Nadia Messaddeq - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Nadia Messaddeq
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Jan 12, 2023
Journal of Biomedical Science, Dec 20, 2022
Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily a... more Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the cerebellum and retina. SCA7 is caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the ATXN7 protein, a subunit of the transcriptional coactivator SAGA that acetylates histone H3 to deposit narrow H3K9ac mark at DNA regulatory elements of active genes. Defective histone acetylation has been presented as a possible cause for gene deregulation in SCA7 mouse models. However, the topography of acetylation defects at the whole genome level and its relationship to changes in gene expression remain to be determined. Methods: We performed deep RNA-sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to high-throughput sequencing to examine the genome-wide correlation between gene deregulation and alteration of the active transcription marks, e.g. SAGA-related H3K9ac, CBP-related H3K27ac and RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), in a SCA7 mouse retinopathy model. Results: Our analyses revealed that active transcription marks are reduced at most gene promoters in SCA7 retina, while a limited number of genes show changes in expression. We found that SCA7 retinopathy is caused by preferential downregulation of hundreds of highly expressed genes that define morphological and physiological identities of mature photoreceptors. We further uncovered that these photoreceptor genes harbor unusually broad H3K9ac profiles spanning the entire gene bodies and have a low RNAPII pausing. This broad H3K9ac signature co-occurs with other features that delineate superenhancers, including broad H3K27ac, binding sites for photoreceptor specific transcription factors and expression of enhancer-related non-coding RNAs (eRNAs). In SCA7 retina, downregulated photoreceptor genes show decreased H3K9 and H3K27 acetylation and eRNA expression as well as increased RNAPII pausing, suggesting that superenhancer-related features are altered. † Anna Niewiadomska-Cimicka and Antoine Hache contributed equally to this work.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aug 25, 2020
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2020
PurposeBardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a ciliopathy with a wide spectrum of symptoms due to primar... more PurposeBardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a ciliopathy with a wide spectrum of symptoms due to primary cilia dysfunction, including genitourinary developmental anomalies as well as impaired reproduction, particularly in males. Primary cilia are known to be required at the following steps of reproduction function: (i) genitourinary organogenesis, (ii) in fetal firing of hypothalamo-pituitary axe, (iii) sperm flagellum structure, and (iv) first zygotic mitosis conducted by proximal sperm centriole. BBS phenotype is not fully understood.MethodsThis study explored all steps of reproduction in 11 French male patients with identified BBS mutations.ResultsBBS patients frequently presented with genitourinary malformations, such as cryptorchidism (5/11), short scrotum (5/8), and micropenis (5/8), but unexpectedly, with normal testis size (7/8). Ultrasonography highlighted epididymal cysts or agenesis of one seminal vesicle in some cases. Sexual hormones levels were normal in all patients except ...
Nature Communications, 2021
SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic of COVID-19 since its emergence in December 2019. The inf... more SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic of COVID-19 since its emergence in December 2019. The infection causes a severe acute respiratory syndrome and may also spread to central nervous system leading to neurological sequelae. We have developed and characterized two new organotypic cultures from hamster brainstem and lung tissues that offer a unique opportunity to study the early steps of viral infection and screening antivirals. These models are not dedicated to investigate how the virus reaches the brain. However, they allow validating the early tropism of the virus in the lungs and demonstrating that SARS-CoV-2 could infect the brainstem and the cerebellum, mainly by targeting granular neurons. Viral infection induces specific interferon and innate immune responses with patterns specific to each organ, along with cell death by apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. Overall, our data illustrate the potential of rapid modeling of complex tissue-level interactions during infection ...
SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic of Covid-19 since its emergence in December 2019. The inf... more SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic of Covid-19 since its emergence in December 2019. The infection causes a severe acute respiratory syndrome and may also lead to central nervous system infection and neurological sequelae. We developed and characterized two new organotypic cultures from hamster brainstem and lung tissues that offer the unique opportunity to study the early steps of the pathogenesis and screening of antivirals. Using these models, we validated the early tropism of the virus in the lung and demonstrated that SARS-CoV2 can infect brainstem and cerebellum, mainly by targeting granular neurons. Viral infection induced specific interferon and innate immune responses with patterns specific to each organ along with apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic cell death. Overall, our data illustrate the potential of rapidly modeling complex tissue level interactions of viral infection in a newly emerged virus.
