Babukrishna Maniyadath

University of Southern Denmark | SDU · Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Coordinated temporal control of gene expression is essential for physiological homeostasis, especially during metabolic transitions. However, the interplay between chromatin architectural proteins and metabolism in regulating transcription is less understood. Here, we demonstrate a conserved bidirectional interplay between CTCF (CCCTC-binding facto...

Adipose tissue exhibits remarkable plasticity with capacity to change in size and cellular composition under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The emergence of single-cell transcriptomics has rapidly transformed our understanding of the diverse array of cell types and cell states residing in adipose tissues and has provided insight i...

Eukaryotic complexity and thus their ability to respond to diverse cues are largely driven by varying expression of gene products, qualitatively and quantitatively. Protein adducts in the form of post-translational modifications, most of which are derived from metabolic intermediates, allow fine tuning of gene expression at multiple levels. With th...

Significance Emerging literature indicates that, besides circadian inputs, fed–fast cycles are vital for maintaining physiological homeostasis. While several studies have highlighted the importance of feeding and state-specific molecular signatures, information regarding mechanisms that bring about efficient fed–fast–refed transitions is sparse. He...

This thesis is a compilation of the work done towards completion of my doctoral work wherein, using fed-starve cycles as a paradigm, I have elucidated the intricate interplay between microRNA based post-transcriptional mechanisms, transcription and post-translational regulation in the hepatic tissue. These findings have been described in the thesis...

Significance Neuronal mitochondria are crucial organelles that regulate bioenergetics and also modulate survival and function under environmental challenges. Here, we show that the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role in the making of new mitochondria (mitochondrial biogenesis) in cortical neurons, through the 5-HT 2A receptor...

Inefficient fasted-to-refed transitions are known to cause metabolic diseases. Thus, identifying mechanisms that may constitute molecular switches during such physiological transitions become crucial. Specifically, whether nutrients program a relay of interactions in master regulators, such as SIRT1, and affect their stability is underexplored. Her...

Inability to mediate fed-fast transitions in the liver is known to cause metabolic dysfunctions and diseases. Intuitively, a failure to inhibit futile translation of state-specific transcripts during fed-fast cycles would abrogate dynamic physiological transitions. Here, we have discovered hepatic fed microRNAs that target fasting-induced genes and...

Inability to mediate fed-fast transitions in the liver is known to cause metabolic dysfunctions and diseases. Intuitively, a failure to inhibit futile translation of state-specific transcripts during fed-fast cycles would abrogate dynamic physiological transitions. Here, we have discovered hepatic fed microRNAs that target fasting-induced genes and...

Mitochondria in neurons in addition to their primary role in bioenergetics also contribute to specialized functions including regulation of synaptic transmission, Ca2+ homeostasis, neuronal excitability and stress adaptation. However, the factors that influence mitochondrial biogenesis and function in neurons remain poorly elucidated. Here, we iden...

Sirtuins are a family of enzymes, which govern a number of cellular processes essential for maintaining physiological balance. SIRT6, a nuclear localized sirtuin, is implicated in the development of metabolic disorders. The role of SIRT6 in regulation of cardiac metabolism is unexplored. Although glucose is not the primary energy source of heart, d...

As the popular adage goes, all diseases run into old age and almost all physiological changes are associated with alterations in gene expression, irrespective of whether they are causal or consequential. Therefore, the quest for mechanisms that delay ageing and decrease age-associated diseases has propelled researchers to unravel regulatory factors...

The conserved NAD⁺-dependent deacylase SIRT1 plays pivotal, sometimes contrasting, roles in diverse physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In this study, we uncover a tissue-restricted isoform of SIRT1 (SIRT1-ΔE2) that lacks exon 2 (E2). Candidate-based screening of SIRT1 substrates demonstrated that the domain encoded by this exon plays...

Cancer is the second largest cause of deaths across the globe. The current treatments available for cancer include surgical removal of the infected tissue, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and combinatorial therapeutic approach. Most of the commercially available anti-cancer drugs and their unique modes of action are decoded by the cancer cells, making t...