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The synthesis and characterisation (IR, NMR, HR-MS, and X-ray crystallography) of six oxazoline Zn complexes, containing enolate ligands derived from a series of (Z)-1-R-2-(4',4'-dimethyl-2'-oxazolin-2'-yl)-efh-1-en-1-ols (R=[C.sub.6][H.sub.5], [C.sub.6][H.sub.4]-p-N[O.sub.2], [C.sub.6][H.sub.4]-p-O[CH.sub.3], [CF.sub.3], [CH.sub.3], or [CMe.sub.3]) is detailed. All derivatives are air-stable solids of formula Zn[([L.sup.n]).sub.2] and are formed in the presence of the title ligands and [NEt.sub.3]. Reasonable yields (53%-82%) are obtained with the exception of R= [CMe.sub.3] (9%); in this case, by-product formation and high solubility affected complex isolation. Crystallographic characterisation reveals that in all cases the ligands are bound in a [kappa].sup.2]-N, O-bonding motif. Little structural diversity is noted within the series; these complexes are further placed into structural context with related Zn materials containing oxazoline, phenolate, and (or) Schiff base ligands. Key words: oxazoline, coordination complexes, zinc, enolate, X-ray crystal structure, Introduction The naturally occurring Group 12 elements hold a unique position within coordination chemistry due to the overwhelming predominance of the +2 oxidation state. This is, of course, a result [...]

Genome-wide association studies found that increased risk for atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common human heart arrhythmia, is associated with noncoding sequence variants located in proximity to PITX2. Cardiomyocyte-specific epigenomic and comparative genomics uncovered 2 AF-associated enhancers neighboring PITX2 with varying conservation in mice. Chromosome conformation capture experiments in mice revealed that the Pitx2c promoter directly contacted the AF-associated enhancer regions. CRISPR/Cas9- mediated deletion of a 20-kb topologically engaged enhancer led to reduced Pitx2c transcription and AF predisposition. Allele-specific chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing on hybrid heterozygous enhancer knockout mice revealed that long-range interaction of an AF-associated region with the Pitx2c promoter was required for maintenance of the Pitx2c promoter chromatin state. Long-range looping was mediated by CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), since genetic disruption of the intronic CTCF-binding site caused reduced Pitx2c expression, AF predisposition, and diminished active chromatin marks on Pitx2. AF risk variants located at 4q25 reside in genomic regions possessing long-range transcriptional regulatory functions directed at PITX2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss of the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (Pitx2) in cardiomyocytes predisposes mice to atrial fibrillation and compromises neonatal regenerative capacity. Additionally, Pitx2 gain-of-function protects mature cardiomyocytes from ischemic injury and promotes heart repair. Here, we characterized the long-term myocardial phenotype after MI in Pitx2 conditional-knockout (Pitx2 CKO) mice. We found adipose-like tissue in Pitx2 CKO hearts 60 days after MI induced surgically at postnatal day 2 but not at day 8. Molecular and cellular analyses showed the onset of adipogenic signaling in mutant hearts after MI. Lineage tracing experiments showed a non-cardiomyocyte origin of the de novo adipose-like tissue. Interestingly, we found that Pitx2 promotes mitochondrial function through its gene regulatory network, and that the knock down of a key mitochondrial Pitx2 target gene, Cox7c, also leads to the accumulation of myocardial fat tissue. Single-nuclei RNA-Seq (snRNA-Seq) revealed that Pitx2 deficient hearts were oxidatively stressed. Our findings reveal a role for Pitx2 in maintaining proper cardiac cellular composition during heart regeneration via the maintenance of proper mitochondrial structure and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) is the leading cause of heart failure worldwide, yet the cellular and molecular signature of this disease is largely unclear. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and integrated computational analyses, we profile the transcriptomes of over 99,000 human cardiac nuclei from the non-infarct region of the left ventricle of 7 ICM transplant recipients and 8 non-failing (NF) controls. We find the cellular composition of the ischemic heart is significantly altered, with decreased cardiomyocytes and increased proportions of lymphatic, angiogenic, and arterial endothelial cells in patients with ICM. We show that there is increased LAMININ signaling from endothelial cells to other cell types in ICM compared with NF. Finally, we find that the transcriptional changes that occur in ICM are similar to those in hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies and that the mining of these combined datasets can identify druggable genes that could be used to target end-stage heart failure. [Display omitted] • Cellular expression and composition are altered in ischemic cardiomyopathy • LAMININ signaling from endothelial cells to other cell types increases in disease • Cell-type transcriptional profiles converge across multiple cardiomyopathy subtypes • Potential druggable targets identified for end-stage heart failure Simonson et al. compare non-failing and ischemic cardiomyopathy human left ventricles using snRNA-seq and identify an increase in lymphatic and angiogenic endothelial cells in disease. Transcriptionally, ischemic cardiomyopathy is similar to other cardiomyopathies. Gene targets from this shared expression profile could be explored for therapeutic benefit in end-stage heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to retinal damage, the Müller glial cells (MGs) of the zebrafish retina have the ability to undergo a cellular reprogramming event in which they enter the cell cycle and divide asymmetrically, thereby producing multipotent retinal progenitors capable of regenerating lost retinal