1
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Cool AM, Lindert S. Umbrella Sampling Simulations of Cardiac Thin Filament Reveal Thermodynamic Consequences of Troponin I Inhibitory Peptide Mutations. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:3534-3543. [PMID: 37261389 PMCID: PMC10506665 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The cardiac thin filament comprises F-actin, tropomyosin, and troponin (cTn). cTn is composed of three subunits: troponin C (cTnC), troponin I (cTnI), and troponin T (cTnT). To computationally study the effect of the thin filament on cTn activation events, we employed targeted molecular dynamics followed by umbrella sampling using a model of the thin filament to measure the thermodynamics of cTn transition events. Our simulations revealed that the thin filament causes an increase in the free energy required to open the cTnC hydrophobic patch and causes a more favorable interaction between this region and the cTnI switch peptide. Mutations to the cTn complex can lead to cardiomyopathy, a collection of diseases that present clinically with symptoms of hypertrophy or dilation of the cardiac muscle, leading to impairment of the heart's ability to function normally and ultimately myocardial infarction or heart failure. Upon introduction of cardiomyopathic mutations to R145 of cTnI, we observed a general decrease in the free energy of opening the cTnC hydrophobic patch, which is on par with previous experimental results. These mutations also exhibited a decrease in electrostatic interactions between cTnI-R145 and actin-E334. After introduction of a small molecule to the wild-type cTnI-actin interface to intentionally disrupt intersubunit contacts, we successfully observed similar thermodynamic consequences and disruptions to the same protein-protein contacts as observed with the cardiomyopathic mutations. Computational studies utilizing the cTn complex in isolation would have been unable to observe these effects, highlighting the importance of using a more physiologically relevant thin-filament model to investigate the global consequences of cardiomyopathic mutations to the cTn complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin M. Cool
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Steffen Lindert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
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2
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Dvornikov AV, Bunch TA, Lepak VC, Colson BA. Fluorescence lifetime-based assay reports structural changes in cardiac muscle mediated by effectors of contractile regulation. J Gen Physiol 2023; 155:213803. [PMID: 36633587 PMCID: PMC9859762 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202113054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac muscle contraction is regulated by Ca2+-induced structural changes of the thin filaments to permit myosin cross-bridge cycling driven by ATP hydrolysis in the sarcomere. In congestive heart failure, contraction is weakened, and thus targeting the contractile proteins of the sarcomere is a promising approach to therapy. However, development of novel therapeutic interventions has been challenging due to a lack of precise discovery tools. We have developed a fluorescence lifetime-based assay using an existing site-directed probe, N,N'-dimethyl-N-(iodoacetyl)-N'-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)ethylenediamine (IANBD) attached to human cardiac troponin C (cTnC) mutant cTnCT53C, exchanged into porcine cardiac myofibrils. We hypothesized that IANBD-cTnCT53C fluorescence lifetime measurements provide insight into the activation state of the thin filament. The sensitivity and precision of detecting structural changes in cTnC due to physiological and therapeutic modulators of thick and thin filament functions were determined. The effects of Ca2+ binding to cTnC and myosin binding to the thin filament were readily detected by this assay in mock high-throughput screen tests using a fluorescence lifetime plate reader. We then evaluated known effectors of altered cTnC-Ca2+ binding, W7 and pimobendan, and myosin-binding drugs, mavacamten and omecamtiv mecarbil, used to treat cardiac diseases. Screening assays were determined to be of high quality as indicated by the Z' factor. We conclude that cTnC lifetime-based probes allow for precise evaluation of the thin filament activation in functioning myofibrils that can be used in future high-throughput screens of small-molecule modulators of function of the thin and thick filaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V. Dvornikov
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Thomas A. Bunch
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Victoria C. Lepak
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Brett A. Colson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA,Correspondence to Brett A. Colson:
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3
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Marston S, Pinto JR. Suppression of lusitropy as a disease mechanism in cardiomyopathies. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 9:1080965. [PMID: 36698941 PMCID: PMC9870330 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1080965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In cardiac muscle the action of adrenaline on β1 receptors of heart muscle cells is essential to adjust cardiac output to the body's needs. Adrenergic activation leads to enhanced contractility (inotropy), faster heart rate (chronotropy) and faster relaxation (lusitropy), mainly through activation of protein kinase A (PKA). Efficient enhancement of heart output under stress requires all of these responses to work together. Lusitropy is essential for shortening the heartbeat when heart rate increases. It therefore follows that, if the lusitropic response is not present, heart function under stress will be compromised. Current literature suggests that lusitropy is primarily achieved due to PKA phosphorylation of troponin I (TnI) and phospholamban (PLB). It has been well documented that PKA-induced phosphorylation of TnI releases Ca2+ from troponin C faster and increases the rate of cardiac muscle relaxation, while phosphorylation of PLB increases SERCA activity, speeding up Ca2+ removal from the cytoplasm. In this review we consider the current scientific evidences for the connection between suppression of lusitropy and cardiac dysfunction in the context of mutations in phospholamban and thin filament proteins that are associated with cardiomyopathies. We will discuss what advances have been made into understanding the physiological mechanism of lusitropy due to TnI and PLB phosphorylation and its suppression by mutations and we will evaluate the evidence whether lack of lusitropy is sufficient to cause cardiomyopathy, and under what circumstances, and consider the range of pathologies associated with loss of lusitropy. Finally, we will discuss whether suppressed lusitropy due to mutations in thin filament proteins can be therapeutically restored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Marston
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Renato Pinto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, United States
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4
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Hantz ER, Lindert S. Computational Exploration and Characterization of Potential Calcium Sensitizing Mutations in Cardiac Troponin C. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:6201-6208. [PMID: 36383927 PMCID: PMC10497304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Calcium-dependent heart muscle contraction is regulated by the cardiac troponin protein complex (cTn) and specifically by the N-terminal domain of its calcium binding subunit (cNTnC). cNTnC contains one calcium binding site (site II), and altered calcium binding in this site has been studied for decades. It has been previously shown that cNTnC mutants, which increase calcium sensitization may have therapeutic benefits, such as restoring cardiac muscle contractility and functionality post-myocardial infarction events. Here, we computationally characterized eight mutations for their potential effects on calcium binding affinity in site II of cNTnC. We utilized two distinct methods to estimate calcium binding: adaptive steered molecular dynamics (ASMD) and thermodynamic integration (TI). We observed a sensitizing trend for all mutations based on the employed ASMD methodology. The TI results showed excellent agreement with experimentally known calcium binding affinities in wild-type cNTnC. Based on the TI results, five mutants were predicted to increase calcium sensitivity in site II. This study presents an interesting comparison of the two computational methods, which have both been shown to be valuable tools in characterizing the impacts of calcium sensitivity in mutant cNTnC systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R. Hantz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
