Lamina-associated polypeptide 2alpha loss impairs heart function and stress response in mice.

Rationale: Lamina-associated polypeptide (LAP)2alpha is a mammalian chromatin-binding protein that interacts with a fraction of A-type lamins in the nuclear interior. Because mutations in lamins and LAP2alpha lead to cardiac disorders in humans, we hypothesized that these factors may play important roles in heart development and adult tissue homeostasis.

Objective: We asked whether the presence of LAP2alpha was required for normal cardiac function.

Impaired heart contractility in Apelin gene-deficient mice associated with aging and pressure overload.

Apelin constitutes a novel endogenous peptide system suggested to be involved in a broad range of physiological functions, including cardiovascular function, heart development, control of fluid homeostasis, and obesity. Apelin is also a catalytic substrate for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the key severe acute respiratory syndrome receptor. The in vivo physiological role of Apelin is still elusive.