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Elevated levels of endogenous adenosine alter metabolism and enhance reduction in contractile function during low-flow ischemia: associated changes in expression of Ca(2+)-ATPase and phospholamban.

Adenosine has several potentially cardioprotective effects including vasodilatation, reduction in heart rate and alterations in metabolism. Adenosine inhibits catecholamine-induced increase in contractile function mainly through inhibition of phosphorylation of phospholamban (PLB), the main regulatory protein of Ca(2+)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), and during ischemia it reduces calcium (Ca2+) overload. In this study we examined the effects of endogenous adenosine on contractile function and metabolism during low-flow ischemia (LFI) and investigated whether endogenous adenosine can alter expression of the Ca(2+)-ATPase/PLB-system and other Ca(2+)-regulatory proteins. Isolated blood-perfused piglet hearts underwent 120 min 10% flow. Hearts were treated with either saline, the adenosine receptor blocker (8)-sulfophenyl theophylline (8SPT, 300 micromol/l) or the nucleoside transport inhibitor draflazine (1 micromol/l). During LFI, 8SPT did not substantially influence metabolic or functional responses. However, draflazine enhanced the reduction in heart rate, contractile force and MVO(2), with less release of H+ and CO2. Before LFI there were no significant differences between groups for any of the proteins (Ca(2+)-ATPase, ryanodine-receptor, Na+/K(+)-ATPase) or mRNAs (Ca(2+)-ATPase, PLB, calsequestrin, Na+/Ca(2+)-exchanger) measured. At end of LFI mRNA-level of PLB was higher in draflazine-treated hearts compared to both other groups (P<0.01 vs both). Also, at end of LFI protein-level of Ca(2+)-ATPase was lower in draflazine-treated hearts (P<0.05 vs both), and a parallel trend towards a lower mRNA-level was seen (P=0.11 vs saline and P=0.43 vs 8SPT). During LFI tissue Ca2+ tended to rise in saline- and 8SPT-treated hearts but not in draflazine-treated hearts (at end of LFI, P=0.01 vs 8SPT). We conclude that the amount of adenosine normally produced during LFI does not substantially influence function and metabolism. However, increased endogenous levels by draflazine enhance downregulation of function and reduce signs of anaerobic metabolism. At end of LFI associated changes in expression of PLB and Ca(2+)-ATPase were seen. The functional significance was not determined in the present study. However, altered protein-levels might influence Ca(2+)-handling in sarcoplasmic reticulum and thus affect contractile force and tolerance to ischemia.

Adenosine↗

Influence of transgenic overexpression of phospholamban on postextrasystolic potentiation.

Twelve mice with PLB overexpression (PLBOE), and 11 isogenic FVB/N wild-type (WT) controls, were anesthetized and instrumented with a 1.4 F Millar catheter in the LV and a 1 F pacemaker in the right atrium. At a cycle length of 200 ms and a fixed extrastimulus of 120 ms, extrastimuli with increasing intervals (PESI) up to 1000 ms were introduced, and the peak rates of LV isovolumic contraction (+/- dP/dtmax) were normalized and fit to monoexponential equations. In a subset of animals, the protocols were repeated after ryanodine (4 ng/g) was given to deplete SR Ca2+ stores. The time constant and the plateau of the exponential curve fits were significantly greater in PLBOE than WT (107.8 +/- 7.0 v 75.2 +/- 5.5 ms and 1.39 +/- 0.03 v 1.08 +/- 0.02, both P < 0.05). At 200, 600 and 1000 ms, the normalized dP/dt was significantly greater in PLBOE than WT. After ryanodine, normalized dP/dt was significantly decreased in PLBOE, but unchanged in WT. The protein levels of the sodium-calcium exchanger normalized to calsequestrin were increased 3.7 +/- 0.3-fold in PLBOE compared to controls. In conclusion, the phospholamban level is a critical determinant of postextrasystolic potentiation in this transgenic model, and is differentially impaired by ryanodine at long diastolic intervals in PLBOE v controls. These differences may be due in part to changes in the protein level and resultant activity of the sodium calcium exchanger.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Prevention of abnormal sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium transport and protein expression in post-infarction heart failure using 3, 5-diiodothyropropionic acid (DITPA).

