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positive regulation of smooth muscle cell differentiation

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of smooth muscle cell differentiation. [CL:0000192, GOC:ai]

Positive regulation of smooth muscle cell differentiation is a complex and tightly regulated process that involves a cascade of signaling pathways and transcription factors. It is essential for the proper development and function of the vascular system, as well as for tissue repair and regeneration.

**Key Steps:**

1. **Commitment and Progenitor Cell Formation:** Smooth muscle cell differentiation begins with the commitment of multipotent progenitor cells to a smooth muscle cell lineage. This commitment is influenced by factors such as growth factors (e.g., platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta), cytokines (e.g., interleukin-4), and extracellular matrix components.

2. **Transcriptional Regulation:** A critical step in differentiation involves the activation of specific transcription factors that regulate the expression of genes responsible for smooth muscle cell identity. Key transcription factors include:
* **Myocardin:** A master regulator of smooth muscle gene expression, working in concert with serum response factor (SRF).
* **Serum response factor (SRF):** Binds to CArG boxes in the promoters of smooth muscle genes.
* **GATA factors:** Contribute to the regulation of smooth muscle-specific genes, including those involved in contractility.
* **MEF2 factors:** Play a role in smooth muscle cell proliferation and differentiation.

3. **Cytoskeletal and Contractile Protein Expression:** As cells differentiate, they begin to express high levels of proteins essential for smooth muscle function, including:
* **Actin and myosin:** The primary components of the contractile apparatus.
* **Intermediate filaments:** Provide structural support and integrity to the cell.
* **Smooth muscle α-actin:** A specific isoform of actin that is highly enriched in smooth muscle cells.

4. **Contractile Machinery Assembly:** The contractile proteins assemble into functional units called sarcomeres, which are the basic building blocks of smooth muscle. The organization and alignment of these sarcomeres are critical for efficient contraction.

5. **Functional Maturation:** Fully differentiated smooth muscle cells acquire their characteristic properties, including:
* **Contractility:** The ability to contract in response to various stimuli, such as neurotransmitters, hormones, and mechanical stretch.
* **Elasticity:** The capacity to stretch and recoil, allowing for the accommodation of changes in blood flow and pressure within the vascular system.
* **Proliferation:** The ability to divide and regenerate under certain conditions, contributing to tissue repair and regeneration.

**Regulation and Signaling Pathways:**

* **Growth factors:** Play critical roles in promoting smooth muscle cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival.
* **Cytokines:** Can influence smooth muscle cell function, impacting both proliferation and differentiation.
* **Mechanical stress:** The physical forces exerted on smooth muscle cells, such as pressure and stretch, can regulate gene expression and differentiation.
* **Calcium signaling:** Intracellular calcium levels are crucial for smooth muscle cell contraction and can influence differentiation pathways.

**Dysregulation and Disease:**

Aberrant regulation of smooth muscle cell differentiation can contribute to a range of diseases, including:
* **Atherosclerosis:** Increased smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration contribute to the formation of plaques in arteries.
* **Hypertension:** Disruptions in smooth muscle cell contractility can contribute to high blood pressure.
* **Vascular remodeling:** Abnormal smooth muscle cell behavior can lead to changes in blood vessel structure and function.

**Research and Therapeutic Potential:**

Understanding the intricate mechanisms of smooth muscle cell differentiation is essential for developing new therapies for vascular diseases. Research is focused on identifying key regulatory pathways and developing strategies to modulate smooth muscle cell behavior to promote tissue repair and combat disease.'
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Proteins (2)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-1An NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q96EB6]Homo sapiens (human)
Neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1A neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P46531]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (34)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
niacinamidenicotinamide : A pyridinecarboxamide that is pyridine in which the hydrogen at position 3 is replaced by a carboxamide group.pyridine alkaloid;
pyridinecarboxamide;
vitamin B3
anti-inflammatory agent;
antioxidant;
cofactor;
EC 2.4.2.30 (NAD(+) ADP-ribosyltransferase) inhibitor;
EC 3.5.1.98 (histone deacetylase) inhibitor;
Escherichia coli metabolite;
geroprotector;
human urinary metabolite;
metabolite;
mouse metabolite;
neuroprotective agent;
Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite;
Sir2 inhibitor
bisindolylmaleimide ibisindolylmaleimide I: a bis(indolyl)maleimide
bisindolylmaleimide vbisindolylmaleimide V: used as a negative control compound for protein kinase C inhibition; structure in first source;indoles
entinostatbenzamides;
carbamate ester;
primary amino compound;
pyridines;
substituted aniline
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
EC 3.5.1.98 (histone deacetylase) inhibitor
fenamic acidfenamic acid : An aminobenzoic acid that is the N-phenyl derivative of anthranilic acid. It acts as a parent skeleton for the synthesis of several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

