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   Conditional neuronal nitric oxide synthase overexpression impairs myocardial contractility.; ; et al in Circulation Research (2007), 100(3), 32-44 The role of the neuronal NO synthase (nNOS or NOS1) enzyme in the control of cardiac function still remains unclear. Results from nNOS(-/-) mice or from pharmacological inhibition of nNOS are ... [more ▼] The role of the neuronal NO synthase (nNOS or NOS1) enzyme in the control of cardiac function still remains unclear. Results from nNOS(-/-) mice or from pharmacological inhibition of nNOS are contradictory and do not pay tribute to the fact that probably spatial confinement of the nNOS enzyme is of major importance. We hypothesize that the close proximity of nNOS and certain effector molecules like L-type Ca(2+)-channels has an impact on myocardial contractility. To test this, we generated a new transgenic mouse model allowing conditional, myocardial specific nNOS overexpression. Western blot analysis of transgenic nNOS overexpression showed a 6-fold increase in nNOS protein expression compared with noninduced littermates (n=12; P<0.01). Measuring of total NOS activity by conversion of [(3)H]-l-arginine to [(3)H]-l-citrulline showed a 30% increase in nNOS overexpressing mice (n=18; P<0.05). After a 2 week induction, nNOS overexpression mice showed reduced myocardial contractility. In vivo examinations of the nNOS overexpressing mice revealed a 17+/-3% decrease of +dp/dt(max) compared with noninduced mice (P<0.05). Likewise, ejection fraction was reduced significantly (42% versus 65%; n=15; P<0.05). Interestingly, coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated interaction of nNOS with SR Ca(2+)ATPase and additionally with L-type Ca(2+)- channels in nNOS overexpressing animals. Accordingly, in adult isolated cardiac myocytes, I(Ca,L) density was significantly decreased in the nNOS overexpressing cells. Intracellular Ca(2+)-transients and fractional shortening in cardiomyocytes were also clearly impaired in nNOS overexpressing mice versus noninduced littermates. In conclusion, conditional myocardial specific overexpression of nNOS in a transgenic animal model reduced myocardial contractility. We suggest that nNOS might suppress the function of L-type Ca(2+)-channels and in turn reduces Ca(2+)-transients which accounts for the negative inotropic effect. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 114 (1 UL)Inhibition of nuclear import of calcineurin prevents myocardial hypertrophy.; ; et al in Circulation Research (2006), 99(6), 626-35 The time that transcription factors remain nuclear is a major determinant for transcriptional activity. It has recently been demonstrated that the phosphatase calcineurin is translocated to the nucleus ... [more ▼] The time that transcription factors remain nuclear is a major determinant for transcriptional activity. It has recently been demonstrated that the phosphatase calcineurin is translocated to the nucleus with the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT). This study identifies a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) and a nuclear export signal (NES) in the sequence of calcineurin. Furthermore we identified the nuclear cargo protein importinbeta(1) to be responsible for nuclear translocation of calcineurin. Inhibition of the calcineurin/importin interaction by a competitive peptide (KQECKIKYSERV), which mimicked the calcineurin NLS, prevented nuclear entry of calcineurin. A noninhibitory control peptide did not interfere with the calcineurin/importin binding. Using this approach, we were able to prevent the development of myocardial hypertrophy. In angiotensin II-stimulated cardiomyocytes, [(3)H]-leucine incorporation (159%+/-9 versus 111%+/-11; P<0.01) and cell size were suppressed significantly by the NLS peptide compared with a control peptide. The NLS peptide inhibited calcineurin/NF-AT transcriptional activity (227%+/-11 versus 133%+/-8; P<0.01), whereas calcineurin phosphatase activity was unaffected (298%+/-9 versus 270%+/-11; P=NS). We conclude that calcineurin is not only capable of dephosphorylating NF-AT, thus enabling its nuclear import, but the presence of calcineurin in the nucleus is also important for full NF-AT transcriptional activity. