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Hashim SNM, Yusof MFH, Zahari W, Noordin KBAA, Akamatsu T, Azlina A. Amniotic membrane matrix effects on calcineurin-NFAT-related gene expressions of SHED treated with VEGF for endothelial differentiation. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2021; 57:560-570. [PMID: 34021476 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-021-00588-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFAT) signaling pathway is involved in angiogenesis following initiation by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). A number of angiogenic genes have been associated with calcineurin in the NFAT pathway, forming a calcineurin-NFAT pathway. This study aims to investigate the involvement of four angiogenic genes within the calcineurin-NFAT pathway in the endothelial-like differentiation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) cultured on a human amniotic membrane (HAM) induced by VEGF. SHED were induced with VEGF for 24 h, then cultured on the stromal side of HAM. The cells were then further induced with VEGF until days 1 and 14. To understand the role of calcineurin, its potent inhibitor, cyclosporin A (CsA), was added into the culture. Results from SEM and H&E analyses showed SHED grew on HAM surface. Gene expression study of Cox-2 showed a drastically reduced expression with CsA treatment indicating Cox-2 involvement in the calcineurin-NFAT pathway. Meanwhile, IL-8 was probably controlled by another pathway as it showed no CsA inhibition. In contrast, high expression of ICAM-1 and RCAN1.4 by VEGF and CsA implied that these genes were not controlled by the calcineurin-NFAT-dependent pathway. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest the involvement of Cox-2 in the calcineurin-NFAT-dependent pathway while RCAN1.4 was controlled by NFAT molecule in endothelial-like differentiation of SHED cultured on HAM with VEGF induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Nurnasihah Md Hashim
- School of Dental Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Fuad Hilmi Yusof
- School of Dental Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Wafa' Zahari
- School of Dental Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | | | - Tetsuya Akamatsu
- Department of Bioengineering, Division of Bioscience and Bioindustry, Graduate School of Technology, Industrial & Social Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima-shi, Tokushima, 770-8513, Japan
| | - Ahmad Azlina
- School of Dental Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
- Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
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Pan XY, You HM, Wang L, Bi YH, Yang Y, Meng HW, Meng XM, Ma TT, Huang C, Li J. Methylation of RCAN1.4 mediated by DNMT1 and DNMT3b enhances hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrogenesis through Calcineurin/NFAT3 signaling. Theranostics 2019; 9:4308-4323. [PMID: 31285763 PMCID: PMC6599664 DOI: 10.7150/thno.32710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Liver fibrosis is characterized by extensive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the liver. RCAN1 (regulator of calcineurin 1), an endogenous inhibitor of calcineurin (CaN), is required for ECM synthesis during hypertrophy of various organs. However, the functional role of RCAN1 in liver fibrogenesis has not yet been addressed. Methods: We induced experimental liver fibrosis in mice by intraperitoneal injection of 10 % CCl4 twice a week. To investigate the functional role of RCAN1.4 in the progression of liver fibrosis, we specifically over-expressed RCAN1.4 in mice liver using rAAV8-packaged RCAN1.4 over-expression plasmid. Following the establishment of the fibrotic mouse model, primary hepatic stellate cells were isolated. Subsequently, we evaluated the effect of RCAN1.4 on hepatic fibrogenesis, hepatic stellate cell activation, and cell survival. The biological role and signaling events for RCAN1 were analyzed by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) was used to predict the methylated CpG islands in the RCAN1.4 gene promoter. We used the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP assay) to investigate DNA methyltransferases which induced decreased expression of RCAN1.4 in liver fibrosis. Results: Two isoforms of RCAN1 protein were expressed in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model and HSC-T6 cells cultured with transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). RCAN1 isoform 4 (RCAN1.4) was selectively down-regulated in vivo and in vitro. The BSP analysis indicated the presence of two methylated sites in RCAN1.4 promoter and the downregulated RCAN1.4 expression levels could be restored by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-azadC) and DNMTs-RNAi transfection in vitro. ChIP assay was used to demonstrate that the decreased RCAN1.4 expression was associated with DNMT1 and DNMT3b. Furthermore, we established a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model by injecting the recombinant adeno-associated virus-packaged RCAN1.4 (rAAV8-RCAN1.4) over-expression plasmid through the tail vein. Liver- specific-over-expression of RAN1.4 led to liver function recovery and alleviated ECM deposition. The key protein (a member of the NFAT family of proteins) identified on PPI network data was analyzed in vivo and in vitro. Our results demonstrated that RCAN1.4 over-expression alleviates, whereas its knockdown exacerbates, TGF-β1-induced liver fibrosis in vitro in a CaN/NFAT3 signaling-dependent manner. Conclusions: RCAN1.4 could alleviate liver fibrosis through inhibition of CaN/NFAT3 signaling, and the anti-fibrosis function of RCAN1.4 could be blocked by DNA methylation mediated by DNMT1 and DNMT3b. Thus, RCAN1.4 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-yin Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University
