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ABSTRACT: Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) mediates store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) in skeletal muscle. However, the direct role(s) of STIM1 in skeletal muscle, such as Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) for muscle contraction, have not been identified. The times required for the maximal expression of endogenous STIM1 or Orai1, or for the appearance of puncta during the differentiation of mouse primary skeletal myoblasts to myotubes, were all different, and the formation of puncta was detected with no stimulus during differentiation, suggesting that, in skeletal muscle, the formation of puncta is a part of the differentiation. Wild-type STIM1 and two STIM1 mutants (Triple mutant, missing Ca2+-sensing residues but possessing the intact C-terminus; and, E136X, missing the C-terminus) were overexpressed in the myotubes. The wild-type STIM1 increased SOCE, while neither mutant had an effect on SOCE. It was interesting that increases in the formation of puncta were observed in Triple mutant as well as in wild-type STIM1, suggesting that SOCE-irrelevant puncta could exist in skeletal muscle. On the other hand, overexpression of wild-type or Triple mutant, but not E136X, attenuated Ca2+ releases from the SR in response to KCl (evoking excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) via activating dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR)) in a dominant-negative manner. The attenuation was removed by STIM1 knockdown, and STIM1 was co-immunoprecipitated with DHRP in a Ca2+-independent manner. These results suggest that STIM1 negatively regulates Ca2+ release from the SR through the direct interaction of the STIM1 C-terminus with DHPR, and that STIM1 is involved in both ECC and SOCE in skeletal muscle.
Biochemical Journal 05/2013; · 4.90 Impact Factor
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Chang Sik Park,
Shan Chen,
Hoyong Lee,
Hyeseon Cha,
Jae Gyun Oh,
Sunghee Hong,
Peidong Han,
Kenneth S Ginsburg,
Sora Jin,
Inju Park,
Vivek P Singh,
Hong-Sheng Wang,
Clara Franzini-Armstrong,
Woo Jin Park,
Donald M Bers,
Evangelia G Kranias,
Chunghee Cho, Do Han Kim
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ABSTRACT: The histidine-rich Ca(2+)-binding protein (HRC) is located in the lumen of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and exhibits high-capacity Ca(2+)-binding properties. Overexpression of HRC in the heart resulted in impaired SR Ca(2+) uptake and depressed relaxation through its interaction with SERCA2a. However, the functional significance of HRC in overall regulation of calcium cycling and contractility is not currently well defined. To further elucidate the role of HRC in vivo under physiological and pathophysiological conditions, we generated and characterized HRC-knockout (KO) mice. The KO mice were morphologically and histologically normal compared to wild-type (WT) mice. At the cellular level, ablation of HRC resulted in significantly enhanced contractility, Ca(2+) transients, and maximal SR Ca(2+) uptake rates in the heart. However, after-contractions were developed in 50 % of HRC-KO cardiomyocytes, compared to 11 % in WT mice under stress conditions of high-frequency stimulation (5 Hz) and isoproterenol application. A parallel examination of the electrical activity revealed significant increases in the occurrence of Ca(2+) spontaneous SR Ca(2+) release and delayed afterdepolarizations with ISO in HRC-KO, compared to WT cells. The frequency of Ca(2+) sparks was also significantly higher in HRC-KO cells with ISO, consistent with the elevated SR Ca(2+) load in the KO cells. Furthermore, HRC-KO cardiomyocytes showed significantly deteriorated cell contractility and Ca(2+)-cycling caused possibly by depressed SERCA2a expression after transverse-aortic constriction (TAC). Also HRC-null mice exhibited severe cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, pulmonary edema and decreased survival after TAC. Our results indicate that ablation of HRC is associated with poorly regulated SR Ca(2+)-cycling, and severe pathology under pressure-overload stress, suggesting an essential role of HRC in maintaining the integrity of cardiac function.
