We completed our original Specific Aims directed at studying the effects of Al adenosine receptor (A1AR) activation on the developing heart. We found that adenosine is the dominant humoral regulator of embryonic cardiac function, that early A1AR expression results from NKX2.5 and GATA4 activation of the A1AR promoter, and that A1AR activation inhibits cardiac cell division leading to cardiac hypoplasia. We also expanded our studies to examine cardiac effector systems during early heart formation. In the course of these experiments we found that Rho GTPase signaling plays a very important role in heart formation. In this competitive renewal, we will focus on the influence of Rho GTPase activity on mammalian cardiac development and the regulation of Rho activity by receptors for adenosine and other neuromodulators. GTPases are small intracellular signaling molecules that transduce the effects of extracellular signals and include Rho, which activates Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) to influence important cellular events. Recent evidence suggests that these factors play essential roles in the mature myocardium. Yet, their role in heart development is not known. Suggesting that GTPases are important in heart formation, we found that blockade of the Rho/ROCK effector system leads to major cardiac malformations. Thus, we hypothesize that Rho GTPases play a critical role in heart formation. We also hypothesize that cardiac Rho/ROCK activity is regulated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) during early developmental stages. To test these hypotheses and provide insights into the role of GTPases in the developing heart, the following Specific Aims are proposed. (1) We will characterize the temporal and spatial patterns of Rho/ROCK expression during embryogenesis. (2) We will examine the effects of Rho/ROCK signaling on heart development. (3) We will examine mechanisms by which Rho/ROCK action effects heart development. (4) We will examine GPCR regulation of Rho/ROCK activity in the embryonic heart. These experiments will build on the experience we acquired in studying the effects of adenosine on the developing heart. We anticipate that these studies will identify Rho and ROCK as critical signaling molecules in heart development and reveal that cardiac GTPase activity transduces the effects of adenosine.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01HL058442-05
Application #
6439005
Study Section
Human Embryology and Development Subcommittee 1 (HED)
Program Officer
Pearson, Gail D
Project Start
1997-08-15
Project End
2005-11-30
Budget Start
2001-12-01
Budget End
2002-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$327,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Yale University
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
082359691
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06520
Rivkees, Scott A; Wendler, Christopher C (2017) Long-term consequences of disrupting adenosine signaling during embryonic development. Mol Aspects Med 55:110-117
Wendler, Christopher C; Busovsky-McNeal, Melissa; Ghatpande, Satish et al. (2009) Embryonic caffeine exposure induces adverse effects in adulthood. FASEB J 23:1272-8
Ghatpande, Satish K; Billington Jr, Charles J; Rivkees, Scott A et al. (2008) Hypoxia induces cardiac malformations via A1 adenosine receptor activation in chicken embryos. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol 82:121-30
Wendler, Christopher C; Amatya, Salina; McClaskey, Carolyn et al. (2007) A1 adenosine receptors play an essential role in protecting the embryo against hypoxia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104:9697-702
Wendler, Christopher C; Rivkees, Scott A (2006) Sphingosine-1-phosphate inhibits cell migration and endothelial to mesenchymal cell transformation during cardiac development. Dev Biol 291:264-77
Zhao, Zhiyong; Rivkees, Scott A (2004) Rho-associated kinases play a role in endocardial cell differentiation and migration. Dev Biol 275:183-91
Gascard, Philippe; Parra, Marilyn K; Zhao, Zhiyong et al. (2004) Putative tumor suppressor protein 4.1B is differentially expressed in kidney and brain via alternative promoters and 5' alternative splicing. Biochim Biophys Acta 1680:71-82
Porter Jr, George A; Makuck, Ryan F; Rivkees, Scott A (2003) Intracellular calcium plays an essential role in cardiac development. Dev Dyn 227:280-90
Zhao, Zhiyong; Rivkees, Scott A (2003) Rho-associated kinases play an essential role in cardiac morphogenesis and cardiomyocyte proliferation. Dev Dyn 226:24-32
Porter Jr, George A; Makuck, Ryan F; Rivkees, Scott A (2002) Reduction in intracellular calcium levels inhibits myoblast differentiation. J Biol Chem 277:28942-7

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