Cardiac Actions of a Small Molecule Inhibitor Targeting GATA4-NKX2-5 Interaction

Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 15;8(1):4611. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-22830-8.

Abstract

Transcription factors are fundamental regulators of gene transcription, and many diseases, such as heart diseases, are associated with deregulation of transcriptional networks. In the adult heart, zinc-finger transcription factor GATA4 is a critical regulator of cardiac repair and remodelling. Previous studies also suggest that NKX2-5 plays function role as a cofactor of GATA4. We have recently reported the identification of small molecules that either inhibit or enhance the GATA4-NKX2-5 transcriptional synergy. Here, we examined the cardiac actions of a potent inhibitor (3i-1000) of GATA4-NKX2-5 interaction in experimental models of myocardial ischemic injury and pressure overload. In mice after myocardial infarction, 3i-1000 significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and attenuated myocardial structural changes. The compound also improved cardiac function in an experimental model of angiotensin II -mediated hypertension in rats. Furthermore, the up-regulation of cardiac gene expression induced by myocardial infarction and ischemia reduced with treatment of 3i-1000 or when micro- and nanoparticles loaded with 3i-1000 were injected intramyocardially or intravenously, respectively. The compound inhibited stretch- and phenylephrine-induced hypertrophic response in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. These results indicate significant potential for small molecules targeting GATA4-NKX2-5 interaction to promote myocardial repair after myocardial infarction and other cardiac injuries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / toxicity
  • Animals
  • GATA4 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • GATA4 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5 / metabolism
  • Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Hypertension / metabolism
  • Hypertension / pathology
  • Hypertension / prevention & control*
  • Isoxazoles / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myocardial Infarction / metabolism
  • Myocardial Infarction / pathology
  • Myocardial Infarction / prevention & control*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / drug effects*
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reperfusion Injury / metabolism
  • Reperfusion Injury / pathology
  • Reperfusion Injury / prevention & control*
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*

Substances

  • GATA4 Transcription Factor
  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5
  • Isoxazoles
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Angiotensin II