Taurine is by far the most abundant of the sulfur amino acids, levels in the heart exceeding the combined quantities of all others. Taurine exhibits extensive cardiovascular pharmacology, including inotropic and antiarrhythmic properties. Many of the actions of taurine appear to involve a modulation of calcium availability. The sarcolemma regulates the entry of calcium into the heart. Binding sites on the cardiac sarcolemma provide calcium for contraction and maintain membrane integrity. The effect of taurine on calcium binding to rat heart sarcolemma varies with the buffer. In Tris and the presence of sodium, taurine increases the affinity of the low affinity binding, but decreases the maximal binding of calcium. In the absence of sodium, taurine decreases affinity of the low affinity binding without altering the maximal binding. These effects on low affinity binding, however, are absent in physiological buffers representative of extracellular conditions. In buffers representative of intracellular ionic conditions, taurine increases the high affinity binding of calcium to sarcolemma in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that taurine exerts its cardiotonic actions through a modulation of the high affinity calcium binding on the internal aspect of the sarcolemma. Membrane phospholipids are important calcium-binding molecules in cardiac sarcolemma. Heterogeneous vesicles containing phospholipids in a ratio approximating that of rat heart sarcolemma bind significant quantities of calcium. Taurine increases calcium binding to the artificial liposomes in a manner similar to that observed for sarcolemma. Taurine also increases calcium binding to homogeneous vesicles of phosphatidylserine, but not phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine. Taurine modulation of calcium may not involve a classical protein-ligand interaction, but, instead, a low affinity attraction to sarcolemmal phospholipids. Taurine binds to sarcolemma with low affinity and positive cooperativity at concentrations normally present in the rat heart. Neither β-alanine nor guanidinoethane sulfonate, inhibitors of taurine transport, affect taurine binding. However, hypotaurine and various cations reduce binding. Heterogeneous phospholipid vesicles also bind taurine with positive cooperativity which was enhanced by the inclusion of cholesterol. Taurine associates with homogeneous vesicles of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, or phosphatidylethanolamine. Phosphatidylinositol bind little taurine. These studies support the hypothesis that taurine exerts its modulation of sarcolemmal function through an interaction with membrane phospholipids.

ABSTRACT To understand the mechanisms underlying cardiac dysfunction during ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury, we tested the hypothesis that oxidative stress and defects in endothelium play a critical role in the activation of calpain and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), inhibition of sarcolemmal (SL) Na+-K+-ATPase, and induction of cardiac dysfunction during I/R injury. It was observed that I/R induced depression in cardiac function and SL Na+-K+-ATPase activity was greater in hearts perfused at constant flow than in hearts perfused at constant pressure. Such a difference was associated with increased calpain activity as well as decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein content and in nitric oxide production. The depression in Na+-K+-ATPase activity and decrease in protein content of Na+-K+-ATPase isoforms in I/R hearts were associated with an increase in calpain activity and translocation of calpain isoforms (I and II) from the cytosol to SL membrane as well as changes in the distribution of calpastatin. I/R induced alterations were Ca2+-dependent and were prevented by treatment with calpain inhibitors, MDL28170 and Leupeptin (Leu). These results suggest that depressions in cardiac function and SL Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the I/R hearts may be due to endothelial dysfunction as well as changes in the activity and translocation of calpain. In another set of experiments, we examined the role of oxidative stress in activation of calpain during I/R and its association with changes in the activity of MMP. Our results show depression of cardiac function and Na+-K+-ATPase activity in I/R hearts were associated with increased calpain and MMP activities. These alterations due to I/R were attenuated by ischemic preconditioning as well as treatment with antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG). Treatment of I/R hearts with MMP inhibitor doxycycline (Dox) improved I/R-induced changes in cardiac function and Na+-K+-ATPase activity without affecting the calpain activation while treatment with calpain inhibitors, Leu and MDL 28170, reduced the MMP activity significantly in addition to attenuating the I/R-induced depression in Na+-K+-ATPase activity. These results suggests that alterations in Na+-K+-ATPase activity in I/R hearts are associated with oxidative stress and intracellular Ca2+ overload induced activation of calpain and MMP.

