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Contractile protein mutations and heart disease.

Mutations in several muscle structural proteins (the myosin heavy chain, alpha tropomyosin, cardiac troponin T and myosin binding protein C) result in a genetically dominant heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Biochemical data from studies of mutant myosin suggest a dominant-negative mechanism for inheritance of this disease. The most likely primary defect is sarcomere dysfunction, which is followed by the major clinical symptoms.

Contractile Proteins↗

The kinase domain of titin controls muscle gene expression and protein turnover.

The giant sarcomeric protein titin contains a protein kinase domain (TK) ideally positioned to sense mechanical load. We identified a signaling complex where TK interacts with the zinc-finger protein nbr1 through a mechanically inducible conformation. Nbr1 targets the ubiquitin-associated p62/SQSTM1 to sarcomeres, and p62 in turn interacts with MuRF2, a muscle-specific RING-B-box E3 ligase and ligand of the transactivation domain of the serum response transcription factor (SRF). Nuclear translocation of MuRF2 was induced by mechanical inactivity and caused reduction of nuclear SRF and repression of transcription. A human mutation in the titin protein kinase domain causes hereditary muscle disease by disrupting this pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A case of sporadic infantile histiocytoid cardiomyopathy caused by the A8344G (MERRF) mitochondrial DNA mutation.

The A8344G mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation is best known for the MERRF phenotype (myoclonic epilepsy, myopathy, and ragged red fibers). We describe a sporadic case of an infant with the A8344G mtDNA mutation who presented with failure to thrive and sudden unexpected death at 11 months of age. The autopsy revealed a histiocytoid cardiomyopathy, diffuse steatosis of the liver, and bilateral retinal hypoplasia. Electron micrographs of cardiac myocytes showed striking mitochondrial hyperplasia, dispersing the sarcomeres. Special stains of frozen heart muscle showed an absence of complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) in many of the myocytes. Both complexes I and IV of the respiratory chain were reduced in cardiac muscle. The A8344G mtDNA mutation was detected in both liver and cardiac muscle tissue. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the A8344G mtDNA mutation presenting as a sporadic case of fatal infantile cardiomyopathy and the first occurrence of this mutation associated with histiocytoid cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathies↗

Developmental changes in rat cardiac titin/connectin: transitions in normal animals and in mutants with a delayed pattern of isoform transition.

Rat cardiac titin undergoes developmental changes in isoform expression during the period from late embryonic through the first 20-25 days of life. At least five size classes of titin isoforms have been identified using SDS agarose gel electrophoresis. The longest normal isoform is expressed in the embryonic stages, and it is progressively replaced with increasingly smaller versions. The isoform switching is consistent with changes in resting tension from lower values in one-day neonates to higher levels in adult myocytes. Considerable micro-heterogeneity in alternative splicing patterns also was found, particularly in the N2BA PEVK region of human, rat, and dog ventricle. A rat mutation has been identified in which the embryonic-neonatal titin isoform transitions are markedly delayed. These mutant animals may prove useful for examining the role of titin in stretch-activated signal transduction and in the Frank-Starling relationship.

Alternative Splicing↗

The Drosophila projectin mutant, bentD, has reduced stretch activation and altered indirect flight muscle kinetics.

Projectin is a ca. 900 kDa protein that is a member of the titin protein superfamily. In skeletal muscle titins are involved in the longitudinal reinforcement of the sarcomere by connecting the Z-band to the M-line. In insect indirect flight muscle (IFM), projectin is believed to form the connecting filaments that link the Z-band to the thick filaments and is responsible for the high relaxed stiffness found in this muscle type. The Drosophila mutant bentD (btD) has been shown to have a breakpoint close to the carboxy-terminal kinase domain of the projectin sequence. Homozygotes for btD are embryonic lethal but heterozygotes (btD/+) are viable. Here we show that btD/+ flies have normal flight ability and a slightly elevated wing beat frequency (btD/+ 223+/-13 Hz; +/+ 203+/-5 Hz, mean +/- SD; P < 0.01). Electron microscopy of btD/+ IFM show normal ultrastructure but skinned fiber mechanics show reduced stretch activation and oscillatory work. Although btD/+ IFM power output was at wild-type levels, maximum power was achieved at a higher frequency of applied length perturbation (btD/+ 151+/-6 Hz; +/+ 102+/-14 Hz; P < 0.01). Results were interpreted in the context of a viscoelastic model of the sarcomere and indicate altered cross-bridge kinetics of the power-producing step. These results show that the btD mutation reduces oscillatory work in a way consistent with the proposed role of the connecting filaments in the stretch activation response of IFM.