Heart failure of diverse causes is associated with abnormalities of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)transport. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the thyroid hormone analogue, 3,5-diiodothyropropionic acid (DITPA), prevents abnormal Ca(2+)transport and expression of SR proteins associated with post-infarction heart failure. New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to circumflex artery ligation or sham operation, and to DITPA administration (3.75 mg/kg/day) or no treatment in a two-by-two factorial design. After 3 weeks, echo-Doppler and LV hemodynamic measurements were performed. From ventricular tissue, single myocyte shortening and relaxation were determined, and Ca(2+)transport was measured in homogenates and SR-enriched microsomes. Levels of mRNA and protein content were determined for the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2a), phospholamban (PLB), cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR-2) and calsequestrin. The administration of DITPA improved LV contraction and relaxation and improved myocyte shortening in infarcted animals. The improvements in LV and myocyte function were associated with increases in V(max)for SR Ca(2+)transport in both homogenates and microsomes. Also, DITPA prevented the decrease in LV protein density for SERCA2a, PLB and RyR-2 post-infarction, without measurable changes in mRNA levels. The thyroid hormone analogue, DITPA, improves LV, myocyte and SR function in infarcted hearts and prevents the downregulation of SR proteins associated with post-infarction heart failure. The specific effects of DITPA on post-infarction SR Ca(2+)transport and the expression of SR proteins make this compound a potentially useful therapeutic agent for LV systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Myocyte apoptosis and reduced SR gene expression precede the transition from chronically stunned to hibernating myocardium.

A systematic transition from chronic stunning to hibernation occurs as coronary flow reserve decreases to a critical level. Hibernating myocardium exhibits apoptosis-induced myocyte loss and a reduction in the expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ ATPase but whether similar cellular changes occur in chronic stunning is unknown. Pigs with a chronic left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenosis were studied one (n=9) or two (n=10) months after instrumentation. Anterior hypokinesis with normal levels of resting perfusion developed at each time-point, consistent with chronic stunning. After 1 month, sub-endocardial flow reserve was moderately reduced (adenosine/rest, LAD: 3.60+/-0.91 v Remote: 6.00+/-0.54, P<0.01) with no regional differences in SR protein expression, no increase in apoptosis (32+/-6 v 21+/-5 nuclei/10(6) myocyte nuclei, p-ns) and no regional myocyte loss (1976+/-44 v 1955+/-30 nuclei/mm2, p-ns). After 2 months, sub-endocardial flow reserve in chronically stunned myocardium was severely impaired (LAD: 1.41+/-0.21 v Remote: 5.59+/-0.96, P<0.01). There were small but significant reductions in LAD mRNA and protein levels for the SRCa2+ ATPase and phospholamban whereas calsequestrin was unchanged. In addition, regional myocyte apoptosis increased (127+/-24 v 55+/-9 nuclei/10(6) myocyte nuclei, P<0.01), resulting in the onset of myocyte loss (1293+/-50 v 1394+/-32 nuclei/mm2, P<0.01). Apoptosis-induced myocyte loss and reductions in SR protein expression are not invariably present in viable chronically dysfunctional myocardium. They are induced as the propensity of a region to develop reversible ischemia increases (as reflected by coronary flow reserve). The temporal progression indicates that alterations in SR protein expression and myocyte apoptosis precede the transition from chronically stunned to hibernating myocardium.

Animals↗

Quantitation and distribution of beta-tubulin in human cardiac myocytes.

