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Wai Yeung M, Wang S, van de Vegte YJ, Borisov O, van Setten J, Snieder H, Verweij N, Said MA, van der Harst P. Twenty-Five Novel Loci for Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: A Genome-Wide Association Study in >45 000 Individuals and Meta-Analysis of >100 000 Individuals. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 42:484-501. [PMID: 34852643 PMCID: PMC8939707 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.317007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a widely accepted marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Twenty susceptibility loci for cIMT were previously identified and the identification of additional susceptibility loci furthers our knowledge on the genetic architecture underlying atherosclerosis. Approach and Results: We performed 3 genome-wide association studies in 45 185 participants from the UK Biobank study who underwent cIMT measurements and had data on minimum, mean, and maximum thickness. We replicated 15 known loci and identified 20 novel loci associated with cIMT at P<5×10-8. Seven novel loci (ZNF385D, ADAMTS9, EDNRA, HAND2, MYOCD, ITCH/EDEM2/matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]24, and MRTFA) were identified in all 3 phenotypes. An additional new locus (LOXL1) was identified in the meta-analysis of the 3 phenotypes. Sex interaction analysis revealed sex differences in 7 loci including a novel locus (SYNE3) in males. Meta-analysis of UK Biobank data with a previous meta-analysis led to identification of three novel loci (APOB, FIP1L1, and LOXL4). Transcriptome-wide association analyses implicated additional genes ARHGAP42, NDRG4, and KANK2. Gene set analysis showed an enrichment in extracellular organization and the PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor) signaling pathway. We found positive genetic correlations of cIMT with coronary artery disease rg=0.21 (P=1.4×10-7), peripheral artery disease rg=0.45 (P=5.3×10-5), and systolic blood pressure rg=0.30 (P=4.0×10-18). A negative genetic correlation between average of maximum cIMT and high-density lipoprotein was found rg=-0.12 (P=7.0×10-4). CONCLUSIONS Genome-wide association meta-analyses in >100 000 individuals identified 25 novel loci associated with cIMT providing insights into genes and tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms of proatherosclerotic processes. We found evidence for shared biological mechanisms with cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wai Yeung
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - Siqi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.).,Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (S.W., H.S.)
| | - Yordi J van de Vegte
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - Oleg Borisov
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, University Hospital Bonn, Germany (O.B.)
| | - Jessica van Setten
- Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands (M.W.Y., J.v.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - Harold Snieder
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (S.W., H.S.)
| | - Niek Verweij
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - M Abdullah Said
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.).,Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands (M.W.Y., J.v.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - Pim van der Harst
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.).,Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands (M.W.Y., J.v.S., P.v.d.H.)
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2
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Muzaffar R, Khan MA, Mushtaq MH, Nasir M, Khan A, Haq IU, Muhammad J. Hyperhomocysteinemia as an Independent Risk Factor for Coronary Heart Disease. Comparison with Conventional Risk Factors. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 83:e249104. [PMID: 34495168 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.249104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was designed to evaluate the strength of association of raised plasma homocysteine concentration as a risk factor for coronary heart disease independent of conventional risk factor. It was a case control study conducted at Punjab Institute of Cardiology Lahore. A total of 210 subjects aged 25 to 60 years comprising of 105 newly admitted patients of CHD as cases and 105 age and sex matched healthy individuals with no history of CHD as control were recruited for the study. Fasting blood samples were obtained from cases and controls. Plasma homocysteine was analyzed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) method on automated immunoassay analyzer (Abbott IMX). Total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL cholesterol were analyzed using calorimetric kit methods. The concentration of LDL cholesterol was calculated using Friedewald formula. The patients were also assessed for traditional risk factors such as age, sex, family history of CVD, hypertension, smoking and physical activity, and were compared with control subjects. The collected data was entered in SPSS version 24 for analysis and interpretation.The mean age in controls and experimental groups were 43.00± 8.42 years and 44.72± 8.59 years with statistically same distribution (p- value= 0.144). The mean plasma homocysteine for cases was 22.33± 9.22 µmol/L where as it was 12.59±3.73 µmol/L in control group. Highly significant difference was seen between the mean plasma level of homocysteine in cases and controls (p˂0.001).Simple logistic regression indicates a strong association of coronary heart disease with hyperhomocysteinemia (OR 7.45), which remained significantly associated with coronary heart disease by multivariate logistic regression (OR 7.10, 95%C1 3.12-12.83, p=0.000). The present study concludes that elevated levels of Plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease independent of conventional risk factors and can be used as an indicator for predicting the future possibility for the onset of CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Muzaffar