| | - Steffen Lindert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210
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5
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Qiu M, Chen J, Li X, Zhuang J. Intersection of the Ubiquitin–Proteasome System with Oxidative Stress in Cardiovascular Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012197. [PMID: 36293053 PMCID: PMC9603077 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) present a major social problem worldwide due to their high incidence and mortality rate. Many pathophysiological mechanisms are involved in CVDs, and oxidative stress plays a vital mediating role in most of these mechanisms. The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is the main machinery responsible for degrading cytosolic proteins in the repair system, which interacts with the mechanisms regulating endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis. Recent evidence also points to the role of UPS dysfunction in the development of CVDs. The UPS has been associated with oxidative stress and regulates reduction–oxidation homeostasis. However, the mechanisms underlying UPS-mediated oxidative stress’s contribution to CVDs are unclear, especially the role of these interactions at different disease stages. This review highlights the recent research progress on the roles of the UPS and oxidative stress, individually and in combination, in CVDs, focusing on the pathophysiology of key CVDs, including atherosclerosis, ischemia–reperfusion injury, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This synthesis provides new insight for continued research on the UPS–oxidative stress interaction, in turn suggesting novel targets for the treatment and prevention of CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of South China Structural Heart Disease, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jimei Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of South China Structural Heart Disease, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of South China Structural Heart Disease, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jian Zhuang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of South China Structural Heart Disease, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-020-83827812 (ext. 51050)
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6
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Keyt LK, Duran JM, Bui QM, Chen C, Miyamoto MI, Silva Enciso J, Tardiff JC, Adler ED. Thin filament cardiomyopathies: A review of genetics, disease mechanisms, and emerging therapeutics. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:972301. [PMID: 36158814 PMCID: PMC9489950 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.972301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
All muscle contraction occurs due to the cyclical interaction between sarcomeric thin and thick filament proteins within the myocyte. The thin filament consists of the proteins actin, tropomyosin, Troponin C, Troponin I, and Troponin T. Mutations in these proteins can result in various forms of cardiomyopathy, including hypertrophic, restrictive, and dilated phenotypes and account for as many as 30% of all cases of inherited cardiomyopathy. There is significant evidence that thin filament mutations contribute to dysregulation of Ca2+ within the sarcomere and may have a distinct pathomechanism of disease from cardiomyopathy associated with thick filament mutations. A number of distinct clinical findings appear to be correlated with thin-filament mutations: greater degrees of restrictive cardiomyopathy and relatively less left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and LV outflow tract obstruction than that seen with thick filament mutations, increased morbidity associated with heart failure, increased arrhythmia burden and potentially higher mortality. Most therapies that improve outcomes in heart failure blunt the neurohormonal pathways involved in cardiac remodeling, while most therapies for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy involve use of negative inotropes to reduce LV hypertrophy or septal reduction therapies to reduce LV outflow tract obstruction. None of these therapies directly address the underlying sarcomeric dysfunction associated with thin-filament mutations. With mounting evidence that thin filament cardiomyopathies occur through a distinct mechanism, there is need for therapies targeting the unique, underlying mechanisms tailored for each patient depending on a given mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas K. Keyt
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Jason M. Duran
- Department of Cardiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Quan M. Bui
- Department of Cardiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Cardiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | - Jorge Silva Enciso
- Department of Cardiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Jil C. Tardiff
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Eric D. Adler
- Department of Cardiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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7
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Burkart V, Kowalski K, Aldag-Niebling D, Beck J, Frick DA, Holler T, Radocaj A, Piep B, Zeug A, Hilfiker-Kleiner D, dos Remedios CG, van der Velden J, Montag J, Kraft T. Transcriptional bursts and heterogeneity among cardiomyocytes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:987889. [PMID: 36082122 PMCID: PMC9445301 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.987889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional bursting is a common expression mode for most genes where independent transcription of alleles leads to different ratios of allelic mRNA from cell to cell. Here we investigated burst-like transcription and its consequences in cardiac tissue from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients with heterozygous mutations in the sarcomeric proteins cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-C, MYBPC3) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI, TNNI3). Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) we found that both, MYBPC3 and TNNI3 are transcribed burst-like. Along with that, we show unequal allelic ratios of TNNI3-mRNA among single cardiomyocytes and unequally distributed wildtype cMyBP-C protein across tissue sections from heterozygous HCM-patients. The mutations led to opposing functional alterations, namely increasing (cMyBP-Cc.927−2A>G) or decreasing (cTnIR145W) calcium sensitivity. Regardless, all patients revealed highly variable calcium-dependent force generation between individual cardiomyocytes, indicating contractile imbalance, which appears widespread in HCM-patients. Altogether, we provide strong evidence that burst-like transcription of sarcomeric genes can lead to an allelic mosaic among neighboring cardiomyocytes at mRNA and protein level. In HCM-patients, this presumably induces the observed contractile imbalance among individual cardiomyocytes and promotes HCM-development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Burkart
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Valentin Burkart
| | - Kathrin Kowalski
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - David Aldag-Niebling
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Julia Beck
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dirk Alexander Frick
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tim Holler
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ante Radocaj
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Birgit Piep
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andre Zeug
- Institute for Cellular Neurophysiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Cristobal G. dos Remedios
- Mechanosensory Biophysics Laboratory, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Judith Montag
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Judith Montag
| | - Theresia Kraft
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Physiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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8
