Casein Kinase-2 Interacting Protein-1 Regulates Physiological Cardiac Hypertrophy via Inhibition of Histone Deacetylase 4 Phosphorylation

Ckip-1 3'UTR alleviates prolonged sleep deprivation induced cardiac dysfunction by activating CaMKK2/AMPK/cTNI pathway

Sleep deprivation (SD) has emerged as a critical concern impacting human health, leading to significant damage to the cardiovascular system. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear, and the development of targeted drugs is lagging. Here, we used mice to explore the effects of prolonged SD on cardiac structure and function. Echocardiography analysis revealed that cardiac function was significantly decreased in mice after five weeks of SD. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-q-PCR) and Masson staining analysis showed that cardiac remodeling marker gene Anp (atrial natriuretic peptide) and fibrosis were increased, Elisa assay of serum showed that the levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), ANP, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTn-T) were increased after SD, suggesting that cardiac remodeling and injury occurred. Transcript sequencing analysis indicated that genes involved in the regulation of calcium signaling pathway, dilated cardiomyopathy, and cardiac muscle contraction were changed after SD. Accordingly, Western blotting analysis demonstrated that the cardiac-contraction associated CaMKK2/AMPK/cTNI pathway was inhibited. Since our preliminary research has confirmed the vital role of Casein Kinase-2 -Interacting Protein-1 (CKIP-1, also known as PLEKHO1) in cardiac remodeling regulation. Here, we found the levels of the 3' untranslated region of Ckip-1 (Ckip-1 3'UTR) decreased, while the coding sequence of Ckip-1 (Ckip-1 CDS) remained unchanged after SD. Significantly, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Ckip-1 3'UTR alleviated SD-induced cardiac dysfunction and remodeling by activating CaMKK2/AMPK/cTNI pathway, which proposed the therapeutic potential of Ckip-1 3'UTR in treating SD-induced heart disease.

Transforming growth factor-β and bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways in pathological cardiac hypertrophy

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy (referred to as cardiac hypertrophy) is a maladaptive response of the heart to a variety of pathological stimuli, and cardiac hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for heart failure and sudden death. Currently, the treatments for cardiac hypertrophy are limited to improving symptoms and have little effect. Elucidation of the developmental process of cardiac hypertrophy at the molecular level and the identification of new targets for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy are crucial. In this review, we summarize the research on multiple active substances related to the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and the signaling pathways involved and focus on the role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and the identification of potential targets for molecular intervention. We aim to identify important signaling molecules with clinical value and hope to help promote the precise treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and thus improve patient outcomes.

Protein posttranslational modifications in health and diseases: Functions, regulatory mechanisms, and therapeutic implications

Protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) refer to the breaking or generation of covalent bonds on the backbones or amino acid side chains of proteins and expand the diversity of proteins, which provides the basis for the emergence of organismal complexity. To date, more than 650 types of protein modifications, such as the most well-known phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, methylation, SUMOylation, short-chain and long-chain acylation modifications, redox modifications, and irreversible modifications, have been described, and the inventory is still increasing. By changing the protein conformation, localization, activity, stability, charges, and interactions with other biomolecules, PTMs ultimately alter the phenotypes and biological processes of cells. The homeostasis of protein modifications is important to human health. Abnormal PTMs may cause changes in protein properties and loss of protein functions, which are closely related to the occurrence and development of various diseases. In this review, we systematically introduce the characteristics, regulatory mechanisms, and functions of various PTMs in health and diseases. In addition, the therapeutic prospects in various diseases by targeting PTMs and associated regulatory enzymes are also summarized. This work will deepen the understanding of protein modifications in health and diseases and promote the discovery of diagnostic and prognostic markers and drug targets for diseases.