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Jonker T, Barnett P, Boink GJJ, Christoffels VM. Role of Genetic Variation in Transcriptional Regulatory Elements in Heart Rhythm. Cells 2023; 13:4. [PMID: 38201209 PMCID: PMC10777909 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010004] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic predisposition to cardiac arrhythmias has been a field of intense investigation. Research initially focused on rare hereditary arrhythmias, but over the last two decades, the role of genetic variation (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in heart rate, rhythm, and arrhythmias has been taken into consideration as well. In particular, genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of genomic loci associated with quantitative electrocardiographic traits, atrial fibrillation, and less common arrhythmias such as Brugada syndrome. A significant number of associated variants have been found to systematically localize in non-coding regulatory elements that control the tissue-specific and temporal transcription of genes encoding transcription factors, ion channels, and other proteins. However, the identification of causal variants and the mechanism underlying their impact on phenotype has proven difficult due to the complex tissue-specific, time-resolved, condition-dependent, and combinatorial function of regulatory elements, as well as their modest conservation across different model species. In this review, we discuss research efforts aimed at identifying and characterizing-trait-associated variant regulatory elements and the molecular mechanisms underlying their impact on heart rate or rhythm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo Jonker
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.J.); (P.B.); (G.J.J.B.)
| | - Phil Barnett
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.J.); (P.B.); (G.J.J.B.)
| | - Gerard J. J. Boink
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.J.); (P.B.); (G.J.J.B.)
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent M. Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (T.J.); (P.B.); (G.J.J.B.)
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Crespo-García T, Cámara-Checa A, Dago M, Rubio-Alarcón M, Rapún J, Tamargo J, Delpón E, Caballero R. Regulation of cardiac ion channels by transcription factors: Looking for new opportunities of druggable targets for the treatment of arrhythmias. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 204:115206. [PMID: 35963339 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac electrical activity is governed by different ion channels that generate action potentials. Acquired or inherited abnormalities in the expression and/or function of ion channels usually result in electrophysiological changes that can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Transcription factors (TFs) control gene transcription by binding to specific DNA sequences adjacent to target genes. Linkage analysis, candidate-gene screening within families, and genome-wide association studies have linked rare and common genetic variants in the genes encoding TFs with genetically-determined cardiac arrhythmias. Besides its critical role in cardiac development, recent data demonstrated that they control cardiac electrical activity through the direct regulation of the expression and function of cardiac ion channels in adult hearts. This narrative review summarizes some studies showing functional data on regulation of the main human atrial and ventricular Na+, Ca2+, and K+ channels by cardiac TFs such as Pitx2c, Tbx20, Tbx5, Zfhx3, among others. The results have improved our understanding of the mechanisms regulating cardiac electrical activity and may open new avenues for therapeutic interventions in cardiac acquired or inherited arrhythmias through the identification of TFs as potential drug targets. Even though TFs have for a long time been considered as 'undruggable' targets, advances in structural biology have led to the identification of unique pockets in TFs amenable to be targeted with small-molecule drugs or peptides that are emerging as novel therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Crespo-García
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Cámara-Checa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Dago
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Rubio-Alarcón
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J Rapún
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J Tamargo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - E Delpón
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - R Caballero
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. School of Medicine. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CIBERCV, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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George RM, Guo S, Firulli BA, Rubart M, Firulli AB. Neonatal Deletion of Hand1 and Hand2 within Murine Cardiac Conduction System Reveals a Novel Role for HAND2 in Rhythm Homeostasis. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022; 9:jcdd9070214. [PMID: 35877576 PMCID: PMC9324487 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9070214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The cardiac conduction system, a network of specialized cells, is required for the functioning of the heart. The basic helix loop helix factors Hand1 and Hand2 are required for cardiac morphogenesis and have been implicated in cardiac conduction system development and maintenance. Here we use embryonic and post-natal specific Cre lines to interrogate the role of Hand1 and Hand2 in the function of the murine cardiac conduction system. Results demonstrate that loss of HAND1 in the post-natal conduction system does not result in any change in electrocardiogram parameters or within the ventricular conduction system as determined by optical voltage mapping. Deletion of Hand2 within the post-natal conduction system results in sex-dependent reduction in PR interval duration in these mice, suggesting a novel role for HAND2 in regulating the atrioventricular conduction. Surprisingly, results show that loss of both HAND factors within the post-natal conduction system does not cause any consistent changes in cardiac conduction system function. Deletion of Hand2 in the embryonic left ventricle results in inconsistent prolongation of PR interval and susceptibility to atrial arrhythmias. Thus, these results suggest a novel role for HAND2 in homeostasis of the murine cardiac conduction system and that HAND1 loss potentially rescues the shortened HAND2 PR phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajani M. George
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (R.M.G.); (B.A.F.)
| | - Shuai Guo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Beth A. Firulli
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (R.M.G.); (B.A.F.)
| | - Michael Rubart
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (R.M.G.); (B.A.F.)
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (A.B.F.); Tel.: +317-278-5814 (M.R.); +317-274-8909 (A.B.F.)
| | - Anthony B. Firulli
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; (R.M.G.); (B.A.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (A.B.F.); Tel.: +317-278-5814 (M.R.); +317-274-8909 (A.B.F.)
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Ehrlich KC, Deng HW, Ehrlich M. Epigenetics of Mitochondria-Associated Genes in Striated Muscle. EPIGENOMES 2021; 6:1. [PMID: 35076500 PMCID: PMC8788487 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Striated muscle has especially large energy demands. We identified 97 genes preferentially expressed in skeletal muscle and heart, but not in aorta, and found significant enrichment for mitochondrial associations among them. We compared the epigenomic and transcriptomic profiles of the 27 genes associated with striated muscle and mitochondria. Many showed strong correlations between their tissue-specific transcription levels, and their tissue-specific promoter, enhancer, or open chromatin as well as their DNA hypomethylation. Their striated muscle-specific enhancer chromatin was inside, upstream, or downstream of the gene, throughout much of the gene as a super-enhancer (CKMT2, SLC25A4, and ACO2), or even overlapping a neighboring gene (COX6A2, COX7A1, and COQ10A). Surprisingly, the 3' end of the 1.38 Mb PRKN (PARK2) gene (involved in mitophagy and linked to juvenile Parkinson's disease) displayed skeletal muscle/myoblast-specific enhancer chromatin, a myoblast-specific antisense RNA, as well as brain-specific enhancer chromatin. We also found novel tissue-specific RNAs in brain and embryonic stem cells within PPARGC1A (PGC-1α), which encodes a master transcriptional coregulator for mitochondrial formation and metabolism. The tissue specificity of this gene's four alternative promoters, including a muscle-associated promoter, correlated with nearby enhancer chromatin and open chromatin. Our in-depth epigenetic examination of these genes revealed previously undescribed tissue-specific enhancer chromatin, intragenic promoters, regions of DNA hypomethylation, and intragenic noncoding RNAs that give new insights into transcription control for this medically important set of genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth C. Ehrlich
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genomics, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (K.C.E.); (H.-W.D.)
| | - Hong-Wen Deng
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genomics, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (K.C.E.); (H.-W.D.)
| | - Melanie Ehrlich
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genomics, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (K.C.E.); (H.-W.D.)
- Tulane Cancer Center and Hayward Genetics Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Vincentz JW, Firulli BA, Toolan KP, Arking DE, Sotoodehnia N, Wan J, Chen PS, de Gier-de Vries C, Christoffels VM, Rubart-von der Lohe M, Firulli AB. Variation in a Left Ventricle-Specific Hand1 Enhancer Impairs GATA Transcription Factor Binding and Disrupts Conduction System Development and Function. Circ Res 2019; 125:575-589. [PMID: 31366290 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.119.315313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The ventricular conduction system (VCS) rapidly propagates electrical impulses through the working myocardium of the ventricles to coordinate chamber contraction. GWAS (Genome-wide association studies) have associated nucleotide polymorphisms, most are located within regulatory intergenic or intronic sequences, with variation in VCS function. Two highly correlated polymorphisms (r2>0.99) associated with VCS functional variation (rs13165478 and rs13185595) occur 5' to the gene encoding the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor HAND1 (heart- and neural crest derivatives-expressed protein 1). OBJECTIVE Here, we test the hypothesis that these polymorphisms influence HAND1 transcription thereby influencing VCS development and function. METHODS AND RESULTS We employed transgenic mouse models to identify an enhancer that is sufficient for left ventricle (LV) cis-regulatory activity. Two evolutionarily conserved GATA transcription factor cis-binding elements within this enhancer are bound by GATA4 and are necessary for cis-regulatory activity, as shown by in vitro DNA binding assays. CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9-mediated deletion of this enhancer dramatically reduces Hand1 expression solely within the LV but does not phenocopy previously published mouse models of cardiac Hand1 loss-of-function. Electrophysiological and morphological analyses reveals that mice homozygous for this deleted enhancer display a morphologically abnormal VCS and a conduction system phenotype consistent with right bundle branch block. Using 1000 Genomes Project data, we identify 3 additional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), located within the Hand1 LV enhancer, that compose a haplotype with rs13165478 and rs13185595. One of these SNPs, rs10054375, overlaps with a critical GATA cis-regulatory element within the Hand1 LV enhancer. This SNP, when tested in electrophoretic mobility shift assays, disrupts GATA4 DNA-binding. Modeling 2 of these SNPs in mice causes diminished Hand1 expression and mice present with abnormal VCS function. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings reveal that SNP rs10054375, which is located within a necessary and sufficient LV-specific Hand1 enhancer, exhibits reduces GATA DNA-binding in electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and this enhancer in total, is required for VCS development and function in mice and perhaps humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua W Vincentz
- From the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis (J.W.V., B.A.F., K.P.T., M.R.L., A.B.F.)
| | - Beth A Firulli
- From the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis (J.W.V., B.A.F., K.P.T., M.R.L., A.B.F.)
| | - Kevin P Toolan
- From the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis (J.W.V., B.A.F., K.P.T., M.R.L., A.B.F.)
| | - Dan E Arking
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (D.E.A.)
| | - Nona Sotoodehnia
- Department of Epidemiology, Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle (N.S.)
| | - Juyi Wan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indianapolis (J.W., P.-S.C.).,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China (J.W.)
| | - Peng-Sheng Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indianapolis (J.W., P.-S.C.)
| | - Corrie de Gier-de Vries
- Department of Medical Biology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands (C.d.G.V., V.M.C.)
| | - Vincent M Christoffels
- Department of Medical Biology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands (C.d.G.V., V.M.C.)
| | - Michael Rubart-von der Lohe
- From the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis (J.W.V., B.A.F., K.P.T., M.R.L., A.B.F.)
| | - Anthony B Firulli
- From the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics, Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis (J.W.V., B.A.F., K.P.T., M.R.L., A.B.F.)
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6
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Ritter N, Ali T, Kopitchinski N, Schuster P, Beisaw A, Hendrix DA, Schulz MH, Müller-McNicoll M, Dimmeler S, Grote P. The lncRNA Locus Handsdown Regulates Cardiac Gene Programs and Is Essential for Early Mouse Development. Dev Cell 2019; 50:644-657.e8. [PMID: 31422919 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Precisely controlled gene regulatory networks are required during embryonic development to give rise to various structures, including those of the cardiovascular system. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) loci are known to be important regulators of these genetic programs. We have identified a novel and essential lncRNA locus Handsdown (Hdn), active in early heart cells, and show by genetic inactivation that it is essential for murine development. Hdn displays haploinsufficiency for cardiac development as Hdn-heterozygous adult mice exhibit hyperplasia in the right ventricular wall. Transcriptional activity of the Hdn locus, independent of its RNA, suppresses its neighboring gene Hand2. We reveal a switch in a topologically associated domain in differentiation of the cardiac lineage, allowing the Hdn locus to directly interact with regulatory elements of the Hand2 locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Ritter
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tamer Ali
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha 13518, Egypt
| | - Nina Kopitchinski
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Peggy Schuster
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Arica Beisaw
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Ludwigstrasse 43, 61231 Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - David A Hendrix
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA; School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Marcel H Schulz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration (DZHK), Partner site Rhein-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michaela Müller-McNicoll
- RNA Regulation Group, Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration (DZHK), Partner site Rhein-Main, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Phillip Grote
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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7
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George RM, Firulli AB. Hand Factors in Cardiac Development. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2018; 302:101-107. [PMID: 30288953 DOI: 10.1002/ar.23910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart defects account for 1% of infant mortality and 10% of in utero deaths. As the vertebrate embryo develops, multiple tissue types develop in tandem to morphologically pattern the functional heart. Underlying cardiac development is a network of transcription factors known to tightly control these morphological events. Members of the Twist family of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, Hand1 and Hand2, are essential to this process. The expression patterns and functional role of Hand factors in neural crest cells, endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium is indicative of their importance during cardiogenesis; however, to date, an extensive understanding of the transcriptional targets of Hand proteins and their overall mechanism of action remain unclear. In this review, we summarize the recent findings that further outline the crucial functions of Hand factors during heart development and in post-natal heart function. Anat Rec, 302:101-107, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajani M George
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research Department of Pediatrics, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Anthony B Firulli
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research Department of Pediatrics, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Asymmetrically reduced expression of hand1 homeologs involving a single nucleotide substitution in a cis -regulatory element. Dev Biol 2017; 425:152-160. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Lu S, Du P, Shan C, Wang Y, Ma C, Dong J. Haploinsufficiency of Hand1 improves mice survival after acute myocardial infarction through preventing cardiac rupture. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 478:1726-31. [PMID: 27601324 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated a significantly lower level of Hand1 in ischemic cardiomyopathy than in normal heart tissue. The role of decreased Hand1 in myocardial infarction remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of haploinsufficiency of Hand1 on mouse heart after myocardial infarction. 8-10 weeks old male heterozygous Hand1-deficient (Hand1(+/-)) mice and wild-type littermates (control) were subjected to sham operation or ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery to induce acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Hand1(+/-) mice have low incidence of left ventricular free wall rupture in the first week after operation than control mice. Then we found lower MMP9 activity and less cardiomyocytes apoptosis in Hand1(+/-) than in control mice. All of these contribute to the protection role of haploinsufficiency of Hand1 after AMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Lu
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Science, The Academy of Medical Science of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Pan Du
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Science, The Academy of Medical Science of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Congjia Shan
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yaohe Wang
- National Centre for International Research in Cell and Gene Therapy, School of Basic Medical Science, The Academy of Medical Science of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changsheng Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianzeng Dong
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Zhou YM, Dai XY, Qiu XB, Yuan F, Li RG, Xu YJ, Qu XK, Huang RT, Xue S, Yang YQ. HAND1 loss-of-function mutation associated with familial dilated cardiomyopathy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 54:1161-7. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2015-0766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
AbstractThe basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor HAND1 is essential for cardiac development and structural remodeling, and mutations in HAND1 have been causally linked to various congenital heart diseases. However, whether genetically compromised HAND1 predisposes to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in humans remains unknown.The whole coding region and splicing junctions of theA novel heterozygous HAND1 mutation, p.R105X, was identified in a family with DCM transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait, which co-segregated with DCM in the family with complete penetrance. The nonsense mutation was absent in 520 control chromosomes. Functional analyses unveiled that the mutant HAND1 had no transcriptional activity. Furthermore, the mutation abolished the synergistic activation between HAND1 and GATA4, another crucial cardiac transcription factors that has been associated with various congenital cardiovascular malformations and DCM.This study firstly reports the association of HAND1 loss-of-function mutation with increased susceptibility to DCM in humans, which provides novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underpinning DCM.
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11
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Gonzalez-Valdes I, Hidalgo I, Bujarrabal A, Lara-Pezzi E, Padron-Barthe L, Garcia-Pavia P, Gómez-del Arco P, Gomez P, Redondo JM, Ruiz-Cabello JM, Jimenez-Borreguero LJ, Enriquez JA, de la Pompa JL, Hidalgo A, Gonzalez S. Bmi1 limits dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure by inhibiting cardiac senescence. Nat Commun 2015; 6:6473. [PMID: 25751743 PMCID: PMC5603726 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most frequent cause of heart failure and the leading indication for heart transplantation. Here we show that epigenetic regulator and central transcriptional instructor in adult stem cells, Bmi1, protects against DCM by repressing cardiac senescence. Cardiac-specific Bmi1 deletion induces the development of DCM, which progresses to lung congestion and heart failure. In contrast, Bmi1 overexpression in the heart protects from hypertrophic stimuli. Transcriptome analysis of mouse and human DCM samples indicates that p16INK4a derepression, accompanied by a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), is linked to severely impaired ventricular dimensions and contractility. Genetic reduction of p16INK4a levels reverses the pathology of Bmi1-deficient hearts. In parabiosis assays, the paracrine senescence response underlying the DCM phenotype does not transmit to healthy mice. As senescence is implicated in tissue repair and the loss of regenerative potential in aging tissues, these findings suggest a source for cardiac rejuvenation. The epigenetic factor Bmi1 regulates self-renewal of many adult stem cells, but its role in heart function is unknown. Here the authors show that Bmi1 prevents cardiac senescence by inhibiting the tumor suppressor protein p16INK4a in adult mice, protecting them from dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Gonzalez-Valdes
- Stem Cell Aging Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - I Hidalgo
- Stem Cell Aging Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Bujarrabal
- Stem Cell Aging Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - E Lara-Pezzi
- Molecular Regulation of Heart Development and Disease Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - L Padron-Barthe
- 1] Molecular Regulation of Heart Development and Disease Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain [2] Heart Failure and Inherited Cardiac Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Manuel de Falla, 1, E-28222 Madrid, Spain
| | - P Garcia-Pavia
- Heart Failure and Inherited Cardiac Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Manuel de Falla, 1, E-28222 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - P Gomez
- Gene Regulation in Cardiovascular Remodelling and Inflammation Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - J M Redondo
- Gene Regulation in Cardiovascular Remodelling and Inflammation Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - J M Ruiz-Cabello
- Advanced Imaging Unit, Ciber de Enfermedades respiratorias and UCM, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - L J Jimenez-Borreguero
- Advanced Imaging Unit, Ciber de Enfermedades respiratorias and UCM, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - J A Enriquez
- Functional Genetics of the Oxidative Phosphorylation System, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - J L de la Pompa
- Intercellular Signaling In Cardiovascular Development and Disease Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Hidalgo
- Imaging the Cardiovascular Inflammation and the Immune Response, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - S Gonzalez
- Stem Cell Aging Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), E-28029 Madrid, Spain
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12
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López-Olañeta MM, Villalba M, Gómez-Salinero JM, Jiménez-Borreguero LJ, Breckenridge R, Ortiz-Sánchez P, García-Pavía P, Ibáñez B, Lara-Pezzi E. Induction of the calcineurin variant CnAβ1 after myocardial infarction reduces post-infarction ventricular remodelling by promoting infarct vascularization. Cardiovasc Res 2014; 102:396-406. [PMID: 24667850 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvu068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Ventricular remodelling following myocardial infarction progressively leads to loss of contractile capacity and heart failure. Although calcineurin promotes maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy, we recently showed that the calcineurin splicing variant, CnAβ1, has beneficial effects on the infarcted heart. However, whether this variant limits necrosis or improves remodelling is still unknown, precluding translation to the clinical arena. Here, we explored the effects and therapeutic potential of CnAβ1 overexpression post-infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS Double transgenic mice with inducible cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of CnAβ1 underwent left coronary artery ligation followed by reperfusion. Echocardiographic analysis showed depressed cardiac function in all infarcted mice 3 days post-infarction. Induction of CnAβ1 overexpression 1 week after infarction improved function and reduced ventricular dilatation. CnAβ1-overexpressing mice showed shorter, thicker scars, and reduced infarct expansion, accompanied by reduced myocardial remodelling. CnAβ1 induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in cardiomyocytes, which resulted in increased infarct vascularization. This paracrine angiogenic effect of CnAβ1 was mediated by activation of the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and VEGF. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that CnAβ1 exerts beneficial effects on the infarcted heart by promoting infarct vascularization and preventing infarct expansion. These findings emphasize the translational potential of CnAβ1 for gene-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina M López-Olañeta
- Cardiovascular Development and Repair Department, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - María Villalba
- Cardiovascular Development and Repair Department, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Jesús M Gómez-Salinero