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Hassoun R, Budde H, Mügge A, Hamdani N. Cardiomyocyte Dysfunction in Inherited Cardiomyopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11154. [PMID: 34681814 PMCID: PMC8541428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited cardiomyopathies form a heterogenous group of disorders that affect the structure and function of the heart. Defects in the genes encoding sarcomeric proteins are associated with various perturbations that induce contractile dysfunction and promote disease development. In this review we aimed to outline the functional consequences of the major inherited cardiomyopathies in terms of myocardial contraction and kinetics, and to highlight the structural and functional alterations in some sarcomeric variants that have been demonstrated to be involved in the pathogenesis of the inherited cardiomyopathies. A particular focus was made on mutation-induced alterations in cardiomyocyte mechanics. Since no disease-specific treatments for familial cardiomyopathies exist, several novel agents have been developed to modulate sarcomere contractility. Understanding the molecular basis of the disease opens new avenues for the development of new therapies. Furthermore, the earlier the awareness of the genetic defect, the better the clinical prognostication would be for patients and the better the prevention of development of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roua Hassoun
- Institut für Forschung und Lehre (IFL), Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, St. Josef-Hospital and Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Heidi Budde
- Institut für Forschung und Lehre (IFL), Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, St. Josef-Hospital and Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Andreas Mügge
- Institut für Forschung und Lehre (IFL), Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, St. Josef-Hospital and Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Nazha Hamdani
- Institut für Forschung und Lehre (IFL), Molecular and Experimental Cardiology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, St. Josef-Hospital and Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
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9
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Cool AM, Lindert S. Computational Methods Elucidate Consequences of Mutations and Post-translational Modifications on Troponin I Effective Concentration to Troponin C. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:7388-7396. [PMID: 34213339 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c03844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ca2+ binding to cardiac troponin C (cTnC) causes a conformational shift that exposes a hydrophobic patch (cTnCHP) for binding of the cTnI switch peptide (cTnISP), ultimately resulting in contraction of the heart. The inhibitory peptide (cTnIIP), attached at the N-terminal end of the cTnISP, serves as a tether for the cTnISP to the rest of the troponin complex. Due to this tethered nature, the cTnISP remains within proximity of the hydrophobic patch region, resulting in the cTnCHP experiencing an elevated "effective concentration" of the cTnISP. Mutations to the cTnIIP region have been hypothesized to cause disease by affecting the ability of the cTnISP to "find" the hydrophobic patch, resulting in alterations to the heart's ability to contract normally. We tested this hypothesis using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the troponin complex using a model that contained all three subunits of troponin: C, I, and T. We developed methods that allowed us to quantitatively measure the effective concentration of the cTnISP from the simulations. A significant reduction in the cTnISP effective concentration was observed when the cTnIIP was removed from the system, showcasing the importance of a tethered cTnISP. Through accelerated MD methods, we proposed the minimum effective concentration of a tethered cTnISP to be approximately 21 mM. Modification of the cTnIIP via PKC-mediated phosphorylation of T143 was shown to significantly increase the estimated effective concentration of cTnISP, help the cTnISP find the cTnCHP more effectively, and maintain the relative shape of the cTnIIP when compared to the native model. All of these data indicate that pT143 may be able to help promote binding of cTnISP to the cTnCHP. We then tested six mutations within the cTnIIP region that are known cTnC Ca2+-sensitizing mutations and have been linked with cardiomyopathy. We did not observe a significant reduction in the effective concentration upon the introduction of these mutations; however, we did observe increased variability in the flexibility and dynamics of the cTnIIP region when compared to native. Our observations led us to hypothesize that the mechanism by which these cardiomyopathic mutations affect Ca2+ sensitivity is by altering the off rate of cTnISP from the hydrophobic patch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin M Cool
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Steffen Lindert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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10
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Genchev GZ, Kobayashi M, Kobayashi T, Lu H. Molecular dynamics provides new insights into the mechanism of calcium signal transduction and interdomain interactions in cardiac troponin. FEBS Open Bio 2021; 11:1841-1853. [PMID: 33085832 PMCID: PMC8255835 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the regulation of cardiac muscle contraction at a molecular level is crucial for the development of therapeutics for heart conditions. Despite the availability of atomic structures of the protein components of cardiac muscle thin filaments, detailed insights into their dynamics and response to calcium are yet to be fully depicted. In this study, we used molecular dynamics simulations of the core domains of the cardiac muscle protein troponin to characterize the equilibrium dynamics of its calcium-bound and calcium-free forms, with a focus on elements of cardiac muscle contraction activation and deactivation, that is, calcium binding to the cardiac troponin Ca2+ -binding subunit (TnC) and the release of the switch region of the troponin inhibitory subunit (TnI) from TnC. The process of calcium binding to the TnC binding site is described as a three-step process commencing with calcium capture by the binding site residues, followed by cooperative residue interplay bringing the calcium ion to the binding site, and finally, calcium-water exchange. Furthermore, we uncovered a set of TnC-TnI interdomain interactions that are critical for TnC N-lobe hydrophobic pocket dynamics. Absence of these interactions allows the closure of the TnC N-lobe hydrophobic pocket while the TnI switch region remains expelled, whereas if the interactions are maintained, the hydrophobic pocket remains open. Modification of these interactions may fine-tune the ability of the TnC N-lobe hydrophobic pocket to close or remain open, modulate cardiac contractility and present potential therapy-relevant targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgi Z Genchev
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai, China.,SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Bulgarian Institute for Genomics and Precision Medicine, Sofia, Bulgaria.,Bioinformatics Program, Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Minae Kobayashi
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Center for Cardiovascular Research, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tomoyoshi Kobayashi
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics and Center for Cardiovascular Research, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hui Lu
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai, China.,SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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11
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Hantz ER, Lindert S. Adaptative Steered Molecular Dynamics Study of Mutagenesis Effects on Calcium Affinity in the Regulatory Domain of Cardiac Troponin C. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3052-3057. [PMID: 34080877 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Calcium-dependent cardiac muscle contraction is regulated by the protein complex troponin (cTn) and specifically by the regulatory N-terminal domain (N-cTnC) which contains one active Ca2+ binding site (site II). It has been previously shown that cardiac muscle contractility and functionality is affected by mutations in N-cTnC which alter calcium binding affinity. Here, we describe the application of adaptive steered molecular dynamics to characterize the influence of N-cTnC mutations on site II calcium binding affinity. We observed the correct trends for all of the studied calcium sensitizing and desensitizing mutants, in conjunction with loop II perturbations. Additionally, the potential of mean force accuracy was shown to increase substantially with increasingly slower speeds and using fewer trajectories. This study presents a novel approach to computationally estimate the Ca2+ binding affinity of N-cTnC structures and is a valuable potential tool to support the design and characterization of novel mutations with potential therapeutic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R Hantz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Steffen Lindert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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12
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Tobacman LS, Cammarato A. Cardiomyopathic troponin mutations predominantly occur at its interface with actin and tropomyosin. J Gen Physiol 2021; 153:e202012815. [PMID: 33492345 PMCID: PMC7836260 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202012815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Reversible Ca2+ binding to troponin is the primary on-off switch of the contractile apparatus of striated muscles, including the heart. Dominant missense mutations in human cardiac troponin genes are among the causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy. Structural understanding of troponin action has recently advanced considerably via electron microscopy and molecular dynamics studies of the thin filament. As a result, it is now possible to examine cardiomyopathy-inducing troponin mutations in thin-filament structural context, and from that to seek new insight into pathogenesis and into the troponin regulatory mechanism. We compiled from consortium reports a representative set of troponin mutation sites whose pathogenicity was determined using standardized clinical genetics criteria. Another set of sites, apparently tolerant of amino acid substitutions, was compiled from the gnomAD v2 database. Pathogenic substitutions occurred predominantly in the areas of troponin that contact actin or tropomyosin, including, but not limited to, two regions of newly proposed structure and long-known implication in cardiomyopathy: the C-terminal third of troponin I and a part of the troponin T N terminus. The pathogenic mutations were located in troponin regions that prevent contraction under low Ca2+ concentration conditions. These regions contribute to Ca2+-regulated steric hindrance of myosin by the combined effects of troponin and tropomyosin. Loss-of-function mutations within these parts of troponin result in loss of inhibition, consistent with the hypercontractile phenotype characteristic of HCM. Notably, pathogenic mutations are absent in our dataset from the Ca2+-binding, activation-producing troponin C (TnC) N-lobe, which controls contraction by a multi-faceted mechanism. Apparently benign mutations are also diminished in the TnC N-lobe, suggesting mutations are poorly tolerated in that critical domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry S. Tobacman
- Departments of Medicine and of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Anthony Cammarato
- Departments of Medicine and of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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Genetic Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: Causes and Consequences-An Integrative Approach. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020558. [PMID: 33429969 PMCID: PMC7827163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The sarcomere as the smallest contractile unit is prone to alterations in its functional, structural and associated proteins. Sarcomeric dysfunction leads to heart failure or cardiomyopathies like hypertrophic (HCM) or restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) etc. Genetic based RCM, a very rare but severe disease with a high mortality rate, might be induced by mutations in genes of non-sarcomeric, sarcomeric and sarcomere associated proteins. In this review, we discuss the functional effects in correlation to the phenotype and present an integrated model for the development of genetic RCM.
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Groen M, López-Dávila AJ, Zittrich S, Pfitzer G, Stehle R. Hypertrophic and Dilated Cardiomyopathy-Associated Troponin T Mutations R130C and ΔK210 Oppositely Affect Length-Dependent Calcium Sensitivity of Force Generation. Front Physiol 2020; 11:516. [PMID: 32581830 PMCID: PMC7283609 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Length-dependent activation of calcium-dependent myocardial force generation provides the basis for the Frank-Starling mechanism. To directly compare the effects of mutations associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy, the native troponin complex in skinned trabecular fibers of guinea pigs was exchanged with recombinant heterotrimeric, human, cardiac troponin complexes containing different human cardiac troponin T subunits (hcTnT): hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-associated hcTnTR130C, dilated cardiomyopathy-associated hcTnTΔK210 or the wild type hcTnT (hcTnTWT) serving as control. Force-calcium relations of exchanged fibers were explored at short fiber length defined as 110% of slack length (L0) and long fiber length defined as 125% of L0 (1.25 L0). At short fiber length (1.1 L0), calcium sensitivity of force generation expressed by −log [Ca2+] required for half-maximum force generation (pCa50) was highest for the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-associated mutation R130C (5.657 ± 0.019), intermediate for the wild type control (5.580 ± 0.028) and lowest for the dilated cardiomyopathy-associated mutation ΔK210 (5.325 ± 0.038). Lengthening fibers from 1.1 L0 to 1.25 L0 increased calcium sensitivity in fibers containing hcTnTR130C (delta-pCa50 = +0.030 ± 0.010), did not alter calcium sensitivity in the wild type control (delta-pCa50 = −0.001 ± 0.010), and decreased calcium sensitivity in fibers containing hcTnTΔK210 (delta-pCa50 = −0.034 ± 0.013). Length-dependent activation indicated by the delta-pCa50 was highly significantly (P < 0.001) different between the two mutations. We hypothesize that primary effects of mutations on length-dependent activation contribute to the development of the diverging phenotypes in hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Groen
- Department of Neurology and Neurogeriatry, Johannes Wesling Medical Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Zittrich
- Institute of Vegetative Physiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pfitzer
- Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Robert Stehle
- Institute of Vegetative Physiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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15
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Cardiac troponin I R193H mutant interacts with HDAC1 to repress phosphodiesterase 4D expression in cardiomyocytes. Genes Dis 2020; 8:569-579. [PMID: 34179318 PMCID: PMC8209310 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) is a subunit of the thin filament involved in regulation of heart contraction. Mutated cTnI accounts for most genetic mutations associated with restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). We previously found phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) decreased in RCM mice with cTnIR193H mutation and the mutant cTnI might be involved in PDE4D reduction. This study aims to elucidate a novel role of cTnIR193H mutant as a gene regulator. Overexpression of cTnIR193H mutant in cardiomyocytes showed decrease in PDED4D protein expression, while the enrichment of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) was increased along with decreases in acetylated lysine 4 (acH3K4) and 9 (acH3K9) levels in the PDE4D promoter. HDAC1 overexpression could also downregulate PDE4D via reducing acH3K4 and acH3K9 levels. Co-IP assays showed that cTnIR193H mutant owed increased binding ability to HDAC1 compared with wild type cTnI. EGCG as a HDAC1 inhibitor could diminish the strength of cTnIR193H-HDAC1 interactions and alleviate the reduction in PDE4D expression. Together, our data indicated that cTnIR193H mutant could repress PDE4D expression in cardiomyocytes through HDAC1 associated histone deacetylation modification. Unlike the typical function of cTnI in cytoplasm, our study suggested a novel role of cTnI mutants in nuclei in regulating gene expression.