British Journal of Surgery, 2020
Background A surgical approach preserving functional adrenal tissue allows biochemical cure while... more Background A surgical approach preserving functional adrenal tissue allows biochemical cure while avoiding the need for lifelong steroid replacement. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the impact of intraoperative imaging during bilateral partial adrenalectomy on remnant perfusion and function. Methods Five pigs underwent bilateral posterior retroperitoneoscopic central adrenal gland division (9 divided glands, 1 undivided). Intraoperative perfusion assessment included computer-assisted quantitative fluorescence imaging, contrast-enhanced CT, confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) and local lactate sampling. Specimen analysis after completion adrenalectomy (10 adrenal glands) comprised mitochondrial activity and electron microscopy. Results Fluorescence signal intensity evolution over time was significantly lower in the cranial segment of each adrenal gland (mean(s.d.) 0·052(0·057) versus 0·133(0·057) change in intensity per s for cranial versus caudal parts respectivel...
Experimental Eye Research, 2019
PloS one, 2018
The rhythmic nature of insulin secretion over the 24h cycle in pancreatic islets has been mostly ... more The rhythmic nature of insulin secretion over the 24h cycle in pancreatic islets has been mostly investigated using transcriptomics studies showing that modulation of insulin secretion over this cycle is achieved via distal stages of insulin secretion. We set out to measure β-cell exocytosis using in depth cell physiology techniques at several time points. In agreement with the activity and feeding pattern of nocturnal rodents, we find that C57/Bl6J islets in culture for 24h exhibit higher insulin secretion during the corresponding dark phase than in the light phase (Zeitgeber Time ZT20 and ZT8, respectively, in vivo). Glucose-induced insulin secretion is increased by 21% despite normal intracellular Ca2+ transients and depolarization-evoked exocytosis, as measured by whole-cell capacitance measurements. This paradox is explained by a 1.37-fold increase in beta cell insulin content. Ultramorphological analyses show that vesicle size and density are unaltered, demonstrating that intr...
Nature Communications, 2017
Mammalian A-type proteins, ISCA1 and ISCA2, are evolutionarily conserved proteins involved in iro... more Mammalian A-type proteins, ISCA1 and ISCA2, are evolutionarily conserved proteins involved in iron–sulfur cluster (Fe–S) biogenesis. Recently, it was shown that ISCA1 and ISCA2 form a heterocomplex that is implicated in the maturation of mitochondrial Fe4S4 proteins. Here we report that mouse ISCA1 and ISCA2 are Fe2S2-containing proteins that combine all features of Fe–S carrier proteins. We use biochemical, spectroscopic and in vivo approaches to demonstrate that despite forming a complex, ISCA1 and ISCA2 establish discrete interactions with components of the late Fe–S machinery. Surprisingly, knockdown experiments in mouse skeletal muscle and in primary cultures of neurons suggest that ISCA1, but not ISCA2, is required for mitochondrial Fe4S4 proteins biogenesis. Collectively, our data suggest that cellular processes with different requirements for ISCA1, ISCA2 and ISCA1–ISCA2 complex seem to exist.
Cell and Tissue Research, 2016
Scientific Reports, 2016
The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) restricts access of large molecules to the brain. The low endocytic... more The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) restricts access of large molecules to the brain. The low endocytic activity of brain endothelial cells (BECs) is believed to limit delivery of immunoglobulins (IgG) to the brain parenchyma. Here, we report that endogenous mouse IgG are localized within intracellular vesicles at steady state in BECs in vivo. Using high-resolution quantitative microscopy, we found a fraction of endocytosed IgG in lysosomes. We observed that loss of pericytes (key components of the BBB) in pdgf-bret/ret mice affects the intracellular distribution of endogenous mouse IgG in BECs. In these mice, endogenous IgG was not detected within lysosomes but instead accumulate at the basement membrane and brain parenchyma. Such IgG accumulation could be due to reduced lysosomal clearance and increased sorting to the abluminal membrane of BECs. Our results suggest that, in addition to low uptake from circulation, IgG lysosomal degradation may be a downstream mechanism by which BECs fur...
