RYBP is important for cardiac progenitor cell development and sarcomere formation

PLoS One. 2020 Jul 16;15(7):e0235922. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235922. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

We have previously established that epigenetic regulator RING1 and YY1 binding protein (RYBP) is required for the contractility of embryonic stem (ES) cell derived cardiomyocytes (CMCs), suggesting its essential role in contractility. In order to investigate the underlying molecular events of this phenotype, we compared the transcriptomic profile of the wild type and Rybp null mutant ES cells and CMCs differentiated from these cell lines. We identified genes related to ion homeostasis, cell adhesion and sarcomeric organization affected in the Rybp null mutant CMCs, by using hierarchical gene clustering and Gene Ontology analysis. We have also demonstrated that the amount of RYBP is drastically reduced in the terminally differentiated wild type CMCs whilst it is broadly expressed in the early phase of differentiation when progenitors form. We also describe that RYBP is important for the proper expression of key cardiac transcription factors including Mesp1, Shh and Mef2c. These findings identify Rybp as a gene important for both early cardiac gene transcription and consequent sarcomere formation necessary for contractility. Since impairment of sarcomeric function and contractility plays a central role in reduced cardiac pump function leading to heart failures in human, current results might be relevant to the pathophysiology of cardiomyopathies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Hedgehog Proteins / genetics
  • Hedgehog Proteins / metabolism
  • Ion Channels / genetics
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / deficiency
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Sarcomeres / physiology*

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Ion Channels
  • Mesp1 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Rybp protein, mouse
  • Shh protein, mouse

Grants and funding

Funding: This work was supported by National Research, Development and Innovation Office GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00001 and GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00039. H.S. is a Stipendium Hungaricum fellow. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.