogenesis, and insulin-s imula ed glucose anspo [ 89 , 90 ]. In line wi h his, MAP4K4 inhibi s adipose lipogenesis ia he supp ession o S ebp-1 [ 91 ], and dele ion o his kinase inc eases insulin sensi i i y in adipose issue [ 92 ]. P olac in egula o y elemen -binding (PREB) is a nega i e egula o o adiponec in gene exp ession in adipocy es [93]. On he o he hand, EXOC7 migh pa icipa e in Glu 4 a icking [ 94 , 95 ], and SLC39A14 is a zinc anspo e , which is apidly induced in he ea ly s ages o di e en ia ion, sugges - ing a possible ole in adipogenesis [ 96 ]. In ac , deple ion o SLC39A14 caused hype ophy and in lamma ion o adipocy es [97]. These da a indica ed ha he combined pa ial knockdown o he MPST and CBS genes dis up s he pa e n o p o ein pe sul ida ion in human adipocy es, sugges ing a possible link be ween his dis up ion and adipocy e dys unc ion, which is cha ac e ized by dec eased adipogenesis bu inc eased in lamma ion. This dis up ion included a signi ican dec ease in pe sul ida ion in key p o eins o adipocy e unc ion (RAB4A, IDH2, NPC1, ACO1, LRP1, AHNAK, ARPC3, ADH1B, ALDH1A1, LGALS1, PHB, ANXA1, ANXA2, ACSL1, PLIN3, PLIN4, FABP4, HNRNPA1), bu also in p o eins ha nega i ely impac adipocy es and adipogenesis (ITGA5, COL6A3, ELAVL1). In addi ion, he combined pa ial knockdown o MPST and CBS genes in adipocy es esul ed in inc eased pe sul ida ion in ele an p oin lamma o y ansc ip ion ac o s (RELA, STAT1, STAT3) and an i-adipogenic p o eins (IFI16, MAP4K4, PREB), bu also in some p o eins ha migh exe posi i e e ec s on adipogenesis, such as SLC39A14 and EXOC7. Pe sul ida ion inc eases he eac i i y o a ge p o eins, modula ing hei biological ac i i ies [ 10 ]. Howe e , i is impo an o no e ha modula ion in pe sul ida ion-induced p o ein ac i i y can igge ac i a ion o inhibi ion o he biological unc ion o he pe sul ida ed p o ein [ 98 ]. O he consequences o CBS and MPST gene knockdown, such as dec eased H 2 S biosyn hesis [ 8 , 18 ] o inc eased homocys eine le els [ 99 ], could also explain he nega i e impac on adipocy e unc ion. Addi ional expe imen s using speci ic chemical inhibi o s o H 2 S biosyn hesis and he adminis a ion o H 2 S dono molecules o CBS/MPST gene knockdown cells should be pe o med o u he in es iga e he possible ole o H2S in his model. Selenium-binding p o ein 1 (SELENBP1), a ou h enzyme ha pa icipa es in H 2 S biosyn hesis, inc eased du ing di e en ia ion o 3T3L1 adipocy e in associa ion wi h lipoge- nesis and lipid accumula ion, and i has been ecen ly desc ibed as a ma ke o di e en ia ed adipocy es [ 100 ]. SELENBP1 gene knockdown had a nega i e impac on adipocy e unc ion in pa allel o he dec eased exp ession o he CBS, CTH, and MPST enzymes [ 101 ]. The con- ibu ion o o he enzymes, such as SELENBP1 [ 100 , 101 ], o non-enzyma ic pa hways [ 102 ] in H2S p oduc ion canno be excluded in he cu en s udy. 4. Conclusions In summa y, hese indings indica e ha he combined pa ial knockdown o CBS and MPST (bu no CTH) in adipocy es impai s he exp ession o genes ela ed wi h he main enance o adipocy e unc ion and p omo es in lamma ion, possibly by dis up ing he pa e n o p o ein pe sul ida ion in hese cells. The cu en s udy poin s o he ac ha