Investigation of the functional and molecular mechanism of RNA-binding protein PCBP1 in the heart

• Grant number: 17/04899-9
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Effective date (Start): June 20, 2017
• Effective date (End): June 19, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Edilamar Menezes de Oliveira
• Grantee: Tiago Fernandes
• Supervisor abroad: Da Zhi Wang
• Home Institution: Escola de Educação Física e Esporte (EEFE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Local de pesquisa : Harvard University, Boston, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/17275-8 - Role of microRNA-205 in the angiogenic deficit mediated by FAK signaling in hypertension: effect of exercise training and perspective of the therapeutic potential, BP.PD

Abstract

Cardiomyopathy is a common human disorder that is characterized by contractile dysfunction and cardiac remodeling, generally accompanied by exercise intolerance and skeletal muscle abnormalities. Genetic mutations and altered expression of genes encoding many signaling molecules and contractile proteins are associated with cardiomyopathy; however, how cardiomyocytes sense pathophysiological stresses in order to then modulate cardiac remodeling and function remains poorly understood. Poly(C)-binding proteins (PCBPs) are known as RNA-binding proteins that play important roles in gene expression via their ability to bind poly(C) regions. They are involved mainly in various posttranscriptional regulations (e.g., mRNA stabilization or translational activation/silencing). PCBP1 in particular acts at multiple levels in the expression process: as a translational repressor, a transcriptional coactivator, and as a regulator of RNA splicing. However, the role of PCBP1 remains to be further determined in the heart. Here, we plan to investigate the functional and molecular mechanism of RNA-binding protein PCBP1 in the heart. For a better characterization of PCBP1, we will performer in silico analysis by look into the PCBP1 locus and examine the expression of the putative long noncoding RNA, map the interaction domains and potential PCBP1 binding RNAs. We will evaluate the expression of human PCBP1 genes in diseased heart samples and the expression of PCBP1 (mRNAs and proteins) in MDX mice (heart and skeletal muscle). We will generate the cardiac specific PCBP1-KO mice to evaluate the PCBP1 involvement on cardiac function and remodeling. After this, we will study molecular mechanisms by downstream genes/pathway in these animals. Clearly the identification of additional binding targets and delineation of corresponding control mechanisms and effector pathways will establish highly informative models for further exploration.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GOMES, CLARISSA P. C.; DE GONZALO-CALVO, DAVID; TORO, ROCIO; FERNANDES, TIAGO; THEISEN, DANIEL; WANG, DA-ZHI; DEVAUX, YVAN; NETWORK, CARDIOLINCTM. Non-coding RNAs and exercise: pathophysiological role and clinical application in the cardiovascular system. Clinical Science, v. 132, n. 9, p. 925-942, MAY 23 2018. Web of Science Citations: 3.