- The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune medicines, Ministry of Education
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Hong-mei You
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University
- The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune medicines, Ministry of Education
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Ling Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University
- The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune medicines, Ministry of Education
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Yi-hui Bi
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University
- The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune medicines, Ministry of Education
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Yang Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University
- The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune medicines, Ministry of Education
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Hong-wu Meng
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University
- The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune medicines, Ministry of Education
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Xiao-ming Meng
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University
- The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune medicines, Ministry of Education
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Tao-tao Ma
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University
- The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune medicines, Ministry of Education
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Cheng Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University
- The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune medicines, Ministry of Education
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
| | - Jun Li
- The Key Laboratory of Major Autoimmune Diseases, Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University
- The key laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune medicines, Ministry of Education
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University
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RCAN1 Mutation and Functional Characterization in Children with Sporadic Congenital Heart Disease. Pediatr Cardiol 2018; 39:226-235. [PMID: 28993896 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-017-1746-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most frequent birth defect. RCAN1 (regulator of calcineurin 1) contributes to CHD in Down syndrome. However, whether RCAN1 is also associated with nonsyndromic CHD remains unclear. This study sequenced the exons and flanking region of RCAN1 in 128 sporadic CHD patients and 150 normal controls. We identified six novel heterozygous mutations in CHD patients. Functional assay showed that the g.482G>T could obviously raise the promoter activity of RCAN1.4 in vitro; However, we failed to detect the expression of RCAN1 in the right auricle, which made it confused to evaluate the pathogenicity of this mutation. In addition, we demonstrated that c.290T>C and g.1056+58C>A had no effect on the alternative splicing of RCAN1. The *196C>T, *790G>A, and *1278C>G did not influence the translation of RCAN1 post transcription. In conclusion, a novel mutation of g.482G>T in RCAN1 may be related to CHD by causing overexpression of RCAN1.4.
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Fu Q, Wu Y. RCAN1 in the inverse association between Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 9:54-66. [PMID: 29416595 PMCID: PMC5787488 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The inverse association between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cancer has been reported in several population-based studies although both of them are age-related disorders. However, molecular mechanisms of the inverse association remain elusive. Increased expression of regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) promotes the pathogenesis of AD, while it suppresses cancer growth and progression in many types of cancer. Moreover, aberrant RCAN1 expression is detected in both AD and various types of cancer. It suggests that RCAN1 may play a key role in the inverse association between AD and cancer. In this article, we aim to review the role of RCAN1 in the inverse association and discuss underlying mechanisms, providing an insight into developing a novel approach to treat AD and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Fu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yili Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China.,Shandong Key Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Jining, Shandong, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Birth Defect Research and Transformation of Shandong Province, Jining, Shandong, China
