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Solomon CU, McVey DG, Andreadi C, Gong P, Turner L, Stanczyk PJ, Khemiri S, Chamberlain JC, Yang W, Webb TR, Nelson CP, Samani NJ, Ye S. Effects of Coronary Artery Disease-Associated Variants on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Circulation 2022; 146:917-929. [PMID: 35735005 PMCID: PMC9484647 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.058389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genome-wide association studies have identified many genetic loci that are robustly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the underlying biological mechanisms are still unknown for most of these loci, hindering the progress to medical translation. Evidence suggests that the genetic influence on CAD susceptibility may act partly through vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS We undertook genotyping, RNA sequencing, and cell behavior assays on a large bank of VSMCs (n>1499). Expression quantitative trait locus and splicing quantitative trait locus analyses were performed to identify genes with an expression that was influenced by CAD-associated variants. To identify candidate causal genes for CAD, we ascertained colocalizations of VSMC expression quantitative trait locus signals with CAD association signals by performing causal variants identification in associated regions analysis and the summary data-based mendelian randomization test. Druggability analysis was then performed on the candidate causal genes. CAD risk variants were tested for associations with VSMC proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Collective effects of multiple CAD-associated variants on VSMC behavior were estimated by polygenic scores. RESULTS Approximately 60% of the known CAD-associated variants showed statistically significant expression quantitative trait locus or splicing quantitative trait locus effects in VSMCs. Colocalization analyses identified 84 genes with expression quantitative trait locus signals that significantly colocalized with CAD association signals, identifying them as candidate causal genes. Druggability analysis indicated that 38 of the candidate causal genes were druggable, and 13 had evidence of drug-gene interactions. Of the CAD-associated variants tested, 139 showed suggestive associations with VSMC proliferation, migration, or apoptosis. A polygenic score model explained up to 5.94% of variation in several VSMC behavior parameters, consistent with polygenic influences on VSMC behavior. CONCLUSIONS This comprehensive analysis shows that a large percentage of CAD loci can modulate gene expression in VSMCs and influence VSMC behavior. Several candidate causal genes identified are likely to be druggable and thus represent potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles U. Solomon
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - David G. McVey
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - Catherine Andreadi
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - Peng Gong
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - Lenka Turner
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - Paulina J. Stanczyk
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - Sonja Khemiri
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - Julie C. Chamberlain
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - Wei Yang
- Shantou University Medical College, China (W.Y., S.Y.)
| | - Tom R. Webb
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - Christopher P. Nelson
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - Nilesh J. Samani
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
| | - Shu Ye
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, UK (C.U.S., D.G.M., C.A., P.G., L.T., P.J.S., S.K., J.C.C., T.R.W., C.P.N., J.N.S., S.Y.)
- Shantou University Medical College, China (W.Y., S.Y.)
- Cardiovascular Disease Translational Research Programme, Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore (S.Y.)
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Orman-Ligeza B, Borrill P, Chia T, Chirico M, Doležel J, Drea S, Karafiátová M, Schatlowski N, Solomon CU, Steuernagel B, Wulff BBH, Uauy C, Trafford K. LYS3 encodes a prolamin-box-binding transcription factor that controls embryo growth in barley and wheat. J Cereal Sci 2020; 93:102965. [PMID: 32508376 PMCID: PMC7263734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcs.2020.102965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Mutations at the LYS3 locus in barley have multiple effects on grain development, including an increase in embryo size and a decrease in endosperm starch content. The gene underlying LYS3 was identified by genetic mapping and mutations in this gene were identified in all four barley lys3 alleles. LYS3 encodes a transcription factor called Prolamin Binding Factor (PBF). Its role in controlling embryo size was confirmed using wheat TILLING mutants. To understand how PBF controls embryo development, we studied its spatial and temporal patterns of expression in developing grains. The PBF gene is expressed in both the endosperm and the embryos, but the timing of expression in these organs differs. PBF expression in wild-type embryos precedes the onset of embryo enlargement in lys3 mutants, suggesting that PBF suppresses embryo growth. We predicted the down-stream target genes of PBF in wheat and found them to be involved in a wide range of biological processes, including organ development and starch metabolism. Our work suggests that PBF may influence embryo size and endosperm starch synthesis via separate gene control networks. LYS3 encodes a transcription factor called Prolamin Binding Factor (PBF) that is expressed in grains only. Wheat and barley LYS3/PBF mutants have enlarged embryos suggesting that this gene suppresses embryo growth. The predicted targets of wheat PBF are involved in a wide range of biological processes, including organ development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philippa Borrill
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Tansy Chia
- NIAB, Genetics and Breeding, Huntington Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LE, UK
| | - Marcella Chirico
- NIAB, Genetics and Breeding, Huntington Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LE, UK
| | - Jaroslav Doležel
- Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Sinead Drea
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Adrian Building University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Miroslava Karafiátová
- Institute of Experimental Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | | | - Charles U Solomon
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Adrian Building University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.,Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Abia State University, PMB 2000, Uturu, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Cristobal Uauy
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Kay Trafford
- NIAB, Genetics and Breeding, Huntington Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LE, UK
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