RSC Advances, 2015
A new and simple method of modify and functionalize the liquid/liquid interface of nano-emulsion ... more A new and simple method of modify and functionalize the liquid/liquid interface of nano-emulsion droplets.
In vivo (Athens, Greece)
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the sixth most common cancer worldwide and a major heal... more Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the sixth most common cancer worldwide and a major health problem since the choice of treatment is limited due to chemo- and radio-resistance. It was previously reported that high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation induced massive autophagic cell death in the human HCC SK-Hep1 cell line in vitro. This study analyzed the effects of high-LET radiation on the same HCC tumor model, orthotopically transplanted into nude mice. For this purpose, after surgical xenograft in the liver, animals were irradiated with fast neutrons and cell death occurring in the tumors was assessed with various techniques, including electron microscopy and probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy. Results indicate that considerable autophagy and only limited apoptosis took place in the tumor xenografts after high-LET irradiation. These data confirm the previous in vitro results, suggesting that autophagy may act as a predominant mode of cell death in the efficacy o...
Disease Models & Mechanisms, 2012
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2011
Background: Nanoemulsions consist of very stable nanodroplets of oil dispersed in an aqueous phas... more Background: Nanoemulsions consist of very stable nanodroplets of oil dispersed in an aqueous phase, typically below 300 nm in size. They can be used to obtain a very fine, homogeneous dispersion of lipophilic compounds in water, thus facilitating their handling and use in nanomedicine. However, the drawback is that they are suspended in an aqueous media. This study proposes a novel technique for drying lipid nanoemulsion suspensions to create so-called Trojan particles, ie, polymer microparticles (around 2 µm) which very homogeneously "entrap" the nano-oil droplets (around 150 nm) in their core. Methods: Microencapsulation of the nanoemulsions was performed using a spray-drying process and resulted in a dried powder of microparticles. By using a low-energy nanoemulsification method and relatively gentle spray-drying, the process was well suited to sensitive molecules. The model lipophilic molecule tested was vitamin E acetate, encapsulated at around 20% in dried powder. Results: We showed that the presence of nanoemulsions in solution before spray-drying had a significant impact on microparticle size, distribution, and morphology. However, the process itself did not destroy the oil nanodroplets, which could easily be redispersed when the powder was put back in contact with water. High-performance liquid chromatography follow-up of the integrity of the vitamin E acetate showed that the molecules were intact throughout the process, as well as when conserved in their dried form. Conclusion: This study proposes a novel technique using a spray-drying process to microencapsulate nanoemulsions. The multiscale object formed, so-called Trojan microparticles, were shown to successfully encapsulate, protect, and release the lipid nanodroplets.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2000
Several lines of evidence suggest that the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) regulates cardio... more Several lines of evidence suggest that the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) regulates cardiovascular functions during embryogenesis and adulthood. 5-HT binds to numerous cognate receptors to initiate its biological effects. However, none of the 5-HT receptor disruptions in mice have yet resulted in embryonic defects. Here we show that 5-HT 2B receptor is an important regulator of cardiac development. We found that inactivation of 5-HT 2B gene leads to embryonic and neonatal death caused by heart defects. 5-HT 2B mutant embryos exhibit a lack of trabeculae in the heart and a specific reduction in the expression levels of a tyrosine kinase receptor, ErbB-2, leading to midgestation lethality. These in vivo data suggest that the Gq-coupled receptor 5-HT 2B uses the signaling pathway of tyrosine kinase receptor ErbB-2 for cardiac differentiation. All surviving newborn mice display a severe ventricular hypoplasia caused by impaired proliferative capacity of myocytes. In adult mutant ...