Archiv für Kreislaufforschung 05/2013; 108(3):344. · 7.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Mitsugumin 53 (MG53) is a member of the membrane repair system in skeletal muscle. However, the role(s) of MG53 in the unique functions of skeletal muscle have not been addressed, although it is known that MG53 is expressed only in skeletal and cardiac muscle. In the present study, MG53-binding proteins were examined along with proteins that mediate skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation using the binding assays of various MG53 domains and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. MG53 binds to sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 1a (SERCA1a) via its tripartite motif (TRIM) and PRY domains. The binding was confirmed in rabbit skeletal muscle and mouse primary skeletal myotubes by co-immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry. MG53 knockdown in mouse primary skeletal myotubes increased Ca(2+)-uptake through SERCA1a (more than 35%) at micromolar Ca(2+) but not at nanomolar Ca(2+), suggesting that MG53 attenuates SERCA1a activity possibly during skeletal muscle contraction or relaxation but not during the resting state of skeletal muscle. Therefore MG53 could be a new candidate for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Brody syndrome, which is not related to the mutations in the gene coding for SERCA1a, but still accompanies exercise-induced muscle stiffness and delayed muscle relaxation due to a reduction in SERCA1a activity.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 10/2012; · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding RNA molecules that suppress gene expression via degradation or translational inhibition of their target genes. Many miRNAs are associated with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. In this study, we pursued to identify miRNAs that negatively regulate cardiac hypertrophy by utilizing a surgical model for regression of cardiac hypertrophy. Microarray analysis revealed that 15 miRNAs out of the 696 miRNAs tested were specifically up-regulated during the regression period. Among these regression-specific miRNAs, nine microRNAs, which have not been previously reported, were further tested for their effects on phenylephrine (PE)-treated neonatal cardiomyocytes. Consequently, five miRNAs (miR-101b, 142-3p, 181d, 24-2(∗), and 450a) completely abrogated PE-induced hypertrophy as determined by measurements of cell size and fetal gene expression. Conversely, antagomers of these miRNAs exacerbated the PE-induced hypertrophy. Collectively, these findings suggest that the five miRNAs newly identified by using our cardiac hypertrophy-regression surgical model negatively regulate cardiac hypertrophy and could be used as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of heart diseases.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 10/2012; · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The structural proximity and functional coupling between the SR (sarcoplasmic reticulum) and mitochondria have been suggested to occur in the heart. However, the molecular architecture involved in the SR-mitochondrial coupling remains unclear. In the present study, we performed various genetic and Ca2+-probing studies to resolve the proteins involved in the coupling process. By using the bacterial 2-hybrid, glutathione transferase pull-down, co-immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry assays, we found that RyR2 (ryanodine receptor type 2), which is physically associated with VDAC2 (voltage-dependent anion channel 2), was co-localized in SR-mitochondrial junctions. Furthermore, a fractionation study revealed that VDAC2 was co-localized with RyR2 only in the subsarcolemmal region. VDAC2 knockdown by targeted short hairpin RNA led to an increased diastolic [Ca2+] (calcium concentration) and abolishment of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Collectively, the present study suggests that the coupling of VDAC2 with RyR2 is essential for Ca2+ transfer from the SR to mitochondria in the heart.
