Le Ni

Le Ni


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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29 January 2026 in Genes
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LHLingjie Hu
Lingjie Hu
KZKaili Zhu
Kaili Zhu
SZSiying Zeng
Siying Zeng
YLYiqiao Liu
Yiqiao Liu
SZShengQi Zhang
ShengQi Zhang
LNLe Ni
Le Ni
Background/Objectives: The RNA-binding protein CELF1 is crucial for cardiac development, but its role in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is unclear. This study investigates the effects of acute CELF1 knockdown on alternative splicing and hypertrophic growth in cardiomyocytes. Methods: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were transfected with two siRNAs targeting CELF1. Hypertrophy was assessed by cell size and expression of hypertrophic markers via qPCR and Western blot. RNA sequencing was performed in NRCMs to identify alternative splicing events. Tead1 function was tested by knockdown in NRCMs. Selected mechanistic assays were performed primarily in HeLa cells. Results: CELF1 knockdown in NRCMs increased cardiomyocyte size and upregulated hypertrophic markers, while its overexpression restored the phenotype. RNA-seq revealed that CELF1 knockdown alters the alternative splicing pattern. Specifically, the splicing of the transcription factor Tead1 shifted from the full-length long Tead1 isoform (Tead1-L) to the exon 4-skipped short isoform (Tead1-S). In HeLa cells, CELF1 interacted with hnRNPC, an m6A reader and splicing factor, and CELF1 perturbation correlated with changes in global m6A abundance. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CELF1 regulates hypertrophic phenotypes in cardiomyocytes and is associated with alternative splicing of Tead1.