Increasing evidence suggests that derangements of cytoskeletal proteins contribute to alterations in intracellular signaling, myocyte function, and the coupling of myocytes to the extracellular matrix during cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Data from animal studies have shown an increased density of beta-tubulin protein in the right or left ventricle subjected to pressure overload, and have demonstrated that interfering with excess polymerization of beta-tubulin improves contractility. We tested the hypothesis that beta-tubulin is increased in human left ventricular hypertrophy and end-stage heart failure. Confocal microscopy of fluorescently labeled beta-tubulin protein revealed an increased density of the beta-tubulin network in cardiomyocytes from both hypertrophied and failing human hearts as compared to cells from nonfailing hearts. Western blot analysis on total heart homogenate showed no change in beta-tubulin when data were normalized to either actin or calsequestrin, although there was a significant increase in failing human hearts when data were normalized only for a constant amount of protein per heart. The mRNA for beta-tubulin was not changed in hypertrophied hearts, but was significantly decreased in failing human hearts. Thus, similar to animal models, we have shown that the density of the microtubular network within the cardiomyocyte is increased in end-stage failing human hearts. We have also shown for the first time that beta-tubulin density is increased in cells from hypertrophied human hearts. Although the functional implications of this finding in the human heart remain to be explored, data from animal studies suggest that increased beta-tubulin protein contributes to cardiac dysfunction.

Animals↗

The regulation of calcium cycling in stressed hearts.

Myothermal measurements of tension-independent heat are used to calculate the quantity of calcium released during isometric contraction and the rate at which it is removed in control, thyrotoxic and pressure-overloaded rabbit hearts. Experiments were carried out at 30 degrees C. In control rabbit hearts 41.0 +/- 7.0 nmoles/g Ca++ was released into the cytosol for each beat, while the rate at which the Ca++ was removed from the cytosol was 24.4 +/- 4.4 nmoles/g sec. In the presence-overloaded preparations, the amount of calcium released and the rate of calcium removal were 41% and 40% of control values. This reduction was correlated with the mRNA levels for the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca++ ATPase, phospholamban and the ryanodine receptor. The depression was also correlated with a reduction in SR Ca++ ATPase protein expression. In thyrotoxic hearts compared with controls, with each activation there is an increase in the amount of calcium liberated into the cytosol (39%) and the rate of calcium removal (31%). This increase is correlated with an increase in the mRNA and protein expression for the SR Ca++ ATPase as well as the mRNA for the ryanodine receptor. Calsequestrin mRNA was unchanged in all of the experimental preparations. It is suggested that the alteration in the calcium cycling proteins offers at least a partial explanation for the changes in calcium cycling measured in response to the stresses applied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Development of the excitation-contraction coupling apparatus in skeletal muscle: peripheral and internal calcium release units are formed sequentially.

The development of calcium release units and of transverse tubules has been studied in skeletal muscle fibres from embryonal and newborn chicken. Three constituents of calcium release units: the tetrads, the feet and an internal protein directly associated with junctional surface of the sarcoplasmic reticulum are visualized by various electron microscope techniques. Evidence in the literature indicates that the three components correspond to the voltage sensors, the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channels and the calcium binding protein calsequestrin respectively. We recognize two stages at which important events in membrane morphogenesis occur. The first stage coincides with early myofibrillogenesis (starting at approximately embryonal day E5.5), and it involves the assembly of calcium release units at the periphery of the muscle fibre in which feet and the internal protein are identified. Groups of tetrads also are present at very early stages and their disposition indicates a relation to the feet of peripheral couplings. Thus three major components of the excitation-contraction coupling pathway are in place as soon as myofibrils develop. The density of groups of tetrads in the surface membrane of primary and secondary fibres is similar, despite differences in developmental stages. The second stage involves the formation of a complex transverse tubule network and of internal sarcoplasmic reticulum-transverse tubule junctions, while peripheral couplings disappear. This stage starts abruptly (between E15 and E16) and simultaneously in primary and secondary fibres. It coincides with the myotube-to-myofibre transition. The two stages are separated by a relatively long intervening period (between E9 and E16). During the latter part of this period some primitive transverse tubules appear, and form junctions with the sarcoplasmic reticulum, but they remain strictly located at the periphery of the fibre and are not numerous. Finally, after the second stage there is a prolonged (up to 4 weeks) period of maturation, during which density of free sarcoplasmic reticulum increases, triads acquire a location at the A-I junction and fibre type differences appear. We conclude that a system for calcium uptake, storage and release exists at the periphery of the myotube during early myogenesis. The complexity of the system and its ability to deliver calcium through the entire fibre develop in parallel to the formation of myofibrils.