- Rashid Latif Medical College, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - M A Khan
- University of Lahore, Department of Public Health, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - M H Mushtaq
- University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - M Nasir
- University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - A Khan
- The University of Haripur, Department of Public Health & Nutrition, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - I Ul Haq
- The University of Haripur, Department of Public Health & Nutrition, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - J Muhammad
- The University of Haripur, Department of Microbiology, Haripur, Pakistan
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3
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Peng J, Wang Q, Meng Z, Wang J, Zhou Y, Zhou S, Song W, Chen S, Chen AF, Sun K. A loss-of-function mutation p.T256M in NDRG4 is implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). FEBS Open Bio 2021; 11:375-385. [PMID: 33211401 PMCID: PMC7876499 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) is a rare congenital heart disease (CHD) characterized by a lack of luminal continuity and blood flow from either the right ventricle or the pulmonary artery, together with VSDs. The prevalence of PA/VSD is about 0.2% of live births and approximately 2% of CHDs. PA/VSD is similar to tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in terms of structural and pathological characteristics. The pathogenesis of these two CHDs remains incompletely understood. It was previously reported that N‐myc downstream‐regulated gene (NDRG)4 is required for myocyte proliferation during early cardiac development. In the present study, we enrolled 80 unrelated patients with PA/VSD or TOF and identified a probably damaging variant p.T256M of NDRG4. The p.T256M variant impaired the proliferation ability of human cardiac myocytes (hCM). Furthermore, the p.T256M variant resulted in G1 and G2 arrest of hCM, followed by an increase in p27 and caspase‐9 expression. Our results provide evidence that the p.T256M variant in NDRG4 is a pathogenic variant associated with impaired hCM proliferation and cell‐cycle arrest and likely contributes towards the pathogenesis of PA/VSD and TOF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Peng
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingjie Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuo Meng
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenting Song
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sun Chen
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Alex F Chen
- Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Regeneration, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Sun
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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4
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Vaes N, Schonkeren SL, Brosens E, Koch A, McCann CJ, Thapar N, Hofstra RM, van Engeland M, Melotte V. A combined literature and in silico analysis enlightens the role of the NDRG family in the gut. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:2140-2151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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5
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Zhu M, Zheng R, Guo Y, Zhang Y, Zuo B. NDRG4 promotes myogenesis via Akt/CREB activation. Oncotarget 2017; 8:101720-101734. [PMID: 29254199 PMCID: PMC5731909 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 4 (NDRG4) plays an important role in biological processes and pathogenesis, but its function in muscle development is unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of the NDRG4 gene in the regulation of myogenic differentiation. NDRG4 expression is upregulated during muscle regeneration and C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Gain and loss of function studies revealed that NDRG4 dramatically promotes expression of myogenic differentiation factor (MyoD), myogenin (MyoG), and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) genes and myotube formation. Mechanistically, the binding of NDRG4 to carboxyl-terminal modulator protein (CTMP) abates the interaction of CTMP and protein kinase B (Akt) and increases the phosphorylation of Akt and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), which leads to increased expression of myogenic genes. Our results reveal that NDRG4 promotes myogenic differentiation via Akt/CREB activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture & Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, P.R. China
| | - Rong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture & Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, P.R. China
| | - Yiwen Guo
- Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture & Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, P.R. China
| | - Yunxia Zhang
- College of Life Science and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466000, China
| | - Bo Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture & Key Laboratory of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, P.R. China
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan 430070, China
