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Salah A, Bouzid F, Dhouib W, Benmarzoug R, Triki N, Rebai A, Kharrat N. Integrative Bioinformatics Approaches to Uncover Hub Genes and Pathways Involved in Cardiovascular Diseases. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024:10.1007/s12013-024-01319-4. [PMID: 38809349 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-024-01319-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a significant global health challenge resulting from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. However, the molecular pathways and genetic factors involved in the onset and progression of CVDs remain incompletely understood. Here, we performed an integrative bioinformatic analysis to highlight specific genes and signaling pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of 80 CVDs. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through the integrated analysis of microarray and GWAS datasets. Then, hub genes were identified after gene ontology functional annotation analysis and protein-protein internet (PPI) analysis. In addition, pathways were identified through KEGG and gene ontology enrichment analyses. A total of 821 hub genes related to 80 CVDs were identified, including 135 common and frequent CVD-associated genes. TNF, IL6, VEGFA, and TGFB.1 genes were the central core genes expressed in 50% or more of CVDs, confirming that the inflammation is a key pathological feature of CVDs. Analysis of hub genes by KEGG enrichment revealed predominant enrichment in 201 KEGG pathways, of which the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications was identified as the common key KEGG implicated in 62 CVDs. In addition, the outcomes showed an overrepresentation in pathways categorized under human diseases, particularly in the subcategories of infectious diseases and cancers, which may be common risk factors for CVDs. In conclusion, this powerful approach for in silico fine-mapping of genes and pathways allowed the identification of determinant hubs genes and pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of CVDs which could be employed in developing more targeted and effective interventions for preventing, diagnosing, and treating CVDs. The function of these hub genes in CVDs needs further exploration to elucidate their biological characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awatef Salah
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - Fériel Bouzid
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Wala Dhouib
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Riadh Benmarzoug
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Nesrine Triki
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Ahmed Rebai
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Najla Kharrat
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
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Pang Y, Liang J, Huang J, Lan G, Chen F, Ji H, Zhao Y. miR-423-5p Regulates Skeletal Muscle Growth and Development by Negatively Inhibiting Target Gene SRF. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:606. [PMID: 38790235 PMCID: PMC11121690 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050606] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The process of muscle growth directly affects the yield and quality of pork food products. Muscle fibers are created during the embryonic stage, grow following birth, and regenerate during adulthood; these are all considered to be phases of muscle development. A multilevel network of transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and pathway levels controls this process. An integrated toolbox of genetics and genomics as well as the use of genomics techniques has been used in the past to attempt to understand the molecular processes behind skeletal muscle growth and development in pigs under divergent selection processes. A class of endogenous noncoding RNAs have a major regulatory function in myogenesis. But the precise function of miRNA-423-5p in muscle development and the related molecular pathways remain largely unknown. Using target prediction software, initially, the potential target genes of miR-423-5p in the Guangxi Bama miniature pig line were identified using various selection criteria for skeletal muscle growth and development. The serum response factor (SRF) was found to be one of the potential target genes, and the two are negatively correlated, suggesting that there may be targeted interactions. In addition to being strongly expressed in swine skeletal muscle, miR-423-5p was also up-regulated during C2C12 cell development. Furthermore, real-time PCR analysis showed that the overexpression of miR-423-5p significantly reduced the expression of myogenin and the myogenic differentiation antigen (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated that the overexpression of miR-423-5p led to a significant reduction in SRF expression (p < 0.05). Furthermore, miR-423-5p down-regulated the luciferase activities of report vectors carrying the 3' UTR of porcine SRF, confirming that SRF is a target gene of miR-423-5p. Taken together, miR-423-5p's involvement in skeletal muscle differentiation may be through the regulation of SRF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yunxiang Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; (Y.P.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (G.L.); (F.C.); (H.J.)