Biochemical Journal 08/2012; 447(3):371-9. · 4.90 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Evidence has shown that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is associated with the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether direct alleviation of ER stress by 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA), a known chemical chaperone drug, could attenuate pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy in mice. The effects of orally administered PBA (100mg/kg body weight daily for a week) were examined using mice undergoing transverse aortic constriction (TAC-mice), an animal model to produce pressure overload. TAC application for 1 week led to a 1.8-fold increase in the ratio of the heart weight over body weight (HW/BW) and up-regulation of the hypertrophy markers ANF and BNF accompanied by up-regulation of ERS markers (GRP78, p-PERK, and p-elF2α). The oral administration of PBA to the TAC-mice reduced hypertrophy (19%) and severely downregulated the fibrosis-related genes (transforming growth factor-β1, phospho-smad2, and pro-collagen isoforms). We conclude that ERS is induced as a consequence of remodeling during pathological hypertrophy and that PBA may help to relieve ERS and play a protective role against cardiac hypertrophy and possibly heart failure. We suggest PBA as a novel therapeutic agent for cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 04/2012; 421(3):578-84. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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Jae Gyun Oh,
Dongtak Jeong,
Hyeseon Cha,
Ji Myoung Kim,
Ekaterina Lifirsu,
Jihwa Kim,
Dong Kwon Yang,
Chang Sik Park,
Changwon Kho,
Soonyong Park,
Yung Joon Yoo, Do Han Kim,
Jaetaek Kim,
Roger J Hajjar,
Woo Jin Park
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ABSTRACT: Protein kinase C (PKC)-interacting cousin of thioredoxin (PICOT) has distinct anti-hypertrophic and inotropic functions. We have previously shown that PICOT exerts its anti-hypertrophic effect by inhibiting calcineurin-NFAT signaling through its C-terminal glutaredoxin domain. However, the mechanism underlying the inotropic effect of PICOT is unknown. The results of protein pull-down experiments showed that PICOT directly binds to the catalytic domain of PKCζ through its N-terminal thioredoxin-like domain. Purified PICOT protein inhibited the kinase activity of PKCζ in vitro, which indicated that PICOT is an endogenous inhibitor of PKCζ. The inhibition of PKCζ activity with a PKCζ-specific pseudosubstrate peptide inhibitor was sufficient to increase the cardiac contractility in vitro and ex vivo. Overexpression of PICOT or inhibition of PKCζ activity down-regulated PKCα activity, which led to the elevation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) 2a activity, concomitant with the increased phosphorylation of phospholamban (PLB). Overexpression of PICOT or inhibition of PKCζ activity also down-regulated protein phosphatase (PP) 2A activity, which subsequently resulted in the increased phosphorylation of troponin (Tn) I and T, key myofilament proteins associated with the regulation of contractility. PICOT appeared to inhibit PP2A activity through the disruption of the functional PKCζ/PP2A complex. In contrast to the overexpression of PICOT or inhibition of PKCζ, reduced PICOT expression resulted in up-regulation of PKCα and PP2A activities, followed by decreased phosphorylation of PLB, and TnI and T, respectively, supporting the physiological relevance of these events. Transgene- or adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated overexpression of PICOT restored the impaired contractility and prevented further morphological and functional deterioration of the failing hearts. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that PICOT exerts its inotropic effect by negatively regulating PKCα and PP2A activities through the inhibition of PKCζ activity. This finding provides a novel insight into the regulation of cardiac contractility.
Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 03/2012; 53(1):53-63. · 5.17 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Junctophilins (JPs) play an important role in the formation of junctional membrane complexes (JMC) in striated muscle by physically linking the transverse-tubule and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes. Researchers have found five JP2 mutants in humans with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Among these, Y141H and S165F are associated with severely altered Ca(2+) signaling in cardiomyocytes. We previously reported that S165F also induced both hypertrophy and altered intracellular Ca(2+) signaling in mouse skeletal myotubes. In the present study, we attempted to identify the dominant-negative role(s) of Y141H in primary mouse skeletal myotubes. Consistent with S165F, Y141H led to hypertrophy and altered Ca(2+) signaling (a decrease in the gain of excitation-contraction coupling and an increase in the resting level of myoplasmic Ca(2+)). However, unlike S165F, neither ryanodine receptor 1-mediated Ca(2+) release from the SR nor the phosphorylation of the mutated JP2 by protein kinase C was related to the altered Ca(2+) signaling by Y141H. Instead, abnormal JMC and increased SOCE via Orai1 were found, suggesting that the hypertrophy caused by Y141H progressed differently from S165F. Therefore JP2 can be linked to skeletal muscle hypertrophy via various Ca(2+) signaling pathways, and SOCE could be one of the causes of altered Ca(2+) signaling observed in muscle hypertrophy.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 03/2012; 287(18):14336-48. · 4.77 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Histidine-rich calcium binding protein (HRC) is located in the lumen of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) that binds to both triadin (TRN) and SERCA affecting Ca(2+) cycling in the SR. Chronic overexpression of HRC that may disrupt intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis is implicated in pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. Ablation of HRC showed relatively normal phenotypes under basal condition, but exhibited a significantly increased susceptibility to isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy. In the present study, we characterized the functions of HRC related to Ca(2+) cycling and pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy using the in vitro siRNA- and the in vivo adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated HRC knock-down (KD) systems, respectively.
