E4BP4 inhibits AngII-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts by activating the PI3K-Akt pathway and promoting calcium uptake

A Potential Role of NFIL3 in Atherosclerosis

Nuclear factor interleukin-3 (NFIL3), a proline- and acidic-residue-rich (PAR) bZIP transcription factor, is called the E4 binding protein 4 (E4BP4) as well, which is relevant to regulate the circadian rhythms and the viability of cells. More and more evidence has shown that NFIL3 is associated with different cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, it has been found that NFIL3 has significant functions in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS) via the regulation of inflammatory response, macrophage polarization, some immune cells and lipid metabolism. In this overview, we sum up the function of NFIL3 during the development of AS and offer meaningful views how to treat cardiovascular disease related to AS.

RNA-sequencing reveals transcriptional signature of pathological remodeling in the diaphragm of rats after myocardial infarction

The diaphragm is the main inspiratory muscle, and the chronic phase post-myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by diaphragm morphological, contractile, and metabolic abnormalities. However, the mechanisms of diaphragm weakness are not fully understood. In the current study, we aimed to identify the transcriptome changes associated with diaphragm abnormalities in the chronic stage MI. We ligated the left coronary artery to cause MI in rats and performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) in diaphragm samples 16 weeks post-surgery. The sham group underwent thoracotomy and pericardiotomy but no artery ligation. We identified 112 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) out of a total of 9664 genes. Myocardial infarction upregulated and downregulated 42 and 70 genes, respectively. Analysis of DEGs in the framework of skeletal muscle-specific biological networks suggest remodeling in the neuromuscular junction, extracellular matrix, sarcomere, cytoskeleton, and changes in metabolism and iron homeostasis. Overall, the data are consistent with pathological remodeling of the diaphragm and reveal potential biological targets to prevent diaphragm weakness in the chronic stage MI.

Molecular mechanisms and pathobiology of oncogenic fusion transcripts in epithelial tumors

Recurrent fusion transcripts, which are one of the characteristic hallmarks of cancer, arise either from chromosomal rearrangements or from transcriptional errors in splicing. DNA rearrangements include intrachromosomal or interchromosomal translocation, tandem duplication, deletion, inversion, or result from chromothripsis, which causes complex rearrangements. In addition, fusion proteins can be created through transcriptional read-through. Fusion genes can be transcribed to fusion transcripts and translated to chimeric proteins, with many having demonstrated transforming activities through multiple mechanisms in cells. Fusion proteins represent novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers of diagnosis, disease status, or progression. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying the formation of oncogenic fusion genes and transcripts and their impact on the pathobiology of epithelial tumors.