Cardiac beta-adrenoceptors, G-proteins and adenylate cyclase regulation during myocardial hypertrophy

Chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia decreases β-adrenoceptor activity in right ventricular papillary muscle

Chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) has an effective cardiac protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully known. It has been shown that blockade of β-adrenergic receptor exerts anti-arrhythmic action and improves cardiac remodeling in ischemic myocardium. Thus we determined the influence of CIHH on β-adrenergic receptor activity in right ventricular papillary muscle of rats. We found that the action potential duration in right ventricular papillary muscle was significantly longer in CIHH rats than in control rats. Activation of β-adrenergic receptor with dl-isoproterenol dose-dependently increased action potential duration and the contractility in right ventricular papillary muscle. In CIHH rats, the prolonged effect of dl-isoproterenol on action potential duration and the positive inotropic effect were significantly decreased compared with that in control rats. Furthermore, radioligand-binding experiments revealed that the density and affinity of β-adrenergic receptor in right ventricular myocardium was significantly lower in CIHH rats. In addition, Western blot analysis revealed that the membrane-bound G protein Gsα expression level in cardiac myocardium was significantly lower in CIHH rats than that in control rats. Collectively, these data suggest that CIHH suppresses β-adrenergic receptor action in right ventricular papillary muscle through decreasing receptor density and affinity, as well as membrane-bound Gsα. This mechanism may be involved in the cardiac protective effect of CIHH.

Effects of forskolin on inotropic performance and phospholamban phosphorylation in exercise-trained hypertensive myocardium

Beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) responsiveness is downregulated in left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy induced by chronic hypertension. While exercise training in hypertension enhances beta-AR responsiveness, the role of adenylyl cyclase remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to test whether treadmill running in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model improves LV responsiveness to forskolin (FOR) or the combination of FOR + isoproterenol (FOR+ISO). Female SHR (16-wk) were randomly placed into sedentary (SHR-SED; n = 7) or treadmill-trained (SHR-TRD; n = 8) groups. Wistar-Kyoto (WKY; n = 7) animals acted as normotensive controls. Langendorff, isovolumic LV performance was established at baseline and during incremental FOR infusion (1 and 5 micromol/l) and FOR+ISO (5 micromol/l + 1x10(-8) mol/l). Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and heart-to-body weight ratio were lower in WKY relative to both SHR groups (P < 0.05). LV performance and heart rate significantly increased in all groups to a similar extent with incremental FOR infusion. However, in the presence of 5 micromol/l FOR, ISO increased LV developed pressure, positive change in LV pressure, and negative change in LV pressure to a greater extent in SHR-TRD relative to SHR-SED (P < 0.05). Phospholamban phosphorylation at the Thr17 was greater in SHR-TRD relative to SHR-SED and WKY (P < 0.05). Absolute LV developed pressure was moderately correlated with phospholamban phosphorylation at both the Ser16 (r = 0.64; P < 0.05) and Thr17 (r = 0.52; P < 0.05). Our data suggest that the adenylyl cyclase step in the beta-AR cascade is not downregulated in the early course of hypertension and that the enhanced beta-AR responsiveness with training is likely mediated at levels other than adenylyl cyclase. Our data also suggest that beta-AR inotropic responsiveness in the presence of direct adenylyl cyclase agonism is improved in trained compared with sedentary SHR hearts.

Cardiomegaly induced by pressure overload in newborn rats is accompanied by altered expression of the long isoform of G(s)alpha protein and deranged signaling of adenylyl cyclase

G proteins-coupled signaling pathways appear to play a role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and its progression to heart failure. The present study aimed to investigate trimeric G proteins and adenylyl cyclase signaling in immature as well as in adult rat myocardium during this process caused by pressure overload. Pressure overload was induced in newborn (2-day-old) rats by abdominal aortic banding and myocardial preparations from left ventricular myocardium of immature (10-day-old) and adult (90-day-old) animals were analyzed for the relative content of different G protein subunits and adenylyl cyclase (AC) by immunoblotting with specific antibodies. A functional status of the AC signaling system was also evaluated. Normal maturation of rat heart was accompanied by increased expression of AC type V/VI and VII and of the long isoform (G(s)alphaL) of G(s)alpha protein. In parallel, the amounts of myocardial G(i)alpha/G(o)alpha proteins tended to decrease, and G(q)alpha/G(11)alpha and Gbeta did not change. Interestingly, whereas fluoride-stimulated AC activity increased in the course of maturation, activity of AC measured under other experimental conditions (stimulation by Mn2+, forskolin or isoproterenol) was lower in adult than in young rat myocardium. Pressure overload did not influence distribution of G proteins in immature myocardium, but considerably decreased the content of G(s)alphaL and increased G(o)alpha proteins in hearts of 90-day-old rats. These hearts exhibited worsened functional reserve as compared to age-matched controls and activity of AC was also markedly lower. A considerable reduction in Mn(2+)-stimulated AC activity together with similar decrease in AC activity determined under other stimulation conditions suggests that it is a function of AC catalytic subunit that is primarily impaired in this model of pressure overload.

