Determination of AKT-AMP kinase and MTOR-mediated acetyl coa and acetyl COA related metabolite changes in neuroglial differentiation processes

Stemcells differ from differentiated cells in terms of their physiology and metabolic pathways they use as energy sources. The effect of the metabolic plasticity in the physiology of stem cells has not yet been elucidated. In stemcells, glycolysis as the main ATP production pathway is rapid, independent of the O2 level in the medium, the use of pyruvate in the mitochondria is reduced. Inhibition of mitochondrial biogenesis during neuronal differentiation blocks neuronal differentiation. Acetyl CoA and associated metabolism changes during neuroglial differentiation are not clearly defined yet. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of neuronal differentiation on acetyl CoA and related metabolite changes which may play a key role in the mutual regulation of carbohydrate, cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism. Mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord wharton jelly were isolated by explant method. Stem cells were exposed to neuronal differentiation media 21 days. Cell characteristics were evaluated by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and qPCR methods. In the neuronal differentiation process, levels of lactate, pyruvate and citrate of the stem cells were determined as colorimetric and fluorometric method. It was shown that the levels of lactate were significantly decreased during the neuronal differentiation period of WJ-MSCs. The levels of acetyl-CoA, pyruvate and citrate were changed after neuronal induction. It is thought that the data obtained by our study is capable of forming a basic step for the projects that can be planned later in the regenerative medicine applications. In addition, data and protocols obtained in our study support future studies on myelin formation and regeneration which are critical for neuronal signaling. Keywords: Wharton's Jelly, Mesenchymal Stem Cell, Energy Metabolism, Acetyl CoA