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16
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Lin YH, Yap J, Ramachandra CJ, Hausenloy DJ. New insights provided by myofibril mechanics in inherited cardiomyopathies. CONDITIONING MEDICINE 2019; 2:213-224. [PMID: 32133438 PMCID: PMC7055865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cardiomyopathies represent a heterogeneous group of cardiac disorders that perturb cardiac contraction and/or relaxation, and can result in arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Based on morphological and functional differences, cardiomyopathies have been classified into hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). It has been well documented that mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins are associated with the onset of inherited cardiomyopathies. However, correlating patient genotype to the clinical phenotype has been challenging because of the complex genetic backgrounds, environmental influences, and lifestyles of individuals. Thus, "scaling down" the focus to the basic contractile unit of heart muscle using isolated single myofibril function techniques is of great importance and may be used to understand the molecular basis of disease-causing sarcomeric mutations. Single myofibril bundles harvested from diseased human or experimental animal hearts, as well as cultured adult cardiomyocytes or human cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, can be used, thereby providing an ideal multi-level, cross-species platform to dissect sarcomeric function in cardiomyopathies. Here, we will review the myofibril function technique, and discuss alterations in myofibril mechanics, which are known to occur in sarcomeric genetic mutations linked to inherited HCM, DCM, and RCM, and describe the therapeutic potential for future target identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Hsi Lin
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jonathan Yap
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, USA
| | - Chrishan J.A. Ramachandra
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
| | - Derek J. Hausenloy
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, London, UK
- The National Institute of Health Research University College London Hospitals
- Biomedical Research Centre, Research & Development, London, UK
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Centro de Biotecnologia-FEMSA, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
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17
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Bowman JD, Lindert S. Computational Studies of Cardiac and Skeletal Troponin. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:68. [PMID: 31448287 PMCID: PMC6696891 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Troponin is a key regulatory protein in muscle contraction, consisting of three subunits troponin C (TnC), troponin I (TnI), and troponin T (TnT). Calcium association to TnC initiates contraction by causing a series of dynamic and conformational changes that allow the switch peptide of TnI to bind and subsequently cross bridges to form between the thin and thick filament of the sarcomere. Owing to its pivotal role in contraction regulation, troponin has been the focus of numerous computational studies over the last decade. These studies elegantly supplemented a large volume of experimental work and focused on the structure, dynamics and function of the whole troponin complex, individual subunits, and even on segments of the thin filament. Molecular dynamics, Brownian dynamics, and free energy simulations have been used to elucidate the conformational dynamics and underlying free energy landscape of troponin, calcium, and switch peptide binding, as well as the effect of disease mutations, small molecules and post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation. Frequently, simulations have been used to confirm or explain experimental observations. Computer-aided drug discovery tools have been employed to identify novel potential calcium sensitizing agents binding to the TnC-TnI interface. Finally, Markov modeling has contributed to simulating contraction within the sarcomere on the mesoscale. Here we are reviewing and classifying the existing computational work on troponin and its subunits, outline current gaps in simulations elucidating troponin's role in contraction and suggest potential future developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D Bowman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Steffen Lindert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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18
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Marston S. Small molecule studies: the fourth wave of muscle research. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2019; 40:69-76. [PMID: 31228047 PMCID: PMC6726831 DOI: 10.1007/s10974-019-09526-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The study of muscle and contractility is an unusual scientific endeavour since it has from the start been focussed on one problem—What makes muscle work?—and yet has needed a vast range of different approaches and techniques to study it. Its uniqueness lies in the fundamental fascination of a large scale molecular machine that converts chemical energy into mechanical energy at ambient temperature and with high efficiency that is also controlled by an exquisitely intricate yet utterly reliable regulatory system and is an essential component of animal life. The investigation of muscle is as innovative as any other field of research. As soon as one approach appears to be played out another comes along. It is instructive to consider this as a series of waves of novel and heightened activity starting in the 1950s. The thesis of this article is that we are approaching the fourth wave with the recent rise of interest in small molecules as research tools and possible therapies for muscle diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Marston
- Cardiovascular Division, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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Marston S, Zamora JE. Troponin structure and function: a view of recent progress. J Muscle Res Cell Motil 2019; 41:71-89. [PMID: 31030382 PMCID: PMC7109197 DOI: 10.1007/s10974-019-09513-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanism by which Ca2+ binding and phosphorylation regulate muscle contraction through Troponin is not yet fully understood. Revealing the differences between the relaxed and active structure of cTn, as well as the conformational changes that follow phosphorylation has remained a challenge for structural biologists over the years. Here we review the current understanding of how Ca2+, phosphorylation and disease-causing mutations affect the structure and dynamics of troponin to regulate the thin filament based on electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, NMR and molecular dynamics methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Marston
- NHLI and Chemistry Departments, Imperial College London, W12 0NN, London, UK.
| | - Juan Eiros Zamora
- NHLI and Chemistry Departments, Imperial College London, W12 0NN, London, UK
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20
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van der Velden J, Stienen GJM. Cardiac Disorders and Pathophysiology of Sarcomeric Proteins. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:381-426. [PMID: 30379622 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00040.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The sarcomeric proteins represent the structural building blocks of heart muscle, which are essential for contraction and relaxation. During recent years, it has become evident that posttranslational modifications of sarcomeric proteins, in particular phosphorylation, tune cardiac pump function at rest and during exercise. This delicate, orchestrated interaction is also influenced by mutations, predominantly in sarcomeric proteins, which cause hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy. In this review, we follow a bottom-up approach starting from a description of the basic components of cardiac muscle at the molecular level up to the various forms of cardiac disorders at the organ level. An overview is given of sarcomere changes in acquired and inherited forms of cardiac disease and the underlying disease mechanisms with particular reference to human tissue. A distinction will be made between the primary defect and maladaptive/adaptive secondary changes. Techniques used to unravel functional consequences of disease-induced protein changes are described, and an overview of current and future treatments targeted at sarcomeric proteins is given. The current evidence presented suggests that sarcomeres not only form the basis of cardiac muscle function but also represent a therapeutic target to combat cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanda van der Velden
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam , The Netherlands ; and Department of Physiology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Ger J M Stienen
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam , The Netherlands ; and Department of Physiology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
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21
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Onwuli DO, Samuel SF, Sfyri P, Welham K, Goddard M, Abu-Omar Y, Loubani M, Rivero F, Matsakas A, Benoit DM, Wade M, Greenman J, Beltran-Alvarez P. The inhibitory subunit of cardiac troponin (cTnI) is modified by arginine methylation in the human heart. Int J Cardiol 2019; 282:76-80. [PMID: 30772011 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.01.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inhibitory subunit of cardiac troponin (cTnI) is a gold standard cardiac biomarker and also an essential protein in cardiomyocyte excitation-contraction coupling. The interactions of cTnI with other proteins are fine-tuned by post-translational modification of cTnI. Mutations in cTnI can lead to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS Here we report, for the first time, that cTnI is modified by arginine methylation in human myocardium. Using Western blot, we observed reduced levels of cTnI arginine methylation in human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy compared to dilated cardiomyopathy biopsies. Similarly, using a rat model of cardiac hypertrophy we observed reduced levels of cTnI arginine methylation compared to sham controls. Using mass spectrometry, we identified cTnI methylation sites at R74/R79 and R146/R148 in human cardiac samples. R146 and R148 lie at the boundary between the critical cTnI inhibitory and switch peptides; PRMT1 methylated an extended inhibitory peptide at R146 and R148 in vitro. Mutations at R145 that have been associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy hampered R146/R148 methylation by PRMT1 in vitro. H9c2 cardiac-like cells transfected with plasmids encoding for a methylation-deficient R146A/R148A cTnI protein developed cell hypertrophy, with a 32% increase in cell size after 72 h, compared to control cells. DISCUSSION Our results provide evidence for a novel and significant cTnI post-translational modification. Our work opens the door to translational investigations of cTnI arginine methylation as a biomarker of disease, which can include e.g. cardiomyopathies, myocardial infarction and heart failure, and offers a novel way to investigate the effect of cTnI mutations in the inhibitory/switch peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatus O Onwuli
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, HU6 7RX Hull, UK
| | | | - Pagona Sfyri
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Kevin Welham
- School of Chemistry, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, HU6 7RX Hull, UK
| | - Martin Goddard
- Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Papworth Everard, Cambridge CB23 3RE, UK
| | - Yasir Abu-Omar
- Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Papworth Everard, Cambridge CB23 3RE, UK
| | - Mahmoud Loubani
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX, UK; Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Rd, Cottingham HU16 5JQ, UK
| | - Francisco Rivero
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Antonios Matsakas
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - David M Benoit
- School of Chemistry, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, HU6 7RX Hull, UK
| | - Mark Wade
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, HU6 7RX Hull, UK
| | - John Greenman
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, HU6 7RX Hull, UK
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Assessment of PKA and PKC inhibitors on force and kinetics of non-failing and failing human myocardium. Life Sci 2018; 215:119-127. [PMID: 30399377 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.10.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent disease that is considered the foremost reason for hospitalization in the United States. Most protein kinases (PK) are activated in heart disease and their inhibition has been shown to improve cardiac function in both animal and human studies. However, little is known about the direct impact of PKA and PKC inhibitors on human cardiac contractile function. MATERIAL AND METHODS We investigated the ex vivo effect of such inhibitors on force as well as on kinetics of left ventricular (LV) trabeculae dissected from non-failing and failing human hearts. In these experiments, we applied 0.5 μM of H-89 and GF109203X, which are PKA and PKC inhibitors, respectively, in comparison to their vehicle DMSO (0.05%). KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION Statistical analyses revealed no significant effect for H-89 and GF109203X on either contractile force or kinetics parameters of both non-failing and failing muscles even though they were used at a concentration higher than the reported IC50s and Kis. Therefore, several factors such as selectivity, concentration, and treatment time, which are related to these PK inhibitors according to previous studies require further exploration.
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23
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Dvornikov AV, de Tombe PP, Xu X. Phenotyping cardiomyopathy in adult zebrafish. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 138:116-125. [PMID: 29884423 PMCID: PMC6269218 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is usually manifested by increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, excessive contractility, and impaired relaxation. In contrast, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) originates from insufficient sarcomere contractility and reduced cardiac pump function, subsequently resulting in heart failure. The zebrafish has emerged as a new model of human cardiomyopathy with high-throughput screening, which will facilitate the discovery of novel genetic factors and the development of new therapies. Given the small hearts of zebrafish, better phenotyping tools are needed to discern different types of cardiomyopathy, such as HCM and DCM. This article reviews the existing models of cardiomyopathy, available morphologic and functional methods, and current understanding of the different types of cardiomyopathy in adult zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V Dvornikov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Pieter P de Tombe
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Chicago, IL, USA; Magdi Yacoub Institute, Cardiac Biophysics Division, Harefield, UK; Imperial College, Heart and Lung Institute, London, UK; Freiburg University, Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, Germany
| | - Xiaolei Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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24
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Bowman JD, Lindert S. Molecular Dynamics and Umbrella Sampling Simulations Elucidate Differences in Troponin C Isoform and Mutant Hydrophobic Patch Exposure. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:7874-7883. [PMID: 30070845 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b05435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Troponin C (TnC) facilitates muscle contraction through calcium-binding within its N-terminal region (NTnC). As previously observed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, this calcium-binding event leads to an increase in the dynamics of helices lining a hydrophobic patch on TnC. Simulation times of multiple microseconds were required to even see a partial opening of the hydrophobic patch, limiting the ability to thoroughly and quantitatively investigate these rare events. Here we describe the application of umbrella sampling to probe the TnC hydrophobic patch opening in a more targeted and quantitative fashion. Umbrella sampling was utilized to investigate the differences in the free energy of opening between cardiac (cTnC) and fast skeletal TnC (sTnC). We found that, in agreement with previous reports, holo (calcium-bound) sTnC had a lower free energy of opening compared with holo cTnC. Additionally, differences in the free energy of opening of hypertrophic (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) cTnC systems were investigated. MD simulations and umbrella sampling revealed a lower free energy of opening for the HCM mutations A8V and A31S, as well as the calcium-sensitizing mutation L48Q. The DCM mutations, Y5H, Q50R, and E59D/D75Y, all exhibited a higher free energy of opening. An umbrella sampling simulation of cTnI-bound holo cTnC exhibited the lowest free energy in the open configuration, in agreement with experimental data. In conclusion, this study presents a novel and successful protocol for applying umbrella sampling simulations to quantitatively study the molecular basis of muscle contraction and proposes a mechanism by which HCM and DCM-associated mutations influence contraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D Bowman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio 43210 , United States
