title: Cysteine-rich LIM-only proteins CRP1 and CRP2 are potent smooth muscle differentiation cofactors.
abstract: Cysteine-rich LIM-only proteins, CRP1 and CRP2, expressed during cardiovascular development act as bridging molecules that associate with serum response factor and GATA proteins. SRF-CRP-GATA complexes strongly activated smooth muscle gene targets. CRP2 was found in the nucleus during early stages of coronary smooth muscle differentiation from proepicardial cells. A dominant-negative CRP2 mutant blocked proepicardial cells from differentiating into smooth muscle cells. Together with SRF and GATA proteins, CRP1 and CRP2 converted pluripotent 10T1/2 fibroblasts into smooth muscle cells, while muscle LIM protein CRP3 inhibited the conversion. Thus, LIM-only proteins of the CRP family play important roles in organizing multiprotein complexes, both in the cytoplasm, where they participate in cytoskeletal remodeling, and in the nucleus, where they strongly facilitate smooth muscle differentiation.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Cardiovascular Development, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Narasimhaswamy S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Belaguli
authors.forename: Dinakar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iyer
authors.forename: Wilmer B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: San-Pin
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xiu-Rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Joseph G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: Mary Shannon
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Beckerle
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Majesky
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins; D022782:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D050981:Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011485:Protein Binding; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D026362:Serum Response Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D030161:Avian Proteins; D022782:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D050981:Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D026362:Serum Response Factor; D014157:Transcription Factors