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6
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Qu X, Li J, Baldwin HS. Postnatal lethality and abnormal development of foregut and spleen in Ndrg4 mutant mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 470:613-619. [PMID: 26801554 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.01.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
NDRG4 is a member of the NDRG family (N-myc downstream-regulated gene), which is highly expressed in brain and heart. Previous studies showed that Ndrg1-deficient mice exhibited a progressive demyelinating disorder of peripheral nerves and Ndrg4-deficient mice had spatial learning deficits and vulnerabilities to cerebral ischemia. Here, we report generation of Ndrg4 mutant alleles that exhibit several development defects different from those previously reported. Our homozygous mice showed growth retardation and postnatal lethality. Spleen and thymuses of Ndrg4(-/-) mice are considerably reduced in size from 3 weeks of age. Histological analysis revealed abnormal hyperkeratosis in the squamous foregut and abnormal loss of erythrocytes in the spleen of Ndrg4(-/-) mice. In addition, we observed an abnormal hind limb clasping phenotype upon tail suspension suggesting neurological abnormalities. Consistent to these abnormalities, Ndrg4 is expressed in smooth muscle cells of the stomach, macrophages of the spleen and neurons. Availability of the conditional allele for Ndrg4 should facilitate further detailed analyses of the potential roles of Ndrg4 in gut development, nervous system and immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghu Qu
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - H Scott Baldwin
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Cell and Development Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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7
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Linhares ND, Freire MCM, Cardenas RGCCL, Pena HB, Bahia M, Pena SDJ. Exome sequencing identifies a novel homozygous variant in NDRG4 in a family with infantile myofibromatosis. Eur J Med Genet 2014; 57:643-8. [PMID: 25241110 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2014.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/31/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Infantile myofibromatosis (IM) is a rare disorder characterized by the development of benign tumors in the skin, muscle, bone, and viscera. The incidence is 1/150,000 live births and the disease is the most common cause of fibrous tumors in infancy. Cases which lack visceral involvement generally have a more benign course, usually with spontaneous regression of the tumors. On the other hand, the prognosis tends to be unfavorable when there is involvement of vital organs, which can lead to significant mortality. The identification of rare variants in genes that may cause IM is the first step towards the possibility of targeted treatments; however, the molecular pathogenesis of IM is poorly understood. In the present study, we report the results of exome sequence analysis of two brothers diagnosed with visceral multicentric infantile myofibromatosis, and their healthy consanguineous parents. In the two brothers we identified novel homozygous variants in NDRG4 gene (N-myc downregulated gene family member 4) and in RLTPR gene (RGD motif, leucine rich repeats, tropomodulin domain and proline-rich containing). The healthy parents were heterozygous for both variants. Consistent with the phenotype of IM, NDRG4 is a tumor-related gene; its expression has been shown to be decreased in numerous tumor types, suggesting that it might be a tumor suppressor gene. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that NDRG4 may have a role in cell survival and tumor invasion. We thus propose that this homozygous variant in NDRG4 may be the causative variant of the autosomal recessive form of IM in the studied family and that it should be investigated in other cases of autosomal recessive infantile myofibromatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália D Linhares
- Laboratório de Genômica Clínica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maíra C M Freire
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Raony G C C L Cardenas
- Laboratório de Genômica Clínica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Heloísa B Pena
- Laboratório Gene - Núcleo de Genética Médica, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Magda Bahia
- Divisão de Gastroenterologia Pediátrica, Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sergio D J Pena
- Laboratório de Genômica Clínica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Laboratório Gene - Núcleo de Genética Médica, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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8
