Mel-18, a mammalian Polycomb gene, regulates angiogenic gene expression of endothelial cells.
Mel-18 is a mammalian homolog of Polycomb group (PcG) genes. Microarray analysis revealed that Mel-18 expression was induced during endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) differentiation and correlates with the expression of EC-specific protein markers. Overexpression of Mel-18 promoted EPC differentiation and angiogenic activity of ECs. Accordingly, silencing Mel-18 inhibited EC migration and tube formation in vitro. Gene expression profiling showed that Mel-18 regulates angiogenic genes including kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), claudin 5, and angiopoietin-like 2. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that Mel-18 plays a significant role in the angiogenic function of ECs by regulating endothelial gene expression.
Jung
Ji-Hye
JH
Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Choi
Hyun-Jung
HJ
Maeng
Yong-Sun
YS
Choi
Jung-Yeon
JY
Kim
Minhyung
M
Kwon
Ja-Young
JY
Park
Yong-Won
YW
Kim
Young-Myeong
YM
Hwang
Daehee
D
Kwon
Young-Guen
YG
D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000235:genetics*; D063150:Polycomb Repressive Complex 1; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
C489348:PCGF2 protein, human; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D063150:Polycomb Repressive Complex 1