ABSTRACT To understand the mechanisms underlying cardiac dysfunction during ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury, we tested the hypothesis that oxidative stress and defects in endothelium play a critical role in the activation of calpain and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), inhibition of sarcolemmal (SL) Na+-K+-ATPase, and induction of cardiac dysfunction during I/R injury. It was observed that I/R induced depression in cardiac function and SL Na+-K+-ATPase activity was greater in hearts perfused at constant flow than in hearts perfused at constant pressure. Such a difference was associated with increased calpain activity as well as decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein content and in nitric oxide production. The depression in Na+-K+-ATPase activity and decrease in protein content of Na+-K+-ATPase isoforms in I/R hearts were associated with an increase in calpain activity and translocation of calpain isoforms (I and II) from the cytosol to SL membrane as well as changes in the distribution of calpastatin. I/R induced alterations were Ca2+-dependent and were prevented by treatment with calpain inhibitors, MDL28170 and Leupeptin (Leu). These results suggest that depressions in cardiac function and SL Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the I/R hearts may be due to endothelial dysfunction as well as changes in the activity and translocation of calpain. In another set of experiments, we examined the role of oxidative stress in activation of calpain during I/R and its association with changes in the activity of MMP. Our results show depression of cardiac function and Na+-K+-ATPase activity in I/R hearts were associated with increased calpain and MMP activities. These alterations due to I/R were attenuated by ischemic preconditioning as well as treatment with antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG). Treatment of I/R hearts with MMP inhibitor doxycycline (Dox) improved I/R-induced changes in cardiac function and Na+-K+-ATPase activity without affecting the calpain activation while treatment with calpain inhibitors, Leu and MDL 28170, reduced the MMP activity significantly in addition to attenuating the I/R-induced depression in Na+-K+-ATPase activity. These results suggests that alterations in Na+-K+-ATPase activity in I/R hearts are associated with oxidative stress and intracellular Ca2+ overload induced activation of calpain and MMP.

Sarcolemmal blebbing and rupture are prominent features of irreversible ischemic myocardial injury. Dystrophin and spectrin are sarcolemmal structural proteins. Dystrophin finks the transmembrane dystroglycan complex and extracellular laminin receptors to intracellular F-actin. Spectrin forms the backbone of the membrane skeleton confering an elastic modulus to the sarcolemmal membrane. An ischemic loss of membrane dystrophin and spectrin, in ischemically pelleted rabbit cardiomyocytes or in vivo 30-45 rain permanently ischemic. LAD-ligated hearts, was detected by immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies. Western blots of light and heavy microsomal vesicles and Triton-extracted membrane fractions from ischemic myocytes demonstrated a rapid loss of dystrophin coincident with sub-sarcolemmal bleb formation, subsequent to a hypotonic challenge. The loss of spectrin from purified sarcolemma of autolysed rabbit heart, and both isolated membrane vesicles and Triton solubilized membrane fractions of ischemic cardiomyocytes correlated linearly with the onset of osmotic fragility as assessed by membrane rupture, subsequent to a hypotonic challenge. In contrast to the ischemic loss of dystrophin and spectrin from the membrane, the dystrophin-associated proteins. α-sarcoglycan and β-dystroglycan and the integral membrane protein, sodium-calcium exchanger, were maintained in the membrane fraction of ischemic cells as compared to oxygenated cells. Preconditioning protected cells, but did not significantly alter ischemic dystrophin or spectrin translocation. This previously unrecognized loss of sarcolemmal dystrophin and spectrin may be the molecular basis for sub-sarcolemmal bleb formation and membrane fragility during the transition from reversible to irreversible ischemic myocardial injury.

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Fatty acid (FA) transport proteins are important regulators of FA uptake at the cell surface and the mitochondria where they are oxidized. Tight regulation of this process is necessary in order to meet metabolic requirements, while preventing excess lipid accumulation. In an obese state, there is an increase in FA uptake and increased storage of lipids in skeletal muscle, including diacylglycerol (DAG) and ceramides, which interfere with insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Leptin administration has been shown to reduce muscle triacylglycerol accumulation and restore insulin response in obese rodents. However, it is not known whether this is mediated through a redistribution of the FA transport proteins to the cell surface and mitochondria. In addition to hyperglycemia, post-prandial lipidemia is also observed in the obese state, suggesting a resistance to insulin-stimulated FA uptake. The possibility that insulin-stimulated FA transporter translocation is impaired has received little attention. Lastly, while recent studies have demonstrated that the transverse (t)-tubules may be an important site for glucose uptake in muscle, this has not yet been examined with regards to the FA transporters. In the first study of this thesis, the recovery of insulin response with short-term (2 week) chronic leptin administration in high-fat fed rats was associated with a decrease in muscle reactive lipid species (DAG, ceramide) and an increase in markers of oxidative capacity. Contrary to our expectations, this was not mirrored by an alteration in the distribution of FA transport proteins (FAT/CD36 or FABPpm) at the sarcolemma or the two major mitochondrial populations. To gain further insight into FA transporters and their localization at the cell surface, the second study of this thesis analyzed both the sarcolemma and t-tubules (constitute 40 and 60% of the cell surface, respectively). The novel observation was made that the t-tubules contain FA transport proteins (FAT/CD36, FABPpm, FATP1 and FATP4), and that the distribution and response of these transporters to acute metabolic stimuli (insulin and muscle contraction) was unique from that of the sarcolemma. The third study of this thesis characterized the translocation of FA transport proteins in response to insulin in the obese, insulin resistant Zucker rat. FA transport proteins were chronically increased on both membrane fractions in muscle from the obese rats. Furthermore, a blunting of the insulin-induced translocation of FA transporters to both cell surface domains was observed, demonstrating that insulin resistance extends to the movement of FA as well as glucose transport proteins. The t-tubules appear to play an important role regarding substrate uptake. Together the data from this thesis suggests that a chronic elevation in FA transporters at both cell surface domains contributes to lipid accumulation in obese skeletal muscle, and that reduced sensitivity of both FA and glucose transport proteins to translocate in response to insulin may explain the lipidemia and hyperglycemia that often characterizes post-prandial situations in the obese condition. As the prevalence of obesity reaches epidemic proportions, research into the functional role of FA transport proteins in the progression of obesity related pathologies is warranted as we work to further our knowledge of this significant health issue. / Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canadian Institute of Health Research