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Benesh EC, Miller PM, Pfaltzgraff ER, Grega-Larson NE, Hager HA, Sung BH, Qu X, Baldwin HS, Weaver AM, Bader DM. Bves and NDRG4 regulate directional epicardial cell migration through autocrine extracellular matrix deposition. Mol Biol Cell 2013; 24:3496-510. [PMID: 24048452 PMCID: PMC3826988 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e12-07-0539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Bves and NDRG4 proteins interact to regulate directional cell movement by mediating cell surface fusion of internalized fibronectin for resecretion. This provides the first evidence of Bves/NDRG4 protein function within subcellular trafficking pathways and explains how the Bves complex diversely influences development, cancer, and repair. Directional cell movement is universally required for tissue morphogenesis. Although it is known that cell/matrix interactions are essential for directional movement in heart development, the mechanisms governing these interactions require elucidation. Here we demonstrate that a novel protein/protein interaction between blood vessel epicardial substance (Bves) and N-myc downstream regulated gene 4 (NDRG4) is critical for regulation of epicardial cell directional movement, as disruption of this interaction randomizes migratory patterns. Our studies show that Bves/NDRG4 interaction is required for trafficking of internalized fibronectin through the “autocrine extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition” fibronectin recycling pathway. Of importance, we demonstrate that Bves/NDRG4-mediated fibronectin recycling is indeed essential for epicardial cell directional movement, thus linking these two cell processes. Finally, total internal reflectance fluorescence microscopy shows that Bves/NDRG4 interaction is required for fusion of recycling endosomes with the basal cell surface, providing a molecular mechanism of motility substrate delivery that regulates cell directional movement. This is the first evidence of a molecular function for Bves and NDRG4 proteins within broader subcellular trafficking paradigms. These data identify novel regulators of a critical vesicle-docking step required for autocrine ECM deposition and explain how Bves facilitates cell-microenvironment interactions in the regulation of epicardial cell–directed movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Benesh
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232 Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232 Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232 Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232 Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110
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Kotipatruni RP, Ferraro DJ, Ren X, Vanderwaal RP, Thotala DK, Hallahan DE, Jaboin JJ. NDRG4, the N-Myc downstream regulated gene, is important for cell survival, tumor invasion and angiogenesis in meningiomas. Integr Biol (Camb) 2013; 4:1185-97. [PMID: 22869042 DOI: 10.1039/c2ib20168b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Meningiomas are the second most common brain tumor, and 20-30% of these tumors are aggressive. The aggressive subtypes are characterized by a capacity for invasion of normal brain with frequent and destructive recurrence patterns. Effective local therapies include surgery and radiation, but there is a need for novel molecular targets to improve survival and reduce morbidity for this group or cancer patients. We have recently identified the N-Myc downstream regulated gene 4, NDRG4, protein as being overexpressed in aggressive meningioma, and in this report, demonstrate its role in cell survival, invasion/migration and angiogenesis. Downregulation of NDRG4 mRNA and protein expression in two high-grade meningioma cancer cell lines, IOMM-Lee and CH-157 MN resulted in reduction in cell survival, DNA fragmentation and G2-M cell cycle arrest. NDRG4 downregulation also decreased cellular invasion and migration, as determined by spheroid migration, linear and radial wound healing, Boyden chamber matrigel invasion, and 3D invasion assays. To determine the effect of NDRG4 depletion on angiogenesis, we studied the immortalized brain endothelial cell line, bEnd.3. We treated bEnd.3 cells with conditioned media from NDRG4-depleted IOMM-Lee and CH-157 MN cells and abrogated their ability to elicit bEnd.3 capillary-like tubes, to proliferate, and to invade. NDRG4 is not overexpressed in bEnd.3 cells and direct NDRG4 depletion had no effect on the cells. This study is significant as it is the first to demonstrate the functional role of NDRG4 in various aspects of meningioma tumor biology. NDRG4 is involved in modulating cell proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis in meningioma, and may play a valuable role as a molecular target in its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rama P Kotipatruni
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO 63108, USA
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10
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Yamamoto H, Kokame K, Okuda T, Nakajo Y, Yanamoto H, Miyata T. NDRG4 protein-deficient mice exhibit spatial learning deficits and vulnerabilities to cerebral ischemia. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:26158-65. [PMID: 21636852 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.256446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The N-myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG) family consists of four related proteins, NDRG1-NDRG4, in mammals. We previously generated NDRG1-deficient mice that were unable to maintain myelin sheaths in peripheral nerves. This condition was consistent with human hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4D, caused by a nonsense mutation of NDRG1. In contrast, the effects of genetic defects of the other NDRG members remain unknown. In this study, we focused on NDRG4, which is specifically expressed in the brain and heart. In situ mRNA hybridization on the brain revealed that NDRG4 was expressed in neurons of various areas. We generated NDRG4-deficient mice that were born normally with the expected Mendelian frequency. Immunochemical analysis demonstrated that the cortex of the NDRG4-deficient mice contained decreased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and normal levels of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, NGF, neurotrophin-3, and TGF-β1. Consistent with BDNF reduction, NDRG4-deficient mice had impaired spatial learning and memory but normal motor function in the Morris water maze test. When temporary focal ischemia of the brain was induced, the sizes of the infarct lesions were larger, and the neurological deficits were more severe in NDRG4-deficient mice compared with the control mice. These findings indicate that NDRG4 contributes to the maintenance of intracerebral BDNF levels within the normal range, which is necessary for the preservation of spatial learning and the resistance to neuronal cell death caused by ischemic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitomi Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular Pathogenesis, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan
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Schilling SH, Hjelmeland AB, Radiloff DR, Liu IM, Wakeman TP, Fielhauer JR, Foster EH, Lathia JD, Rich JN, Wang XF, Datto MB. NDRG4 is required for cell cycle progression and survival in glioblastoma cells. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:25160-9. [PMID: 19592488 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.012484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
NDRG4 is a largely unstudied member of the predominantly tumor suppressive N-Myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG) family. Unlike its family members NDRG1-3, which are ubiquitously expressed, NDRG4 is expressed almost exclusively in the heart and brain. Given this tissue-specific expression pattern and the established tumor suppressive roles of the NDRG family in regulating cellular proliferation, we investigated the cellular and biochemical functions of NDRG4 in the context of astrocytes and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells. We show that, in contrast to NDRG2, NDRG4 expression is elevated in GBM and NDRG4 is required for the viability of primary astrocytes, established GBM cell lines, and both CD133(+) (cancer stem cell (CSC)-enriched) and CD133(-) primary GBM xenograft cells. While NDRG4 overexpression has no effect on cell viability, NDRG4 knockdown causes G(1) cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis. The initial G(1) arrest is associated with a decrease in cyclin D1 expression and an increase in p27(Kip1) expression, and the subsequent apoptosis is associated with a decrease in the expression of XIAP and survivin. As a result of these effects on cell cycle progression and survival, NDRG4 knockdown decreases the tumorigenic capacity of established GBM cell lines and GBM CSC-enriched cells that have been implanted intracranially into immunocompromised mice. Collectively, these data indicate that NDRG4 is required for cell cycle progression and survival, thereby diverging in function from its tumor suppressive family member NDRG2 in astrocytes and GBM cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen H Schilling
- Department of Pharmacology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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Liu X, Shen J, Zhan R, Wang X, Wang X, Zhang Z, Leng X, Yang Z, Qian L. Proteomic analysis of homocysteine induced proliferation of cultured neonatal rat vascular smooth muscle cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2009; 1794:177-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2008.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2008] [Revised: 09/08/2008] [Accepted: 10/03/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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13
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Qu X, Jia H, Garrity DM, Tompkins K, Batts L, Appel B, Zhong TP, Baldwin HS. Ndrg4 is required for normal myocyte proliferation during early cardiac development in zebrafish. Dev Biol 2008; 317:486-96. [PMID: 18407257 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2007] [Revised: 02/01/2008] [Accepted: 02/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
NDRG4 is a novel member of the NDRG family (N-myc downstream-regulated gene). The roles of NDRG4 in development have not previously been evaluated. We show that, during zebrafish embryonic development, ndrg4 is expressed exclusively in the embryonic heart, the central nervous system (CNS) and the sensory system. Ndrg4 knockdown in zebrafish embryos causes a marked reduction in proliferative myocytes and results in hypoplastic hearts. This growth defect is associated with cardiac phenotypes in morphogenesis and function, including abnormal heart looping, inefficient circulation and weak contractility. We reveal that ndrg4 is required for restricting the expression of versican and bmp4 to the developing atrioventricular canal. This constellation of ndrg4 cardiac defects phenocopies those seen in mutant hearts of heartstrings (hst), the tbx5 loss-of-function mutants in zebrafish. We further show that ndrg4 expression is significantly decreased in hearts with reduced tbx5 activities. Conversely, increased expression of tbx5 that is due to tbx20 knockdown leads to an increase in ndrg4 expression. Together, our studies reveal an essential role of ndrg4 in regulating proliferation and growth of cardiomyocytes, suggesting that ndrg4 may function downstream of tbx5 during heart development and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghu Qu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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14
