Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-ζ1 deletion triggers defective heart morphogenesis in mice and zebrafish

Stamatiki Katraki-Pavlou1,2, Pinelopi Kastana1, Dimitris Bousis1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.

Insights

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor ζ1 (PTPRZ1) is crucial for fetal heart development, impacting cardiac morphogenesis and function. Loss of PTPRZ1 in animal models leads to heart defects, suggesting its role in congenital cardiac pathologies.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Molecular Cardiology

Background:

  • Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor ζ1 (PTPRZ1) is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine phosphatase.
  • PTPRZ1 is highly expressed in embryonic stem cells and fetal heart tissues.
  • Its role in heart development was previously unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PTPRZ1 in heart development and function.
  • To analyze the impact of PTPRZ1 deficiency on cardiac morphogenesis and contractility.
  • To explore the potential involvement of PTPRZ1 in congenital cardiac pathologies.

Main Methods:

  • Gene expression analysis in PTPRZ1 knockout (Ptprz1-/-) and wild-type (Ptprz1+/+) mice.
  • Echocardiography to assess cardiac function in knockout and wild-type mice.
  • Generation and analysis of a zebrafish ptprz1-/- knockout model.
  • Pharmacological inhibition of PTPRZ1 in zebrafish.

Main Results:

  • PTPRZ1 deficiency in mice resulted in dilated left ventricle, decreased ejection fraction, and impaired systolic/diastolic function without hypertrophy.
  • Zebrafish ptprz1-/- mutants exhibited cardiac developmental defects, including enlarged ventricles and reduced contractility.
  • PTPRZ1 inhibition affected zebrafish heart development similarly to knockout models, but not adult heart function.
  • PTPRZ1 expression is high in the fetal human heart but negligible in the adult heart.

Conclusions:

  • PTPRZ1 plays a significant role in regulating cardiac morphogenesis and function during fetal development.
  • Loss of PTPRZ1 function leads to specific cardiac abnormalities observed in both mouse and zebrafish models.
  • PTPRZ1 is a potential candidate for involvement in idiopathic congenital cardiac pathologies.

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