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Parra V, Rothermel BA. Calcineurin signaling in the heart: The importance of time and place. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2017; 103:121-136. [PMID: 28007541 PMCID: PMC5778886 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The calcium-activated protein phosphatase, calcineurin, lies at the intersection of protein phosphorylation and calcium signaling cascades, where it provides an essential nodal point for coordination between these two fundamental modes of intracellular communication. In excitatory cells, such as neurons and cardiomyocytes, that experience rapid and frequent changes in cytoplasmic calcium, calcineurin protein levels are exceptionally high, suggesting that these cells require high levels of calcineurin activity. Yet, it is widely recognized that excessive activation of calcineurin in the heart contributes to pathological hypertrophic remodeling and the progression to failure. How does a calcium activated enzyme function in the calcium-rich environment of the continuously contracting heart without pathological consequences? This review will discuss the wide range of calcineurin substrates relevant to cardiovascular health and the mechanisms calcineurin uses to find and act on appropriate substrates in the appropriate location while potentially avoiding others. Fundamental differences in calcineurin signaling in neonatal verses adult cardiomyocytes will be addressed as well as the importance of maintaining heterogeneity in calcineurin activity across the myocardium. Finally, we will discuss how circadian oscillations in calcineurin activity may facilitate integration with other essential but conflicting processes, allowing a healthy heart to reap the benefits of calcineurin signaling while avoiding the detrimental consequences of sustained calcineurin activity that can culminate in heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Parra
- Advanced Centre for Chronic Disease (ACCDiS), Facultad Ciencias Quimicas y Farmaceuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago,Chile; Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas y Farmaceuticas, Universidad de Chie, Santiago, Chile
| | - Beverly A Rothermel
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology Division), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, Dallas, TX, USA.
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RCAN1 regulates mitochondrial function and increases susceptibility to oxidative stress in mammalian cells. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2014; 2014:520316. [PMID: 25009690 PMCID: PMC4070399 DOI: 10.1155/2014/520316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are the primary site of cellular energy generation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Elevated ROS levels are detrimental to normal cell function and have been linked to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Down's syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). RCAN1 is abundantly expressed in the brain and overexpressed in brain of DS and AD patients. Data from nonmammalian species indicates that increased RCAN1 expression results in altered mitochondrial function and that RCAN1 may itself regulate neuronal ROS production. In this study, we have utilized mice overexpressing RCAN1 (RCAN1ox) and demonstrate an increased susceptibility of neurons from these mice to oxidative stress. Mitochondria from these mice are more numerous and smaller, indicative of mitochondrial dysfunction, and mitochondrial membrane potential is altered under conditions of oxidative stress. We also generated a PC12 cell line overexpressing RCAN1 (PC12RCAN1). Similar to RCAN1ox neurons, PC12RCAN1 cells have an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress and produce more mitochondrial ROS. This study demonstrates that increasing RCAN1 expression alters mitochondrial function and increases the susceptibility of neurons to oxidative stress in mammalian cells. These findings further contribute to our understanding of RCAN1 and its potential role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD and DS.
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Wu Y, Ly PTT, Song W. Aberrant expression of RCAN1 in Alzheimer's pathogenesis: a new molecular mechanism and a novel drug target. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 50:1085-97. [PMID: 24752590 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8704-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AD, a devastating neurodegenerative disorder, is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Patients with AD are characterized by three hallmarks of neuropathology including neuritic plaque deposition, neurofibrillary tangle formation, and neuronal loss. Growing evidences indicate that dysregulation of regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. Aberrant RCAN1 expression facilitates neuronal apoptosis and Tau hyperphosphorylation, leading to neuronal loss and neurofibrillary tangle formation. This review aims to describe the recent advances of the regulation of RCAN1 expression and its physiological functions. Moreover, the AD risk factors-induced RCAN1 dysregulation and its role in promoting neuronal loss, synaptic impairments and neurofibrillary tangle formation are summarized. Furthermore, we provide an outlook into the effects of RCAN1 dysregulation on APP processing, Aβ generation and neuritic plaque formation, and the possible underlying mechanisms, as well as the potential of targeting RCAN1 as a new therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yili Wu
- Townsend Family Laboratories, Department of Psychiatry, Brain Research Center, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, The University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3
