Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 14, 2025
11:42
Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
9.6K
Long Non-coding RNA Rhabdomyosarcoma 2-Associated Transcript Regulates Angiogenesis in Endothelial Cells
Maha Alaqeeli1, Dominique Mayaki1, Sabah N A Hussain2
1Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada.
Frontiers in Physiology
|November 8, 2021
Summary
Rhabdomyosarcoma 2-associated transcript (RMST) is upregulated in endothelial cells (ECs) under hypoxia and during differentiation. RMST promotes EC survival and migration, highlighting its role in angiogenesis regulation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of angiogenesis.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma 2-associated transcript (RMST) is a lncRNA upregulated by hypoxia in endothelial cells (ECs).
- The specific roles of RMST in EC function remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulation of RMST expression in ECs.
- To determine the functional role of RMST in EC survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation.
- To identify novel lncRNAs involved in angiogenesis regulation.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) to measure RMST isoform levels in HUVECs under various conditions (hypoxia, co-culture, angiogenesis factors).
- Loss-of-function experiments using antisense LNA GapmeRs to assess RMST's role in EC survival, migration, and differentiation.
- Cell counting, crystal violet assays, scratch wound healing, and Matrigel® differentiation assays were employed.
Main Results:
- Five RMST isoforms were detected in HUVECs and HMEC-1s, with specific expression patterns.
- RMST expression increased with hypoxia and EC differentiation but decreased with Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2).
- RMST knockdown impaired EC survival during serum deprivation and inhibited VEGF- and Ang-1-induced EC survival and migration.
Conclusions:
- RMST is expressed in human ECs and its expression is modulated by hypoxia and differentiation.
- RMST is crucial for EC survival and migration, suggesting a significant role in angiogenesis.
- RMST represents a potential therapeutic target for angiogenesis-related diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
2.9K
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl...
2.9K
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
3.9K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.9K
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
9.0K
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
9.0K
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
4.7K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.7K
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
5.6K
Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
5.6K
01:24Small GTPases - Ras and Rho
4.4K
Ras and Rho are small monomeric GTPases that act downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and regulate various cellular processes. These GTPases switch between active and inactive states by binding to guanine nucleotides.
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
4.4K