Lumacaftor, a drug already in clinical use, can rescue the pathological phenotype of LQT2 iPSC-CMs, particularly those derived from Class 2 mutated patients. Our results suggest that the use of LUM in LQT2 patients not protected by β-blockers is feasible and may represent a novel therapeutic option.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells divide through the use of an actomyosin-based contractile ring. In response to perturbation of the actomyosin ring, S. pombe cells delay in a "cytokinesis-competent" state characterized by continuous repair and maintenance of the actomyosin ring and a G2 delay. This checkpoint mechanism requires the function of the Cdc14p-family phosphatase Clp1p/Flp1p and the septation initiation network (SIN). In response to cytokinetic defects, Clp1p, normally nucleolar in interphase, is retained in the cytoplasm until completion of cell division in a SIN-dependent manner. Here, we show that a phosphorylated form of Clp1p binds the 14-3-3 protein Rad24p and is retained in the cytoplasm in a Rad24p-dependent manner in response to cytokinesis defects. This physical interaction depends on the function of the SIN component, Sid2p. In the absence of Rad24p, cells are unable to maintain SIN signaling and lose viability upon mild cytokinetic stress. The requirement of Rad24p in this checkpoint is bypassed by ectopic activation of the SIN. Furthermore, SIN-dependent nuclear exclusion of Clp1p is dependent on Rad24p function. We conclude that Rad24p-mediated cytoplasmic retention of Clp1p/Flp1p is important for cell viability upon stress to the division apparatus.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a causative agent for liver diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma. Understanding its interactions with cellular proteins is critical in the elucidation of the mechanisms of disease progression. Using a cell-based HBV replication system, we showed that HBV replication in HepG2 cells resulted in a cellular morphological changes displaying membrane rufflings and lamellipodia like structures reminiscent of cells expressing constitutively activated Rac1. We also showed that activated Rac1 resulted in increased viral replication. HBV replication specifically activated wild type Rac1, but not Cdc42. The Rac1 activation by HBV replication also resulted in the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT, the downstream targets of Rac1 signaling cascade. The smallest HBV viral protein, HBX, was able to activate the endogenous Rac1 and induce membrane ruffling when transfected into cells. Significantly, HBX was found to directly interact with a Rac1 nucleotide exchange factor (betaPIX) through a SH3 binding motif. Taken together, we have shown the interaction of HBV with the Rho GTPase, affecting cell morphology through the Rac1 activation pathway. HBV may possibly make use of an activated Rac1 signaling pathway for increased replication and resultant metastatic effects.

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