Loss-of-function mutations in cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) genes and gain-of-function mutation in the MAP3K3 gene encoding MEKK3 cause CCM. Deficiency of CCM proteins leads to the activation of MEKK3-KLF2/4 signaling, but it is not clear how this occurs. Here, we demonstrate that deletion of the CCM3 interacting kinases STK24/25 in endothelial cells causes defects in vascular patterning during development as well as CCM lesion formation during postnatal life. While permanent deletion of STK24/25 in endothelial cells caused developmental defects of the vascular system, inducible postnatal deletion of STK24/25 impaired angiogenesis in the retina and brain. More importantly, deletion of STK24/25 in neonatal mice led to the development of severe CCM lesions. At the molecular level, a hybrid protein consisting of the STK kinase domain and the MEKK3 interacting domain of CCM2 rescued the vascular phenotype caused by the loss of ccm gene function in zebrafish. Our study suggests that CCM2/3 proteins act as adapters to allow recruitment of STK24/25 to limit the constitutive MEKK3 activity, thus contributing to vessel stability. Loss of STK24/25 causes MEKK3 activation, leading to CCM lesion formation.
Xi Yang, Shi-Ting Wu, Rui Gao, Rui Wang, Yixuan Wang, Zhenkun Dong, Lu Wang, Chunxiao Qi, Xiaohong Wang, M. Lienhard Schmitz, Renjing Liu, Zhiming Han, Lu Wang, Xiangjian Zheng
Usage data is cumulative from March 2024 through March 2025.
Usage | JCI | PMC |
---|---|---|
Text version | 655 | 244 |
96 | 95 | |
Figure | 236 | 3 |
Supplemental data | 39 | 7 |
Citation downloads | 51 | 0 |
Totals | 1,077 | 349 |
Total Views | 1,426 |
Usage information is collected from two different sources: this site (JCI) and Pubmed Central (PMC). JCI information (compiled daily) shows human readership based on methods we employ to screen out robotic usage. PMC information (aggregated monthly) is also similarly screened of robotic usage.
Various methods are used to distinguish robotic usage. For example, Google automatically scans articles to add to its search index and identifies itself as robotic; other services might not clearly identify themselves as robotic, or they are new or unknown as robotic. Because this activity can be misinterpreted as human readership, data may be re-processed periodically to reflect an improved understanding of robotic activity. Because of these factors, readers should consider usage information illustrative but subject to change.