PCSK9 regulates the NODAL signaling pathway and cellular proliferation in hiPSCs.

ABSTRACT: Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a key regulator of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol metabolism and the target of lipid-lowering drugs. PCSK9 is mainly expressed in hepatocytes. Here, we show that PCSK9 is highly expressed in undifferentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). PCSK9 inhibition in hiPSCs with the use of short hairpin RNA (shRNA), CRISPR/cas9-mediated knockout, or endogenous PCSK9 loss-of-function mutation R104C/V114A unveiled its new role as a potential cell cycle regulator through the NODAL signaling pathway. In fact, PCSK9 inhibition leads to a decrease of SMAD2 phosphorylation and hiPSCs proliferation. Conversely, PCSK9 overexpression stimulates hiPSCs proliferation. PCSK9 can interfere with the NODAL pathway by regulating the

SUBMITTER: Roudaut M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8693623 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature