Endothelin-1 responsiveness of a 1.4 kb phospholamban promoter fragment in rat cardiomyocytes transfected by the gene gun.

The transcriptional regulation of an isolated rat phospholamban (PL) promoter fragment in rat cardiomyocytes was analyzed by applying a new method to reach substantially higher transfection efficiencies: gene gun biolistics. The gene gun transfection method was optimized for application to primary cultures of rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. Cells, cultured at different densities (0.75-1.50x10(5)cells/cm(2)) in serum-free medium, were transfected with DNA coated gold particles. A transfection efficiency of up to 10% could be achieved (compared to <1% with other methods) by the gene gun as checked using a RSV- beta-Gal construct. Cardiomyocytes were stimulated by endothelin-1 (ET-1) (10(-8)M) to induce hypertrophy, thereby yielding the characteristic changes in gene expression (upregulation of Atrial Natriuretic Factor (ANF) and downregulation of PL). The basal activity of an ANF promoter fragment (increasing from the lowest to highest density 2.6-fold) and its ET-1 inducibility (only significant upregulation of 2.6-fold, at lowest density) appeared to be dependent on the plating density of the cardiomyocytes. A PL promoter fragment was isolated, sequenced and 1.4 kb was subcloned in a luciferase reporter vector. The basal activity of the PL promoter fragment was not dependent on the plating density. ET-1 did not downregulate the PL promoter, rather a significant upregulation (1.4-fold) was found at the highest plating density. In conclusion, plating density of the cardiomyocytes can influence promoter activity as shown with an ANF promoter fragment. A newly isolated and sequenced rat PL promoter fragment did not direct gene expression as expected on basis of downregulation of the PL gene by ET-1 observed in this model.

In vitro analysis of SERCA2 gene regulation in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and increasing transfection efficiency by gene-gun biolistics.

The transcriptional downregulation of the SERCA2 gene is studied using neonatal rat cardiomyocytes stimulated with endothelin-1 to induce hypertrophy. Liposome-based transfection of cells with a 1.9 kb SERCA2 promoter fragment directed expression of a reporter gene identical to the downregulation of genomic SERCA2 expression by endothelin-1. Results of a new gene gun technology for transient transfection of cardiomyocytes with a RSV-beta-galactosidase construct are reported. This new method for propelling DNA-coated gold beads into cardiomyocytes is extremely suitable for directly testing promoter/reporter gene DNA constructs since the transfection efficiency (approximately 10%) appears to be higher than traditional transfection methods.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase promoter activity during endothelin-1 induced hypertrophy of cultured rat cardiomyocytes.

OBJECTIVES: Characterization of an in vitro model of endothelin-1 induced hypertrophy of cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and subsequent analysis of transcription regulation of the rat promoter of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase gene. METHODS: Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were cultured in serum free medium and hypertrophy was induced by addition of endothelin-1 to 10(-8) M up to 48 h. Hypertrophy was characterized biochemically, and gene expression regulation was evaluated by Northern blotting. A sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase promoter fragment, isolated from a rat library was cloned in a reporter vector. Promoter activity during hypertrophy was assessed after transfection of the reporter plasmid to cultured cardiomyocytes. RESULTS: Stimulation with endothelin-1 resulted in increased cell size, as indicated by protein/DNA ratio as well as by augmented protein synthesis. When compared to angiotensin II or alpha 1-adrenergic agonist, endothelin-1 was the strongest inducer of hypertrophy (protein/DNA ratio) after 48 h of stimulation. Endothelin-1 induced hypertrophy was accompanied by a twofold increase in total RNA content per cell as well as to increased glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenase mRNA levels. The level of atrial natriuretic factor mRNA was increased more than twofold, relative to glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenase, while the expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump and phospholamban genes was decreased (by 26 and 49%, respectively) after induction of hypertrophy by stimulation with endothelin-1. In the same model, a 1.9 kb sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump gene promoter fragment (including 0.4 kb of the 5' UTR of the mRNA) directed down-regulation of the expression of the reporter gene to the same magnitude as endogenous Ca2+ pump mRNA relative to glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenase mRNA. However, absolute mRNA level per cell did not change for either the reporter gene or the endogenous Ca2+ pump. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelin-1 can induce phenotypic changes in cultured rat ventricular myocytes that are reminiscent of hypertrophy in vivo. In this model, a 1.9 kb sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump promoter fragment directed gene expression of a reporter gene identical to the endogenous regulation of the Ca2+ pump. Furthermore, expression of the Ca2+ pump during hypertrophy was only downregulated when compared to (increased levels of) glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenase mRNA, but absolute Ca2+ ATPase mRNA amounts remained unchanged. This suggests that the Ca2+ pump promoter is not responding to the increase in transcriptional activity that accompanies hypertrophy.

