RNA elongation regulating endothelial cell functions and identity

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Jes-Niels Boeckel
• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 460253872

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is involved in cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension and cardiac fibrosis. The molecular mechanisms preserving endothelial identity or driving EndMT in CVD are largely unknown. The process of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) elongation is transmitting epigenetic cues to gene expression via the super elongation complex (SEC), e.g. during cellular differentiation. The SEC might therefore represent the missing link between genetics and epigenetics in the regulation of EndMT in CVD such as atherosclerosis. The proposed project will research on the relevance of the SEC for RNA elongation in EndMT using in depth molecular methods such as 4sU- and ChIP-Sequencing in primary human endothelial cells. In summary, the regulatory role of RNA elongation in EndMT will be enlightened in the proposed project, while molecular understanding of EndMT holds a potential therapeutic relevance for CVD treatment.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants