RNA-sequencing analysis of proliferating neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Mammalian cardiomyocytes cease to proliferate immediately after birth. However, the mechanisms that regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation remain to be fully elucidated. The purpose of this study is to explore the genes that regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation using multiple comprehensive analyses. In this study, we conducted RNA-sequencing analysis using proliferating neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. To isolate proliferating cells, we used FUCCI (Fluorescent Ubiquitination-based Cell Cycle Indicator) system. FUCCI targets the DNA replication licensing factor Cdt1, a marker of G1 phase, and its inhibitor Geminin, a S/G2/M marker. In this study, we used Geminin fused with mAG1, known as Fucci-S/G2/M Green. Primary cultured cardiomyocytes were infected with Fucci-S/G2/M Green expressing adenoviral vector and labeled cells were isolated by flow cytometry. As control, GFP expressing adenoviral vector was used.