Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Improved Generation of Induced Cardiomyocytes Using a Polycistronic Construct Expressing Optimal Ratio of Gata4, Mef2c and Tbx5
10:05

Improved Generation of Induced Cardiomyocytes Using a Polycistronic Construct Expressing Optimal Ratio of Gata4, Mef2c and Tbx5

Published on: November 13, 2015

Regulation of cardiac myocyte apoptosis by the GATA-4 transcription factor

Yuichiro J Suzuki1, Todd Evans

  • 1Cell & Molecular Nutrition Program, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Department of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA. yuichiro_sukuki@hotmail.com

Life Sciences
|February 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The GATA-4 transcription factor regulates cardiac myocyte apoptosis and survival. Restoring GATA-4 levels protects the heart against anthracycline-induced cell death and oxidative stress.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cardiac muscle cell apoptosis is a key factor in heart diseases like myocardial infarction.
  • Understanding apoptosis regulation is crucial for developing heart disease therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the GATA-4 transcription factor in cardiac myocyte apoptosis and survival.
  • To explore GATA-4's involvement in heart disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Examined the effect of anthracyclines on GATA-4 expression in cardiac myocytes.
  • Investigated the impact of restoring GATA-4 levels on anthracycline-induced apoptosis.
  • Assessed the activation of GATA-4 by survival factors like hepatocyte growth factor and endothelin-1.

Main Results:

  • Anthracycline-induced apoptosis correlated with decreased GATA-4 expression.
  • Ectopic expression of GATA-4 attenuated anthracycline-induced cardiac myocyte apoptosis.
  • Survival factors activate GATA-4, contributing to cardiac myocyte protection.

Conclusions:

  • GATA-4 is a critical regulator of cardiac myocyte apoptosis and survival.
  • GATA-4 plays a protective role against oxidative stress and anthracycline toxicity in the heart.
  • Targeting GATA-4 may offer a therapeutic strategy for heart diseases.

More Related Videos

Suppression of Pro-fibrotic Signaling Potentiates Factor-mediated Reprogramming of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts into Induced Cardiomyocytes09:16

Suppression of Pro-fibrotic Signaling Potentiates Factor-mediated Reprogramming of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts into Induced Cardiomyocytes

Published on: June 3, 2018

Assessing Cardiomyocyte Subtypes Following Transcription Factor-mediated Reprogramming of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts09:29

Assessing Cardiomyocyte Subtypes Following Transcription Factor-mediated Reprogramming of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

Published on: March 22, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Caspases01:24

Caspases

Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.
Overview of Cell Death01:30

Overview of Cell Death

Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...