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Jan 12, 2023
Journal of Biomedical Science, Dec 20, 2022
Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily a... more Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the cerebellum and retina. SCA7 is caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the ATXN7 protein, a subunit of the transcriptional coactivator SAGA that acetylates histone H3 to deposit narrow H3K9ac mark at DNA regulatory elements of active genes. Defective histone acetylation has been presented as a possible cause for gene deregulation in SCA7 mouse models. However, the topography of acetylation defects at the whole genome level and its relationship to changes in gene expression remain to be determined. Methods: We performed deep RNA-sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to high-throughput sequencing to examine the genome-wide correlation between gene deregulation and alteration of the active transcription marks, e.g. SAGA-related H3K9ac, CBP-related H3K27ac and RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), in a SCA7 mouse retinopathy model. Results: Our analyses revealed that active transcription marks are reduced at most gene promoters in SCA7 retina, while a limited number of genes show changes in expression. We found that SCA7 retinopathy is caused by preferential downregulation of hundreds of highly expressed genes that define morphological and physiological identities of mature photoreceptors. We further uncovered that these photoreceptor genes harbor unusually broad H3K9ac profiles spanning the entire gene bodies and have a low RNAPII pausing. This broad H3K9ac signature co-occurs with other features that delineate superenhancers, including broad H3K27ac, binding sites for photoreceptor specific transcription factors and expression of enhancer-related non-coding RNAs (eRNAs). In SCA7 retina, downregulated photoreceptor genes show decreased H3K9 and H3K27 acetylation and eRNA expression as well as increased RNAPII pausing, suggesting that superenhancer-related features are altered. † Anna Niewiadomska-Cimicka and Antoine Hache contributed equally to this work.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aug 25, 2020
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2020
PurposeBardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a ciliopathy with a wide spectrum of symptoms due to primar... more PurposeBardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a ciliopathy with a wide spectrum of symptoms due to primary cilia dysfunction, including genitourinary developmental anomalies as well as impaired reproduction, particularly in males. Primary cilia are known to be required at the following steps of reproduction function: (i) genitourinary organogenesis, (ii) in fetal firing of hypothalamo-pituitary axe, (iii) sperm flagellum structure, and (iv) first zygotic mitosis conducted by proximal sperm centriole. BBS phenotype is not fully understood.MethodsThis study explored all steps of reproduction in 11 French male patients with identified BBS mutations.ResultsBBS patients frequently presented with genitourinary malformations, such as cryptorchidism (5/11), short scrotum (5/8), and micropenis (5/8), but unexpectedly, with normal testis size (7/8). Ultrasonography highlighted epididymal cysts or agenesis of one seminal vesicle in some cases. Sexual hormones levels were normal in all patients except ...
Nature Communications, 2021
SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic of COVID-19 since its emergence in December 2019. The inf... more SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic of COVID-19 since its emergence in December 2019. The infection causes a severe acute respiratory syndrome and may also spread to central nervous system leading to neurological sequelae. We have developed and characterized two new organotypic cultures from hamster brainstem and lung tissues that offer a unique opportunity to study the early steps of viral infection and screening antivirals. These models are not dedicated to investigate how the virus reaches the brain. However, they allow validating the early tropism of the virus in the lungs and demonstrating that SARS-CoV-2 could infect the brainstem and the cerebellum, mainly by targeting granular neurons. Viral infection induces specific interferon and innate immune responses with patterns specific to each organ, along with cell death by apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. Overall, our data illustrate the potential of rapid modeling of complex tissue-level interactions during infection ...
SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic of Covid-19 since its emergence in December 2019. The inf... more SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic of Covid-19 since its emergence in December 2019. The infection causes a severe acute respiratory syndrome and may also lead to central nervous system infection and neurological sequelae. We developed and characterized two new organotypic cultures from hamster brainstem and lung tissues that offer the unique opportunity to study the early steps of the pathogenesis and screening of antivirals. Using these models, we validated the early tropism of the virus in the lung and demonstrated that SARS-CoV2 can infect brainstem and cerebellum, mainly by targeting granular neurons. Viral infection induced specific interferon and innate immune responses with patterns specific to each organ along with apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic cell death. Overall, our data illustrate the potential of rapidly modeling complex tissue level interactions of viral infection in a newly emerged virus.