Cross-talk between receptor-mediated phospholipase C-beta and D via protein kinase C as intracellular signal possibly leading to hypertrophy in serum-free cultured cardiomyocytes.

Phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) signalling via protein kinase C (PKC) has been recognized as a major route by which stimuli such as alpha1-adrenergic agonists, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin II (Ang II) induce hypertrophy of myocytes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of phospholipase D (PLD) in contributing to the formation of the PKC activator 1,2-diacylglycerol (1,2-DAG) and to study the mechanism(s) of PLD activation by agonists. Stimulation of serum-free cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with ET-1 (10(-8)M), phenylephrine (PHE, 10(-5)M) or Ang II (10(-7)M) resulted in a rapid (0-10 min) activation of PLC-beta to an extent (ET-1>PHE>Ang II) that correlated with the magnitude of stimulation of protein synthesis ([3H]leucine incorporation into protein) measured after 24 h. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 10(-6)M) and ET-1 were equipotent in stimulating protein synthesis. ET-1 and PMA, but not PHE and Ang II stimulated [3H]choline formation from labelled PtdCho after a lag-phase of about 10 min. That this [3H]choline formation was due to the action of PLD was confirmed by measurement of phosphatidylgroup-transfer from cellular [14C]palmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine to exogenous ethanol. ET-1 and PHE, to much lesser extent, produced a rapid (0-5 min) translocation of PKC- immunoreactivity from the cytosol to the membrane fraction, whereas no intracellular redistribution of PKC-alpha, -delta and -xi immunoreactivities was observed. PMA caused translocation of PKC-alpha, PKC-epsilon as well as PKC-delta. Cellular redistribution of PKC activity measured by [32P]-incorporation into histone III-S was not observed with ET-1 and PHE, but only with PMA stimulation. Down-regulation of PKC isozymes by 24 h pretreatment of cells with PMA or blockade of PKC by chelerythrine (10(-4)M) inhibited ET-1 and PMA stimulated [3H]choline production. Staurosporine (10(-6)M) had, however, no effect. In conclusion, the results indicate that in serum-free cultured cardiomyocytes, ET-1 initially activates PLC-beta and after a lag-phase PLD, whereas PHE and Ang II activate only PLC-beta. PLC-beta stimulated by ET-1, may cross-talk with PLD via translocation of PKC-epsilon. These signals are possibly linked to the hypertrophic response.

Angiotensin II-mediated growth and antigrowth effects in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates cardiovascular growth and remodeling via AT1 receptors. Recent experiments have shown that Ang II may also exert antiproliferative effects via AT2 receptors. We studied the effects of Ang II on protein and DNA content and synthesis rate in unstimulated and endothelin-1 (ET-1)-stimulated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts, isolated from 1-3-day-old Wistar strain pups. Total protein and total DNA, as well as [3H]leucine and [3H]thymidine incorporation were measured following incubation with either vehicle, Ang II, ET-1 or Ang II+ET-1, both in the presence or absence of the AT1 receptor blocker losartan or the AT2 receptor blocker PD123319. In myocytes, ET-1 increased total protein (+38% relative to control) as well as [3H]leucine (+66%) and [3H]thymidine (+77%) incorporation. Ang II did not affect any of these parameters, nor did it influence the ET-1-induced responses. However, in the presence of PD123319 Ang II stimulated [3H]leucine (+24%) and [3H]thymidine (+30%) incorporation. In fibroblasts, ET-1 and Ang II did not significantly affect total DNA and [3H]thymidine incorporation. Ang II tended to increase total protein in these cells, an effect which was significant only in the presence of PD123319 (+17%). Ang II stimulated [3H]leucine incorporation (+24%) in fibroblasts. This effect was absent with losartan and enhanced in the presence of PD123319. These data demonstrate that AT1 receptor-mediated proliferative effects of Ang II in neonatal cardiac cells may become apparent only when its AT2 receptor-mediated antigrowth effects are blocked. The net growth effect of Ang II therefore depends on the cellular AT1/AT2 receptor ratio. Ang II does not appear to interfere with ET-1-induced effects.

Regulation and functional significance of phospholipase D in myocardium.