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3
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Carvalho S, Zea-Redondo L, Tang TCC, Stachel-Braum P, Miller D, Caldas P, Kukalev A, Diecke S, Grosswendt S, Grosso AR, Pombo A. SRRM2 splicing factor modulates cell fate in early development. Biol Open 2024; 13:bio060415. [PMID: 38656788 PMCID: PMC11070786 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryo development is an orchestrated process that relies on tight regulation of gene expression to guide cell differentiation and fate decisions. The Srrm2 splicing factor has recently been implicated in developmental disorders and diseases, but its role in early mammalian development remains unexplored. Here, we show that Srrm2 dosage is critical for maintaining embryonic stem cell pluripotency and cell identity. Srrm2 heterozygosity promotes loss of stemness, characterised by the coexistence of cells expressing naive and formative pluripotency markers, together with extensive changes in gene expression, including genes regulated by serum-response transcription factor (SRF) and differentiation-related genes. Depletion of Srrm2 by RNA interference in embryonic stem cells shows that the earliest effects of Srrm2 heterozygosity are specific alternative splicing events on a small number of genes, followed by expression changes in metabolism and differentiation-related genes. Our findings unveil molecular and cellular roles of Srrm2 in stemness and lineage commitment, shedding light on the roles of splicing regulators in early embryogenesis, developmental diseases and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Carvalho
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Structure Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Graduate Program in Areas of Basic and Applied Biology (GABBA), ICBAS, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luna Zea-Redondo
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Structure Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Biology, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tsz Ching Chloe Tang
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Structure Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Stachel-Braum
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Biology, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Exploratory Diagnostic Sciences (EDS) 10178 Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), From Cell State to Function Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Duncan Miller
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Pluripotent Stem Cells Platform, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, 10785 Berlin, Germany
| | - Paulo Caldas
- Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Alexander Kukalev
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Structure Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Diecke
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Pluripotent Stem Cells Platform, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, 10785 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Grosswendt
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Exploratory Diagnostic Sciences (EDS) 10178 Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), From Cell State to Function Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ana Rita Grosso
- Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Ana Pombo
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Epigenetic Regulation and Chromatin Structure Group, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Biology, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Iram T, Garcia MA, Amand J, Kaur A, Atkins M, Iyer M, Lam M, Ambiel N, Jorgens DM, Keller A, Wyss-Coray T, Kern F, Zuchero JB. SRF transcriptionally regulates the oligodendrocyte cytoskeleton during CNS myelination. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2307250121. [PMID: 38483990 PMCID: PMC10962977 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307250121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Myelination of neuronal axons is essential for nervous system development. Myelination requires dramatic cytoskeletal dynamics in oligodendrocytes, but how actin is regulated during myelination is poorly understood. We recently identified serum response factor (SRF)-a transcription factor known to regulate expression of actin and actin regulators in other cell types-as a critical driver of myelination in the aged brain. Yet, a major gap remains in understanding the mechanistic role of SRF in oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Here, we show that SRF is required cell autonomously in oligodendrocytes for myelination during development. Combining ChIP-seq with RNA-seq identifies SRF-target genes in oligodendrocyte precursor cells and oligodendrocytes that include actin and other key cytoskeletal genes. Accordingly, SRF knockout oligodendrocytes exhibit dramatically reduced actin filament levels early in differentiation, consistent with its role in actin-dependent myelin sheath initiation. Surprisingly, oligodendrocyte-restricted loss of SRF results in upregulation of gene signatures associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Together, our findings identify SRF as a transcriptional regulator that controls the expression of cytoskeletal genes required in oligodendrocytes for myelination. This study identifies an essential pathway regulating oligodendrocyte biology with high relevance to brain development, aging, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Iram
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Miguel A. Garcia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Jérémy Amand
- Department of Clinical Bioinformatics, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland–Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Saarland University Campus, Saarbrücken66123, Germany
- Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken66123, Germany
| | - Achint Kaur
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Micaiah Atkins
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Manasi Iyer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Mable Lam
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Nicholas Ambiel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | | | - Andreas Keller
- Department of Clinical Bioinformatics, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland–Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Saarland University Campus, Saarbrücken66123, Germany
- Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken66123, Germany
| | - Tony Wyss-Coray
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Fabian Kern
- Department of Clinical Bioinformatics, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland–Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Saarland University Campus, Saarbrücken66123, Germany
- Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken66123, Germany
| | - J. Bradley Zuchero
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA94305
