Retinal metabolism: Evidence for uncoupling of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation via Cori-, Cahill-, and mini-Krebs-cycle

Abstract The retina consumes massive amounts of energy, yet its metabolism and substrate exploitation remain poorly understood. Here, we used a murine explant model to manipulate retinal energy metabolism under entirely controlled conditions and utilized 1 H-NMR spectroscopy-based metabolomics, in situenzyme detection, and cell viability readouts to uncover the pathways of retinal energy production. Our experimental manipulations resulted in varying degrees of photoreceptor degeneration, while the inner retina and retinal pigment epithelium were essentially unaffected. This selective vulnerability of photoreceptors suggested very specific adaptations in their energy metabolism. Rod photoreceptors were found to rely strongly on oxidative phosphorylation, but only mildly on glycolysis. Conversely, cone photoreceptors were dependent on glycolysis but insensitive to electron transport chain decoupling. Importantly, photoreceptors appeared to uncouple glycolytic and Krebs-cycle metabolism via three different pathways: 1) the mini-Krebs-cycle, fueled by glutamine and branched-chain amino acids, generating N-acetylaspartate; 2) the alanine-generating Cahill-cycle; 3) the lactate-releasing Cori-cycle. Moreover, the metabolomic data indicated a shuttling of taurine and hypotaurine between the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors, likely resulting in an additional net transfer of reducing power to photoreceptors. These findings expand our understanding of retinal physiology and pathology and shed new light on neuronal energy homeostasis and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Graphical abstract Retinal photoreceptors employ both glucose and glutamate as fuels. While rod photoreceptors rely strongly on oxidative phosphorylation and the N-acetylaspartate producing mini-Krebs-cycle, cone photoreceptors rely on the lactate-producing Cori cycle and the oxidative, alanine producing Cahill cycle. Highlights The retina utilizes a complex energy switchboard consisting of the Krebs cycle, mini-Krebs cycle, Cahill cycle, and Cori cycle. Mini-Krebs cycle runs more efficiently than ‘full’ Krebs cycle. Alanine transaminase decouples glycolysis from the Krebs cycle. Lactate, alanine, and N-acetylaspartate are distinctive energetic pathway signatures.