The network map of Elabela signaling pathway in physiological and pathological conditions

Abstract

Elabela (ELA; also called Apela and Toddler) is one of the recently discovered ligand among the two endogenous peptide ligands (Apelin and Elabela) of the apelin receptor (APLNR, also known as APJ). Elabela-induced signaling plays a crucial role in diverse biological processes, including formation of the embryonic cardiovascular system and early placental development by reducing the chances of occurrence of preeclampsia during pregnancy. It also plays the major role in the renoprotection by reducing kidney injury and the inflammatory response and regulation of gene expression associated with heart failure and fibrosis. Elabela may be processed into different active peptides, each of which binds to APLNR and predominantly activates the signals through PI3K/AKT pathway. Owing to its biomedical importance, we developed a consolidated signaling map of Elabela, in accordance with the NetPath criteria. The presented Elabela signaling map comprises 12 activation/inhibition events, 15 catalysis events, 1 molecular association, 34 gene regulation events and 32 protein expression events. The Elabela signaling pathway map is freely made available through the WikiPathways Database (https://www.wikipathways.org/index.php/Pathway:WP5100).