AAV-mediated HRC-KD system was used with or without C57BL/6 mouse model of transverse aortic constriction-induced failing heart (TAC-FH) to examine whether HRC-KD could enhance cardiac function in failing heart (FH). Initially we expected that HRC-KD could elicit cardiac functional recovery in failing heart (FH), since predesigned siRNA-mediated HRC-KD enhanced Ca(2+) cycling and increased activities of RyR2 and SERCA2 without change in SR Ca(2+) load in neonatal rat ventricular cells (NRVCs) and HL-1 cells. However, AAV9-mediated HRC-KD in TAC-FH was associated with decreased fractional shortening and increased cardiac fibrosis compared with control. We found that phospho-RyR2, phospho-CaMKII, phospho-p38 MAPK, and phospho-PLB were significantly upregulated by HRC-KD in TAC-FH. A significantly increased level of cleaved caspase-3, a cardiac cell death marker was also found, consistent with the result of TUNEL assay.
Increased Ca(2+) leak and cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration due to a partial KD of HRC could enhance activity of CaMKII and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, causing the mitochondrial death pathway observed in TAC-FH. Our results present evidence that down-regulation of HRC could deteriorate cardiac function in TAC-FH through perturbed SR-mediated Ca(2+) cycling.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(8):e43282. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although both physiological hypertrophy (PHH) and pathological hypertrophy (PAH) of the heart have similar morphological appearances, only PAH leads to fatal heart failure. In the present study, we used RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to determine the transcriptomic signatures for both PHH and PAH. Approximately 13-20 million reads were obtained for both models, among which PAH showed more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (2,041) than PHH (245). The expression of 417 genes was barely detectable in the normal heart but was suddenly activated in PAH. Among them, Foxm1 and Plk1 are of particular interest, since Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) using DEGs and upstream motif analysis showed that they are essential hub proteins that regulate the expression of downstream proteins associated with PAH. Meanwhile, 52 genes related to collagen, chemokines, and actin showed opposite expression patterns between PHH and PAH. MAZ-binding motifs were enriched in the upstream region of the participating genes. Alternative splicing (AS) of exon variants was also examined using RNA-Seq data for PAH and PHH. We found 317 and 196 exon inclusions and exon exclusions, respectively, for PAH, and 242 and 172 exon inclusions and exclusions, respectively for PHH. The AS pattern was mostly related to gains or losses of domains, changes in activity, and localization of the encoded proteins. The splicing variants of 8 genes (i.e., Fhl1, Rcan1, Ndrg2, Synpo, Ttll1, Cxxc5, Egfl7, and Tmpo) were experimentally confirmed. Multilateral pathway analysis showed that the patterns of quantitative (DEG) and qualitative (AS) changes differ depending on the type of pathway in PAH and PHH. One of the most significant changes in PHH is the severe downregulation of autoimmune pathways accompanied by significant AS. These findings revealed the unique transcriptomic signatures of PAH and PHH and also provided a more comprehensive understanding at both the quantitative and qualitative levels.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(4):e35552. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Integrated Pathway Resources, Analysis and Visualization System (iPAVS) is an integrated biological pathway database designed to support pathway discovery in the fields of proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and systems biology. The key goal of IPAVS is to provide biologists access to expert-curated pathways from experimental data belonging to specific biological contexts related to cell types, tissues, organs and diseases. IPAVS currently integrates over 500 human pathways (consisting of 24, 574 interactions) that include metabolic-, signaling- and disease-related pathways, drug-action pathways and several large process maps collated from other pathway resources. IPAVS web interface allows biologists to browse and search pathway resources and provides tools for data import, management, visualization and analysis to support the interpretation of biological data in light of cellular processes. Systems Biology Graphical Notations (SBGN) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway notations are used for the visual display of pathway information. The integrated datasets in IPAVS are made available in several standard data formats that can be downloaded. IPAVS is available at: http://ipavs.cidms.org.