There is now clear evidence that receptor-dependent phospholipase D is present in myocardium. This novel signal transduction pathway provides an alternative source of 1,2-diacylglycerol, which activates isoforms of protein kinase C. The members of the protein kinase C family respond differently to various combinations of Ca2+, phosphatidylserine, molecular species of 1,2-diacylglycerol and other membrane phospholipid metabolites including free fatty acids. Protein kinase C isozymes are responsible for phosphorylation of specific cardiac substrate proteins that may be involved in regulation of cardiac contractility, hypertrophic growth, gene expression, ischemic preconditioning and electrophysiological changes. The initial product of phospholipase D, phosphatidic acid, may also have a second messenger role. As in other tissues, the question how the activity of phospholipase D is controlled by agonists in myocardium is controversial. Agonists, such as endothelin-1, atrial natriuretic factor and angiotensin II that are shown to activate phospholipase D, also potently stimulate phospholipase C-beta in myocardium. PMA stimulation of protein kinase C inactivates phospholipase C and strongly activates phospholipase D and this is probably a major mechanism by which agonists that promote phosphatidyl-4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis secondary activate phosphatidylcholine-hydrolysis. On the other hand, one group has postulated that formation of phosphatidic acid secondary activates phosphatidyl-4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis in cardiomyocytes. Whether GTP-binding proteins directly control phospholipase D is not clearly established in myocardium. Phospholipase D activation may also be mediated by an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ or by tyrosine-phosphorylation.

Phosphoinositide-generated messengers in cardiac signal transduction.

A multitude of agonists like e.g. endothelin-1, angiotensin-II, serotonin, thrombin, histamine and vasopressin as well as alpha 1-adrenergic and muscarinic stimulation lead to stimulation of the phosphoinositide cycle in the heart. Besides the seven membrane spanning-domain receptor-coupled stimulation of the key enzyme of the phosphoinositide cycle, phospholipase C-beta, another class of hormones, growth factors, also couple to the phosphoinositide cycle, now through receptors with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity that can phosphorylate and stimulate the phospholipase C-gamma isozyme. In this review we summarize the multitude of receptor (sub)types, G-protein-subunit- and phospholipase C-isozymes that are present in the heart. Furthermore, generation of second messengers and cellular responses are described together with the (patho)physiological implications for the heart of phosphoinositide cycle activation and second messenger accumulation.

Alpha-adrenergic agonist and endothelin-1 induced intracellular Ca2+ response in the presence of a Ca2+ entry blocker in cultured rat ventricular myocytes.

Previously we demonstrated that stimulation of cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes by either alpha 1-adrenergic agonist or endothelin-1 resulted in a rapid formation of total inositolphosphates, although the levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate did not rise significantly. The aim of this study was to examine whether stimulation by alpha 1-adrenergic agonist and endothelin-1 could still elicit phosphatidylinositol cycle mediated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in these cells. The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured by single cell imaging dual wavelength fluorescence microscopy in Fura-2-loaded cardiomyocytes. The interference of agonist induced [Ca2+]i responses by the beat to beat variation of [Ca2+]i was prevented by arresting the cells with the Ca2+ entry blocker diltiazem (10 microM). The [Ca2+]i response (expressed as % of baseline ratio of fluorescence intensities of Fura-2 at 340 nm and 380 nm excitation wavelength), induced by phenylephrine (10(-4) M) and endothelin-1 (10(-8) M) was small, up to 20% of baseline after 9-20 min. In contrast, Ca(2+)-influx induced by incubation in Na(+)-free buffer caused a steep increase of [Ca2+]i up to 150% of baseline after 30 s. Analysis of single cells following stimulation with phenylephrine or endothelin-1 showed heterogeneity with respect to a rise in [Ca2+]i. However, if rapid Ca(2+)-influx was induced by incubation in Na(+)-free buffer, [Ca2+]i responses in individual myocytes occurred homogeneously. It is concluded that the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist and endothelin-1 induced [Ca2+]i responses are delayed in time, small and quite heterogeneous among cells. The findings are in agreement with earlier observations which revealed no detectable overall increase of the Ca2+ releasing inositolphosphates under these conditions and suggest that other second messengers, such as 1,2-diacylglycerol, are involved in the agonist mediated Ca2+ signals.

Signal transduction by the phosphatidylinositol cycle in myocardium.

