RNA-binding proteins in cardiovascular biology and disease: the beat goes on

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Molecular Cardiology
• Post-transcriptional Regulation

Background:

• Cardiac development and function are increasingly understood through signaling, transcriptional, and epigenetic mechanisms.
• The post-transcriptional landscape, particularly RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), remains largely unexplored in cardiac biology.
• Recent discoveries of numerous RBPs in mammalian hearts present new opportunities for understanding cardiac intricacies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review progress and new concepts in RNA-binding protein and RNA biology.
• To contextualize these advances within common cardiovascular clinical conditions.
• To highlight the potential of RBPs in addressing knowledge gaps and improving cardiovascular treatments.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of current research on RBPs in cardiac biology.
• Appraisal of RBP roles from cellular and organ-wide perspectives.
• Discussion of clinical implications for cardiovascular diseases.

Main Results:

• Significant progress has been made in identifying and characterizing RBPs in the heart.
• RBPs play critical roles in cardiac development, metabolism, and adaptive responses.
• Understanding RBPs offers novel perspectives on cardiovascular disease mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Further investigation into cardiac RBPs is essential for advancing cardiology.
• Targeting RBPs may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
• This review provides a foundation for future research on RBPs in cardiovascular health and disease.