Nucleic Acids Research 12/2011; 40(Database issue):D803-8. · 8.03 Impact Factor
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Keun Woo Lee,
Jin-Soo Maeng,
Jeong Yi Choi,
Yu Ran Lee,
Chae Young Hwang,
Sung Sup Park,
Hyun Kyu Park,
Bong Hyun Chung,
Seung-Goo Lee,
Yeon-Soo Kim,
Hyesung Jeon,
Soo Hyun Eom,
Chulhee Kang, Do Han Kim,
Ki-Sun Kwon
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ABSTRACT: Calsequestrin (CSQ), the major intrasarcoplasmic reticulum calcium storage protein, undergoes dynamic polymerization and depolymerization in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. However, no direct evidence of CSQ depolymerization in vivo with physiological relevance has been obtained. In the present study, live cell imaging analysis facilitated characterization of the in vivo dynamics of the macromolecular CSQ structure. CSQ2 appeared as speckles in the presence of normal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) that were decondensed upon Ca(2+) depletion. Moreover, CSQ2 decondensation occurred only in the stoichiometric presence of junctin (JNT). When expressed alone, CSQ2 speckles remained unchanged, even after Ca(2+) depletion. FRET analysis revealed constant interactions between CSQ2 and JNT, regardless of the SR Ca(2+) concentration, implying that JNT is an essential component of the CSQ scaffold. In vitro solubility assay, electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy studies using purified recombinant proteins confirmed Ca(2+) and JNT-dependent disassembly of the CSQ2 polymer. Accordingly, we conclude that reversible polymerization and depolymerization of CSQ are critical in SR Ca(2+) homeostasis.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 11/2011; 287(3):1679-87. · 4.77 Impact Factor
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Inju Park,
Cecil Han,
Sora Jin,
Boyeon Lee,
Heejin Choi,
Jun Tae Kwon,
Dongwook Kim,
Jihye Kim,
Ekaterina Lifirsu,
Woo Jin Park,
Zee Yong Park, Do Han Kim,
Chunghee Cho
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ABSTRACT: Myosin II is an actin-binding protein composed of MHC (myosin heavy chain) IIs, RLCs (regulatory light chains) and ELCs (essential light chains). Myosin II expressed in non-muscle tissues plays a central role in cell adhesion, migration and division. The regulation of myosin II activity is known to involve the phosphorylation of RLCs, which increases the Mg2+-ATPase activity of MHC IIs. However, less is known about the details of RLC-MHC II interaction or the loss-of-function phenotypes of non-muscle RLCs in mammalian cells. In the present paper, we investigate three highly conserved non-muscle RLCs of the mouse: MYL (myosin light chain) 12A (referred to as MYL12A), MYL12B and MYL9 (MYL12A/12B/9). Proteomic analysis showed that all three are associated with the MHCs MYH9 (NMHC IIA) and MYH10 (NMHC IIB), as well as the ELC MYL6, in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. We found that knockdown of MYL12A/12B in NIH 3T3 cells results in striking changes in cell morphology and dynamics. Remarkably, the levels of MYH9, MYH10 and MYL6 were reduced significantly in knockdown fibroblasts. Comprehensive interaction analysis disclosed that MYL12A, MYL12B and MYL9 can all interact with a variety of MHC IIs in diverse cell and tissue types, but do so optimally with non-muscle types of MHC II. Taken together, our study provides direct evidence that normal levels of non-muscle RLCs are essential for maintaining the integrity of myosin II, and indicates that the RLCs are critical for cell structure and dynamics.
Biochemical Journal 01/2011; 434(1):171-80. · 4.90 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: TRPM7 is a cation channel containing a functional kinase domain. The functional activity of TRPM7 is essential for cell viability and growth, and its expression is up-regulated in certain pathological conditions, such as ischemia.