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 114 (1 UL)Targeted proteolysis sustains calcineurin activation.; ; et al in Circulation (2005), 111(8), 1045-53 BACKGROUND: Calcineurin (CnA) is important in the regulation of myocardial hypertrophy. We demonstrated that targeted proteolysis of the CnA autoinhibitory domain under pathological myocardial workload ... [more ▼] BACKGROUND: Calcineurin (CnA) is important in the regulation of myocardial hypertrophy. We demonstrated that targeted proteolysis of the CnA autoinhibitory domain under pathological myocardial workload leads to increased CnA activity in human myocardium. Here, we investigated the proteolytic mechanism leading to activation of CnA. METHODS AND RESULTS: In patients with diseased myocardium, we found strong nuclear translocation of CnA. In contrast, in normal human myocardium, there was a cytosolic distribution of CnA. Stimulation of rat cardiomyocytes with angiotensin (Ang) II increased calpain activity significantly (433+/-11%; P<0.01; n=6) and caused proteolysis of the autoinhibitory domain of CnA. Inhibition of calpain by a membrane-permeable calpain inhibitor prevented proteolysis. We identified the cleavage site of calpain in the human CnA sequence at amino acid 424. CnA activity was increased after Ang II stimulation (310+/-29%; P<0.01; n=6) and remained high after removal of Ang II (214+/-17%; P<0.01; n=6). Addition of a calpain inhibitor to the medium decreased CnA activity (110+/-19%; P=NS; n=6) after removal of Ang II. Ang II stimulation of cardiomyocytes also translocated CnA into the nucleus as demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining and transfection assays with GFP-tagged CnA. Calpain inhibition and therefore suppression of calpain-mediated proteolysis of CnA enabled CnA exit from the nucleus. CONCLUSIONS: Ang II stimulation of cardiomyocytes increased calpain activity, leading to proteolysis of the autoinhibitory domain of CnA. This causes an increase in CnA activity and results in nuclear translocation of CnA. Loss of the autoinhibitory domain renders CnA constitutively nuclear and active, even after removal of the hypertrophic stimulus. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 112 (0 UL)The molecular basis of myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure.; Neyses, Ludwig  in Trends in molecular medicine (2003), 9(7), 313-21 Heart failure (HF) is the inability of the heart to cope with the metabolic demands of the periphery. It is the common end-stage of many frequent cardiac diseases and is characterized by relentless ... [more ▼] Heart failure (HF) is the inability of the heart to cope with the metabolic demands of the periphery. It is the common end-stage of many frequent cardiac diseases and is characterized by relentless progression. Mechanisms of progression include renal sodium and water retention, neurohumoral activation and alterations of the protein composition (gene programme) of the heart itself. In this review, we explain the often confusing terminology in the subject, briefly touch upon the peripheral mechanisms of HF, and then focus on the changes in the gene programme of the failing heart and the molecular mechanisms leading to them. Understanding the basic processes underlying HF will help uninitiated readers to gain insight into recent novel approaches to its treatment. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 130 (0 UL)AT2 receptor activation regulates myocardial eNOS expression via the calcineurin-NF-AT pathway.; ; et al in FASEB Journal (2003), 17(2), 283-5 The role of AT2-receptors has recently been subject of considerable debate. We investigated the influence of AT2-stimulation/inhibition on myocardial endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS, NOS-III) promoter ... [more ▼] The role of AT2-receptors has recently been subject of considerable debate. We investigated the influence of AT2-stimulation/inhibition on myocardial endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS, NOS-III) promoter activity and eNOS protein expression. Stimulation of rat cardiomyocytes with angiotensin II (AngII) increased eNOS protein expression 3.3-fold. This was blocked by Cyclosporin A (CsA). Inhibition of the AT1-receptor did not reduce AngII-mediated eNOS protein expression, whereas AT2 stimulation increased it 2.4-fold and AT2 inhibition suppressed it. The modulatory effects of the AT2-receptor on eNOS expression was confirmed in mice with a genetic deletion of the AT2-receptor (AT2-KO). In gel shift assays two putative NF-AT sites in a 1.6 kb eNOS promoter fragment showed NF-AT binding and a supershift by NF-AT2(-c1)-specific antibodies. Stimulation of transfected cells with AngII or specific AT2-receptor agonists resulted in a significant increase in eNOS promoter activity, which was blocked by CsA, MCIP1, and mutation of an upstream NF-AT site. CONCLUSION: 1) AngII-stimulation of the myocardium, both in vivo and in vitro, is accompanied by increased expression of eNOS. 2) This effect is mediated by the calcineurin pathway and is induced by the AT2-receptor. 