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StarD7 deficiency hinders cell motility through p-ERK1/2/Cx43 reduction
Mariano Cruz Del Puerto1,2, María Laura Rojas1,2, Ana Cristina Racca1,2
1Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina.
Plos One
|December 30, 2022
Summary
StarD7 protein regulates cell migration by affecting connexin 43 (Cx43) and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. This regulation is independent of StarD7
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Protein Function
Background:
- StarD7 is a START protein family member involved in lipid transport, metabolism, and signaling.
- StarD7 has two isoforms: StarD7.I (mitochondrial) and StarD7.II (cytosolic).
- StarD7 knockdown impairs cell migration via an unclear mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism by which StarD7 influences cell migration.
- To investigate the roles of StarD7 isoforms in cell migration and associated molecular pathways.
Main Methods:
- StarD7 knockdown in HTR-8/SVneo cells.
- Analysis of connexin 43 (Cx43), integrin β1, and p-ERK1/2 expression.
- Assessment of Golgi structure and microtubule-organizing center reorientation.
- Restoration of Cx43 levels and ectopic expression of StarD7.II isoform.
Main Results:
- StarD7 silencing reduced Cx43, integrin β1, and p-ERK1/2 expression, disrupted Golgi, and impaired cell migration.
- Restoring Cx43 levels rescued cell migration, but p-ERK1/2 remained low.
- Ectopic StarD7.II expression restored cell migration and Cx43, ERK1/2, and integrin β1 levels.
Conclusions:
- StarD7 regulates cell migration through an ERK1/2/Cx43 dependent pathway.
- The StarD7.II isoform is crucial for restoring cell migration and associated protein expression.
- StarD7's role in migration is independent of its mitochondrial StarD7.I function.
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