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Jang C, Lim JH, Park CW, Cho YJ. Regulator of Calcineurin 1 Isoform 4 (RCAN1.4) Is Overexpressed in the Glomeruli of Diabetic Mice. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2011; 15:299-305. [PMID: 22128263 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2011.15.5.299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Revised: 10/13/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Calcineurin (CaN) is activated in diabetes and plays a role in glomerular hypertrophy and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Here, kidneys from diabetic model mice were investigated for the expression of the regulator of CaN 1 (RCAN1) isoform 4 (RCAN1.4) which had been shown to be transcriptionally upregulated by CaN activation. We found the increased immunoreactivity for RCAN1 in the glomerular cells of db/db mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In concordance, the expression of RCAN1 protein and RCAN1.4 mRNA were elevated in the whole kidney sample from db/db mice. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α, and glycated albumin (AGE-BSA) were identified as inducers of RCAN1.4 in mesangial cells. Pretreatment of cyclosporine A blocked the increases of RCAN1.4 stimulated by IL-1β or AGE-BSA, suggesting that activation of CaN is required for the RCAN1.4 induction. Stable transfection of RCAN1.4 in Mes-13 mesangial cells upregulated several factors relevant to ECM production and degradation. These results suggested that RCAN1.4 might act as a link between CaN activation and ECM turnover in diabetic nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chorong Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Korea
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Holmes K, Chapman E, See V, Cross MJ. VEGF stimulates RCAN1.4 expression in endothelial cells via a pathway requiring Ca2+/calcineurin and protein kinase C-delta. PLoS One 2010; 5:e11435. [PMID: 20625401 PMCID: PMC2897886 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2010] [Accepted: 06/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has previously been shown to upregulate the expression of the endogenous calcineurin inhibitor, regulator of calcineurin 1, variant 4 (RCAN1.4). The aim of this study was to determine the role and regulation of VEGF-mediated RCAN1.4 expression, using human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) as a model system. Methodology/Principal Findings We show that VEGF is able to induce RCAN1.4 expression during cellular proliferation and differentiation, and that VEGF-mediated expression of RCAN1.4 was inhibited by the use of inhibitors to protein kinase C (PKC) and calcineurin. Further analysis revealed that siRNA silencing of PKC-delta expression partially inhibited VEGF-stimulated RCAN1.4 expression. Knockdown of RCAN1.4 with siRNA resulted in a decrease in cellular migration and disrupted tubular morphogenesis when HDMECs were either stimulated with VEGF in a collagen gel or in an endothelial/fibroblast co-culture model of angiogenesis. Analysis of intracellular signalling revealed that siRNA mediated silencing of RCAN1.4 resulted in increased expression of specific nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) regulated genes. Conclusions/Significance Our data suggests that RCAN1.4 expression is induced by VEGFR-2 activation in a Ca2+ and PKC-delta dependent manner and that RCAN1.4 acts to regulate calcineurin activity and gene expression facilitating endothelial cell migration and tubular morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Holmes
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Elinor Chapman
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
| | - Violaine See
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J. Cross
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Kim YS, Lee HJ, Jang C, Kim HS, Cho YJ. Knockdown of RCAN1.4 Increases Susceptibility to FAS-mediated and DNA-damage-induced Apoptosis by Upregulation of p53 Expression. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2009; 13:483-9. [PMID: 20054496 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2009.13.6.483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2009] [Revised: 11/19/2009] [Accepted: 12/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Despite the potential importance of the human regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN-1) gene in the modulation of cell survival under stress, little is known about its role in death-inducing signal pathways. In this study, we addressed the effects of RCAN1.4 knockdown on cellular susceptibility to apoptosis and the activation of death pathway proteins. Transfection of siRNAs against RCAN1.4 resulted in enhanced Fas- and etoposide-induced apoptosis, which was associated with increased expression and translocation of Bax to mitochondria. Our results suggest that enhanced expression and activation of p53 was responsible for the upregulation of Bax and the increased sensitivity to apoptosis, which could be reversed by p53 knockdown. To explain the observed upregulation of p53, we propose a downregulation of the ubiquitin ligase HDM2, probably translationally. These findings show the importance of appropriate RCAN1.4 expression in the modulation of cell survival and reveal a link between RCAN1.4 and p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Sun Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Korea
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