British Journal of Surgery, 2020
Background A surgical approach preserving functional adrenal tissue allows biochemical cure while... more Background A surgical approach preserving functional adrenal tissue allows biochemical cure while avoiding the need for lifelong steroid replacement. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the impact of intraoperative imaging during bilateral partial adrenalectomy on remnant perfusion and function. Methods Five pigs underwent bilateral posterior retroperitoneoscopic central adrenal gland division (9 divided glands, 1 undivided). Intraoperative perfusion assessment included computer-assisted quantitative fluorescence imaging, contrast-enhanced CT, confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) and local lactate sampling. Specimen analysis after completion adrenalectomy (10 adrenal glands) comprised mitochondrial activity and electron microscopy. Results Fluorescence signal intensity evolution over time was significantly lower in the cranial segment of each adrenal gland (mean(s.d.) 0·052(0·057) versus 0·133(0·057) change in intensity per s for cranial versus caudal parts respectivel...
Experimental Eye Research, 2019
PloS one, 2018
The rhythmic nature of insulin secretion over the 24h cycle in pancreatic islets has been mostly ... more The rhythmic nature of insulin secretion over the 24h cycle in pancreatic islets has been mostly investigated using transcriptomics studies showing that modulation of insulin secretion over this cycle is achieved via distal stages of insulin secretion. We set out to measure β-cell exocytosis using in depth cell physiology techniques at several time points. In agreement with the activity and feeding pattern of nocturnal rodents, we find that C57/Bl6J islets in culture for 24h exhibit higher insulin secretion during the corresponding dark phase than in the light phase (Zeitgeber Time ZT20 and ZT8, respectively, in vivo). Glucose-induced insulin secretion is increased by 21% despite normal intracellular Ca2+ transients and depolarization-evoked exocytosis, as measured by whole-cell capacitance measurements. This paradox is explained by a 1.37-fold increase in beta cell insulin content. Ultramorphological analyses show that vesicle size and density are unaltered, demonstrating that intr...
Nature Communications, 2017
Mammalian A-type proteins, ISCA1 and ISCA2, are evolutionarily conserved proteins involved in iro... more Mammalian A-type proteins, ISCA1 and ISCA2, are evolutionarily conserved proteins involved in iron–sulfur cluster (Fe–S) biogenesis. Recently, it was shown that ISCA1 and ISCA2 form a heterocomplex that is implicated in the maturation of mitochondrial Fe4S4 proteins. Here we report that mouse ISCA1 and ISCA2 are Fe2S2-containing proteins that combine all features of Fe–S carrier proteins. We use biochemical, spectroscopic and in vivo approaches to demonstrate that despite forming a complex, ISCA1 and ISCA2 establish discrete interactions with components of the late Fe–S machinery. Surprisingly, knockdown experiments in mouse skeletal muscle and in primary cultures of neurons suggest that ISCA1, but not ISCA2, is required for mitochondrial Fe4S4 proteins biogenesis. Collectively, our data suggest that cellular processes with different requirements for ISCA1, ISCA2 and ISCA1–ISCA2 complex seem to exist.
Cell and Tissue Research, 2016
Scientific Reports, 2016
The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) restricts access of large molecules to the brain. The low endocytic... more The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) restricts access of large molecules to the brain. The low endocytic activity of brain endothelial cells (BECs) is believed to limit delivery of immunoglobulins (IgG) to the brain parenchyma. Here, we report that endogenous mouse IgG are localized within intracellular vesicles at steady state in BECs in vivo. Using high-resolution quantitative microscopy, we found a fraction of endocytosed IgG in lysosomes. We observed that loss of pericytes (key components of the BBB) in pdgf-bret/ret mice affects the intracellular distribution of endogenous mouse IgG in BECs. In these mice, endogenous IgG was not detected within lysosomes but instead accumulate at the basement membrane and brain parenchyma. Such IgG accumulation could be due to reduced lysosomal clearance and increased sorting to the abluminal membrane of BECs. Our results suggest that, in addition to low uptake from circulation, IgG lysosomal degradation may be a downstream mechanism by which BECs fur...