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Liu X, Luo F, Li J, Wu W, Li L, Chen H. Homocysteine induces connective tissue growth factor expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. J Thromb Haemost 2008; 6:184-92. [PMID: 17944991 DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2007.02801.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased homocysteine levels in blood might be an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was found to be involved in atherosclerotic plaque progression. So far, the possible connection between homocysteine and CTGF has not been studied. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to test whether homocysteine could induce CTGF expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). METHODS AND RESULTS Hyperhomocysteinemia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats after 4 weeks of a high-methionine diet. CTGF mRNA and protein expression was detected in the aortas isolated from hyperhomocysteinemic rats, but not in the controls. The underlying mechanism of homocysteine-induced CTGF expression was investigated in cultured human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells (HUVSMC). CTGF mRNA expression was induced after treatment with dl-homocysteine (50 micromol L(-1)) for 1 h, which remained at the elevated level for up to 8 h. CTGF protein level increased after homocysteine treatment for 8 h, and the elevated status was maintained for up to 48 h. Several intracellular signals elicited by homocysteine are involved in CTGF synthesis, including protein kinase C (PKC) activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Transfection HUVSMCs with a CTGF small interference RNA (siRNA) plasmid, which specifically inhibited the expression of CTGF, decreased extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation caused by homocysteine. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that homocysteine could increase the expression of CTGF in VSMC both in vivo and in vitro. The novel findings suggest that homocysteine might contribute to accelerated progression of atherosclerotic lesions by inducing CTGF expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Liu
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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15
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Okuda T, Kokame K, Miyata T. Differential expression patterns of NDRG family proteins in the central nervous system. J Histochem Cytochem 2007; 56:175-82. [PMID: 17998568 DOI: 10.1369/jhc.7a7323.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The N-myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG) family consists of four proteins: NDRG1, NDRG2, NDRG3, and NDRG4 in mammals. NDRG1 has been thoroughly studied as an intracellular protein associated with stress response, cell growth, and differentiation. A nonsense mutation in the NDRG1 gene causes hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4D. We previously generated Ndrg1-deficient mice and found that they exhibited peripheral nerve degeneration caused by severe demyelination, but that the complicated motor abilities were retained. These results implied that other NDRG family proteins may compensate for the NDRG1 deficiency in the central nervous system. In this study we raised specific antibodies against each member of the NDRG protein family and examined their cellular expression patterns in the mouse brain. In the cerebrum, NDRG1 and NDRG2 were localized in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, respectively, whereas NDRG3 and NDRG4 were ubiquitous. In the cerebellum, NDRG1 and NDRG4 were localized in Purkinje cells and NDRG2 in Bergmann glial cells. NDRG3 was detected in the nuclei in most cells. These expression patterns demonstrated the cell type-specific and ubiquitous localization of the NDRG family proteins. Each NDRG may play a partially redundant role in specific cells in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiko Okuda
- National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan
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16
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Brailoiu GC, Dun SL, Mizuo K, Brailoiu E, Yang J, Chang JK, Dun NJ. Smooth muscle-associated protein 8: distribution and biological activity in the rat brain. J Neurosci Res 2007; 85:1789-96. [PMID: 17465030 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
With the use of an antiserum directed against the human smooth muscle-associated protein 8 (SMAP8) fragment SMAP8(98-138), Western blot and immunohistochemical studies revealed SMAP8 expression in the rat brain. A band with a molecular size of about 45 kDa was detected in tissues from the rat hypothalamus and a weaker band from the cortex. SMAP8 immunoreactivity (irSMAP8) was detected in neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular, supraoptic, and supraoptic retrochiasmatic nuclei; a few irSMAP8 cells were scattered in the zona incerta as well as the cerebral cortex. Immunoreactive cell processes were detected mostly in the internal layer of the median eminence. Double labeling the hypothalamic sections with SMAP8 and vasopressin (VP) or oxytocin (OT) antiserum revealed that a population of VP- and OT-immunoreactive neurons expressed irSMAP8. The biological activity of SMAP8 in rat central neurons was assessed by the calcium microfluorimetric Fura-2 method. SMAP8 (100 nM) elevated cytosolic calcium concentrations [Ca2+]i in a population of dissociated and cultured rat hypothalamic neurons; the response was eliminated in Ca2+-free saline. This is the first evidence of irSMAP8 in a population of VP/OT-containing hypothalamic neurons in the rat, and the peptide is biologically active in hypothalamic neurons, as evidenced by mobilization of extracellular Ca2+.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cristina Brailoiu
- Department of Pharmacology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA.