| | - Steffen Lindert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Ohio State University , Columbus , Ohio 43210 , United States
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25
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Abstract
This article focuses on three "bins" that comprise sets of biophysical derangements elicited by cardiomyopathy-associated mutations in the myofilament. Current therapies focus on symptom palliation and do not address the disease at its core. We and others have proposed that a more nuanced classification could lead to direct interventions based on early dysregulation changing the trajectory of disease progression in the preclinical cohort. Continued research is necessary to address the complexity of cardiomyopathic progression and develop efficacious therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Lynn
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Room 317, 1656 East Mabel Street, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Sarah J Lehman
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Arizona, Room 317, 1656 East Mabel Street, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Jil C Tardiff
- Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Room 312, 1656 East Mabel Street, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
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26
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Sheehan A, Messer AE, Papadaki M, Choudhry A, Kren V, Biedermann D, Blagg B, Khandelwal A, Marston SB. Molecular Defects in Cardiac Myofilament Ca 2+-Regulation Due to Cardiomyopathy-Linked Mutations Can Be Reversed by Small Molecules Binding to Troponin. Front Physiol 2018; 9:243. [PMID: 29636697 PMCID: PMC5881522 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The inherited cardiomyopathies, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are relatively common, potentially life-threatening and currently untreatable. Mutations are often in the contractile proteins of cardiac muscle and cause abnormal Ca2+ regulation via troponin. HCM is usually linked to higher myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity whilst in both HCM and DCM mutant tissue there is often an uncoupling of the relationship between troponin I (TnI) phosphorylation by PKA and modulation of myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity, essential for normal responses to adrenaline. The adrenergic response is blunted, and this may predispose the heart to failure under stress. At present there are no compounds or interventions that can prevent or treat sarcomere cardiomyopathies. There is a need for novel therapies that act at a more fundamental level to affect the disease process. We demonstrated that epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) was found to be capable of restoring the coupled relationship between Ca2+-sensitivity and TnI phosphorylation in mutant thin filaments to normal in vitro, independent of the mutation (15 mutations tested). We have labeled this property "re-coupling." The action of EGCG in vitro to reverse the abnormality caused by myopathic mutations would appear to be an ideal pharmaceutical profile for treatment of inherited HCM and DCM but EGCG is known to be promiscuous in vivo and is thus unsuitable as a therapeutic drug. We therefore investigated whether other structurally related compounds can re-couple myofilaments without these off-target effects. We used the quantitative in vitro motility assay to screen 40 compounds, related to C-terminal Hsp90 inhibitors, and found 23 that can re-couple mutant myofilaments. There is no correlation between re-couplers and Hsp90 inhibitors. The Ca2+-sensitivity shift due to TnI phosphorylation was restored to 2.2 ± 0.01-fold (n = 19) compared to 2.0 ± 0.24-fold (n = 7) in wild-type thin filaments. Many of these compounds were either pure re-couplers or pure desensitizers, indicating these properties are independent; moreover, re-coupling ability could be lost with small changes of compound structure, indicating the possibility of specificity. Small molecules that can re-couple may have therapeutic potential. HIGHLIGHTS - Inherited cardiomyopathies are common diseases that are currently untreatable at a fundamental level and therefore finding a small molecule treatment is highly desirable.- We have identified a molecular level dysfunction common to nearly all mutations: uncoupling of the relationship between troponin I phosphorylation and modulation of myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity, essential for normal responses to adrenaline.- We have identified a new class of drugs that are capable of both reducing Ca2+-sensitivity and/or recouping the relationship between troponin I phosphorylation and Ca2+-sensitivity.- The re-coupling phenomenon can be explained on the basis of a single mechanism that is testable.- Measurements with a wide range of small molecules of varying structures can indicate the critical molecular features required for recoupling and allows the prediction of other potential re-couplers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Sheehan
- NHLI, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Vladimír Kren
- Laboratory of Biotransformation, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - David Biedermann
- Laboratory of Biotransformation, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Brian Blagg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
| | - Anuj Khandelwal
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States
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27
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Vikhorev PG, Smoktunowicz N, Munster AB, Copeland O, Kostin S, Montgiraud C, Messer AE, Toliat MR, Li A, Dos Remedios CG, Lal S, Blair CA, Campbell KS, Guglin M, Richter M, Knöll R, Marston SB. Abnormal contractility in human heart myofibrils from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy due to mutations in TTN and contractile protein genes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14829. [PMID: 29093449 PMCID: PMC5665940 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13675-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an important cause of heart failure. Single gene mutations in at least 50 genes have been proposed to account for 25–50% of DCM cases and up to 25% of inherited DCM has been attributed to truncating mutations in the sarcomeric structural protein titin (TTNtv). Whilst the primary molecular mechanism of some DCM-associated mutations in the contractile apparatus has been studied in vitro and in transgenic mice, the contractile defect in human heart muscle has not been studied. In this study we isolated cardiac myofibrils from 3 TTNtv mutants, and 3 with contractile protein mutations (TNNI3 K36Q, TNNC1 G159D and MYH7 E1426K) and measured their contractility and passive stiffness in comparison with donor heart muscle as a control. We found that the three contractile protein mutations but not the TTNtv mutations had faster relaxation kinetics. Passive stiffness was reduced about 38% in all the DCM mutant samples. However, there was no change in maximum force or the titin N2BA/N2B isoform ratio and there was no titin haploinsufficiency. The decrease in myofibril passive stiffness was a common feature in all hearts with DCM-associated mutations and may be causative of DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr G Vikhorev
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom.
| | - Natalia Smoktunowicz
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Alex B Munster
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - O'Neal Copeland
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Sawa Kostin
- Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Ludwigstrasse 43, 61231, Bad Nauheim, 61231, Germany
| | - Cecile Montgiraud
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew E Messer
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammad R Toliat
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Cologne, 50931, Germany
| | - Amy Li
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Cristobal G Dos Remedios
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Sean Lal
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Cheavar A Blair
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Kenneth S Campbell
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Maya Guglin
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Manfred Richter
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Kerckhoff-Clinic, Benekestrasse 2-8, Bad Nauheim, 61231, Germany
| | - Ralph Knöll
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom.,ICMC (Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre), Myocardial Genetics, Karolinska Institutet, University Hospital, Heart and Vascular Theme, Novum, Hiss A, våning 7, Hälsovägen 7-9, Huddinge, 141 57, Sweden.,AstraZeneca R&D Gothenburg, R&D, Innovative Medicines & Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases (CVRM), Pepparedsleden 1, SE-431 83, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Steven B Marston
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom.