Animals↗

Calcium binding proteins in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum of muscle and nonmuscle cells.

In this paper we review some of the large quantities of information currently available concerning the identification, structure and function of Ca(2+)-binding proteins of endoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. The review places particular emphasis on identification and discussion of Ca2+ 'storage' proteins in these membranes. We believe that the evidence reviewed here supports the contention that the Ca(2+)-binding capacity of both calsequestrin and calreticulin favor their contribution as the major Ca(2+)-binding proteins of muscle and nonmuscle cells, respectively. Other Ca(2+)-binding proteins discovered in both endoplasmic reticulum and sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes probably contribute to the overall Ca2+ storage capacity of these membrane organelles, and they also play other important functional role such as posttranslational modification of newly synthesized proteins, a cytoskeletal (structural) function, or movement of Ca2+ within the lumen of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum towards the storage sites.

Calcium↗

An improved method for the isolation of rat cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Preparations of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (CSR) isolated from the rat by differential centrifugation have been widely used for measuring alterations in intracellular calcium flux in response to metabolic and pharmacologic disruptions. However, the purity of these SR fractions has not been firmly established. Using a combination of differential and linear sucrose gradient centrifugation, we have isolated rat CSR with high specific activity and purity. By SDS-PAGE analysis, the preparation is enriched in a protein (110 kD) of similar size to the Ca2+-ATPase of SR from other sources. Gels stained with the dye 'Stains-All' reveal a blue colored 55 kD band, confirming the presence of calsequestrin, the intraluminal low-affinity calcium binding protein of SR. The presence of the transmembrane 53 kD glycoprotein of SR was confirmed by endoglycosidase-H treatment followed by SDS-PAGE and also by a modified Western blotting technique. The rate of calcium uptake in this preparation averages 130 nmol/mg over the first minute of accumulation, approximately 4 times that previously reported for rat CSR. Calcium uptake in our preparation was essentially complete within 5 minutes. Preparations isolated by this method should be of value in future studies measuring alterations in rat CSR function.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Monoclonal antibodies to the Ca2+ + Mg2+-dependent ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum identify polymorphic forms of the enzyme and indicate the presence in the enzyme of a classical high-affinity Ca2+ binding site.

In order to determine whether polymorphic forms of the Ca2+ + Mg2+-dependent ATPase exist, we have examined the cross-reactivity of five monoclonal antibodies prepared against the rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum enzyme with proteins from microsomal fractions isolated from a variety of muscle and nonmuscle tissues. All of the monoclonal antibodies cross-reacted in immunoblots against rat skeletal muscle Ca2+ + Mg2+-dependent ATPase but they cross-reacted differentially with the enzyme from chicken skeletal muscle. No cross-reactivity was observed with the Ca2+ + Mg2+-dependent ATPase of lobster skeletal muscle. The pattern of antibody cross-reactivity with a 100,000 dalton protein from sarcoplasmic reticulum and microsomes isolated from various muscle and nonmuscle tissues of rabbit demonstrated the presence of common epitopes in multiple polymorphic forms of the Ca2+ + Mg2+-dependent ATPase. One of the monoclonal antibodies prepared against the purified Ca2+ + Mg2+-dependent ATPase of rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum was found to cross-react with calsequestrin and with a series of other Ca2+-binding proteins and their proteolytic fragments. Its cross-reactivity was enhanced in the presence of EGTA and diminished in the presence of Ca2+. Its lack of cross-reactivity with proteins that do not bind Ca2+ suggests that it has specificity for antigenic determinants that make up the Ca2+-binding sites in several Ca2+-binding proteins including the Ca2+ + Mg2+-dependent ATPase.

