Fig. 7: Gut MYC is a key gene in the arginine synthesis driven by propionate.

A Schematic illustration of ex vivo colonic tissue cultivation. B Levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) in the supernatant from cultured colonic tissues among three groups (n = 6). C The concentrations of AAs (glutamine, glutamate, arginine) in supernatant from colonic tissues cultivation among three groups (n = 6). Western blot images (D) and quantization (E) of gene-encoded proteins, including FFAR3, MYC, glutamine transporters (SLC1A5 and SLC38A5), arginine synthesis (GLS2, CPS1, and ASL) among three groups (n = 3). F PCA plot displays the difference in gene expression profiles between the two groups (n = 6). G mRNA levels of genes involved in the TLR4 signaling cascade and intestinal AA transport (n = 6). H Heatmaps depicting ATAC-seq signal (normalized) around TSS between two groups. I PCA shows the ATAC-seq signal (normalized) in consensus open chromatin between two groups (n = 3). J The distribution of consensus open chromatin on the genome. K The scatter plot displays the correlation of MYC between chromatin accessibility and gene expression. L ATAC-seq signal for MYC between two groups. HFD: in vitro cultivation of colon tissues derived from the high-fat diet group; HFD + PA: in vitro cultivation of colon tissues derived from the high-fat diet group supplemented with propionate. HFD + PA + 4-OHT: in vitro cultivation of colon tissues derived from the high-fat diet group supplemented with propionate and 4-OHT (MYC agonist). Differences among the three groups were assessed using ordinary one-way ANOVA. Data are shown as mean ± SD. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ns not significant difference.