PUBLICATION

Mitochondrial UQCC3 controls embryonic and tumor angiogenesis by regulating VEGF expression

Authors
Zhang, G., Liu, B., Yang, Y., Xie, S., Chen, L., Luo, H., Zhong, J., Wei, Y., Guo, F., Gan, J., Zhu, F., Xu, L., Li, Q., Shen, Y., Zhang, H., Liu, Y., Li, R., Deng, H., Yang, H.
ID
ZDB-PUB-230804-48
Date
2023
Source
iScience   26: 107370107370 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
Biological sciences, Cancer systems biology, Natural sciences, Systems biology
MeSH Terms
none
PubMed
37539028 Full text @ iScience
Abstract
Mitochondria play important roles in angiogenesis. However, the mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we found that mitochondrial ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase complex assembly factor 3 (UQCC3) is a key regulator of angiogenesis. TALEN-mediated knockout of Uqcc3 in mice caused embryonic lethality at 9.5-10.5 days postcoitum, and vessel density was dramatically reduced. Similarly, knockout of uqcc3 in zebrafish induced lethality post-fertilization and impaired vascular development. Knockout of UQCC3 resulted in slower tumor growth and angiogenesis. Mechanistically, UQCC3 was upregulated under hypoxia, promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, enhanced HIF-1α stability and increased VEGF expression. Finally, higher expression of UQCC3 was associated with poor prognosis in multiple types tumors, implying a role for UQCC3 in tumor progression. In conclusion, our findings highlight the important contribution of UQCC3 to angiogenesis under both physiological and pathological conditions, indicating the potential of UQCC3 as a therapeutic target for cancer.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping