Carnitine O-octanoyltransferase (CROT) deficiency in mice leads to an increase of omega-3 fatty acids.

Carnitine O-octanoyltransferase (CROT) is a well-established peroxisomal enzyme involved in liver fatty acid oxidation, but less is known about its recently discovered role in promoting vascular calcification, and whether CROT-dependent liver metabolism contributes to the latter. To date, CROT function in the context of calcification potential has been conducted in the dyslipidemic low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient () mice. To differentiate peroxisome and CROT-dependent lipid biology from that of lipoprotein-mediated lipid biology, we therefore conducted a metabolomic analysis of the liver and plasma of normolipidemic CROT-deficient () mice.

Detection of hypoxia in the pulmonary tissues of Xenopus laevis over repeated dives.

The oxygen environment in African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) continuously changes during their development, which involves a rapid increase in the body size, metamorphosis, and transition to adulthood. Nevertheless, there are limited reports on experimental models that are available for studying fluctuations in the oxygen environment in X. laevis.

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived smooth muscle cells to study cardiovascular calcification.

Cardiovascular calcification is the lead predictor of cardiovascular events and the top cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. To date, only invasive surgical options are available to treat cardiovascular calcification despite the growing understanding of underlying pathological mechanisms. Key players in vascular calcification are vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), which transform into calcifying SMCs and secrete mineralizing extracellular vesicles that form microcalcifications, subsequently increasing plaque instability and consequential plaque rupture.

Computational Screening Strategy for Drug Repurposing Identified Niclosamide as Inhibitor of Vascular Calcification.

Vascular calcification is a cardiovascular disorder with no therapeutic options. We recently reported that -octanoyltransferase (CROT) suppression can inhibit vascular calcification and through amelioration of mitochondrial function and fatty acid metabolism. Inhibiting calcification with a small molecule compound targeting CROT-associated mechanisms will be a promising non-invasive treatment of vascular calcification.

Dynamin-related protein 1 inhibition reduces hepatic PCSK9 secretion.

Aims: Proteostasis maintains protein homeostasis and participates in regulating critical cardiometabolic disease risk factors including proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) remodeling through release and incorporation of trafficking vesicles mediates protein secretion and degradation. We hypothesized that ER remodeling that drives mitochondrial fission participates in cardiometabolic proteostasis.

CROT (Carnitine O-Octanoyltransferase) Is a Novel Contributing Factor in Vascular Calcification via Promoting Fatty Acid Metabolism and Mitochondrial Dysfunction.

Objective: Vascular calcification is a critical pathology associated with increased cardiovascular event risk, but there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved anticalcific therapies. We hypothesized and validated that an unbiased screening approach would identify novel mediators of human vascular calcification. Approach and Results: We performed an unbiased quantitative proteomics and pathway network analysis that identified increased CROT (carnitine O-octanoyltransferase) in calcifying primary human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs).

Development of Erythroid Progenitors under Erythropoietin Stimulation in Xenopus laevis Larval Liver.

Erythroid progenitors that respond to erythropoietin (Epo) are present in the liver of adult Xenopus laevis. However, cells responding to Epo in the larval liver and through the metamorphosis period under hepatic remodeling have not been characterized. In this study, tadpoles were staged using the tables of Nieuwkoop and Faber (NF).

[A comparative perspective on erythropoiesis].

The acquisition of fundamental information by the use of recent technologies, including omics-based molecular analyses and total RNA sequencing, has opened the door to further advances in physiological studies on new animal models. Currently, we are endeavoring to develop a comparative hematology protocol in order to build a discovery platform. All vertebrates, with the exception of a few species, have universally peripheral erythrocytes and hemoglobin, suggesting erythropoiesis to be an evolutionary index.

Significant modulation of the hepatic proteome induced by exposure to low temperature in Xenopus laevis.

The African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, is an ectothermic vertebrate that can survive at low environmental temperatures. To gain insight into the molecular events induced by low body temperature, liver proteins were evaluated at the standard laboratory rearing temperature (22°C, control) and a low environmental temperature (5°C, cold exposure). Using nano-flow liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, we identified 58 proteins that differed in abundance.

Quantification and localization of erythropoietin-receptor-expressing cells in the liver of Xenopus laevis.

Erythropoiesis occurs in the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis and is mediated by erythropoietin (xlEPO), a primary regulator of this process. Previously, we have shown that the xlEPO receptor (xlEPOR), which is expressed by erythroid progenitors that respond to xlEPO, is found predominantly in the liver. The aim of the present study was to determine the dynamics of erythropoiesis in the livers of normal and anemic X.

Hepatic confinement of newly produced erythrocytes caused by low-temperature exposure in Xenopus laevis.

Diminished erythrocyte count and erythropoiesis have been reported during hypothermia in some ectothermic animals. In this study, the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, was used to investigate the cause of hypothermia-induced anemia. We developed a new model of hypothermia at 5°C and monitored blood cell count and erythropoiesis on several days.