{
  "id": 4683605,
  "title": "KLF15 regulates sulfur amino acid metabolism through Cystathionine gamma-lyase",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/klf15-regulates-sulfur-amino-acid-metabolism-through-cystathionine",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.28.746943v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The research elucidates the role of Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) in regulating sulfur amino acid metabolism, specifically through the enzyme cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH). High-protein diets elevate hepatic sulfur amino acid metabolism, yet the transcriptional mechanisms governing this process remain elusive.\n\nTo investigate KLF15's direct influence on CTH, the study employed promoter-reporter assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation to identify two functional KLF15-binding elements, labeled 1-1 and 2-2, within the proximal Cth promoter region. The researchers discovered that mutations in either or both of these elements diminished KLF15-mediated promoter activation, while the simultaneous mutation of both elements effectively abolished the effect.\n\nFurthermore, in vivo luciferase imaging confirmed that these elements are indispensable for the hepatic transcriptional response to a high-protein diet. The absence of KLF15 function led to reduced Cth expression in response to high-protein diets, resulting in altered hepatic sulfur amino acid profiles. Notably, methionine, cystathionine, and cystine accumulated, while taurine production and the high-protein-diet-induced increase in hepatic H2S levels were diminished.\n\nThe findings indicate that KLF15 selectively regulates key components of methionine, taurine, and H2S metabolism, rather than governing the entire sulfur metabolic program. In summary, the study establishes a physiologically relevant transcriptional pathway - the high-protein diet-KLF15-CTH axis - that enhances hepatic sulfur amino acid disposal and steers sulfur towards H2S and taurine production.",
  "summary": "High-protein diets increase hepatic sulfur amino acid metabolism, but the underlying transcriptional mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated whether Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) directly regulates cystathionine {gamma}-lyase (CTH), a key enzyme linking methionine transsulfuration to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and taurine production. Promoter-reporter assays, electrophoretic mobility…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}