fenamic acid: has chloride and potassium channel-blocking activity; RN given refers to parent cpd
aminobenzoic acid;
secondary amino compound
membrane transport modulator
ro 31-8220Ro 31-8220: a protein kinase C inhibitorimidothiocarbamic ester;
indoles;
maleimides
EC 2.7.11.13 (protein kinase C) inhibitor
fenofibratebenzochromenone;
delta-lactone;
naphtho-alpha-pyrone
platelet aggregation inhibitor;
Sir2 inhibitor
suraminsuramin : A member of the class of phenylureas that is urea in which each of the amino groups has been substituted by a 3-({2-methyl-5-[(4,6,8-trisulfo-1-naphthyl)carbamoyl]phenyl}carbamoyl)phenyl group. An activator of both the rabbit skeletal muscle RyR1 and sheep cardiac RyR2 isoform ryanodine receptor channels, it has been used for the treatment of human African trypanosomiasis for over 100 years.

Suramin: A polyanionic compound with an unknown mechanism of action. It is used parenterally in the treatment of African trypanosomiasis and it has been used clinically with diethylcarbamazine to kill the adult Onchocerca. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1992, p1643) It has also been shown to have potent antineoplastic properties.
naphthalenesulfonic acid;
phenylureas;
secondary carboxamide
angiogenesis inhibitor;
antinematodal drug;
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inhibitor;
EC 2.7.11.13 (protein kinase C) inhibitor;
GABA antagonist;
GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist;
purinergic receptor P2 antagonist;
ryanodine receptor agonist;
trypanocidal drug
nadNADgeroprotector
4-tert-butylbenzoic acid4-tert-butylbenzoic acid: RN given refers to parent cpdalkylbenzene
suramin sodiumsuramin sodium : An organic sodium salt that is the hexasodium salt of suramin. It is an FDA approved drug for African sleeping sickness and river blindness.organic sodium saltangiogenesis inhibitor;
antinematodal drug;
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inhibitor;
EC 2.7.11.13 (protein kinase C) inhibitor;
GABA antagonist;
GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist;
purinergic receptor P2 antagonist;
ryanodine receptor agonist;
trypanocidal drug
calotropincalotropin: structure in first sourcecardenolide glycoside
toxoflavintoxoflavin : A pyrimidotriazine that is 1,6-dimethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrimido[5,4-e][1,2,4]triazine with oxo groups at positions 5 and 7.

toxoflavin: azapteridine antibiotic; structure
carbonyl compound;
pyrimidotriazine
antibacterial agent;
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
bacterial metabolite;
toxin;
virulence factor;
Wnt signalling inhibitor
paullonepaullone : An indolobenzazepine that is 5,6,7,12-tetrahydroindolo[3,2-d][1]benzazepine carrying an oxo substituent at position 6.

paullone: structure in first source
indolobenzazepine;
lactam
EC 2.7.11.22 (cyclin-dependent kinase) inhibitor;
EC 2.7.11.26 (tau-protein kinase) inhibitor
hyperforinhyperforin : A cyclic terpene ketone that is a prenylated carbobicyclic acylphloroglucinol derivative produced by St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum.