In order to assess the effects of TRPM7 activity on cellular gene expression, inducible HEK293 cell-lines harboring the wild-type mouse TRPM7 and a mutant lacking the kinase domain were established. The wild-type and the non-functional TRPM7 channels were induced transiently and the comparative changes in cellular transcription were investigated.
From the genome-scale analysis using a human genome expression microarray, we identified 951 genes altered in transcription significantly and specifically by the expression of the functional TRPM7 channel.
By analyzing the genes differentially expressed by TRPM7, we were able to provide potential target proteins and to delineate the cellular pathways affected by the channel function.
Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry 01/2011; 27(3-4):313-26. · 2.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Imperatoxin A (IpTx(a)) is known to modify the gating of skeletal ryanodine receptor (RyR1). In this paper, the ability of charged aa residues of IpTx(a) to induce substate of native RyR1 in HSR was examined. Our results show that the basic residues (e.g., Lys¹⁹, Lys²⁰, Lys²², Arg²³, and Arg²⁴) are important for producing substate of RyR1. In addition, other basic residues (e.g., Lys³⁰, Arg³¹, and Arg³³ near the C-terminus and some acidic residues (e.g., Glu²⁹, Asp¹³, and Asp²) are also involved in the generation of substate. Residues such as Lys⁸ and Thr²⁶ may be involved in the self-regulation of substate of RyR1, since alanine substitution of the aa residues led to a drastic conversion to the substate. The modifications of the channel gating by the wild-type and mutant toxins were similar in purified RyR1. Taken together, the specific charge distributions on the surface of IpTx(a) are essential for regulation of the channel gating of RyR1.
Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology 01/2011; 2011:386384. · 2.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multifunctional intracellular organelle supporting many processes required by virtually every mammalian cell, including cardiomyocytes. It performs diverse functions, including protein synthesis, translocation across the membrane, integration into the membrane, folding, posttranslational modification including N-linked glycosylation, and synthesis of phospholipids and steroids on the cytoplasmic side of the ER membrane, and regulation of Ca(2+) homeostasis. Perturbation of ER-associated functions results in ER stress via the activation of complex cytoplasmic and nuclear signaling pathways, collectively termed the unfolded protein response (UPR) (also known as misfolded protein response), leading to upregulation of expression of ER resident chaperones, inhibition of protein synthesis and activation of protein degradation. The UPR has been associated with numerous human pathologies, and it may play an important role in the pathophysiology of the heart. ER stress responses, ER Ca(2+) buffering, and protein and lipid turnover impact many cardiac functions, including energy metabolism, cardiogenesis, ischemic/reperfusion, cardiomyopathies, and heart failure. ER proteins and ER stress-associated pathways may play a role in the development of novel UPR-targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases.
Circulation Research 11/2010; 107(10):1185-97. · 9.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are intracellular Ca(2+) release channels (CRCs) that play a pivotal role in cellular Ca(2+) signaling. In striated muscles, RyR-mediated Ca(2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) induces elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration and subsequent muscle contraction. Evidence from various sources suggests that RyRs in homo-tetrameric conformation form a large conductance Ca(2+) permeable channel in the central pore and large cytoplasmic domains. RyRs form a large assembly with various cytosolic and luminal proteins. A number of papers have been published concerning the functions of RyRs and the regulation of the associated proteins, but the three dimensional (3D) structure of the assembly has not been addressed in detail. In this paper, we have attempted to establish a 3D-map for the assembly of RyRs by considering published cryo-EM data, available X-ray crystallographic information and molecular modeling methods.
Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology 10/2010; 105(3):145-61. · 3.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In mammals, sperm acquire their motility and ability to fertilize eggs in the epididymis. This maturation process involves the acquisition of particular proteins from the epididymis. One such secretory protein specifically expressed in the epididymis is Adam7 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease 7). Previous studies have shown that Adam7 that resides in an intracellular compartment of epididymal cells is transferred to sperm membranes, where its levels are dependent on the expression of Adam2 and Adam3, which have critical roles in fertilization. Here, using a proteomics approach based on mass spectrometry, we identified proteins that interact with Adam7 in sperm membranes. This analysis revealed that Adam7 forms complexes with calnexin (Canx), heat shock protein 5 (Hspa5), and integral membrane protein 2B (Itm2b). Canx and Hspa5 are molecular chaperones, and Itm2b is a type II integral membrane protein implicated in neurodegeneration. The interaction of Adam7 with these proteins was confirmed by immunoprecipitation-Western blot analysis. We found that Adam7 and Itm2b are located in detergent-resistant regions known to be highly correlated with membrane lipid rafts. We further found that the association of Adam7 with Itm2b is remarkably promoted during sperm capacitation owing to a conformational change of Adam7 that occurs in concert with the capacitation process. Thus, our results suggest that Adam7 functions in fertilization through the formation of a chaperone complex and enhanced association with Itm2b during capacitation in sperm.
Journal of Cellular Physiology 10/2010; 226(5):1186-95. · 3.87 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: During membrane depolarization associated with skeletal excitation-contraction (EC) coupling, dihydropyridine receptor [DHPR, a L-type Ca(2+) channel in the transverse (t)-tubule membrane] undergoes conformational changes that are transmitted to ryanodine receptor 1 [RyR1, an internal Ca(2+)-release channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane] causing Ca(2+) release from the SR. Canonical-type transient receptor potential cation channel 3 (TRPC3), an extracellular Ca(2+)-entry channel in the t-tubule and plasma membrane, is required for full-gain of skeletal EC coupling. To examine additional role(s) for TRPC3 in skeletal muscle other than mediation of EC coupling, in the present study, we created a stable myoblast line with reduced TRPC3 expression and without alpha1((S))DHPR (MDG/TRPC3 KD myoblast) by knock-down of TRPC3 in alpha1((S))DHPR-null muscular dysgenic (MDG) myoblasts using retrovirus-delivered small interference RNAs in order to eliminate any DHPR-associated EC coupling-related events. Unlike wild-type or alpha1((S))DHPR-null MDG myoblasts, MDG/TRPC3 KD myoblasts exhibited dramatic changes in cellular morphology (e.g., unusual expansion of both cell volume and the plasma membrane, and multi-nuclei) and failed to differentiate into myotubes possibly due to increased Ca(2+) content in the SR. These results suggest that TRPC3 plays an important role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle myoblasts and myotubes.
Experimental and Molecular Medicine 09/2010; 42(9):614-27. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) contributes to Ca(2+) handling in normal skeletal muscle function, as well as the progression of muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia, yet the mechanisms underlying the change in SOCE in these states remain unclear. Previously we showed that calsequestrin-1 (CSQ1) participated in retrograde regulation of SOCE in cultured skeletal myotubes. In this study, we used small-hairpin RNA to determine whether knockdown of CSQ1 in adult mouse skeletal muscle can influence SOCE activity and muscle function. Small-hairpin RNA against CSQ1 was introduced into flexor digitorum brevis muscles using electroporation. Transfected fibers were isolated for SOCE measurements using the Mn(2+) fluorescence-quenching method. At room temperature, the SOCE induced by submaximal depletion of the SR Ca(2+) store was significantly enhanced in CSQ1-knockdown muscle fibers. When temperature of the bathing solution was increased to 39 degrees C, CSQ1-knockdown muscle fibers displayed a significant increase in Ca(2+) permeability across the surface membrane likely via the SOCE pathway, and a corresponding elevation in cytosolic Ca(2+) as compared to control fibers. Preincubation with azumolene, an analog of dantrolene used for the treatment of malignant hyperthermia (MH), suppressed the elevated SOCE in CSQ1-knockdown fibers. Because the CSQ1-knockout mice develop similar MH phenotypes, this inhibitory effect of azumolene on SOCE suggests that elevated extracellular Ca(2+) entry in skeletal muscle may be a key factor for the pathophysiological changes in intracellular Ca(2+) signaling in MH.
Biophysical Journal 09/2010; 99(5):1556-64. · 3.65 Impact Factor