Initiating Events in Direct Cardiomyocyte Reprogramming

Kimberly Sauls, Todd M. Greco, Li Wang, Meng Zou, Michelle Villasmil, Li Qian, Ileana M. Cristea, Frank L. Conlon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocyte-like cells (iCM) holds great potential for heart regeneration and disease modeling and may lead to future therapeutic applications. Currently, application of this technology is limited by our lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive direct iCM reprogramming. Using a quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach, we identified the temporal global changes in protein abundance that occur during initial phases of iCM reprogramming. Collectively, our results show systematic and temporally distinct alterations in levels of specific functional classes of proteins during the initiating steps of reprogramming including extracellular matrix proteins, translation factors, and chromatin-binding proteins. We have constructed protein relational networks associated with the initial transition of a fibroblast into an iCM. These findings demonstrate the presence of an orchestrated series of temporal steps associated with dynamic changes in protein abundance in a defined group of protein pathways during the initiating events of direct reprogramming. Translational application of direct reprogramming into cardiomyocyte-like cells is limited by our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying initiating steps. Sauls et al. define an orchestrated series of temporal changes in the abundance of proteins and protein pathways during early stages of cardiac reprogramming.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1913-1922
Number of pages10
JournalCell Reports
Volume22
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 13 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Keywords

  • cardiac
  • direct reprogramming
  • heart
  • iCM
  • induced cardiomyocytes
  • quantitative mass spectrometry

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