- Cardiovascular Development and Repair Department, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Luis J Jiménez-Borreguero
- Epidemiology, Atherothrombosis and Imaging Department, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ross Breckenridge
- National Institute for Medical Research, Medical Research Council, London, UK
| | - Paula Ortiz-Sánchez
- Cardiovascular Development and Repair Department, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Pablo García-Pavía
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Puerta de Hierro de Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Borja Ibáñez
- Epidemiology, Atherothrombosis and Imaging Department, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain Cardiovascular Institute, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Lara-Pezzi
- Cardiovascular Development and Repair Department, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid 28029, Spain National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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13
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Transcriptional networks regulating the costamere, sarcomere, and other cytoskeletal structures in striated muscle. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 71:1641-56. [PMID: 24218011 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1512-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 10/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Structural abnormalities in striated muscle have been observed in numerous transcription factor gain- and loss-of-function phenotypes in animal and cell culture model systems, indicating that transcription is important in regulating the cytoarchitecture. While most characterized cytoarchitectural defects are largely indistinguishable by histological and ultrastructural criteria, analysis of dysregulated gene expression in each mutant phenotype has yielded valuable information regarding specific structural gene programs that may be uniquely controlled by each of these transcription factors. Linking the formation and maintenance of each subcellular structure or subset of proteins within a cytoskeletal compartment to an overlapping but distinct transcription factor cohort may enable striated muscle to control cytoarchitectural function in an efficient and specific manner. Here we summarize the available evidence that connects transcription factors, those with established roles in striated muscle such as MEF2 and SRF, as well as other non-muscle transcription factors, to the regulation of a defined cytoskeletal structure. The notion that genes encoding proteins localized to the same subcellular compartment are coordinately transcriptionally regulated may prompt rationally designed approaches that target specific transcription factor pathways to correct structural defects in muscle disease.
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14
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Breckenridge RA, Piotrowska I, Ng KE, Ragan TJ, West JA, Kotecha S, Towers N, Bennett M, Kienesberger PC, Smolenski RT, Siddall HK, Offer JL, Mocanu MM, Yelon DM, Dyck JRB, Griffin JL, Abramov AY, Gould AP, Mohun TJ. Hypoxic regulation of hand1 controls the fetal-neonatal switch in cardiac metabolism. PLoS Biol 2013; 11:e1001666. [PMID: 24086110 PMCID: PMC3782421 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study reveals a novel pathway that responds to hypoxia and modulates energy metabolism by cardiomyocytes in the mouse heart, thereby determining oxygen consumption. Cardiomyocytes are vulnerable to hypoxia in the adult, but adapted to hypoxia in utero. Current understanding of endogenous cardiac oxygen sensing pathways is limited. Myocardial oxygen consumption is determined by regulation of energy metabolism, which shifts from glycolysis to lipid oxidation soon after birth, and is reversed in failing adult hearts, accompanying re-expression of several “fetal” genes whose role in disease phenotypes remains unknown. Here we show that hypoxia-controlled expression of the transcription factor Hand1 determines oxygen consumption by inhibition of lipid metabolism in the fetal and adult cardiomyocyte, leading to downregulation of mitochondrial energy generation. Hand1 is under direct transcriptional control by HIF1α. Transgenic mice prolonging cardiac Hand1 expression die immediately following birth, failing to activate the neonatal lipid metabolising gene expression programme. Deletion of Hand1 in embryonic cardiomyocytes results in premature expression of these genes. Using metabolic flux analysis, we show that Hand1 expression controls cardiomyocyte oxygen consumption by direct transcriptional repression of lipid metabolising genes. This leads, in turn, to increased production of lactate from glucose, decreased lipid oxidation, reduced inner mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial ATP generation. We found that this pathway is active in adult cardiomyocytes. Up-regulation of Hand1 is protective in a mouse model of myocardial ischaemia. We propose that Hand1 is part of a novel regulatory pathway linking cardiac oxygen levels with oxygen consumption. Understanding hypoxia adaptation in the fetal heart may allow development of strategies to protect cardiomyocytes vulnerable to ischaemia, for example during cardiac ischaemia or surgery. Regulation of oxygen usage in cardiomyocytes is of great medical interest, because adult cardiac tissue is extremely vulnerable to hypoxia during myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery. While some progress has been made toward protecting cardiomyocytes from hypoxia in these circumstances, it has been limited by a lack of understanding of endogenous oxygen-sensing pathways. In contrast to adult cardiac tissue, embryonic cardiomyocytes are highly resistant to hypoxia, although the mechanisms underlying this have hitherto been unclear. Using mice we show that the transcription factor Hand1 is expressed at high levels in the fetal heart, under direct control of HIF1α signaling, a pathway well known to respond to hypoxia. We show that Hand1 expression decreases at birth as the neonate is exposed to higher levels of oxygen. By experimentally increasing Hand1 expression in the neonatal heart, we see lower oxygen consumption in cardiomyocytes and this is caused by Hand1 repressing key regulatory genes involved in cardiomyocyte lipid metabolism. This has the effect of decreasing mitochondrial ATP generation via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Furthermore, we show that increasing Hand1 expression in adult transgenic hearts is protective against myocardial infarction, suggesting that a hypoxia–Hand1 pathway may also be of importance in the adult heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross A. Breckenridge