Beta-adrenergic receptors and calcium cycling proteins in non-failing, hypertrophied and failing human hearts: transition from hypertrophy to failure

Left ventricular hypertrophy may lead to heart failure. The transition between hypertrophy and heart failure is, however, incompletely understood. On the cellular level, human heart failure is characterized by alterations in Ca(2+)-cycling proteins and beta-adrenergic receptor density, but the hypertrophied human heart remains largely under studied. In this investigation, 21 donor hearts which could not be used for transplantation were studied. Ten of these hearts came from organ donors with documented left ventricular hypertrophy and normal cardiac function. Eleven of the hearts were non-failing, obtained from individuals with no evidence of cardiac disease. Nine failing hearts from transplant recipients were also studied. beta-adrenergic receptor density was determined by radioligand binding. mRNA for atrial natriuretic factor, calsequestrin, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, and phospholamban was measured by Northern blot. Actin, calsequestrin, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, and phospholamban proteins were quantified by Western blot. In both hypertrophied and failing ventricles, mRNA for atrial natriuretic factor was expressed, as compared to no expression in non-failing hearts. In failing hearts, beta -adrenergic receptor density and both mRNA and protein levels of the Ca(2+)-ATPase were significantly decreased v non-failing hearts. By comparison, hypertrophied hearts showed a reduction in mRNA expression for both the Ca(2+)-ATPase and phospholamban with no change in the corresponding protein levels, and no change in beta-receptors. These data suggest that the previously demonstrated reduction in beta-adrenergic receptors and Ca(2+)-cycling proteins in the failing human heart may be features of the decompensated state, but are not found in human hearts with left ventricular hypertrophy and preserved systolic function.

Effect of endurance physical training on rat liver adenylyl cyclase system

The adaptive response to endurance exercise of the catecholamine- and glucagon-sensitive adenylyl cyclase system was studied in rat liver plasma membranes. Endurance exercise enhanced adenylyl cyclase system activation by cellular agonists (glucagon, isoproterenol), by stimulators of the enzyme catalytic subunit (forskolin, Mn2+), and by Gs-protein activators (GppNHp, fluoride). In addition, endurance exercise increased the levels of G50, Gi alpha, and G beta subunits. These results show that the adenylyl cyclase system becomes sensitized in response to physical training.

Adenylyl cyclase system is affected differently by endurance physical training in heart and adipose tissue

Adaptive changes in the beta-adrenergic adenylyl cyclase (AC) system in response to endurance training were studied in heart and adipose tissue. Training was performed by making male Wistar rats run on a motor-driven treadmill. The changes following exercise training were opposite in the two tissue studied. The density of beta-adrenergic receptors in left ventricular membranes of trained rats showed a marked decrease. Comparison of AC activities in cardiac membranes prepared from trained and sedentary rats revealed a depressing effect of endurance training on: 1. the beta-adrenergic stimulatory pathway and the inhibition of AC via receptor; 2. the Gs component and the Gs-adenylyl cyclase coupling, as shown by the response of adenylyl cyclase to GppNHp and NaF; and 3. the enzyme catalytic activity in the presence of Mn2+ or forskolin. The levels of Gsalpha subunits in the left ventricle, as measured in terms of ADP-ribosylated and immunologically reactive proteins, were decreased by endurance exercise, whereas immunodetectable levels of Gialpha2 increased in the membranes of trained myocardium. In contrast to the diminished sensitivity that characterizes the behavior of the cardiac beta-adrenergic-AC system, endurance physical training increased sensitivity of this signal transduction system in adipose tissue. Thus, the density of beta-ARs as well as AC activity and the beta-adrenergic stimulatory pathway were increased in adipose membranes of trained rats compared with the corresponding sedentary controls. In addition, the levels of Gsalpha subunits were higher in the adipose plasma membranes of trained rats. However, immunodetectable levels of Gi1alpha and Gi3alpha increased with training, whereas the amount of Gi2alpha decreased in membranes of trained rats. In conclusion, the present study shows that chronic exercise is associated with a tissue-specific adaptation of the beta-adrenergic AC system.

The role of guanine nucleotide binding proteins in hamsters with myocardial hypertrophy

To clarify the role of the guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) in the pathogenesis of myocardial hypertrophy, we investigated the alterations in myocardial G proteins in 20-week-old F1b hamsters with pressure overload induced for 3 days (3-day AS), 7 days (7-day AS) and 14 days (14-day AS) by the stenosis of the abdominal aorta, and in 4- and 20 week-old BIO 14.6 Syrian hamsters (4-wk and 20-wk BIO) with genetic myocardial hypertrophy. The hearts of 7-day AS, 14-day AS and 20-wk BIO with left ventricular hypertrophy exhibited a decrease in the mRNA levels detected by Northern blot analysis and protein levels of G protein detected by Western blot analysis as compared with sham-operated and age-matched F1b hearts. The function of Gs or Gi showed a concomitant reduction in both models of myocardial hypertrophy. The hearts of 3-day AS and 4-wk BIO without myocardial hypertrophy showed no changes in G proteins as compared with sham-operated and age-matched F1b hearts. These results suggest that a decrease in G proteins is not involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial hypertrophy, but that myocardial hypertrophy reduced the G proteins.

Identification of beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in bovine ovarian and myometrial cell membranes

Beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR) concentrations were measured in the ovary and in the myometrium of 36 adult Friesian cows using a radiometric assay. The beta-AR content in both tissues was determined using the highly specific antagonist (-) [3H]CGP 12177 and the amounts of beta-AR subtypes were discriminated in the presence of highly selective unlabelled ligands (CGP 20712A, ICI 118 551, CGP 25827A). Scatchard analysis revealed a good linearity and Kd values suggested the existence of high affinity beta-adrenergic sites in the bovine genital tract. Total beta-AR concentrations in the ovary and in the myometrium were, respectively, 87 +/- 7 (SEM) and 240 +/- 27 fmol mg-1 of membrane protein. beta 2-AR concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the ovary (66 +/- 5) and the myometrium (180 +/- 29) than those of beta 1-AR (21 +/- 4 and 60 +/- 5, respectively). Significant differences (P < 0.05) were also to be found between high affinity state beta 2-AR and low affinity beta 2-AR concentrations, but their values correlated negatively in the two different tissues. Natural and synthetic agonists inhibited (-) [3H]CGP 12177 binding to beta-AR in the following order of potency: (-)isoproterenol > (+/-)clenbuterol > or = (-)adrenaline >> >> (-)noradrenaline, whereas synthetic antagonists inhibited binding in the following order of potency: (-)propranolol >> (+/-)ICI 118 551 >> >> (+/-)CGP 20712A.

Cardiac beta-adrenoceptors and adenylyl cyclase activity in human left ventricular hypertrophy due to pressure overload

The effect of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) due to chronic pressure overload on right atrial (RA) and left ventricular (LV) myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) density and subtypes, adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity and ADP-pertussis toxin ribosylated proteins was investigated in humans with LVH due to aortic stenosis and in patients without LVH undergoing heart surgery for mitral stenosis or coronary artery disease taken as controls. Both groups presented normal systolic function or plasma catecholamine levels. In LVH and controls, beta-AR density was similar in RA (62 +/- 6 vs 77 +/- 12 fmol.mg-1 protein) and LV (39 +/- 7 vs 32 +/- 2 fmol.mg-1 protein). In LVH, beta 1-AR percentage was < than in controls in LV (35 +/- 11 vs 73 +/- 5%, P < 0.05) but not in RA (79 +/- 5 vs 73 +/- 8%). Basal AC activity in RA (19 +/- 4 vs 21 +/- 6 pmol.mg-1 protein) and LV (22 +/- 5 vs 27 +/- 3 pmol.mg-1 protein) was similar in LVH and in controls. Isoprenaline-induced stimulation of AC in RA was similar in LVH and in controls (51 +/- 18 vs 36 +/- 18%) but < in LV of LVH (7 +/- 6 vs 45 +/- 6%, P < 0.05). In the presence of ICI-118,551 (a beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist), isoprenaline failed to induce any increase in cAMP in LVH. The quantification of ADP-pertussis toxin ribosylated proteins indicated a lower concentration of substrates in LV myocardial membranes from LVH. These data indicate that in LVH due to pressure overload, there is a down-regulation of beta 1-AR and an increase in beta 2-AR density. This is associated with alterations of the transmembrane signalling marked by a decreased capacity of isoprenaline to stimulate AC and an impaired expression of Gi proteins.