Post-translational modification of transcription factors: perspectives in vascular medicine

In vascular diseases, the perturbation of key metabolic pathways is extensively studied and recognized as both a causal factor and a consequence in disease onset and progression. Similarly, the dysregulation of the transcriptional landscape within vascular unit components (endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells) is a pivotal aspect of disease pathogenesis. Metabolite-induced post-translational modifications of transcription factors significantly modulate their functionality, leading to drastic changes in transcriptional outcomes. This review offers a new perspective by elucidating the link between metabolic alterations and metabolite-induced post-translational modifications of transcription factors integral to the pathogenesis of four paradigmatic vascular pathologies: atherosclerosis, diabetes, pulmonary hypertension and tumor angiogenesis.