Cell Death and Disease (Jul 2025)

Post-translational modification of transcription factors: perspectives in vascular medicine

  • Elena Astanina,
  • Elisa Setten,
  • Francesco Boccalatte,
  • Federico Bussolino,
  • Valentina Comunanza

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07832-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 1 – 15

Abstract

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Abstract In vascular diseases, the perturbation of key metabolic pathways is extensively studied and recognized as both a causal factor and a consequence in disease onset and progression. Similarly, the dysregulation of the transcriptional landscape within vascular unit components (endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells) is a pivotal aspect of disease pathogenesis. Metabolite-induced post-translational modifications of transcription factors significantly modulate their functionality, leading to drastic changes in transcriptional outcomes. This review offers a new perspective by elucidating the link between metabolic alterations and metabolite-induced post-translational modifications of transcription factors integral to the pathogenesis of four paradigmatic vascular pathologies: atherosclerosis, diabetes, pulmonary hypertension and tumor angiogenesis.