RSC Advances, 2015
A new and simple method of modify and functionalize the liquid/liquid interface of nano-emulsion ... more A new and simple method of modify and functionalize the liquid/liquid interface of nano-emulsion droplets.
In vivo (Athens, Greece)
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the sixth most common cancer worldwide and a major heal... more Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the sixth most common cancer worldwide and a major health problem since the choice of treatment is limited due to chemo- and radio-resistance. It was previously reported that high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation induced massive autophagic cell death in the human HCC SK-Hep1 cell line in vitro. This study analyzed the effects of high-LET radiation on the same HCC tumor model, orthotopically transplanted into nude mice. For this purpose, after surgical xenograft in the liver, animals were irradiated with fast neutrons and cell death occurring in the tumors was assessed with various techniques, including electron microscopy and probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy. Results indicate that considerable autophagy and only limited apoptosis took place in the tumor xenografts after high-LET irradiation. These data confirm the previous in vitro results, suggesting that autophagy may act as a predominant mode of cell death in the efficacy o...
Disease Models & Mechanisms, 2012
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2011
Background: Nanoemulsions consist of very stable nanodroplets of oil dispersed in an aqueous phas... more Background: Nanoemulsions consist of very stable nanodroplets of oil dispersed in an aqueous phase, typically below 300 nm in size. They can be used to obtain a very fine, homogeneous dispersion of lipophilic compounds in water, thus facilitating their handling and use in nanomedicine. However, the drawback is that they are suspended in an aqueous media. This study proposes a novel technique for drying lipid nanoemulsion suspensions to create so-called Trojan particles, ie, polymer microparticles (around 2 µm) which very homogeneously "entrap" the nano-oil droplets (around 150 nm) in their core. Methods: Microencapsulation of the nanoemulsions was performed using a spray-drying process and resulted in a dried powder of microparticles. By using a low-energy nanoemulsification method and relatively gentle spray-drying, the process was well suited to sensitive molecules. The model lipophilic molecule tested was vitamin E acetate, encapsulated at around 20% in dried powder. Results: We showed that the presence of nanoemulsions in solution before spray-drying had a significant impact on microparticle size, distribution, and morphology. However, the process itself did not destroy the oil nanodroplets, which could easily be redispersed when the powder was put back in contact with water. High-performance liquid chromatography follow-up of the integrity of the vitamin E acetate showed that the molecules were intact throughout the process, as well as when conserved in their dried form. Conclusion: This study proposes a novel technique using a spray-drying process to microencapsulate nanoemulsions. The multiscale object formed, so-called Trojan microparticles, were shown to successfully encapsulate, protect, and release the lipid nanodroplets.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2000
Several lines of evidence suggest that the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) regulates cardio... more Several lines of evidence suggest that the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) regulates cardiovascular functions during embryogenesis and adulthood. 5-HT binds to numerous cognate receptors to initiate its biological effects. However, none of the 5-HT receptor disruptions in mice have yet resulted in embryonic defects. Here we show that 5-HT 2B receptor is an important regulator of cardiac development. We found that inactivation of 5-HT 2B gene leads to embryonic and neonatal death caused by heart defects. 5-HT 2B mutant embryos exhibit a lack of trabeculae in the heart and a specific reduction in the expression levels of a tyrosine kinase receptor, ErbB-2, leading to midgestation lethality. These in vivo data suggest that the Gq-coupled receptor 5-HT 2B uses the signaling pathway of tyrosine kinase receptor ErbB-2 for cardiac differentiation. All surviving newborn mice display a severe ventricular hypoplasia caused by impaired proliferative capacity of myocytes. In adult mutant ...