Abstract
Objective: The alterations in contractile proteins underlying enhanced Ca2+-sensitivity of the contractile apparatus in end-stage failing human myocardium are still not resolved. In the present study an attempt was made to reveal to what extent protein alterations contribute to the increased Ca2+-responsiveness in human heart failure. Methods: Isometric force and its Ca2+-sensitivity were studied in single left ventricular myocytes from non-failing donor (n=6) and end-stage failing (n=10) hearts. To elucidate which protein alterations contribute to the increased Ca2+-responsiveness isoform composition and phosphorylation status of contractile proteins were analysed by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Western immunoblotting. Results: Maximal tension did not differ between myocytes obtained from donor and failing hearts, while Ca2+-sensitivity of the contractile apparatus (pCa50) was significantly higher in failing myocardium (ΔpCa50=0.17). Protein analysis indicated that neither re-expression of atrial light chain 1 and fetal troponin T (TnT) nor degradation of myosin light chains and troponin I (TnI) are responsible for the observed increase in Ca2+-responsiveness. An inverse correlation was found between pCa50 and percentage of phosphorylated myosin light chain 2 (MLC-2), while phosphorylation of MLC-1 and TnT did not differ between donor and failing hearts. Incubation of myocytes with protein kinase A decreased Ca2+-sensitivity to a larger extent in failing (ΔpCa50=0.20) than in donor (ΔpCa50=0.03) myocytes, abolishing the difference in Ca2+-responsiveness. An increased percentage of dephosphorylated TnI was found in failing hearts, which significantly correlated with the enhanced Ca2+-responsiveness. Conclusions: The increased Ca2+-responsiveness of the contractile apparatus in end-stage failing human hearts cannot be explained by a shift in contractile protein isoforms, but results from the complex interplay between changes in the phosphorylation status of MLC-2 and TnI.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 37-47 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Cardiovascular research |
Volume | 57 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2003 |
Keywords
- Contractile function
- Heart failure
- Myocytes
- Protein phosphorylation