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Wu Z, Wu D, Zhong Q, Zou X, Liu Z, Long H, Wei J, Li X, Dai F. The role of zyxin in signal transduction and its relationship with diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1371549. [PMID: 38712343 PMCID: PMC11070705 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1371549] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
This review highlighted the pivotal role of zyxin, an essential cell focal adhesions protein, in cellular biology and various diseases. Zyxin can orchestrate the restructuring and dynamic alterations of the cellular cytoskeleton, which is involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, motility, and gene transcription. Aberrant zyxin expression is closely correlated with tumor cell activity and cardiac function in both tumorigenesis and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, in fibrotic and inflammatory conditions, zyxin can modulate cellular functions and inflammatory responses. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of zyxin is crucial for deciphering signal transduction networks and disease pathogenesis. Investigating its role in diseases holds promise for novel avenues in early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, targeting zyxin as a therapeutic focal point presents challenges in terms of specificity, safety, drug delivery, and resistance. Nonetheless, in-depth studies on zyxin and the application of precision medicine could offer new possibilities for personalized treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelan Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Daiqin Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Qin Zhong
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xue Zou
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhongjing Liu
- Clinical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hehua Long
- School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Endocrinology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xia Li
- Guizhou Precision Medicine Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Fangjie Dai
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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Nakamura F. The Role of Mechanotransduction in Contact Inhibition of Locomotion and Proliferation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2135. [PMID: 38396812 PMCID: PMC10889191 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042135] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Contact inhibition (CI) represents a crucial tumor-suppressive mechanism responsible for controlling the unbridled growth of cells, thus preventing the formation of cancerous tissues. CI can be further categorized into two distinct yet interrelated components: CI of locomotion (CIL) and CI of proliferation (CIP). These two components of CI have historically been viewed as separate processes, but emerging research suggests that they may be regulated by both distinct and shared pathways. Specifically, recent studies have indicated that both CIP and CIL utilize mechanotransduction pathways, a process that involves cells sensing and responding to mechanical forces. This review article describes the role of mechanotransduction in CI, shedding light on how mechanical forces regulate CIL and CIP. Emphasis is placed on filamin A (FLNA)-mediated mechanotransduction, elucidating how FLNA senses mechanical forces and translates them into crucial biochemical signals that regulate cell locomotion and proliferation. In addition to FLNA, trans-acting factors (TAFs), which are proteins or regulatory RNAs capable of directly or indirectly binding to specific DNA sequences in distant genes to regulate gene expression, emerge as sensitive players in both the mechanotransduction and signaling pathways of CI. This article presents methods for identifying these TAF proteins and profiling the associated changes in chromatin structure, offering valuable insights into CI and other biological functions mediated by mechanotransduction. Finally, it addresses unanswered research questions in these fields and delineates their possible future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiko Nakamura
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China
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Edvinsson L, Krause DN. Switching Off Vascular MAPK Signaling: A Novel Strategy to Prevent Delayed Cerebral Ischemia Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Transl Stroke Res 2024:10.1007/s12975-024-01234-z. [PMID: 38334872 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-024-01234-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Patients who initially survive the rupture and repair of a brain aneurysm often take a devastating turn for the worse some days later and die or suffer permanent neurologic deficits. This catastrophic sequela is attributed to a delayed phase of global cerebral ischemia (DCI) following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), but we lack effective treatment. Here we present our view, based on 20 years of research, that the initial drop in blood flow at the time of rupture triggers genomic responses throughout the brain vasculature that manifest days later as increased vasoconstriction and decreased cerebral blood flow. We propose a novel treatment strategy to prevent DCI by early inhibition of the vascular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway that triggers expression of vasoconstrictor and inflammatory mediators. We summarize evidence from experimental SAH models showing early treatment with MAPK inhibitors "switches off" these detrimental responses, maintains flow, and improves neurological outcome. This promising therapy is currently being evaluated in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Edvinsson
