Aminoacyl-Transfer RNA Synthetase Deficiency Promotes Angiogenesis via the Unfolded Protein Response Pathway

Daniel Castranova, Andrew E. Davis, Brigid D. Lo, Mayumi F. Miller, Paul J. Paukstelis, Matthew R. Swift, Van N. Pham, Jesús Torres-Vázquez, Kameha Bell, Kenna M. Shaw, Makoto Kamei, Brant M. Weinstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective - Understanding the mechanisms regulating normal and pathological angiogenesis is of great scientific and clinical interest. In this report, we show that mutations in 2 different aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases, threonyl tRNA synthetase (tarsy58) or isoleucyl tRNA synthetase (iarsy68), lead to similar increased branching angiogenesis in developing zebrafish. Approach and Results - The unfolded protein response pathway is activated by aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetase deficiencies, and we show that unfolded protein response genes atf4, atf6, and xbp1, as well as the key proangiogenic ligand vascular endothelial growth factor (vegfaa), are all upregulated in tarsy58 and iarsy68 mutants. Finally, we show that the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase-activating transcription factor 4 arm of the unfolded protein response pathway is necessary for both the elevated vegfaa levels and increased angiogenesis observed in tarsy58 mutants. Conclusions - Our results suggest that endoplasmic reticulum stress acts as a proangiogenic signal via unfolded protein response pathway-dependent upregulation of vegfaa.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)655-662
Number of pages8
JournalArteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Volume36
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 1 Apr 2016

Keywords

  • endoplasmic reticulum
  • pathologic neovascularization
  • protein kinases
  • unfolded protein response
  • vascular endothelial growth factor A
  • zebrafish

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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