Animals↗

Calcium handling proteins in the failing human heart.

There is accumulating evidence that disturbed calcium homeostasis may play a key role in the pathophysiology of human heart failure. Because disturbed calcium handling could result from altered protein expression, levels of calcium handling proteins were quantitated by Western Blot analysis in failing and nonfailing human myocardium from hearts with endstage failing dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy. Protein levels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel (ryanodine receptor) and of calcium storage proteins (calsequestrin and calreticulin) were similar in failing and nonfailing human myocardium. However, proteins involved in calcium removal from the cytosol were significantly altered in the failing human heart: 1) SR-Ca(2+)-ATPase, relevant for removal of calcium from the cytosol into the lumen of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, was decreased; 2) phospholamban, which inhibits the SR-Ca(2+)-ATPase in the basal unphosphorylated state, was slightly decreased; 3) the ratio of SR-Ca(2+)-ATPase to phospholamban was decreased; 4) the sarcolemmal Na(+)-Ca(2+)-exchanger, relevant for transsarcolemmal calcium extrusion was increased in the failing hearts. In summary, altered levels of proteins involved in calcium removal from the cytosol suggest an increase in transsarcolemmal calcium elimination relative to sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium removal. These findings support the concept that reduced function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum to accumulate calcium may reflect a major defect in excitation-contraction coupling in human heart failure.

Calcium↗

Luminal calcium regulation of calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum.

This article discusses how changes in luminal calcium concentration affect calcium release rates from triad-enriched sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, as well as single channel opening probability of the ryanodine receptor/calcium release channels incorporated in bilayers. The possible participation of calsequestrin, or of other luminal proteins of sarcoplasmic reticulum in this regulation is addressed. A comparison with the regulation by luminal calcium of calcium release mediated by the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor/calcium channel is presented as well.

Animals↗

Differential display-mediated identification of three drought-responsive expressed sequence tags in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze].

There is no information on drought-modulated gene(s) in tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze], a woody and perennial plant of commercial importance. Using differential display of mRNA, three drought-modulated expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified. Northern and BLAST analysis revealed that clone dr1 (drought-responsive), induced only by drought but not by ABA, showed significant scores with PR-5 (pathogenesis related) family of PR-protein gene. Another clone dr2, repressed by drought but not by ABA, had nucleotide repeats for polyasparate that are also present in chicken calsequestrin-like mRNA. Clone dr3, responded similarly to clone dr2 but did not show significant homology with the reported genes, hence appears to be novel. Identification of these ESTs is an initial step to clone the full length genes and their promoters.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Unchanged sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity, reduced Ca2+ sensitivity, and negative force-frequency relationship in transgenic rats overexpressing the mouse renin gene.

Transgenic rats overexpressing the mouse Ren-2 gene [TG(mREN2)27 rats, TGR] were used to characterize alterations in force generation and relaxation following cardiac hypertrophy. Age-matched Sprague-Dawley rats were used as the control group. The beta-adrenoceptor dependent increase in force of contraction was reduced in the transgenic animals but not the Ca2+-dependent increase in force generation. Additionally, force of contraction decreased after increasing stimulation frequencies (up to 7 Hz), but the frequency-dependent decrease in force of contraction was significantly more pronounced in the transgenic group. The Ca2+ sensitivity in chemically skinned fiber preparations of TGR was reduced than that in Sprague-Dawley rats while maximum effectiveness was the same. Unexpectedly, the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity measured in crude membrane preparations from TGR did not differ from that in Sprague-Dawley rats; however, the activity of the Na+/K+-ATPase was less while the Na+/Ca2+-exchanger activity was significantly greater. In the same preparations the protein expression of SERCA2 was reduced in TGR while expression of phospholamban and calsequestrin remained the same. Thus in the model of cardiac hypertrophy harboring the mouse Ren-2 gene the hypothesized correlation between SERCA2 function and force-frequency relationship was not observed. Possible reasons for the more negative force-frequency relationship in TGR included changes at the level of the myofilaments and altered intracellular Na+ homeostasis which may result from the reciprocal changes in the Na+/K+-ATPase and the Na+/Ca2+-exchanger activity.

Animals↗

Increased cardiac workload by closure of the ductus arteriosus leads to hypertrophy and apoptosis rather than to hyperplasia in the late fetal period.

It is generally thought that adult mammalian cardiomyocytes compensate for an increased workload by hypertrophy, whereas fetal myocardium grows by cellular proliferation. We analyzed the response of late-fetal rat hearts upon an increased workload imposed by premature constriction of the ductus arteriosus with indomethacin. Initially the fetal heart responds by proliferative growth, as both wet weight and labeling index (bromodeoxyuridine incorporation) of the ventricles increased, whereas neither a change in the fibroblast fraction, ploidy and nucleation in the ventricles is observed. However, this hyperplastic growth is abrogated by a subsequent burst in apoptosis and followed by a hypertrophic response as based on a decrease in DNA and increase in both RNA and protein concentration. This hypertrophic growth was accompanied by a 1.4-fold increase in the volume of the cardiomyocytes. Changes in the molecular phenotype characteristic of pressure-overload hypertrophic growth accompany the process. Thus, the levels of expression of beta-myosin heavy chain and atrial natriuretic factor mRNA increased, of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA2) mRNA decreased, and of alpha-myosin heavy chain, phospholamban, and calsequestrin mRNA did not change. In situ hybridization showed that the pattern of mRNA expression changed first in the right ventricular wall and subsequently in the left ventricular free wall as well. It is concluded that pressure-overload imposed on the late-fetal heart induces limited proliferative growth complemented by extensive hypertrophic growth.

Animals↗

LAMP-2 deficient mice show depressed cardiac contractile function without significant changes in calcium handling.

OBJECTIVE: Mutations in the highly glycosylated lysosome associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2) cause, as recently shown, familial Danon disease with mental retardation, mild myopathy and fatal cardiomyopathy. Extent and basis of the contractile dysfunction is not completely understood. METHODS: In LAMP-2 deficient mice, we investigated cardiac function in vivo using Doppler-echocardiography and contractile function in vitro in isolated myocardial trabeculae. RESULTS: LAMP-2 deficient mice displayed reduced ejection fraction (EF) (58.9+/-3.4 vs. 80.7+/-5.1%, P<0.05) and reduced cardiac output (8.3+/-3.1 vs. 14.7+/-3.6 ml/min, P<0.05) as compared to wild-type controls. Isolated multicellular muscle preparations from LAMP-2 deficient mice confirmed depressed force development (3.2+/-0.6 vs. 8.4+/-0.9 mN/mm2, P<0.01). All groups showed similar force-frequency behaviour when normalised to baseline force. Post-rest potentiation was significantly depressed at intervals>15 s in LAMP-2 deficient mice (P<0.05). Although attenuated in absolute force development, the normalised inotropic response to increased calcium and beta-adrenoreceptor stimulation was unaltered. Electron microscopic analysis revealed autophagic vacuoles in LAMP-2 deficient cardiomyocytes. Protein analysis showed unaltered levels of SERCA2a, calsequestrin and phospholamban. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac contractile function in LAMP-2 deficient mice as a model for Danon disease is significantly attenuated. The occurrence of autophagic vacuoles in LAMP-2 deficient myocytes is likely to be causal for the depressed contractile function resulting in an attenuated cardiac pump reserve.