neurons. However, mammalian MGs do not exhibit such a proliferative and regenerative ability. Here, we identify Hippo pathway-mediated repression of the transcription cofactor YAP as a core regulatory mechanism that normally blocks mammalian MG proliferation and cellular reprogramming. MG-specific deletion of Hippo pathway components Lats1 and Lats2 , as well as transgenic expression of a Hippo non-responsive form of YAP (YAP5SA), resulted in dramatic Cyclin D1 upregulation, loss of adult MG identity, and attainment of a highly proliferative, progenitor-like cellular state. Our results reveal that mammalian MGs may have latent regenerative capacity that can be stimulated by repressing Hippo signaling. • Hippo represses YAP activity in Müller glial cells of the damaged mammalian retina • Genetic bypass of Hippo signaling causes spontaneous Müller glial proliferation • Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of reprogrammed Müller glia • Hippo prevents Müller glial reprogramming to a proliferative, progenitor-like state Rueda et al. identify the Hippo pathway as an endogenous molecular mechanism normally preventing mammalian Müller glial reprogramming to a proliferative, progenitor-like state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Specialized adult somatic cells, such as cardiomyocytes (CMs), are highly differentiated with poor renewal capacity, an integral reason underlying organ failure in disease and aging. Among the least renewable cells in the human body, CMs renew approximately 1% annually. Consistent with poor CM turnover, heart failure is the leading cause of death. Here, we show that an active version of the Hippo pathway effector YAP, termed YAP5SA, partially reprograms adult mouse CMs to a more fetal and proliferative state. One week after induction, 19% of CMs that enter S-phase do so twice, CM number increases by 40%, and YAP5SA lineage CMs couple to pre-existing CMs. Genomic studies showed that YAP5SA increases chromatin accessibility and expression of fetal genes, partially reprogramming long-lived somatic cells in vivo to a primitive, fetal-like, and proliferative state. Graphical Abstract Highlights • Creation of a mouse conditionally expressing active YAP called YAP5SA • YAP5SA in adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) induces a more primitive transcriptional state • YAP5SA activates developmental enhancers • YAP5SA expression in CMs causes CM hyperplasia and overall heart hypercellularity As highly differentiated cells, cardiomyocytes have poor renewal capacity, a contributing factor to heart failure in aging and disease. Monroe et al. created a mouse conditionally overexpressing active YAP (YAP5SA) and show that YAP5SA expression induces adult cardiomyocytes to adopt a more proliferative state with fetal-like chromatin and transcriptional landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Cellular heterogeneity within the mammalian brain poses a challenge toward understanding its complex functions. Within the olfactory bulb, odor information is processed by subtypes of inhibitory interneurons whose heterogeneity and functionality are influenced by ongoing adult neurogenesis. To investigate this cellular heterogeneity and better understand adult-born neuron development, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing and computational modeling to reveal diverse and transcriptionally distinct neuronal and nonneuronal cell types. We also analyzed molecular changes during adult-born interneuron maturation and uncovered developmental programs within their gene expression profiles. Finally, we identified that distinct neuronal subtypes are differentially affected by sensory experience. Together, these data provide a transcriptome-based foundation for investigating subtype-specific neuronal function in the olfactory bulb (OB), charting the molecular profiles that arise during the maturation and integration of adult-born neurons and how they dynamically change in an activity-dependent manner. Graphical Abstract Highlights • Single-cell sequencing reveals cellular heterogeneity in the mouse olfactory bulb • Differential gene expression uncovers selective markers for cell types • Pseudotemporal ordering of adult-born neurons reveals developmentally governed genes • Olfactory experience changes the cellular composition of olfactory bulb circuits Using single-cell sequencing, Tepe et al. describe cellular heterogeneity in the mouse olfactory bulb, uncover markers for each cell type, and reveal differentially regulated genes in adult-born neurons. These findings provide a framework for studying cell-type-specific functions and circuit integration in the mammalian brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary During development, progenitors progress through transition states. The cardiac epicardium contains progenitors of essential non-cardiomyocytes. The Hippo pathway, a kinase cascade that inhibits the Yap transcriptional co-factor, controls organ size in developing hearts. Here, we investigated Hippo kinases Lats1 and Lats2 in epicardial diversification. Epicardial-specific deletion of Lats1/2 was embryonic lethal, and mutant embryos had defective coronary vasculature remodeling. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that Lats1/2 mutant cells failed to activate fibroblast differentiation but remained in an intermediate cell state with both epicardial and fibroblast characteristics. Lats1/2 mutant cells displayed an arrested developmental trajectory with persistence of epicardial markers and expanded expression of Yap targets Dhrs3, an inhibitor of retinoic acid synthesis, and Dpp4, a protease that modulates extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. Genetic and pharmacologic manipulation revealed that Yap inhibits fibroblast differentiation, prolonging a subepicardial-like cell state, and promotes expression of matricellular factors, such as Dpp4, that define ECM characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]