CELF1, also known as CUGBP Elav-like family member 1, is an RNA-binding protein. It is involved in post-transcriptional gene expression control, such as regulating mRNA stability/decay, alternative splicing, and translation. It participates in multiple biological processes and is associated with various diseases, highlighting its biological importance. Genetic models, like knockout mice, are valuable for studying its functions [1,4].

CELF1-deficiency in mouse models has provided insights. Celf1 germline knockout and lens conditional knockout (Celf1cKO) mice develop cataracts, and transcriptome analysis of Celf1cKO lenses at postnatal day 0 identified differentially expressed genes relevant to lens biology and cataract pathology [4]. In the heart, cardiomyocyte-specific depletion of CELF1 in infarcted mouse hearts preserved capillary density and Vegfa mRNA level, suggesting CELF1's role in heart failure-related vascular rarefaction [2]. Also, CELF1 silencing in post-myocardial infarction (MI) mouse myocardial tissues up-regulated FMO2 and improved cardiac remodeling conditions [3].

In conclusion, CELF1 plays essential roles in post-transcriptional regulation, influencing processes like lens development and heart function. Studies using Celf1 KO/CKO mouse models have revealed its significance in cataract formation and heart-related diseases, enhancing our understanding of these biological processes and potential disease mechanisms.

References:

1. Xiao, Jun, Jin, Siyan, Wang, Xue, Huang, Ju, Zou, He. 2022. CELF1 Selectively Regulates Alternative Splicing of DNA Repair Genes Associated With Cataract in Human Lens Cell Line. In Biochemical genetics, 61, 1319-1333. doi:10.1007/s10528-022-10324-2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36585568/

2. Chang, Kuei-Ting, Wang, Lee-Hsin, Lin, Yu-Mei, Cheng, Ching-Feng, Wang, Guey-Shin. . CELF1 promotes vascular endothelial growth factor degradation resulting in impaired microvasculature in heart failure. In FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 35, e21512. doi:10.1096/fj.202002553R. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33811692/

3. Lai, Jun, Li, Likang, Liu, Jun, Jin, Wen, Ye, Zebing. 2025. CELF1 Promotes Post-myocardial Infarction Cardiac Remodeling Via Suppression of FMO2. In Cardiovascular toxicology, 25, 441-454. doi:10.1007/s12012-024-09951-5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40021568/

4. Siddam, Archana D, Duot, Matthieu, Coomson, Sarah Y, Paillard, Luc, Lachke, Salil A. 2023. High-Throughput Transcriptomics of Celf1 Conditional Knockout Lens Identifies Downstream Networks Linked to Cataract Pathology. In Cells, 12, . doi:10.3390/cells12071070. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37048143/