We have recently demonstrated that Related Transcription Enhance Factor-1 (RTEF-1) is a transcription factor in endothelial cells. We have also determined that angiogenic factors such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a transcriptional target of RTEF-1 in vitro. In addition, we established that RTEF-1 expression is enhanced under hypoxic conditions. The goal in this proposal is to further define the role played by RTEF-1 in endothelial cells. We hypothesize that RTEF-1 is involved in the hypoxia-related angiogenesis process. Presumably RTEF-1 plays an important role in improvement of myocardial ischemic injury via angiogenic activities of its target genes. We propose molecular, genetic, and genomic approaches to determine the cellular and physiologic role of RTEF-1 in regulation of endothelium-dependent events in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, in Aim1, we will identify the target genes of RTEF-1 in endothelial cells and attempt to understand how common GC-rich areas of these genes' promoter interact with RTEF-1. We will focus on FGFR1 and COX-2 promoter activity though the binding of the GC rich area, and aim to define the binding elements interacting with RTEF-1 using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and mutagenesis methods. We will also study the endothelial cell lines with RTEF-1 overexpression, RTEF-1 dominant-negative construct and RTEF-1 siRNA to determine the role of RTEF-1 in angiogenesis using in vitro angiogenesis assays.
In Aim 2, we will determine the mechanism of regulation of RTEF-1 in hypoxia and attempt to identify signaling pathways in RTEF-1 activation in hypoxic endothelial cells. We will determine the modulation of RTEF-1 expression and phosphorylation in response to hypoxia via MAP kinase pathway using in vivo protein phosphorylation assay, pharmacological inhibitors and immunochemical assays. Further, we will characterize the functional consequences of HIF-1a signaling on RTEF-1 promoter activity. Finally, in Aim 3, we will examine the role of RTEF-1 in myocardial ischemia through the angiogenic effects of its target genes. We will use retrovirus-RTEF-1 and RTEF-1 trangenic mice with VE-cadherin promoter in a myocardial ischemia model to determine angiogenic response. Our approach is a new, multidisciplinary paradigm for the study of transcription factors that will be of an obvious benefit in helping us understand the vascular role of RTEF-1. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL082837-02
Application #
7394406
Study Section
Myocardial Ischemia and Metabolism Study Section (MIM)
Program Officer
Gao, Yunling
Project Start
2007-04-09
Project End
2012-03-31
Budget Start
2008-04-01
Budget End
2009-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$425,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071723621
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02215
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Messmer-Blust, Angela F; Zhang, Cuili; Shie, Jue-Lon et al. (2012) Related transcriptional enhancer factor 1 increases endothelial-dependent microvascular relaxation and proliferation. J Vasc Res 49:249-59
An, Xiaojin; Jin, Yi; Philbrick, Melissa J et al. (2012) Endothelial cells require related transcription enhancer factor-1 for cell-cell connections through the induction of gap junction proteins. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 32:1951-9
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Jin, Yi; An, Xiaojin; Ye, Zelian et al. (2009) RGS5, a hypoxia-inducible apoptotic stimulator in endothelial cells. J Biol Chem 284:23436-43
An, Xiaojin; Jin, Yi; Guo, Hongnian et al. (2009) Response gene to complement 32, a novel hypoxia-regulated angiogenic inhibitor. Circulation 120:617-27
Messmer-Blust, Angela; An, Xiaojin; Li, Jian (2009) Hypoxia-regulated angiogenic inhibitors. Trends Cardiovasc Med 19:252-6