3) These results define a calcineurin/NF-AT/eNOS pathway as downstream effector of AT2-receptor activation in the myocardium. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 134 (1 UL)Calcineurin in human heart hypertrophy.; ; et al in Circulation (2002), 105(19), 2265-9 BACKGROUND: In animal models, increased signaling through the calcineurin pathway has been shown to be sufficient for the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Calcineurin activity has been reported to be ... [more ▼] BACKGROUND: In animal models, increased signaling through the calcineurin pathway has been shown to be sufficient for the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Calcineurin activity has been reported to be elevated in the myocardium of patients with congestive heart failure. In contrast, few data are available about calcineurin activity in patients with pressure overload or cardiomyopathic hypertrophy who are not in cardiac failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated calcineurin activity and protein expression in 2 different forms of cardiac hypertrophy: hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and aortic stenosis (AS). We found that the C-terminus of calcineurin A protein containing the autoinhibitory domain was less abundant in myocardial hypertrophy than in normal heart, which suggests the possibility of proteolysis. No new splice variants could be detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. This resulted in a significant elevation of calcineurin enzymatic activity in HOCM and AS compared with 6 normal hearts. Increased calcineurin phosphatase activity caused increased migration of NF-AT2 (nuclear factor of activated T cells 2) in SDS-PAGE compatible with pronounced NF-AT dephosphorylation in hypertrophied myocardial tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertrophy in HOCM and AS without heart failure is characterized by a significant increase in calcineurin activity. This might occur by (partial) proteolysis of the calcineurin A C-terminus containing the autoinhibitory domain. Increased calcineurin activity has functional relevance, as shown by altered NF-AT phosphorylation state. Although hypertrophy in AS and HOCM may be initiated by different upstream triggers (internal versus external fiber overload), in both cases, there is activation of calcineurin, which suggests an involvement of this pathway in the pathogenesis of human cardiac hypertrophy. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 118 (0 UL) A molecular mechanism improving the contractile state in human myocardial hypertrophy.; ; et al in Experimental and Clinical Cardiology (2002), 7(2-3), 151-7 BACKGROUND: Various molecular mechanisms are operative in altering the sarcomeric function of the heart under increased hemodynamic workload. Expression of the atrial isoform (ALC-1) of the essential ... [more ▼] BACKGROUND: Various molecular mechanisms are operative in altering the sarcomeric function of the heart under increased hemodynamic workload. Expression of the atrial isoform (ALC-1) of the essential myosin light chain, a shift from alpha-myosin heavy chain (MHC) to beta-MHC, increased phosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chains and increased troponin I (TnI) phosphorylation have been reported to modulate cardiac contractility in rodents. METHODS: TO ASSESS A POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION OF THESE SARCOMERIC PROTEINS TO CARDIAC PERFORMANCE IN HUMAN MYOCARDIAL HYPERTROPHY, TWO DIFFERENT FORMS OF CARDIAC HYPERTROPHY WERE INVESTIGATED: 19 patients with hypertropic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and 13 patients with aortic stenosis (AS) with marked left ventricular hypertrophy and normal systolic function. RESULTS: There was no change in MHC gene expression, regulatory myosin light chain or TnI phosphorylation status in normal heart (NH), HOCM and AS patients. However, patients with hypertrophied myocardium expressed ALC-1 that was not detectable in NH. ALC-1 protein expression correlated positively with the left ventricular ejection fraction. In patients with hypertrophied myocardium, there was a mean ALC-1 protein expression of 12.7+/-3% (range 3.6% to 32%). CONCLUSION: In humans, ALC-1 expression is in vivo a powerful molecular mechanism of the sarcomere to maintain or improve myocardial contractility under increased hemodynamic demands. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 86 (1 UL) |
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