Animals↗

R403Q and L908V mutant beta-cardiac myosin from patients with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy exhibit enhanced mechanical performance at the single molecule level.

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is a disease of the sarcomere. In the beta-myosin heavy chain gene, which codes for the mechanical enzyme myosin, greater than 40 point mutations have been found that are causal for this disease. We have studied the effect of two mutations, the R403Q and L908V, on myosin molecular mechanics. In the in vitro motility assay, the mutant myosins produced a 30% greater velocity of actin filament movement (v(actin)). At the single molecule level, v(actin) approximately d/t(on), where d is the myosin unitary step displacement and t(on) is the step duration. Laser trap studies were performed at 10 microM MgATP to estimate d and t(on) for the normal and mutant myosin molecules. The increase in v(actin) can be explained by a significant decrease in the average t(on)'s in both the R403Q and L908V mutants (approximately 30 ms) compared to controls (approximately 40 ms), while d was not different for all myosins tested (approximately 7 nm). Thus the mutations affect the kinetics of the cross-bridge cycle without any effect on myosin's inherent motion and force generating capacity. Based on these studies, the primary signal for the hypertrophic response appears to be an apparent gain in function of the individual mutant myosin molecules.

Actins↗

A novel autosomal recessive myopathy with external ophthalmoplegia linked to chromosome 17p13.1-p12.

We describe a new autosomal recessive myopathy of early onset and very slow progression distinguished by the prominent external ophthalmoplegia in 16 subjects of eight families from a large and highly inbred Arab community. Characteristic clinical features include mild facial and skeletal muscle weakness and atrophy more pronounced proximally in the upper limbs, facial dysmorphism and scoliosis associated with conjugate, non-restrictive ocular motility impairment greatest in the upgaze and without ptosis or aberrant eye movements. Orbital MRI in the patients demonstrated atrophy with fatty replacement of the oculorotatory muscles. The major pathological alteration on skeletal muscle biopsy was a marked type 1 fibre predominance with core-like formations. A genome wide search for regions of homozygosity in the affected members from two informative families identified linkage with chromosome 17p13.1-p12 markers. Maximum two-point logarithm of odds scores were obtained at loci D17S1803 and AFMA070WD1 (Zmax = 3.74 at = 0). Two independent recombination events at D17S1812 and D17S947 further defined a critical region of 12 cM. Several genes map to this interval, including a cluster of sarcomeric myosin heavy chain genes. One of these genes, MYH2, is involved in inclusion body myopathy 3, but no exonic mutations were found by direct sequencing. The molecular basis for this new myopathy remains to be identified.

Adolescent↗

A novel missense mutation in tropomyosin 1 gene associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common genetic heart disorder that can lead to heart failure or sudden death. Family-based identification of rare sarcomeric variants can support molecular diagnosis and cascade screening in inherited HCM. This study aimed to identify and evaluate a novel TPM1 variant found in a Vietnamese family with HCM. The proband, a 3-year-old boy diagnosed with HCM, and eight relatives from three generations underwent clinical and genetic evaluation. A candidate variant initially identified by targeted next-generation sequencing was validated by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Familial segregation analysis was performed, and variant pathogenicity was assessed according to ACMG guidelines with support from in silico prediction and structural modeling. Sanger sequencing confirmed a heterozygous missense variant in exon 6 of TPM1 NM_001018005.2:c.576G&#xa0;>&#xa0;C, p.(Glu192Asp), in the proband, his father, and paternal grandfather, all of whom exhibited clinical signs of HCM. The variant was absent in unaffected relatives and in public population databases. Based on ACMG criteria (PM1, PM2, PM5, and PP3), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic. This novel TPM1 variant segregated with HCM in a Vietnamese family, expands the known mutational spectrum of TPM1 in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and warrants further functional investigation and familial genetic evaluation.

