FOXQ1 Regulates Brain Endothelial Mitochondrial Function by Orchestrating Calcium Signaling and Cristae Morphology.

ABSTRACT: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintains brain homeostasis through specialized functions including tight junction formation and selective transport of brain endothelial cells (ECs). While ECs are generally thought to rely primarily on glycolysis for energy production, the transcriptional mechanisms underlying their metabolic specialization in the brain endothelium remain poorly understood, especially considering the brain's extraordinary energy demands. Through comparative transcriptomic analysis, it is demonstrated that brain endothelial cells are enriched for mitochondrial function genes, with forkhead box protein 1 (FOXQ1) being selectively expressed in cerebral vasculature. Conditional knockout of Foxq1 in endothelial cells results in severe mitochondrial dysfunction, including disrupte

SUBMITTER: Zou W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12622422 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature