Role of EZH2 in Diabetes-associated Atherosclerosis

Two-thirds of diabetes-related deaths are due to cardiovascular disease. A major contributor is atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks. My research focuses on the EZH2 protein, an overactive “silencer” that promotes disease progression. We use GSK-126, a small molecule inhibitor that acts like a mute button for EZH2. It targets the methyl-binding domain responsible for recognizing and spreading gene-silencing marks. By inhibiting EZH2’s activity, GSK-126 helps reduce plaque formation and inflammation, showing promising results in pre-clinical models for attenuating atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular complications in diabetes.