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Mohan K, Gasparoni G, Salhab A, Orlich MM, Geffers R, Hoffmann S, Adams RH, Walter J, Nordheim A. Age-Associated Changes in Endothelial Transcriptome and Epigenetic Landscapes Correlate With Elevated Risk of Cerebral Microbleeds. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e031044. [PMID: 37609982 PMCID: PMC10547332 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.031044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Stroke is a leading global cause of human death and disability, with advanced aging associated with elevated incidences of stroke. Despite high mortality and morbidity of stroke, the mechanisms leading to blood-brain barrier dysfunction and development of stroke with age are poorly understood. In the vasculature of brain, endothelial cells (ECs) constitute the core component of the blood-brain barrier and provide a physical barrier composed of tight junctions, adherens junctions, and basement membrane. Methods and Results We show, in mice, the incidents of intracerebral bleeding increases with age. After isolating an enriched population of cerebral ECs from murine brains at 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, we studied age-associated changes in gene expression. The study reveals age-dependent dysregulation of 1388 genes, including many involved in the maintenance of the blood-brain barrier and vascular integrity. We also investigated age-dependent changes on the levels of CpG methylation and accessible chromatin in cerebral ECs. Our study reveals correlations between age-dependent changes in chromatin structure and gene expression, whereas the dynamics of DNA methylation changes are different. Conclusions We find significant age-dependent downregulation of the Aplnr gene along with age-dependent reduction in chromatin accessibility of promoter region of the Aplnr gene in cerebral ECs. Aplnr is associated with positive regulation of vasodilation and is implicated in vascular health. Altogether, our data suggest a potential role of the apelinergic axis involving the ligand apelin and its receptor to be critical in maintenance of the blood-brain barrier and vascular integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kshitij Mohan
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell BiologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
- International Max Planck Research School “From Molecules to Organisms”TübingenGermany
| | | | | | - Michael M. Orlich
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell BiologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
- International Max Planck Research School “From Molecules to Organisms”TübingenGermany
| | - Robert Geffers
- Genome AnalyticsHelmholtz Centre for Infection ResearchBraunschweigGermany
| | - Steve Hoffmann
- Leibniz Institute on AgingFritz Lipmann InstituteJenaGermany
| | - Ralf H. Adams
- Department of Tissue MorphogenesisMax Planck Institute for Molecular BiomedicineMünsterGermany
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Jörn Walter
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of SaarlandSaarbrückenGermany
| | - Alfred Nordheim
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell BiologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
- Leibniz Institute on AgingFritz Lipmann InstituteJenaGermany
- International Max Planck Research School “From Molecules to Organisms”TübingenGermany
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Peng Z, Chen H, Wang M. Identification of the biological processes, immune cell landscape, and hub genes shared by acute anaphylaxis and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1211332. [PMID: 37469874 PMCID: PMC10353022 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1211332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients with anaphylaxis are at risk for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, the pathological links between anaphylaxis and STEMI remain unclear. Here, we aimed to explore shared biological processes, immune effector cells, and hub genes of anaphylaxis and STEMI. Methods: Gene expression data for anaphylactic (GSE69063) and STEMI (GSE60993) patients with corresponding healthy controls were pooled from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential expression analysis, enrichment analysis, and CIBERSORT were used to reveal transcriptomic signatures and immune infiltration profiles of anaphylaxis and STEMI, respectively. Based on common differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology analysis, cytoHubba algorithms, and correlation analyses were performed to identify biological processes, hub genes, and hub gene-related immune cells shared by anaphylaxis and STEMI. The robustness of hub genes was assessed in external anaphylactic (GSE47655) and STEMI (GSE61144) datasets. Furthermore, a murine model of anaphylaxis complicated STEMI was established to verify hub gene expressions. The logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of hub genes. Results: 265 anaphylaxis-related DEGs were identified, which were associated with immune-inflammatory responses. 237 STEMI-related DEGs were screened, which were involved in innate immune response and myeloid leukocyte activation. M0 macrophages and dendritic cells were markedly higher in both anaphylactic and STEMI samples compared with healthy controls, while CD4+ naïve T cells and CD8+ T cells were significantly lower. Enrichment analysis of 33 common DEGs illustrated shared biological processes of anaphylaxis and STEMI, including cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, response to reactive oxygen species, and positive regulation of defense response. Six hub genes were identified, and their expression levels were positively correlated with M0 macrophage abundance and negatively correlated with CD4+ naïve T cell abundance. In external anaphylactic and STEMI samples, five hub genes (IL1R2, FOS, MMP9, DUSP1, CLEC4D) were confirmed to be markedly upregulated. Moreover, experimentally induced anaphylactic mice developed impaired heart function featuring STEMI and significantly increased expression of the five hub genes. DUSP1 and CLEC4D were screened as blood diagnostic biomarkers of anaphylaxis and STEMI based on the logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Anaphylaxis and STEMI share the biological processes of inflammation and defense responses. Macrophages, dendritic cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD4+ naïve T cells constitute an immune cell population that acts in both anaphylaxis and STEMI. Hub genes (DUSP1 and CLEC4D) identified here provide candidate genes for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targeting of STEMI in anaphylactic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zekun Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Clinical Pharmacology Center, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Varesi A, Campagnoli LIM, Barbieri A, Rossi L, Ricevuti G, Esposito C, Chirumbolo S, Marchesi N, Pascale A. RNA binding proteins in senescence: A potential common linker for age-related diseases? Ageing Res Rev 2023; 88:101958. [PMID: 37211318 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Aging represents the major risk factor for the onset and/or progression of various disorders including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and bone-related defects. As the average age of the population is predicted to exponentially increase in the coming years, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of aging-related diseases and the discovery of new therapeutic approaches remain pivotal. Well-reported hallmarks of aging are cellular senescence, genome instability, autophagy impairment, mitochondria dysfunction, dysbiosis, telomere attrition, metabolic dysregulation, epigenetic alterations, low-grade chronic inflammation, stem cell exhaustion, altered cell-to-cell communication and impaired proteostasis. With few exceptions, however, many of the molecular players implicated within these processes as well as their role in disease development remain largely unknown. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are known to regulate gene expression by dictating at post-transcriptional level the fate of nascent transcripts. Their activity ranges from directing primary mRNA maturation and trafficking to modulation of transcript stability and/or translation. Accumulating evidence has shown that RBPs are emerging as key regulators of aging and aging-related diseases, with the potential to become new diagnostic and therapeutic tools to prevent or delay aging processes. In this review, we summarize the role of RBPs in promoting cellular senescence and we highlight their dysregulation in the pathogenesis and progression of the main aging-related diseases, with the aim of encouraging further investigations that will help to better disclose this novel and captivating molecular scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Varesi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | | | - Annalisa Barbieri
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Rossi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Ciro Esposito
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Italy; Nephrology and dialysis unit, ICS S. Maugeri SPA SB Hospital, Pavia, Italy; High School in Geriatrics, University of Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Nicoletta Marchesi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessia Pascale
- Department of Drug Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
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Genetics and Molecular Basis of Congenital Heart Defects in Down Syndrome: Role of Extracellular Matrix Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032918. [PMID: 36769235 PMCID: PMC9918028 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), a complex disorder that is caused by the trisomy of chromosome 21 (Hsa21), is a major cause of congenital heart defects (CHD). Interestingly, only about 50% of individuals with Hsa21 trisomy manifest CHD. Here we review the genetic basis of CHD in DS, focusing on genes that regulate extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. The overexpression of Hsa21 genes likely underlies the molecular mechanisms that contribute to CHD, even though the genes responsible for CHD could only be located in a critical region of Hsa21. A role in causing CHD has been attributed not only to protein-coding Hsa21 genes, but also to genes on other chromosomes, as well as miRNAs and lncRNAs. It is likely that the contribution of more than one gene is required, and that the overexpression of Hsa21 genes acts in combination with other genetic events, such as specific mutations or polymorphisms, amplifying their effect. Moreover, a key function in determining alterations in cardiac morphogenesis might be played by ECM. A large number of genes encoding ECM proteins are overexpressed in trisomic human fetal hearts, and many of them appear to be under the control of a Hsa21 gene, the RUNX1 transcription factor.
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Morita T, Hayashi K. Actin-related protein 5 suppresses the cooperative activation of cardiac gene transcription by myocardin and MEF2. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:363-379. [PMID: 36610028 PMCID: PMC9900090 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
MYOCD is a transcription factor important for cardiac and smooth muscle development. We previously identified that actin-related protein 5 (ARP5) binds to the N-terminus of MYOCD. Here, we demonstrate that ARP5 inhibits the cooperative action of the cardiac-specific isoform of MYOCD with MEF2. ARP5 overexpression in murine hearts induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, whereas ARP5 knockdown in P19CL6 cells significantly increased cardiac gene expression. ARP5 was found to bind to a MEF2-binding motif of cardiac MYOCD and inhibit MEF2-mediated transactivation by MYOCD. RNA-seq analysis revealed 849 genes that are upregulated by MYOCD-MEF2 and 650 genes that are repressed by ARP5. ARP5 expression increased with cardiomyopathy and was negatively correlated with the expression of Tnnt2 and Ttn, which were regulated by cardiac MYOCD-MEF2. Overall, our data suggest that ARP5 is a potential suppressor of cardiac MYOCD during physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ken'ichiro Hayashi
- Department of OphthalmologyYamaguchi University Graduate School of MedicineJapan,Department of RNA Biology and NeuroscienceOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineJapan
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10
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Zhou Z, Chen S, Wu T, Chen Y, Cao Y, Huang Y, Liu D. IGF2BP2, an RNA-binding protein regulates cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation by stabilizing SRF mRNA. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:195-209. [PMID: 36436184 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Osteoblast proliferation and osteogenic differentiation (OGD) are regulated by complex mechanisms. The roles in cell proliferation and OGD of RNA-binding proteins in the insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein (IGF2BP) family remain unclear. To elucidate this, we examined the differential expression of IGF2BP2 in OGD and osteoporosis, and the expression profile of IGF2BP2-binding RNA in vitro. We screened the GEO database for differential expression of IGF2BP in OGD and osteoporosis, and verified the RNAs interacting with IGF2BP2 via RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing assays. The proliferation and OGD of IGF2BP2- and serum response factor (SRF)-treated cells, and their regulatory mechanisms, were examined. IGF2BP2 was differentially expressed in OGD and osteoporosis. The RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing assay identified all of the RNAs that bind with IGF2BP2, and revealed SRF as a target of IGF2BP2. IGF2BP2 and SRF inhibition impaired MC3T3-E1 cell growth but promoted OGD. The mRNA stability analysis revealed that IGF2BP2 enhanced SRF mRNA stability against degradation. In summary, IGF2BP2 is a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for osteoporosis and OGD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimo Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Senxiang Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yifeng Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuxiao Cao
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Da Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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