LIM protein Ajuba promotes liver cell proliferation through its involvement in DNA replication and DNA damage control

Abstract

The LIM-domain protein Ajuba is associated with cell proliferation, a fundamental process of tissue regeneration and cancer. We report that in the liver, Ajuba expression is increased during regeneration and in tumour cells and tissues. Knockout of Ajuba using CRISPR/Cas9 is embryonic lethal in mice. shRNA targeting of Ajuba reduces cell proliferation, delays cell entry into Sphase, reduces cell survival and tumour growth in vivo and increases expression of the DNA damage marker γH2AX. Ajuba binding partners include proteins involved in DNA replication and damage, such as SKP2, MCM2, MCM7 and RPA70. Taken together, our data support that Ajuba promotes liver cell proliferation associated with development, regeneration and tumour growth and is involved in DNA replication and damage repair.

Molecular Mechanisms of circRNA–miRNA–mRNA Interactions in the Regulation of Goose Liver Development

“…Similarly, the DEmiRNA target genes were predominantly enriched in pathways such as fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, the PPAR signaling pathway, DNA replication, and the cell cycle. DNA replication and cell cycle pathways are crucial for liver development and hepatocyte proliferation [ 74 , 75 ]. In overfed geese with fatty liver, genes related to fatty acid metabolism, PPAR signaling, and cell cycle pathways are significantly differentially expressed [ 76 ].…”