MRTF-A regulates Ca2+ release through CACNA1S

J Biosci. 2021:46:40.

Abstract

Gene therapy is considered a potential treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Researchers have been working on this for many years to find effective therapeutic targets. Here, we found that MRTF-A (myocardin-related transcription factor A) could activate the transcription of L-type Ca2+-channel-related protein CACNA1S (calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 S) by binding to the CarG box in the promoter of CACNA1S. However, increased phosphorylation and decreased expression of MRTF-A were observed, along with the expression of CACNA1S reduced in mdx mice. Further, the decreased expression and increased phosphorylation of MRTF-A could inhibit the release of Ca2+ via CACNA1S. Therefore, MRTF-A may be a potential molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of DMD.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / genetics*
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Humans
  • Ion Transport
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred mdx
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / genetics*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / metabolism
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / pathology
  • Myoblasts / metabolism*
  • Myoblasts / pathology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Signal Transduction
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism

Substances

  • CACNA1S protein, mouse
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • Mrtfa protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • Luciferases
  • Calcium