GAPDH AND ITS PROTECTIVE ROLE IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Insufficient energy production, impaired DNA repairing and smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis are hallmarks of advanced atherosclerotic plaque. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a multifunctional glycolytic enzyme that plays an important role in energy production. GAPDH also protects the cell genome integrity and oxidative stress-modified GAPDH initiates the cell apoptosis. The major hypothesis of this project that restoring GAPDH levels in SMC would be protective against oxidant-induced apoptosis and suppression of cell migration in vitro and against diet-induced atherosclerosis in vivo. We will determine if manipulation of GAPDH levels in SMC with/without oxidant would be translated into adequate changes in cell migration and apoptosis. Since progressive DNA damage is associated with atherosclerosis progression, we plan to study if GAPDH plays a protective role in oxidant-induced DNA damage in SMC. We also plan to test if restoring GAPDH levels in atherosclerotic SMC would stimulate cell energy production and leads to a reduction in atherosclerosis.