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28
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Abstract
Cardiomyopathies represent a heterogeneous group of diseases that negatively affect heart function. Primary cardiomyopathies specifically target the myocardium, and may arise from genetic [hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D), mitochondrial cardiomyopathy] or genetic and acquired [dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM)] etiology. Modern genomics has identified mutations that are common in these populations, while in vitro and in vivo experimentation with these mutations have provided invaluable insight into the molecular mechanisms native to these diseases. For example, increased myosin heavy chain (MHC) binding and ATP utilization lead to the hypercontractile sarcomere in HCM, while abnormal protein–protein interaction and impaired Ca2+ flux underlie the relaxed sarcomere of DCM. Furthermore, expanded access to genetic testing has facilitated identification of potential risk factors that appear through inheritance and manifest sometimes only in the advanced stages of the disease. In this review, we discuss the genetic and molecular abnormalities unique to and shared between these primary cardiomyopathies and discuss some of the important advances made using more traditional basic science experimentation.
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29
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Abstract
The Frank-Starling Law dictates that the heart is able to match ejection to the dynamic changes occurring during cardiac filling, hence efficiently regulating isovolumetric contraction and shortening. In the last four decades, efforts have been made to identify a common fundamental basis for the Frank-Starling heart that can explain the direct relationship between muscle lengthening and its increased sensitization to Ca2+. The term 'myofilament length-dependent activation' describes the length-dependent properties of the myofilaments, but what is(are) the underlying molecular mechanism(s) is a matter of ongoing debate. Length-dependent activation increases formation of thick-filament strongly-bound cross-bridges on actin and imposes structural-mechanical alterations on the thin-filament with greater than normal bound Ca2+. Stretch-induced effects, rather than changes in filament spacing, appear to be primarily involved in the regulation of length-dependent activation. Here, evidence is provided to support the notion that stretch-mediated effects induced by titin govern alterations of thick-filament force-producing cross-bridges and thin-filament Ca2+-cooperative responses.
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30
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Liu X, Zhang L, Pacciulli D, Zhao J, Nan C, Shen W, Quan J, Tian J, Huang X. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Caused by Troponin Mutations: Application of Disease Animal Models in Translational Studies. Front Physiol 2016; 7:629. [PMID: 28066262 PMCID: PMC5165243 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) plays a critical role in regulation of cardiac function. Studies have shown that the deficiency of cTnI or mutations in cTnI (particularly in the C-terminus of cTnI) results in diastolic dysfunction (impaired relaxation) due to an increased myofibril sensitivity to calcium. The first clinical study revealing the association between restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) with cardiac troponin mutations was reported in 2003. In order to illustrate the mechanisms underlying the cTnI mutation caused cardiomyopathy, we have generated a cTnI gene knockout mouse model and transgenic mouse lines with the reported point mutations in cTnI C-terminus. In this paper, we summarize our studies using these animal models from our laboratory and the other in vitro studies using reconstituted filament and cultured cells. The potential mechanisms underlying diastolic dysfunction and heart failure caused by these cTnI C-terminal mutations are discussed as well. Furthermore, calcium desensitizing in correction of impaired relaxation in myocardial cells due to cTnI mutations is discussed. Finally, we describe a model of translational study, i.e., from bedside to bench and from bench to bedside. These studies may enrich our understanding of the mechanism underlying inherited cardiomyopathies and provide the clues to search for target-oriented medication aiming at the treatment of diastolic dysfunction and heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Liu
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Chongqing Medical University Children's Hospital Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Chongqing Medical University Children's Hospital Chongqing, China
| | - Daniel Pacciulli
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Jianquan Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Bayannaoer City Hospital Bayannaoer, China
| | - Changlong Nan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Wen Shen
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Junjun Quan
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Chongqing Medical University Children's Hospital Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Tian
- Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Chongqing Medical University Children's Hospital Chongqing, China
| | - Xupei Huang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL, USA
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31
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Papadaki M, Marston SB. The Importance of Intrinsically Disordered Segments of Cardiac Troponin in Modulating Function by Phosphorylation and Disease-Causing Mutations. Front Physiol 2016; 7:508. [PMID: 27853436 PMCID: PMC5089987 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Troponin plays a central role in regulation of muscle contraction. It is the Ca2+ switch of striated muscles including the heart and in the cardiac muscle it is physiologically modulated by PKA-dependent phosphorylation at Ser22 and 23. Many cardiomyopathy-related mutations affect Ca2+ regulation and/or disrupt the relationship between Ca2+ binding and phosphorylation. Unlike the mechanism of heart activation, the modulation of Ca2+-sensitivity by phosphorylation of the cardiac specific N-terminal segment of TnI (1–30) is structurally subtle and has proven hard to investigate. The crystal structure of cardiac troponin describes only the relatively stable core of the molecule and the crucial mobile parts of the molecule are missing including TnI C-terminal region, TnI (1–30), TnI (134–149) (“inhibitory” peptide) and the C-terminal 28 amino acids of TnT that are intrinsically disordered. Recent studies have been performed to answer this matter by building structural models of cardiac troponin in phosphorylated and dephosphorylated states based on peptide NMR studies. Now these have been updated by more recent concepts derived from molecular dynamic simulations treating troponin as a dynamic structure. The emerging model confirms the stable core structure of troponin and the mobile structure of the intrinsically disordered segments. We will discuss how we can describe these segments in terms of dynamic transitions between a small number of states, with the probability distributions being altered by phosphorylation and by HCM or DCM-related mutations that can explain how Ca2+-sensitivity is modulated by phosphorylation and the effects of mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Papadaki
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Loyola University of Chicago Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Steven B Marston
- Myocardial Function, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London London, UK
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