Coronary artery anomalies may cause life-threatening cardiac complications; however, developmental mechanisms underpinning coronary artery formation remain ill-defined. Here we identify an angiogenic cell population for coronary artery formation in mice. Regulated by a DLL4/NOTCH1/VEGFA/VEGFR2 signaling axis, these angiogenic cells generate mature coronary arteries. The NOTCH modulator POFUT1 critically regulates this signaling axis. POFUT1 inactivation disrupts signaling events and results in excessive angiogenic cell proliferation and plexus formation, leading to anomalous coronary arteries, myocardial infarction and heart failure. Simultaneous VEGFR2 inactivation fully rescues these defects. These findings show that dysregulated angiogenic precursors link coronary anomalies to ischemic heart disease.

SummaryHeat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) functionally modulates signal transduction. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mediates interleukin-6 family cytokine signaling. Aberrant activation and mutation of STAT3 is associated with oncogenesis and immune disorders, respectively. Hsp90 and STAT3 have previously been shown to colocalize and coimmunoprecipitate in common complexes. Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy revealed a direct, high affinity specific interaction between recombinant Hsp90b and STAT3b in the presence and absence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in molar excess. Furthermore, comparative analysis using a phosphomimetic mutation at tyrosine 705 showed that the direct interaction appeared to favor neither unactivated nor activated STAT3. Destabilizing mutation of STAT3 at arginine residues 414/417 to alanine in the DNA-binding domain, previously shown to disrupt nuclear translocation in vivo, reduced interaction with a STAT3 DNA binding site oligonucleotide and Hsp90b in vitro, indicating that STAT3 requires a functional DNA-binding domain for full direct interaction with Hsp90. Site-directed mutagenesis of a mammalian STAT3-EGFP-N1 fusion construct at RR414/417 and subsequent transfection into human MCF7 epithelial breast cancer cells showed no impaired nuclear translocation when observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. However, costaining for Hsp90a/b isoforms and colocalization analysis revealed a defined decrease in pixel-on-pixel colocalization compared with the wildtype confirming the requirement of the DNA-binding domain for high-affinity interaction.

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Microtubules (MTs) are intracellular polymers that provide structure to the cell, serve as railways for intracellular transport, and regulate many cellular activities, including cell migration. The dynamicity and function of the MT cytoskeleton are determined in large part by its regulatory proteins, including the recently discovered MT severing enzyme Fidgetin-like 2 (FL2). Downregulation of FL2 expression with small interfering RNA (siRNA) results in a more than twofold increase in cell migration rate in vitro as well as translates into improved wound-healing outcomes in in vivo mouse models. Here we utilized a commercially available surfactant polymer dressing (SPD) as a vehicle to deliver FL2 siRNA. To this end we incorporated collagen microparticles containing FL2 siRNA into SPD (SPD-FL2-siRNA) for direct application to the injury site. Topical application of SPD-FL2 siRNA to murine models of full-thickness excision wounds and full-thickness burn wounds resulted in significant improvements in the rate and quality of wound healing, as measured clinically and histologically, compared with controls. Wound healing occurred more rapidly and with high fidelity, resulting in properly organized collagen substructure. Taken together, these findings indicate that the incorporation of FL2 siRNA into existing treatment options is a promising avenue to improve wound outcomes.

A mechanistic relationship exists between protein localisation, activity and cellular differentiation. Understanding the contribution of these molecular mechanisms is required for elucidation of conditions that drive development. Literature suggests non-canonical translocation of the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) to the mitochondria contributes to the regulation of the electron transport chain, cellular respiration and reactive oxygen species production. Based on this we investigated the role of mitochondrial STAT3, specifically the serine 727 phosphorylated form, in cellular differentiation using the well-defined mouse adipogenic model 3T3-L1. Relative levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the levels and dynamic localization of pSTAT3S727 were investigated during the initiation of adipogenesis. As a signalling entity, ROS is known to regulate the activation of C/EBPβ to stimulate a critical cascade of events prior to differentiation of 3T3-L1. Results indicate that upon induction of the differentiation programme, relative levels of mitochondrial pSTAT3S727 dramatically decrease in the mitochondria; in contrast the total cellular pSTAT3S727 levels increase. A positive correlation between increasing levels of ROS and dynamic changes in C/EBPβ indicate that mitochondrial STAT3 plays a potential critical role as an initiator of the process. Based on these findings we propose a model for mitochondrial STAT3 as a regulator of ROS in adipogenesis.

Mitochondria are key to eukaryotic cell survival and their activity is linked to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which in turn acts as both an intracellular signal and an effective executioner of cells with regards to cellular senescence. The mitochondrial molecular chaperone tumor necrosis factor receptor associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is often termed the cytoprotective chaperone for its role in cancer cell survival and protection from apoptosis. Here, we hypothesize that TRAP1 serves to modulate mitochondrial activity in stem cell maintenance, survival and differentiation. V C 2013 IUBMB Life, 66(1): [42][43][44][45] 2014

The microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton plays a critical role in axon growth and guidance. Here, we identify the MT severing enzyme fidgetin-like 2 (FL2) as a negative regulator of axon regeneration and a therapeutic target for promoting nerve regeneration after injury. Genetic knockout of FL2 in cultured adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons resulted in longer axons and attenuated growth cone retraction in response to inhibitory molecules. Given the axonal growth-promoting effects of FL2 depletion in vitro, we tested whether FL2 could be targeted to promote regeneration in a rodent model of cavernous nerve (CN) injury. The CN are parasympathetic nerves that regulate blood flow to the penis, which are commonly damaged during radical prostatectomy (RP) resulting in erectile dysfunction (ED). Application of FL2-siRNA after CN injury significantly enhanced functional nerve recovery. Remarkably, following bilateral nerve transection, visible and functional nerve regeneration was observed in 7 out of 8 animals treated with FL2-siRNA, while no control treated animals exhibited regeneration. These studies identify FL2 as a promising therapeutic target for enhancing regeneration after peripheral nerve injury and for mitigating neurogenic ED post-RP-a condition for which, at present, only poor treatment options exist.

The balance between cellular lineages can be controlled by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cellular differentiation into adipocytes is highly dependent on the production of ROS to initiate the process through activation of multiple interlinked factors that stimulate mitotic clonal expansion and cellular maturation. The signal transducer and activator of transcription family of signaling proteins have accepted roles in adipogenesis and associated lipogenesis. Non-canonical mitochondrial localization of STAT3 and other members of the STAT family however opens up new avenues for investigation of its role in the aforementioned processes. Following recent observations of differences in mitochondrially localized serine 727 phosphorylated STAT3 (mtSTAT3-pS727) in preadipocytes and adipocytes, here, we hypothesize and speculate further on the role of mitochondrial STAT3 in adipogenesis.