Neuregulin-1 increases connexin-40 and connexin-45 expression in embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2014 Sep;174(2):483-93. doi: 10.1007/s12010-014-1089-6. Epub 2014 Jul 31.

Abstract

Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) is a vital factor involved in heart development. NRG-1 up-regulated connexin-40 (Cx40) in mice fetal cardiomyocytes has been reported, while the effect of NRG-1 on expression of connexins in embryonic stem cells-derived cardiomyocytes (ESCMs) is limited studied. The process of cardiomyocytes differentiated from embryonic stem cells with or without NRG-1 treatment was observed continuously. Exposure to NRG-1 increased the expression of Cx40 and connexin-45 (Cx45) in ESCMs, while the expression of connexin-43 was unchanged regardless of NRG-1 treatment Western blot analysis also confirmed that the expression of Cx40 and Cx45 in the beating foci was increased in the presence of NRG-1. These results indicate that connexins are differentially regulated by exogenous NRG-1 during cardiomyocytic differentiation of embryonic stem cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Connexins / genetics
  • Connexins / metabolism*
  • DNA Primers
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Gap Junction alpha-5 Protein
  • Mice
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Neuregulin-1 / physiology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Connexins
  • DNA Primers
  • Neuregulin-1
  • Nrg1 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • connexin 45