American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics ↗

Myopathies associated with myosin heavy chain mutations.

Myosin, a molecular motor, converts chemical energy into mechanical force. The motor domain of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) includes an ATP binding region with ATPase activity and an actin-binding region. Motor function is achieved by conformational changes, at hydrolysis, of ATP causing a shift in the angle between the actin binding head and the rod region of the molecule. The elongated alpha-helical coiled-coil rod region of MyHC molecules constitutes the major part of the thick filaments of the sarcomere. Three major MyHC isoforms are expressed in human skeletal muscle (type I, MYH7, expressed in type 1 fibres; IIa, MYH2, expressed in 2A fibres; IIx, MYH1, expressed in 2B fibres). While mutations in slow/beta cardiac MyHC (MYH7) are a common cause of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, no skeletal myopathies have, until recently, been associated with mutations in MyHC. A heterozygous mutation, Glu706Lys, in the core of the head of MyHC IIa is associated with a familial congenital myopathy, which, in most instances, has shown mild phenotypic expression in children but progressive course in some adults. There is a relationship between the level of expression of mutated MyHC IIa and muscle pathology. Some adults with a progressive course show muscle fibres with rimmed vacuoles and filaments of the type seen in inclusion body myositis/myopathy (IBM). Endurance training in a group of affected patients caused a shift in the expression of myosin from fast (IIx) to slow (I) isoforms but no reduction in the expression of MyHC IIa. A heterozygous mutation, Arg1845Trp, in the distal rod region of slow myosin (type I, MYH7) is associated with familial congenital myopathy, with large deposits of MyHC I in the subsarcolemmal region of type 1 muscle fibres, "Myosin storage myopathy". These patients showed slowly progressive muscle weakness but no overt cardiomyopathy. These two muscle diseases, which are caused by mutations in MyHC, form the basis of a novel entity: "Myosin myopathies".

Animals↗

Requirement of transcription factor NFAT in developing atrial myocardium.

Nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) is a ubiquitous regulator involved in multiple biological processes. Here, we demonstrate that NFAT is temporally required in the developing atrial myocardium between embryonic day 14 and P0 (birth). Inhibition of NFAT activity by conditional expression of dominant-negative NFAT causes thinning of the atrial myocardium. The thin myocardium exhibits severe sarcomere disorganization and reduced expression of cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) and cardiac troponin-T (cTnT). Promoter analysis indicates that NFAT binds to and regulates transcription of the cTnI and the cTnT genes. Thus, regulation of cytoskeletal protein gene expression by NFAT may be important for the structural architecture of the developing atrial myocardium.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Molecular and cellular biology of heart failure.

In recent years, the striking development of molecular biology and molecular genetic has brought completely new insights into the understanding of heart failure. Two aspects for which significant progress has been made in 1995 are discussed in this review: the genetic mechanisms of inherited cardiomyopathies and the molecular basis of heart failure due to chronic hemodynamic overload. In familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a novel disease gene was found. It encodes myosin binding protein C, whose structure and function are poorly understood. Contractile deficits associated with the myosin mutations were demonstrated, and all this strengthened the hypothesis that hypertrophy is a compensatory mechanism that occurs in presence of a sarcomeric defect. These studies have important prognostic and clinical implications, but new and unexpected concerns have arisen, because a widespread difference in phenotype can be seen in patients harboring similar genotypes. In familial dilated cardiomyopathy, the main findings were the identification of four disease loci, but the genes are still unknown. With respect to the consequences of chronic hemodynamic overload on myocyte function and phenotype, recent data gave rise to lively discussions in the fields of reexpression of fetal troponin T isoforms and of decreased function and expression of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase in the failing human heart; at the moment it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Interestingly, three new concepts emerged in the understanding of the pathogenesis of heart failure: the increased contribution of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange, the possible recruitment of an inositol phosphate-sensitive calcium pool for myofibrillar activation, and the involvement of apoptotic myocyte and nonmyocyte cell death in myocardial remodeling.

Apoptosis↗

Nature's strategy for optimizing power generation in insect flight muscle.

