Biology subjects

Mooney, N. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Mooney, N. A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Divergent molecular signatures of regeneration and fibrosis during wound repair

Regeneration is the "holy grail" of tissue repair, but skin injury typically yields fibrotic, non-functional scars. Developing pro-regenerative therapies requires rigorous understanding of the molecular progression from injury to fibrosis or regeneration. Here, we report the divergent molecular events driving skin wound cells toward either scarring or regenerative fates. We profile scarring versus YAP inhibition-induced wound regeneration at the transcriptional (single-cell RNA-sequencing), protein (timsTOF proteomics), and tissue (extracellular matrix ultrastructural analysis) levels. Using cell surface barcoding, we integrate these data to reveal fibrotic and regenerative "molecular trajectories" of healing. We show that disrupting YAP mechanical signaling yields regenerative repair orchestrated by fibroblasts with activated Trps1 and Wnt signaling. Our findings serve as a multimodal map of wound regeneration and could have therapeutic implications for pathologic fibroses.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Multiple domains in ARHGAP36 regulate PKA degradation and Gli activation

ARHGAP36 is a Rho GTPase-activating protein (GAP) family member that contributes to spinal cord development and tumorigenesis. This multidomain protein is composed of splicing-dependent N-terminal sequences, the GAP-like region, and a unique C-terminal domain, and an N-terminal arginine-rich region has been shown to suppress protein kinase A (PKA) and activate Gli transcription factors. To understand how these structural elements act in concert, we have mapped the ARHGAP36 structure-activity landscape with domain- and amino-acid-level resolution. ARHGAP36-mediated Gli activation can be repressed by N-terminal sequences that regulate subcellular ARHGAP36 localization and PKA targeting. The GAP-like and C-terminal domains counteract this autoinhibitory mechanism and promote ARHGAP36 trafficking to the plasma membrane and primary cilium, respectively. The GAP-like domain may also conditionally suppress the arginine-rich region, and it modulates ARHGAP36 binding to the prolyl oligopeptidase-like protein PREPL and the E3 ubiquitin ligase PRAJA2. These domain-dependent activities provide a potential means for tissue-specific ARHGAP36 functions.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Ciliation of muscle stem cells is critical to maintain regenerative capacity and is lost during aging

During aging, the regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) decreases, diminishing the ability of muscle to repair following injury. We performed a small molecule library screen and discovered that the proliferation and expansion of aged MuSCs is regulated by signal transduction pathways organized by the primary cilium, a cellular protrusion that serves as a sensitive sensory organelle. Abolishing MuSC cilia in vivo severely impaired injury-induced muscle regeneration. In aged muscle, a cell intrinsic defect in MuSC ciliation leading to impaired Hedgehog signaling was associated with the decrease in regenerative capacity. This deficit could be overcome by exogenous activation of Hedgehog signaling which promoted MuSC expansion, both in vitro and in vivo. Delivery of the small molecule Smoothened agonist (SAG) to muscles of aged mice restored regenerative capacity leading to increased strength post-injury. These findings provide fresh insights into the signaling dysfunction in aging and identify the ciliary Hedgehog signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target to counter the loss of muscle regenerative capacity which accompanies aging.

cell biology↗