Diverse and distinct hormonal stimuli arriving at the cardiomyocyte engage specific surface receptors to initiate hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids by phospholipase C whereby information flows from changes in intracellular levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, 1,2-diacylglycerol and Ca2+ to the specific phosphorylation of cellular proteins by various protein kinases such as the protein kinase C family, Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent kinase and mitogen activated kinases. The phosphorylation products are potential regulators of the inotropic and chronotropic state, hypertrophic growth and specific gene expression and ischemic preconditioning of the myocardium. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning the phosphatidylinositol cycle and its potential role in mediating various functional responses in myocardium. The multiplicity of receptor types, G-proteins, phospholipases C and protein kinases raises fundamental questions about the mechanisms that assure the precision and timing of the myocardial response to hormonal stimuli.

Endothelin-1-induced phospholipase C-beta and D and protein kinase C isoenzyme signaling leading to hypertrophy in rat cardiomyocytes.

We have previously demonstrated that stimulation of cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes by endothelin-1 (ET-1) induces rapid activation of phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta), accompanied by transient expression of proto-oncogenes and subsequent development of hypertrophy and characteristic phenotypic changes. In the present study we examined the ET-1-induced hypertrophic response in relation to the initial signaling by phospholipase D (PLD) and protein kinase C (PKC). ET-1 (10(-8) M) induced hypertrophy after 48 h, as judged by protein/DNA ratio. The formation (0.5 h) of 14C-labeled phosphatidylethanol ([14C]PEth) in the presence of exogenous ethanol (0.5%) in [14C]palmitate prelabeled cells, which reflects the PLD activity, was increased 1.9- and 5.6-fold by ET-1 and phorbolester (PMA, 10(-6) M), respectively. The translocation of PKC isoforms from the cytosol to the membrane fraction was examined by immunoblot analysis using specific antibodies for PKC-alpha and -epsilon. ET-1 caused a rapid (within 15 s) and sustained disappearance of PKC-epsilon but not of PKC-alpha, from the cytosol. The translocation of PKC-epsilon to the membrane fraction was just detectable. However, PMA (10(-7) M) showed a rapid, sustained, and clearly detectable translocation of PKC-alpha and PKC-epsilon. The results indicate that the ET-1-induced development of hypertrophy via activation of distinct PKC isoenzymes may be initiated not only by PLC-beta but also by PLD signaling.

Angiotensin II induced expression of transcription factors precedes increase in transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA in neonatal cardiac fibroblasts.

Angiotensin II (ANG II), a potent vasoconstricting peptide, may act as a growth factor for cardiac muscle cells and induce hypertrophy. We examined the molecular phenotype of neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts in relation to ANG II by studying the expression pattern of three transcription factors (Egr-1, c-fos and c-jun) and the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). ANG II did not affect cell proliferation and growth of serum deprived neonatal cardiac fibroblasts as predicted from their DNA and protein contents. The expression of Egr-1 and c-fos was induced as early as 15 min that reached maximal levels at 45 min and declined thereafter, whereas c-jun was induced at 45 min and remained elevated up to 2 hrs of ANG II addition. ANG II up-regulated the expression of TGF-beta 1, which became apparent after 1 hr of incubation and reached a plateau between 16-48 hrs. Our results indicate that ANG II transiently stimulates the expression of transcription factors, which may up-regulate TGF-beta 1, that in turn could contribute to the process of myocardial extra-cellular matrix remodeling in hypertrophy.

Endothelin-1 and phenylephrine-induced activation of the phosphoinositide cycle increases cell injury of cultured cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation.

We explored the effect of glucose-free hypoxia/reoxygenation of cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes on endothelin-1 and alpha 1-adrenoceptor induced activity of the phosphoinositide cycle. At the same time the influence of these agonists on depletion of energy-rich phosphates and cellular damage was assessed. Glucose-free hypoxia did not lead to an increase in basal phospholipase C activity. However, endothelin-1 (10(-8) M) and phenylephrine (10(-5) M) evoked activation of phospholipase C was attenuated after 60 min of hypoxia and declined to 38% and 30% respectively of normoxic values after 90 min of hypoxia. During glucose-free hypoxia, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, the substrate for phospholipase C, but not phosphatidylinositol or phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate was seen to decline to 59% of normoxic values which was independent of activation of phospholipase C by agonists. ATP levels decreased after 30 min of hypoxia and declined to 29% relative to normoxic control after 90 min of hypoxia. Total adenine nucleotide levels showed a similar pattern. The presence of 10(-8) M endothelin-1 during hypoxia did not influence the magnitude of ATP depletion. However, after 15 min of reoxygenation, by itself not significantly leading to recovery of ATP levels, ATP levels were decreased by endothelin-1 as compared to hypoxia/reoxygenation without phospholipase C agonist. Cellular damage as determined by lactate dehydrogenase leakage was not observed during 90 min hypoxia. Reoxygenation resulted in a three-fold increase in enzyme release relative to normoxic control. In the presence of endothelin-1 or phenylephrine this reoxygenation-induced damage was respectively 1.7 and 3.0-fold increased. We conclude that the agonist-induced activity of the phosphoinositide cycle is decreased in time during glucose-free hypoxia, partially through a decrease in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate level. However, the remaining activity may give rise to increased cellular damage. As endothelin-1 and alpha 1-adrenergic amines are known to be released during myocardial ischemia, stimulation of the phosphoinositide cycle by these agonists might be an important factor in determining the magnitude of myocardial injury.

Distinct alpha 1-adrenergic agonist- and endothelin-1-evoked phosphoinositide cycle responses in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.

Previously it was shown by us and others in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes that the desensitization of the phenylephrine (PHE)- and endothelin-1 (ET-1)-mediated response of phospholipase C (PLC) was receptor-specific. The aim of this study was to characterize receptor-dependent specificities downstream of PLC. PHE (10(-4)M) as well as ET-1 (10(-8) M) stimulated the total [3H]inositolphosphate ([3H]InsPn, predominantly [3H]Ins(4)P) formation to about the same extent whereas Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 did not increase. Yet, ET-1 but not PHE stimulated Ins(1,3,4)P3 and Ins(3,4)Pn formation. Activation of PLC in saponin-permeabilized cells by GTP gamma S- and Ca2+ gave predominantly the formation of Ins(1,4)P2. The PHE- and ET-1-mediated increase of [3H]1,2-diacylglycerol was significant after respectively 16 and 8 min. PHE but not ET-1 stimulated phosphorylation of a 30 kDa protein which was likely of myofibrillar origin. It is concluded that receptor-dependent specificities exist not only at the level of PLC but also downstream.

Calcium and the endothelin-1 and alpha 1-adrenergic stimulated phosphatidylinositol cycle in cultured rat cardiomyocytes.

Cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes have been utilized as a model for the study of the effect of variations in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ on the activity of phospholipase C, a key enzyme in agonist-stimulated signal transduction through the phosphoinositide pathway. Cells prelabelled with [3H]inositol were exposed to various agents in an attempt to modulate the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration and the formation of [3H]inositolphosphates (15-30 min) in the presence of Li+ was taken as a measure of phospholipase C activity. Not the basal but the endothelin-1 (10(-8) M) induced [3H]inositolphosphate production (15 min) was stimulated 1.54- and 1.43-fold by A23187 (10 microM external Ca2+) and 50 mM K+ (1.3 mM external Ca2+) treatment of cells, respectively. The phenylephrine (10(-4) M) induced response was also stimulated (1.35-fold) by A23187, however it was 43% inhibited by high K+. Ouabain (10 microM) treatment of cells did not affect either basal or agonist stimulated phosphoinositide turnover. On the other hand, total removal of external free Ca2+ by addition of 50 microM ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether) (N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid strongly inhibited (75%) the endothelin-1 induced but not the basal phospholipase C activity. Endothelin-1 binding to its receptor was shown not to be inhibited by the absence of external Ca2+ while resynthesis of [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate was not rate-limiting under this condition. The lack of external Ca2+ eventually resulted in total standstill of the ET-1 induced PtdIns turnover after 30 min. Although not always as predicted, effects on basal and agonist-activated phospholipase C were observed too when cells were treated with low Ca2+ medium, Ca2+ entry blocker nifedipine (1 microM) or Ca(2+)-channel agonist Bay K8644 (1 microM) but most of these effects were only seen after 90 min incubation. Fluorometric (fura-2) measurements showed that total removal of external free Ca2+ for a short period decreased, while short exposure to high K+ increased cytoplasmic free Ca2+ but neither Ca2+ free buffer or nifedipine nor Bay K8644 had any effect. Furthermore, in saponin-permeabilized cardiomyocytes we could demonstrate that basal as well as GTP gamma S (30 microM) stimulated phospholipase C activity was strongly activated by free Ca2+ in the concentration range of 0.1-10 microM. We conclude that in the intact cardiomyocyte the signalling pathway through phospholipase C/phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, stimulated by agonist-receptor interaction that activates GTP-binding proteins as does GTP gamma S, is likely be a Ca2+ dependent process.

Initiation of protein synthesis in eukaryotes.

The study of the regulation of initiation of protein synthesis has recently gained momentum because of the established relationship between translation initiation, cell growth and tumorigenesis. Therefore much effort is devoted to the role of protein kinases which are activated in signal transduction cascades and which are responsible for the phosphorylation of a number of initiation factors. These specific factors are mainly involved in the binding of messenger RNA to the 40S ribosome, a process that makes the unwinding of the 5' untranslated region necessary. It appears that the phosphorylation of these factors increases their ability for cap recognition and helicase activity. The enhanced phosphorylation of the messenger binding factors results not only in an overall stimulation of translation, but especially weak messengers are positively discriminated. The above mechanisms mainly deal with qualitative control of translation, i.e., messenger selection, but phosphorylation also plays a role in quantitative regulation of protein synthesis. The generation of active eIF-2, the initiation factor that binds the Met-tRNA(i) and GTP, is dependent on a factor involved in the GDP-GTP exchange. Phosphorylation of eIF-2 results in sequestration of the exchange factor and a slowing down of the rate of initiation.

Receptor-mediated signalling pathways acting through hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids in cardiomyocytes.

The aim is to summarize briefly the evidence for the existence and possible functions of receptor-mediated activity of phospholipases C and D in the myocardium. Muscarinic, alpha 1-adrenergic, angiotensin II, endothelin-1, thrombin, adenine nucleotide and opioid peptide receptors are all linked through GTP-binding proteins to phospholipase C which hydrolyses phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in the myocardium. Events that are not linked to receptors, such as mechanical loading (stretching) of cardiomyocytes, can also activate phospholipase C. The high capacity for resynthesis of PIP2 maintains the pool of PIP2, even during maximal activation of phospholipase C. Activation of phospholipase C by endothelin-1, alpha 1-adrenoceptor and angiotensin II, is subject to different rates of homologous desensitization. Protein kinase C is probably not involved in the desensitization of the response to endothelin-1. One of the products of the hydrolysis of PIP2, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), releases Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This intracellular response seems to be causally related to positive inotropy. The phosphorylated product of IP3, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4), is believed to play a role in the handling of intracellular Ca2+, as well as in the inotropic response; however, its formation is controversial. At present the oscillations in the level of intracellular Ca2+ underlying, for example, the positive inotropy induced by alpha 1-adrenoceptors or endothelin are not clearly identified. The other product of phospholipase C, 1,2-diacylglycerol, activates Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase C and potentially controls a wide array of cellular functions such as ion transport, myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity, "cross-talk" between phospholipases C and D, gene expression, protein synthesis and hypertrophic cell growth. Alterations in the fatty acid composition, particularly the polyunsaturated fatty acids, modify the phosphoinositide response induced by hormones. Cultured cardiomyocytes, incubated in sera containing the fatty acids 18:2n-6 or 20:5n-3, but not 18:0 and 18:1n-9, show a decrease in the phospholipase C responses mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptors. The fatty acid composition of myocardial phosphatidyl inositol 4-monophosphate (PIP) and PIP2 differs from that of phosphatidylinositol, which indicates that phosphatidylinositol kinases have a certain substrate specificity or have access to localized phosphatidylinositol molecules. The estimation of the level of stimulated 1,2-diacylglycerol is complicated by the contribution of the activity of receptor-mediated phospholipase D. The identification of the molecular species of 1,2-diacylglycerol is crucial in establishing the roles and the sources of 1,2-diacylglycerol. The fatty acids covalently bound in the membrane phospholipids may also influence phospholipases C and D.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Myocardial phosphoinositides do not share the same fatty acid profile.

It is generally assumed that the fatty acid compositions of the phosphoinositides are identical. To investigate this in myocardium, inositol lipids extracted from rat and pig ventricular homogenates were absorbed to neomycin-coated glass beads, eluted and quantitated by fatty acid analysis after thin-layer chromatography. The percentages of stearic, oleic, linoleic and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) in the rat were, respectively, 49, 4, 7 and 26 for phosphatidylinositol, 62, 1, 4 and 18 for phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate and 63, 2, 4, 18 for phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate. Equal distribution patterns of fatty acids were found in homogenate and sarcoplasmic reticulum of pig myocardium. Cultured rat ventricular myocytes were utilized to study the incorporation (25 h) of [14C]20:4n-6 relative to that of myo-[3H]inositol into phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate which were, respectively, 1.61 and 1.22. The data indicate that in myocardium phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate represents a relatively modest source of 20:4n-6.