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17
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Horn S, Lueking A, Murphy D, Staudt A, Gutjahr C, Schulte K, König A, Landsberger M, Lehrach H, Felix SB, Cahill DJ. Profiling humoral autoimmune repertoire of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients and development of a disease-associated protein chip. Proteomics 2006; 6:605-13. [PMID: 16419013 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200401293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a myocardial disease characterized by progressive depression of myocardial contractile function and ventricular dilatation. Thirty percent of DCM patients belong to the inherited genetic form; the rest may be idiopathic, viral, autoimmune, or immune-mediated associated with a viral infection. Disturbances in humoral and cellular immunity have been described in cases of myocarditis and DCM. A number of autoantibodies against cardiac cell proteins have been identified in DCM. In this study, we have profiled the autoantibody repertoire of plasma from DCM patients against a human protein array consisting of 37,200 redundant, recombinant human proteins and performed qualitative and quantitative validation of these putative autoantigens on protein microarrays to identify novel putative DCM specific autoantigens. In addition to analyzing the whole IgG autoantibody repertoire, we have also analyzed the IgG3 antibody repertoire in the plasma samples to study the characteristics of IgG3 subclass antibodies. By combining screening of a protein expression library with protein microarray technology, we have detected 26 proteins identified by the IgG antibody repertoire and 6 proteins bound by the IgG3 subclass. Several of these autoantibodies found in plasma of DCM patients, such as the autoantibody against the Kv channel-interacting protein, are associated with heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Horn
- Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Hongo S, Watanabe T, Takahashi K, Miyazaki A. Ndrg4 enhances NGF-induced ERK activation uncoupled with Elk-1 activation. J Cell Biochem 2006; 98:185-93. [PMID: 16408304 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.20763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ndrg4 is expressed predominantly in the early postnatal rat brain and may be related to neural cell differentiation. PC12 cell lines stably expressing increased levels of Ndrg4 protein display enhanced NGF-induced phosphorylation of MEK and ERK. In contrast, the Ndrg4-C2-overexpressed PC12 cell lines showed attenuated NGF-promoted phosphorylation of Elk-1, which is a nuclear target of ERK. A reporter assay also indicated that Ndrg4-C2 suppresses Elk-1-mediated transcriptional activation and SRE reporter expression. The suppressive effect of Ndrg4-C2 on NGF-induced activation of Elk-1 was abolished by colchicine but not by cytochalasin D, suggesting that microtubules are involved in the reduced activation of Elk-1 by Ndrg4. Ndrg4 may play a role in supporting the activation of ERK and its target proteins needed for neuronal differentiation and in reducing the activation of Elk-1 implicated in cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Hongo
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan.