Table 1 summarizes the primary mechanisms most likely responsible for modifying wing beat frequency (WBF) and muscle power in the Drosophila mutants discussed above. The different outcomes reflect different mechanisms that come into play, depending on the protein and site of the mutation. For example, the reduced muscle power and WBF of the RLC phosphorylation site mutant Mlc2(S6sA,S67A) reflect the reduced number of myosin heads available to form working cross-bridges and the concomitant reduction in muscle stiffness. The mixed results of the other mutants are more difficult to explain. For example, while the reduced muscle stiffness of the paramyosin rod mutant pm(S18A) and the projectin mutant bent(D)/+ may in part reflect mutation-related increases in compliance of the thick filaments (pm(S18A)) or connecting filaments (bent(D)/+), the elevated WBF is unexpected because one would expect reduced muscle stiffness to lower WBF rather than raise it. Other aspects of the results are equally baffling. In the case of pm(S18A), e.g., myofilament kinetics are enhanced, opposite to what one would predict from reduced myofilament stiffness (Wang et al. 1999), but consistent with a direct effect of the mutation on cross-bridge kinetics. It is tempting to speculate that the fly increases the resonance frequency of its flight system, perhaps even over-compensating, as a mechanism for bringing the optimum frequency of power output of the flight system in line with the optimum frequency of power output of the myofilaments in order to achieve flight. The fly might accomplish this by voluntarily activating flight control muscles that change the stiffness and shape of the thoracic box (Tu and Dickinson, 1996), thereby significantly changing the basal stiffness of the resonance system. This effective strategy would serve to tune flight system kinetics to that of the actomyosin motor for optimum power transmission. Notably, of the four thick filament mutations listed in Table 1 produce no significant changes in wing beat frequency, three exhibit reduced muscle power, so these flies must make other adjustments to maintain flight competency. These may be additional cases in which the effects of marked changes in cross-bridge kinetics (MHC IFI-EC), cross-bridge deployment (Mlc2(delta2-46), or sarcomere (thick filament) stiffness (pm(S-A4) and Df(3L) fln(1)/+) are ameliorated by the intervention of direct flight muscles. In summary, it may well be that the fly's general response to mutations that alter one component of the flight system is to alter another in order to maintain optimum transmission of power and flight competency. That is, nature's strategy for optimizing power generation throughout the flight system is probably the same as that at the level of the myofibril: that is, strengthen weak links, orient parts for optimum power production, and modify power train proteins through isoform switches or post-translational modifications to assure all components are in tune with one another.

Animals↗

The palladin/myotilin/myopalladin family of actin-associated scaffolds.

The dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton plays a critical role in cellular morphogenesis and cell motility. Actin-associated scaffolds are key to this process, as they recruit cohorts of actin-binding proteins and associated signaling complexes to subcellular sites where remodeling is required. This review is focused on a recently discovered family of three proteins, myotilin, palladin, and myopalladin, all of which function as scaffolds that regulate actin organization. While myotilin and myopalladin are most abundant in skeletal and cardiac muscle, palladin is ubiquitously expressed in the organs of developing vertebrates. Palladin's function has been investigated primarily in the central nervous system and in tissue culture, where it appears to play a key role in cellular morphogenesis. The three family members each interact with specific molecular partners: all three bind to alpha-actinin; in addition, palladin also binds to vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) and ezrin, myotilin binds to filamin and actin, and myopalladin also binds to nebulin and cardiac ankyrin repeat protein (CARP). Since mutations in myotilin result in two forms of muscle disease, an essential role for this family member in organizing the skeletal muscle sarcomere is implied.

Actinin↗

Localization of the fast skeletal muscle troponin I gene (TNNI2) to 11p15.5: genes for troponin I and T are organized in pairs.

We have localized the gene encoding the fast skeletal muscle isoform of troponin I (TNNI2) to 11p15.5 by PCR-based analysis of somatic cell hybrid panels: based on the Genebridge4 radiation hybrid panel, TNNI2 is coincident with the marker D11S922. The gene encoding the fast skeletal muscle troponin T gene (TNNT3) has been previously assigned to 11p15.5 suggesting that TNNI2 and TNNT3 may be closely linked. The overall location of genes encoding troponin I and T isoforms now reveals that they are organized at three loci each containing a troponin I/troponin T gene pair. This organization contrasts with all other sarcomeric protein genes and has implications for the evolution of these two gene families, for their regulation and for the analysis of mutations suspected to result in cardiomyopathy.