- Developmental Biology, MRC–National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Izabela Piotrowska
- Developmental Biology, MRC–National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Keat-Eng Ng
- Developmental Biology, MRC–National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J. Ragan
- Division of Molecular Structure, MRC–National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - James A. West
- Department of Biochemistry, Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Surendra Kotecha
- Developmental Biology, MRC–National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Norma Towers
- Developmental Biology, MRC–National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Bennett
- Developmental Biology, MRC–National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Petra C. Kienesberger
- Cardiovascular Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Hillary K. Siddall
- Hatter Institute, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John L. Offer
- Physical Biochemistry, MRC–National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mihaela M. Mocanu
- Hatter Institute, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Derek M. Yelon
- Hatter Institute, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jason R. B. Dyck
- Cardiovascular Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jules L. Griffin
- Department of Biochemistry, Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andrey Y. Abramov
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alex P. Gould
- Division of Physiology and Metabolism, MRC–National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J. Mohun
- Developmental Biology, MRC–National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Neary MT, Mohun TJ, Breckenridge RA. A mouse model to study the link between hypoxia, long QT interval and sudden infant death syndrome. Dis Model Mech 2012; 6:503-7. [PMID: 22977222 PMCID: PMC3597031 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.010587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathology of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is poorly understood. Many risk factors, including hypoxia, have been identified. Prolongation of the ECG QTc interval is associated with elevated risk of SIDS but its aetiology in most cases remains unknown. We have characterised ECG changes in the newborn mouse in the hours and days following birth. There was a steady increase in heart rate alongside significant decreases in QTc interval, QRS duration and QTc dispersion over the first 10 postnatal days. Birth into hypoxia (10% FiO2) prevented electrocardiac maturation, downregulated cardiac ion-channel expression and led to neonatal death. We found that risk of death decreased with increasing age of exposure to hypoxia. Genetic elevation of cardiac hypoxia-signalling after birth in αMHC-Cre::VHLfl/fl mice also prevented electrocardiographic maturation, leading to arrhythmia and death before weaning. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting revealed internalisation and dephosphorylation of Connexin43. We conclude that increased ambient oxygen concentration after birth drives maturation of the cardiac electrical conduction system, failure of which leads to aberrant ion channel and Connexin43 expression and predisposes to arrhythmia and sudden death. This is consistent with known risk factors of SIDS and provides a link between neonatal hypoxia, ECG abnormalities and sudden death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne T Neary
- Developmental Biology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London, NW7 1AA, UK
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16
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Munoz C, Tóvolli RH, Sopjani M, Alesutan I, Lam RS, Seebohm G, Föller M, Lang F. Activation of voltage gated K⁺ channel Kv1.5 by β-catenin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011; 417:692-6. [PMID: 22166221 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.11.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2011] [Accepted: 11/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Voltage-gated Kv1.5 channels are expressed in a wide variety of tissues including cardiac myocytes, smooth muscle and tumor cells. Kv1.5 channel activity is modified by N-cadherin, which in turn binds the multifunctional oncogenic protein β-catenin. The present experiments explored the effect of β-catenin on Kv1.5 channel activity. To this end, Kv1.5 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes with or without β-catenin and the voltage-gated Kv current determined by dual electrode voltage clamp. As a result, expression of β-catenin significantly increased the voltage-gated Kv current at positive potentials. The stimulating effect of β-catenin on Kv1.5 was not dependent on the stimulation of transcription since it was observed even in the presence of the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. Specific antibody binding to surface Kv1.5 in Xenopus oocytes revealed that β-catenin enhances the membrane abundance of Kv1.5. Further experiments with brefeldin A showed that β-catenin fosters the insertion of Kv1.5 into rather than delaying the retrieval from the plasma membrane. According to electrophysiological recordings with mutant β-catenin, the effect on Kv1.5 requires the same protein domains that are required for association of β-catenin with cadherin. The experiments disclose a completely novel function of β-catenin, i.e. the regulation of Kv1.5 channel activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Munoz
- Department of Physiology, University of Tübingen, Gmelinstr. 5, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
