Elevation of miR-221 and -222 in the internal mammary arteries of diabetic subjects and normalization with metformin.

Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is associated with increased intimal thickening and accelerated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. We measured the expression of two microRNAs that promote intimal thickening, miR-221/222, and mRNA encoding a downstream target, p27(Kip1), in internal mammary artery (IMA) segments collected from 37 subjects undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The segments were stratified into three groups: non-diabetic subjects (ND), diabetic subjects not on metformin (DMMet-), and diabetic subjects on metformin (DMMet+). The DMMet- group exhibited a significant increase in miR-221/222 and decrease in p27(Kip1) mRNA compared to both the ND and DMMet+ groups. miR-221/222 levels inversely correlated with metformin dose. VSMCs isolated from the IMAs of the DMMet- group proliferate at a faster rate than those of the ND and DMMet+ groups. Further studies into the importance of miR-221/222 in the increased intimal thickening observed in diabetic subjects is warranted.

Novel Sfp1 transcriptional regulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene expression changes during spaceflight.

This study identifies transcriptional regulation of stress response element (STRE) genes in space in the model eukaryotic organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To determine transcription-factor dependence, gene expression changes in space were examined in strains bearing green fluorescent protein-tagged (GFP-tagged) reporters for YIL052C (Sfp1 dependent with stress), YST-2 (Sfp1/Rap1 dependent with stress), or SSA4 (Msn4 dependent with stress), along with strains of SSA4-GFP and YIL052C-GFP with individual deletions of the Msn4 or Sfp1. When compared to parallel ground controls, spaceflight induces significant gene expression changes in SSA4 (35% decrease) and YIL052C (45% decrease), while expression of YST-2 (0.08% decrease) did not change. In space, deletion of Sfp1 reversed the SSA4 gene expression effect (0.00% change), but Msn4 deletion yielded a similar decrease in SSA4 expression (34% change), which indicates that SSA4 gene expression is dependent on the Sfp1 transcription factor in space, unlike other stresses. For YIL052C, deletion of Sfp1 reversed the effect (0.01% change), and the Msn4 deletion maintained the decrease in expression (30% change), which indicates that expression of YIL052C is also dependent on Sfp1 in space. Spaceflight has selective and specific effects on SSA4 and YIL052C gene expression, indicated by novel dependence on Sfp1.

Transcriptional regulation of changes in growth, cell cycle, and gene expression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae due to changes in buoyancy.

To understand the cellular effects of magnetic traps requires independent analysis of the effects of magnetic field, gravity, and buoyancy. In the current study, buoyancy is manipulated by addition of Ficoll, a viscous substance that can create gradients of buoyancy without significantly affecting osmolality. Specifically, we investigated whether Ficoll induces concentration dependent changes in cell growth, cell cycle, and gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with special attention paid to the neutrally buoyant concentration of 35% Ficoll. Cell growth and cell cycle analysis were examined in three strains: wild-type (WT) yeast and strains with deletions in transcription factors Msn4 (Msn4Delta) or Sfp1 (Sfp1Delta). Changes in growth were observed in all three strains with WT and Msn4Delta strains showing strong concentration dependence. In addition, these changes in growth were supported by changes in the cell cycle of all three strains. Gene expression changes were observed in seven GFP-reporter strains including: SSA4, YIL052C, YST2, Msn4DeltaSSA4, Sfp1DeltaSSA4, Msn4DeltaYIL052C, and Sfp1DeltaYIL052C. Buoyancy forces had selective concentration dependent effects on gene expression of SSA4 and YIL052C with transcription factor dependence on Msn4. Additionally, SSA4 expression was dependent on Sfp1. YST2 gene expression was not dependent on changes in buoyancy force. This study shows that buoyancy has selective and concentration dependent effects on growth, cell cycle and gene expression, some of which are Msn4 and Sfp1 dependent. For the first time, SSA4 gene expression is shown to be dependent on Sfp1 and YIL052C gene expression is dependent on Msn4.

Diamagnetic levitation changes growth, cell cycle, and gene expression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Inhomogeneous magnetic fields are used in magnetic traps to levitate biological specimens by exploiting the natural diamagnetism of virtually all materials. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, this report investigates whether magnetic field (B) induces changes in growth, cell cycle, and gene expression. Comparison to the effects of gravity and temperature allowed determination of whether the responses are general pathways or stimulus specific. Growth and cell cycle analysis were examined in wild-type (WT) yeast and strains with deletions in transcription factors Msn4 or Sfp1. Msn4, Sfp1, and Rap1 have been implicated in responses to physical forces, but only Msn4 and Sfp1 deletions are viable. Gene expression changes were examined in strains bearing GFP-tagged reporters for YIL052C (Sfp1-dependent), YST-2 (Sfp1/Rap1-dependent), or SSA4 (Msn4-dependent). The cell growth and gene expression responses were highly stimulus specific. B increased growth only following Msn4 or Sfp1 deletion, associated with decreased G1 and G2/M and increased S phase of the cell cycle. In addition, B suppressed expression of both YIL052C and YST2. Gravity decreased growth in an Sfp1 but not Msn4-dependent manner, in association with decreased G2/M and increased S phase of the cell cycle. Additionally, gravity decreased expression of SSA4 and YIL052C genes. Temperature increased cell growth in an Msn4- and Sfp1-dependent manner in association with increased G1 and G2/M with decreased S phase of the cell cycle. In addition, temperature increased YIL052C gene expression. This study shows that B has selective effects on cell growth, cell cycle, and gene expression that are stimulus specific.