Animals↗

Endocardial versus epicardial differences of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase gene expression in the canine failing myocardium.

It is unknown whether the transmural heterogeneity of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase gene expression is present within the left ventricular (LV) wall. Moreover, the changes of transmural distribution have not been examined in the failing hearts. We thus quantified steady-state mRNA abundance of SR Ca2+ regulatory proteins by Northern blot analysis in both subendocardial and subepicardial LV layers from normal and rapid pacing-induced heart failure (HF) dog hearts. For normal LV, Ca2+-ATPase mRNA abundance (normalized to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [GAPDH] mRNA) was significantly reduced in the subendocardium, whereas calsequestrin mRNA abundance was comparable between the two layers. For HF LV, Ca2+-ATPase mRNA abundance in the subendocardium was also reduced compared to the subepicardium. However, the endocardium to epicardium ratio was comparable between control and HF (0.62 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.65 +/- 0.07; p = NS). Therefore, the transmural gradient of this gene was constant in both control and HF. Even though the data on the transmural heterogeneity of protein level is not available, the subendocardium contained significantly less Ca2+-ATPase mRNA, which might contribute, at least in part, to the transmural gradients of biochemical and mechanical function.

Animals↗

Reduced inhibitor 1 and 2 activity is associated with increased protein phosphatase type 1 activity in left ventricular myocardium of one-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats.

UNLABELLED: In failing hearts, although protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) activity has increased, information about the regulation and status of PP1 inhibitor-1 (INH-1) and inhibitor-2 (INH-2) is limited. In this study, we examined activity and protein expression of PP1, INH-1 and INH-2 and phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) phospholamban (PLB), a substrate of PP1 and modulator of SR Ca2+-ATPase activity, in failing and non-failing hearts. These studies were performed in LV myocardium of seven rats with chronic renal hypertension produced by Goldblatt's one-kidney, one-clip procedure and seven age-matched sham-operated normal controls (CTR). Eight weeks after surgery, LV ejection fraction, LV hypertrophy, and pulmonary congestion were determined in all rats. PP1 activity (nmol 32P/min/mg non-collagen protein) was assessed in LV homogenates using 32P-labeled phosphorylase a as substrate. INH-1 and INH-2 activity was determined in the immunoprecipitate of LV homogenates and expressed as percentage inhibitory activity. Using a specific antibody, LV tissue levels of PP1C and calsequestrin (CSQ), a SR calcium binding protein, which is not altered in failing hearts, were also determined. Further, total and phosphorylated PLB, INH-1 and INH-2 protein levels were determined in the LV homogenate and phosphoprotein-enriched fraction, respectively. The band density of each protein was quantified in densitometric units and normalized to CSQ. RESULTS: rats with chronic renal hypertension exhibited significantly reduced LV ejection fraction and increased LV hypertrophy and pulmonary congestion, characteristics of chronic heart failure (CHF). We found that compared to CTR, (1) both INH-1 (10.2+/-2 versus 57.5+/-1; p < 0.05) and INH-2 activity (3.8+/-0.4 versus 36.2+/-4; p < 0.05) were reduced, (2) total and phosphorylated PLB amount reduced, (3) protein level of phosphorylated INH-1 was reduced (2.32+/-0.1 versus 0.73+/-0.04; p < 0.05) whereas that of phosphorylated INH-2 increased (3.05+/-0.3 versus 1.42+/-0.1; p < 0.05), and (4) PP1 activity was increased approximately 2.6-fold in rats with CHF (1.59+/-0.05 versus 0.61+/-0.01; p < 0.05) while protein level of the catalytic subunit of PP1 (PP1C) increased 3.85-fold (0.77+/-0.05 versus 0.20+/-0.02; p < 0.05). These results suggest that reduced inhibitory INH-1 and INH-2 activity, increased PP1C protein level, and reduced PLB phosphorylation are associated with increased PP1 activity in failing hearts.

Animals↗