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17
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Vincentz JW, Barnes RM, Firulli AB. Hand factors as regulators of cardiac morphogenesis and implications for congenital heart defects. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH. PART A, CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR TERATOLOGY 2011; 91:485-94. [PMID: 21462297 PMCID: PMC3119928 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2010] [Revised: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Almost 15 years of careful study have established the related basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) transcription factors Hand1 and Hand2 as critical for heart development across evolution. Hand factors make broad contributions, revealed through animal models, to the development of multiple cellular lineages that ultimately contribute to the heart. They perform critical roles in ventricular cardiomyocyte growth, differentiation, morphogenesis, and conduction. They are also important for the proper development of the cardiac outflow tract, epicardium, and endocardium. Molecularly, they function both through DNA binding and through protein-protein interactions, which are regulated transcriptionally, posttranscriptionally by microRNAs, and posttranslationally through phosphoregulation. Although direct Hand factor transcriptional targets are progressively being identified, confirmed direct targets of Hand factor transcriptional activity in the heart are limited. Identification of these targets will be critical to model the mechanisms by which Hand factor bHLH interactions affect developmental pathways. Improved understanding of Hand factor-mediated transcriptional cascades will be necessary to determine how Hand factor dysregulation translates to human disease phenotypes. This review summarizes the insight that animal models have provided into the regulation and function of these factors during heart development, in addition to the recent findings that suggest roles for HAND1 and HAND2 in human congenital heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua W. Vincentz
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, 1044 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5225, USA
| | - Ralston M. Barnes
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, 1044 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5225, USA
| | - Anthony B. Firulli
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, 1044 W. Walnut St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5225, USA
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18
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Lu S, Nie J, Luan Q, Feng Q, Xiao Q, Chang Z, Shan C, Hess D, Hemmings BA, Yang Z. Phosphorylation of the Twist1-family basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors is involved in pathological cardiac remodeling. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19251. [PMID: 21559426 PMCID: PMC3084786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2010] [Accepted: 03/24/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Twist1-family basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors including Twist1, Hand1 and Hand2, play an essential role in heart development and are implicated in pathological heart remodeling. Previously, it was reported that these bHLH transcription factors can be regulated by phosphorylation within the basic-helix I domain, which is involved in developmental processes such as limb formation and trophoblast differentiation. However, how phosphorylation of Twist1 family functions in post-natal heart is elusive. Principal Findings Here, we generated transgenic mice with over-expression of Hand1 and Twist1 mutants (to mimic or to abolish phosphorylation) in cardiomyocytes and found pathological cardiac remodeling leading to heart failure and sudden death. Gene expression profile analysis revealed up-regulation of growth-promoting genes and down-regulation of metabolic genes. It is well known that aberrant activation of Akt signaling causes pathological cardiac remodeling and results in heart failure. The basic-helix I domain of Twist1 family members contain Akt substrate consensus motif and may be downstream targets of Akt signaling. Using biochemical analysis, we demonstrated that Hand1 and Twist1 were phosphorylated by Akt in the basic-helix I domain. Phosphorylation of Hand1 regulated its transcriptional activation of luciferase reporter genes and DNA binding ability. Conclusions This study provides novel insights into the regulation of Twist1 family in cardiac remodeling and suggests that the Twist1 family can be regulated by Akt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Lu
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junwei Nie
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Luan
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiuting Feng
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Xiao
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zai Chang
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Congjia Shan
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Daniel Hess
- The Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Brian A. Hemmings
- The Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zhongzhou Yang
- The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail:
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19
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Felkin LE, Lara-Pezzi EA, Hall JL, Birks EJ, Barton PJR. Reverse Remodelling and Recovery from Heart Failure Are Associated with Complex Patterns of Gene Expression. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2011; 4:321-31. [DOI: 10.1007/s12265-011-9267-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 02/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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20
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A mouse model for spatial and temporal expression of HGF in the heart. Transgenic Res 2011; 20:1203-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s11248-011-9485-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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21