- Division of Experimental Vascular Research, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
- Department of Experimental Research, Glostrup Research Institute, CopenhagenUniversity, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Diana N Krause
- Division of Experimental Vascular Research, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, 22100, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, SchoolofPharmacy&PharmaceuticalSciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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Yu Y, Wu XQ, Su FF, Yue CF, Zhou XM, Xu C. Maximakinin reduced intracellular Ca 2+ level in vascular smooth muscle cells through AMPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Hypertens Res 2023; 46:1949-1960. [PMID: 37258626 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-023-01330-x] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We detect the antihypertensive effects of maximakinin (MK) on renal hypertensive rats (RHRs) and further research the influence of MK on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to explore its hypotensive mechanism. The effects of MK on arterial blood pressure were observed in RHRs. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assays were performed to detect the effect of MK on VSMC viability. Western blot and flow cytometry were used to investigate the influence of MK on intracellular Ca2+ levels and protein expression changes in VSMCs. In addition, specific protein inhibitors were applied to confirm the involvement of Ca2+-related signaling pathways induced by MK in VSMCs. MK showed a more significant antihypertensive effect than bradykinin in RHRs. MK significantly decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Furthermore, MK significantly induced the phosphorylation of signaling molecules, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), P38, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt in VSMCs. Moreover, only ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 and AMPK inhibitor Compound C completely restored the decreased intracellular Ca2+ level induced by MK, and further research demonstrated that AMPK functioned upstream of ERK1/2 following exposure to MK. Finally, HOE-140, an inhibitor of the bradykinin B2 receptors (B2Rs), was applied to investigate the potential targets of MK in VSMCs. HOE-140 significantly blocked the AMPK/ERK1/2 pathway induced by MK, suggesting that the B2Rs might play an important role in MK-induced AMPK and ERK1/2 activation. MK significantly reduces blood pressure in RHRs. MK exerts its antihypertensive effect by activating the B2Rs and downstream AMPK/ERK1/2 pathways, leading to significantly reduced Ca2+ levels in VSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Life Science and Biology Pharmacy College, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Xue-Qian Wu
- Life Science and Biology Pharmacy College, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Fan-Fan Su
- Life Science and Biology Pharmacy College, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Cai-Feng Yue
- Life Science and Biology Pharmacy College, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Xiao-Mian Zhou
- Life Science and Biology Pharmacy College, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Life Science and Biology Pharmacy College, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, China.
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Transcriptional and Epigenetic Factors Associated with Early Thrombosis of Femoral Artery Involved in Arteriovenous Fistula. Proteomes 2022; 10:proteomes10020014. [PMID: 35645372 PMCID: PMC9149803 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes10020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), created for hemodialysis in end-stage renal disease patients, mature through the outward remodeling of the outflow vein. However, early thrombosis and chronic inflammation are detrimental to the process of AVF maturation and precipitate AVF maturation failure. For the successful remodeling of the outflow vein, blood flow through the fistula is essential, but early arterial thrombosis attenuates this blood flow, and the vessels become thrombosed and stenosed, leading to AVF failure. The altered expression of various proteins involved in maintaining vessel patency or thrombosis is regulated by genes of which the expression is regulated by transcription factors and microRNAs. In this study, using thrombosed and stenosed arteries following AVF creation, we delineated transcription factors and microRNAs associated with differentially expressed genes in bulk RNA sequencing data using upstream and causal network analysis. We observed changes in many transcription factors and microRNAs that are involved in angiogenesis; vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and phenotypic changes; endothelial cell function; hypoxia; oxidative stress; vessel remodeling; immune responses; and inflammation. These factors and microRNAs play a critical role in the underlying molecular mechanisms in AVF maturation. We also observed epigenetic factors involved in gene regulation associated with these molecular mechanisms. The results of this study indicate the importance of investigating the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of AVF maturation and maturation failure and targeting factors precipitating early thrombosis and stenosis.
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