hyperforin: a prenylated acylphloroglucinol derivative; antibiotic component of novoimanine; psychoactive agent in St. John's wort; Russian; structure;
surfactin csurfactin C : A cyclodepsipeptide that is N-[(3R)-3-hydroxy-13-methyltetradecanoyl]-L-alpha-glutamyl-L-leucyl-D-leucyl-L-valyl-L-alpha-aspartyl-D-leucyl-L-leucine in which the C-terminal carboxy group has been lactonised by condensation with the alcoholic hydroxy group.cyclodepsipeptide;
lipopeptide antibiotic;
macrocyclic lactone
antibacterial agent;
antifungal agent;
antineoplastic agent;
antiviral agent;
metabolite;
platelet aggregation inhibitor;
surfactant
resveratroltrans-resveratrol : A resveratrol in which the double bond has E configuration.resveratrolantioxidant;
phytoalexin;
plant metabolite;
quorum sensing inhibitor;
radical scavenger
CHIC-35CHIC-35 : An organic heterotricyclic compound resulting from the formal fusion of the 2-3 bond of 5-chloroindole with the 2-3 bond of cycloheptanecarboxamide (the S enantiomer). It is a potent, cell-permeable, metabolically stable and selective inhibitor of the deacetylase SIRT1.aromatic compound;
organic heterotricyclic compound;
organochlorine compound;
primary carboxamide
EC 3.5.1.98 (histone deacetylase) inhibitor
3-(1-azepanylsulfonyl)-n-(3-bromphenyl)benzamide3-(1-azepanylsulfonyl)-N-(3-bromphenyl)benzamide: a sirtuin 2 inhibitor; structure in first source
CAY10591CAY10591: a SIRT1 NAD-dependent histone deacetylase activatorquinoxaline derivative
sirtinolaldimine;
benzamides;
naphthols
anti-inflammatory agent;
EC 3.5.1.98 (histone deacetylase) inhibitor;
Sir2 inhibitor
cambinolcambinol: inhibitor of human silent information regulator 2 enzymes; structure in first source
(4-chlorophenyl)-[4-(8-nitro-5-quinolinyl)-1-piperazinyl]methanoneN-arylpiperazine
ex 5276-chloro-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazole-1-carboxamide : A member of the class of carbazoles that is 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazole which is substituted at position 1 by an aminocarbohyl group and at position 6 by a chlorine.

6-chloro-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazole-1-carboxamide: structure in first source
carbazoles;
monocarboxylic acid amide;
organochlorine compound
panobinostatpanobinostat : A hydroxamic acid obtained by formal condensation of the carboxy group of (2E)-3-[4-({[2-(2-methylindol-3-yl)ethyl]amino}methyl)phenyl]prop-2-enoic acid with the amino group of hydroxylamine. A histone deacetylase inhibitor used (as its lactate salt) in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Panobinostat: An indole and hydroxamic acid derivative that acts as a HISTONE DEACETYLASE inhibitor. It is used as an antineoplastic agent in combination with BORTEZOMIB and DEXAMETHASONE for the treatment of MULTIPLE MYELOMA.
cinnamamides;
hydroxamic acid;
methylindole;
secondary amino compound
angiogenesis modulating agent;
antineoplastic agent;
EC 3.5.1.98 (histone deacetylase) inhibitor
oblongifolin coblongifolin C: has antineoplastic activity; isolated from Garcinia yunnanensis; structure in first source
quisinostatindoles
srt1460SRT1460: small molecule activator of SIRT1 as therapeutics for the treatment of type 2 diabetes; structure in first source
srt1720
srt2183SRT2183: small molecule activator of SIRT1 as therapeutics for the treatment of type 2 diabetes; structure in first source
tenovin-6tenovin-6 : A monocarboxylic acid amide obtained by formal condensation of the carboxy group of 5-(dimethylamino)pentanoic acid with the aromatic amino group of N-[(4-aminophenyl)carbamothioyl]-4-tert-butylbenzamide.monocarboxylic acid amide;
tertiary amino compound;
thioureas
antineoplastic agent;
p53 activator;
Sir2 inhibitor
acy-1215ricolinostat: an HDAC6 inhibitor; structure in first sourcepyrimidinecarboxylic acid
aristoforinAristoforin: derivative of hyperforin, is a potent anticancer agent; structure in first source
n-(3-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-ylmethylene)amino)phenyl)-2-phenylpropionamide