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Sotoodehnia N, Isaacs A, de Bakker PIW, Dörr M, Newton-Cheh C, Nolte IM, van der Harst P, Müller M, Eijgelsheim M, Alonso A, Hicks AA, Padmanabhan S, Hayward C, Smith AV, Polasek O, Giovannone S, Fu J, Magnani JW, Marciante KD, Pfeufer A, Gharib SA, Teumer A, Li M, Bis JC, Rivadeneira F, Aspelund T, Köttgen A, Johnson T, Rice K, Sie MPS, Wang YA, Klopp N, Fuchsberger C, Wild SH, Mateo Leach I, Estrada K, Völker U, Wright AF, Asselbergs FW, Qu J, Chakravarti A, Sinner MF, Kors JA, Petersmann A, Harris TB, Soliman EZ, Munroe PB, Psaty BM, Oostra BA, Cupples LA, Perz S, de Boer RA, Uitterlinden AG, Völzke H, Spector TD, Liu FY, Boerwinkle E, Dominiczak AF, Rotter JI, van Herpen G, Levy D, Wichmann HE, van Gilst WH, Witteman JCM, Kroemer HK, Kao WHL, Heckbert SR, Meitinger T, Hofman A, Campbell H, Folsom AR, van Veldhuisen DJ, Schwienbacher C, O'Donnell CJ, Volpato CB, Caulfield MJ, Connell JM, Launer L, Lu X, Franke L, Fehrmann RSN, te Meerman G, Groen HJM, Weersma RK, van den Berg LH, Wijmenga C, Ophoff RA, Navis G, Rudan I, Snieder H, Wilson JF, Pramstaller PP, Siscovick DS, Wang TJ, Gudnason V, van Duijn CM, Felix SB, Fishman GI, Jamshidi Y, Stricker BHC, Samani NJ, Kääb S, Arking DE. Common variants in 22 loci are associated with QRS duration and cardiac ventricular conduction. Nat Genet 2010; 42:1068-76. [PMID: 21076409 PMCID: PMC3338195 DOI: 10.1038/ng.716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 10/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
QRS interval on the electrocardiogram reflects ventricular depolarization and conduction time, and is a risk factor for mortality, sudden death, and heart failure. We performed a genome-wide association meta-analysis in 40,407 European-descent individuals from 14 studies, with further genotyping in 7170 additional Europeans, and identified 22 loci associated with QRS duration (P < 5 × 10−8). These loci map in or near genes in pathways with established roles in ventricular conduction such as sodium channels, transcription factors, and calcium-handling proteins, but also point to novel biologic processes, such as kinase inhibitors and genes related to tumorigenesis. We demonstrate that SCN10A, a gene at our most significant locus, is expressed in the mouse ventricular conduction system, and treatment with a selective SCN10A blocker prolongs QRS duration. These findings extend our current knowledge of ventricular depolarization and conduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nona Sotoodehnia
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
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22
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Abstract
Cell specification and differentiation of cardiomyocytes from mesodermal precursors is orchestrated by epigenetic and transcriptional inputs throughout heart formation. Of the many transcription factor super families that play a role in this process, the basic Helix-loop Helix (bHLH) family of proteins is well represented. The bHLH protein by design allows for dimerization-both as homodimers and heterodimers with other proteins within the family. Although DNA binding is mediated via a short variable cis-element termed an E-box, it is clear that DNA-affinity for these elements as well as the transcriptional input conveyed is dictated largely by the transcriptional partners within the dimer complex. Dimer partner choice has a number of inputs requiring co-expression within a given cell nucleus and dimerization modulation by the level of protein present, and post-translational modifications that can both enhance or reduce protein-protein interactions. Due to these complex interrelationships, it has been difficult to identity bona-fide downstream transcriptional targets and define the molecular pathways regulated of bHLH factors within cardiogenesis, despite the clear roles suggested via loss-of-function animals models. This review focuses on the Hand bHLH proteins-key members of the Twist-family of bHLH factors. Despite over a decade of investigation, questions regarding functional redundancy, downstream targets, and biological role during heart specification and differentiation have still not been fully addressed. Our goal is to review what is currently known and address strategies for gaining further understanding of Hand/Twist gene dosage and functional redundancy relationships within the developing heart that may underlie congenital heart defect pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J Conway
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department Anatomy, Riley Heart Research Center, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W. Walnut St, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5225, USA
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Tbx2 misexpression impairs deployment of second heart field derived progenitor cells to the arterial pole of the embryonic heart. Dev Biol 2009; 333:121-31. [PMID: 19563797 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2009] [Revised: 06/19/2009] [Accepted: 06/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tbx2 is a member of the T-box family of transcription factors that play important roles during heart development. In the embryonic heart tube, Tbx2 is expressed in non-chamber myocardium (outflow tract and interventricular canal) and has been shown to block chamber formation. We have developed a genetic system to conditionally misexpress Tbx2 in the embryonic mouse heart at early stages of development. We show that Tbx2 expression throughout the myocardium of the heart tube both represses proliferation and impairs secondary heart field (SHF) progenitor cell deployment into the outflow tract (OFT). Repression of proliferation is accompanied by the upregulation of Ndrg2 and downregulation of Ndrg4 expression, both genes believed to be involved in cell growth and proliferation. Impaired deployment of SHF cells from the pharyngeal mesoderm is accompanied by downregulation of the cell adhesion molecules Alcam and N-cadherin in the anterior part of the embryonic heart. Tbx2 misexpression also results in downregulation of Tbx20 within the OFT, indicating complex and region-specific transcriptional cross-regulation between the two T-box genes.
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