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Miyata K, Oike Y, Hoshii T, Maekawa H, Ogawa H, Suda T, Araki K, Yamamura KI. Increase of smooth muscle cell migration and of intimal hyperplasia in mice lacking the alpha/beta hydrolase domain containing 2 gene. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 329:296-304. [PMID: 15721306 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.01.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Multiple steps, including the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. To discover genes which are involved in these steps, we screened mutant mouse lines established by the exchangeable gene trap method utilizing X-gal staining during their embryonic development. One of these lines showed strong reporter gene expression in the vitelline vessels of yolk sacs at embryonic day (E) 12.5. The trap vector was inserted into the fifth intron of alpha/beta hydrolase domain containing 2 (Abhd2) gene which was shown to be expressed in vascular and non-vascular SMCs of adult mice. Although homozygous mutant mice were apparently normal, enhanced SMC migration in the explants SMCs culture and marked intimal hyperplasia after cuff placement were observed in homozygous mice in comparison with wild-type mice. Our results show that Abhd2 is involved in SMC migration and neointimal thickening on vascular SMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keishi Miyata
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, 4-24-1 Kuhonji, Kumamoto 862-0976, Japan
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Okuda T, Higashi Y, Kokame K, Tanaka C, Kondoh H, Miyata T. Ndrg1-deficient mice exhibit a progressive demyelinating disorder of peripheral nerves. Mol Cell Biol 2004; 24:3949-56. [PMID: 15082788 PMCID: PMC387740 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.24.9.3949-3956.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
NDRG1 is an intracellular protein that is induced under a number of stress and pathological conditions, and it is thought to be associated with cell growth and differentiation. Recently, human NDRG1 was identified as a gene responsible for hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy-Lom (classified as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4D), which is characterized by early-onset peripheral neuropathy, leading to severe disability in adulthood. In this study, we generated mice lacking Ndrg1 to analyze its function and elucidate the pathogenesis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4D. Histological analysis showed that the sciatic nerve of Ndrg1-deficient mice degenerated with demyelination at about 5 weeks of age. However, myelination of Schwann cells in the sciatic nerve was normal for 2 weeks after birth. Ndrg1-deficient mice showed muscle weakness, especially in the hind limbs, but complicated motor skills were retained. In wild-type mice, NDRG1 was abundantly expressed in the cytoplasm of Schwann cells rather than the myelin sheath. These results indicate that NDRG1 deficiency leads to Schwann cell dysfunction, suggesting that NDRG1 is essential for maintenance of the myelin sheaths in peripheral nerves. These mice will be used for future analyses of the mechanisms of myelin maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiko Okuda
- National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan
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Maeda A, Hongo S, Miyazaki A. Genomic organization, expression, and comparative analysis of noncoding region of the rat Ndrg4 gene. Gene 2004; 324:149-58. [PMID: 14693380 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2003.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Rat Ndrg4 is a member of the NDRG gene family and has been suggested to relate to brain development. The structure of the rat Ndrg4 gene was studied to understand the mechanism for the expression of multiple forms of Ndrg4 protein, which were revealed in the brain. Subcloning and DNA sequencing analysis of a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone, together with analysis of a transcriptional start site by a cap-site hunting, indicated that the Ndrg4 gene spans about 39 kilobases (kb) and consists of 19 exons, in which the first and second exons were first found in rat. An alternative promoter usage at different transcriptional start sites may produce three types of messages, Ndrg4-A, Ndrg4-B, and Ndrg4-C, and there is a variant that lacks exon 18 for each type of transcript. Thereby, Ndrg4-A1, Ndrg4-A2, Ndrg4-B1, Ndrg4-B2, Ndrg4-C1, and Ndrg4-C2 were identified to be expressed. These six variants might explain the heterogeneity of the Ndrg4 protein in the brain. The variants without exon 18 were revealed in the embryonic and early postnatal brains while those with exon 18 were detected in the maturing and adult brains. Radiation hybrid mapping suggests that the rat Ndrg4 gene is located on chromosome 19 at 90.6 centirays (cR) from the top. Comparison of the noncoding sequence of the rat Ndrg4 gene to those of the orthologous mouse and human genes suggests that the AP-1 binding site is a candidate regulatory element.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Maeda
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
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