Title:Emerging Roles of Meis1 in Cardiac Regeneration, Stem Cells and Cancer
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Author(s): Merve Aksoz, Raife Dilek Turan, Esra Albayrak and Fatih Kocabas*
Affiliation:
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Regenerative Biology Research Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul 34755,Turkey
Keywords:
Meis1, cardiac regeneration, stem cell expansion, cancer metabolism, cancer stem cells.
Abstract: Background: Meis1 is a member of three-amino-acid loop extension (TALE) homeodomain
transcription factors. Studies in the last decade have shown that Meis1 has crucial roles in cardiac
regeneration, stem cell function, and tumorigenesis.
Objective: We have recently demonstrated that knocking out of Meis1 in adult cardiomyocytes resulted
in the induction of cardiomyocyte proliferation. This suggests that targeting of Meis1 might be
utilized in the manipulation of cardiomyocyte cell cycle post cardiac injuries. In addition, hematopoietic
stem cell (HSC) specific deletion of Meis1 leads to in vivo expansion of HSCs pool. Thus,
targeting Meis1 may lead to not only cell cycle entry but also ex vivo and in vivo expansion of HSCs.
On the other hand, Meis1 transcriptionally regulates the expression of hypoxic tumor markers, namely
Hif-1α and Hif-2α. Hif-1α and Hif-2α are involved in the induction of cytoplasmic glycolysis and
scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), respectively.
Conclusion: Studies highlight emerging roles of Meis1 towards development of new therapeutic approaches
in the treatment of myocardial injuries, bone failure, and cancer.
