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A transcriptional enhancer regulates cardiac maturation
We investigated a clinically relevant, conserved ACTN2 enhancer’s effects on CM maturation using hPSC and mouse models. Heterozygous ACTN2 enhancer deletion led to abnormal CM morphology, reduced function and mitochondrial respiration. ACTN2 enhancer deletion induced heat shock protein 90A expression, a chaperone mediating mTOR activation. Conversely, targeting the ACTN2 enhancer via enhancer CRISPR activation (enCRISPRa) promoted hPSC-CM maturation. Our studies reveal the transcriptional enhancer’s role in cardiac maturation and disease, offering insights into potentially fine-tuning gene expression to modulate cardiomyocyte physiology.
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