Biomarkers↗

Actin mutations in dilated cardiomyopathy, a heritable form of heart failure.

To test the hypothesis that actin dysfunction leads to heart failure, patients with hereditary idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) were examined for mutations in the cardiac actin gene (ACTC). Missense mutations in ACTC that cosegregate with IDC were identified in two unrelated families. Both mutations affect universally conserved amino acids in domains of actin that attach to Z bands and intercalated discs. Coupled with previous data showing that dystrophin mutations also cause dilated cardiomyopathy, these results raise the possibility that defective transmission of force in cardiac myocytes is a mechanism underlying heart failure.

Actins↗

Cardiac myosin binding protein C gene is specifically expressed in heart during murine and human development.

Cardiac myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C) is a substantial component of the sarcomere, with both structural and regulatory roles. The gene encoding cardiac MyBP-C in humans is located on chromosome 11p11.2, and mutations that are most predicted to produce truncated proteins have been identified in this gene in unrelated families with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). To understand better the pathophysiology of FHC and with a view to the development of animal models for this disease, we have investigated by in situ hybridization the pattern of expression of the cardiac MyBP-C gene during human and mouse development using species-specific oligonucleotide probes. From 4 weeks of human development, a strong labeling of cardiac MyBP-C mRNAs was unambiguously detected in all heart compartments, and no signal could be visualized in somites. In murine embryos, from embryonic day 9.5 until birth, a strong signal was detected exclusively in the heart. Our results showed that during both human and murine development, in contrast to chicken development, the cardiac MyBP-C gene is abundantly and specifically expressed in the heart.

Animals↗

Direct, convergent hypersensitivity of calcium-activated force generation produced by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutant alpha-tropomyosins in adult cardiac myocytes.

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a clinically and genetically diverse autosomal dominant disorder characterized by ventricular hypertrophy and myocyte disarray in the absence of known hypertrophic stimuli. It has been linked to many cardiac contractile proteins, including four point mutations in alpha-tropomyosin (Tm). Here we use adenoviral-mediated gene transfer into adult cardiac myocytes in vitro to show that all four hypertrophic cardiomyopathy alpha-Tm proteins can be expressed and incorporated into normal sarcomeric structures in cardiac myocytes at similar levels as normal alpha-Tm proteins after 5-6 days in culture. Isometric force recordings of single cardiac myocytes demonstrated inappropriate increased force output at submaximal calcium concentration with a specific mutant allele hierarchy. These data indicate that the severity of direct calcium-sensitizing effect of mutations in alpha-Tm may predict the clinical severity of mutant alpha-Tm-associated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Adenoviridae↗

Cardiomyocyte cytoskeleton and myofibrillogenesis in healthy and diseased heart.

The unique cytoarchitecture of cardiomyocytes arises by complex interactions of different filamentous structures of the cytoskeleton. Intermediate filaments of the non-sarcomeric cytoskeleton are not essential for development but important for maintenance of myofibrils. Myofibrils consist of contractile proteins involved in force generation and the muscle cytoskeleton framework. The latter is essential for proper assembly and maintenance as well as for interaction with other cardiomyocytes or the extracellular matrix, thus being involved in force transmission. The information for sarcomere assembly is encoded in the proteins and some domains essential for faithful incorporation have been identified by epitope tagging experiments. Many KO mutations result in embryonic lethal phenotypes and new techniques e.g. using cardiomyocytes derived from ES cell-lines will have to be developed that allow to study such mutations in cardiomyocytes rather than whole organisms. Alterations in the expression levels of several proteins of the muscle cytoskeleton or impairment of their function by point mutations can result in increased mechanical stress in the cardiomyocytes which finally leads to cellular responses such as the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). MLP (muscle-LIM-protein) deficient mice develop DCM and changes in the mechanical coupling of cardiomyocytes result in alterations at the intercalated disks and enhanced accumulation of adherens junction proteins. Therefore, controlled interactions between proteins of the muscle cytoskeleton and contractile proteins are essential to ensure proper cardiac function and a more detailed insight in these processes might provide new tools to improve the contractile efficiency of the cardiomyocytes and thus working output in cardiomyopathies.

Animals↗