Previous studies have shown that ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with cardiac dysfunction and depression in sarcolemmal Na+-K+-ATPase activity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of proteases in these alterations by subjecting rat hearts to different times of global ischemia, and reperfusion after 45 min of ischemia. Decreases in Na+-K+-ATPase activity at 60 min of global ischemia were associated with augmented activities of both calpain and MMPs and depressed protein content of β1- and β2-subunits, without changes in α1- and α2-subunits of the enzyme. However, reperfusion of ischemic heart produced depression in Na+-K+-ATPase activity, no change in the augmented calpain activity, but decreases in augmented MMP-2 activity and Na+-K+-ATPase content. MDL28170, a calpain inhibitor, was more effective in attenuating I/R-induced alterations than doxycycline, an MMP inhibitor. Incubation of control SL preparation with calpain, unlike MMP-2, depressed Na+-K+-ATPase activity and decreased α1, α2 and β2 without changes in β1. These results support the view that activation of calpain is involved in depressing Na+-K+-ATPase activity and degradation of its subunits in hearts subjected to I/R injury.

Previous studies have shown that ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with cardiac dysfunction and depression in sarcolemmal Na+-K+-ATPase activity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of proteases in these alterations by subjecting rat hearts to different times of global ischemia, and reperfusion after 45 min of ischemia. Decreases in Na+-K+-ATPase activity at 60 min of global ischemia were associated with augmented activities of both calpain and MMPs and depressed protein content of β1- and β2-subunits, without changes in α1- and α2-subunits of the enzyme. However, reperfusion of ischemic heart produced depression in Na+-K+-ATPase activity, no change in the augmented calpain activity, but decreases in augmented MMP-2 activity and Na+-K+-ATPase content. MDL28170, a calpain inhibitor, was more effective in attenuating I/R-induced alterations than doxycycline, an MMP inhibitor. Incubation of control SL preparation with calpain, unlike MMP-2, depressed Na+-K+-ATPase activity and decreased α1, α2 and β2 without changes in β1. These results support the view that activation of calpain is involved in depressing Na+-K+-ATPase activity and degradation of its subunits in hearts subjected to I/R injury.

Abstract Functional defects in the muscle specific chloride channel ClC-1 result in reduced chloride conductance and electrical hyperexcitability, which in turn impairs muscle relaxation and leads to myotonia. The gene CLCN 1 codes for ClC-1 in humans, and mutations in CLCN 1 cause the disease known as myotonia congenita. Worldwide over 80 mutations in CLCN1 have been described, but only three were found in patients in Northern Finland. These included two missense mutations and a nonsense mutation. The behavior and localization of the normal and mutated ClC-1 mRNA and protein were analyzed in muscle cell cultures. In intact muscle the ClC-1 protein was seen in the sarcolemma, but after myofiber isolation the protein was located intracellularly. Sarcolemmal localization was restored when myofibers were electrically stimulated or treated with a protein kinase C inhibitor. When mutated ClC-1 proteins were examined in a myofiber cell culture system, retardation in the ER was observed with the two missense mutations. The nonsense mutation did not have an effect on the transport from the ER to the Golgi elements, but the mutated ClC-1 was degraded more rapidly than the wild type ClC-1, at least in myotubes. Both retardation and degradation of the mutated ClC-1 are likely to result in too few channels present at the plasma membrane of the muscle cell to maintain normal physiological function. A very strict quality control in muscle cells was observed. The behavior and survival of multinuclear skeletal muscle cells is dependent on innervation and muscle activity, and the balance between the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation pathways modulates the function of muscle chloride channels. / Tiivistelmä Lihasspesifisen kloridikanavan ClC-1:n toiminnalliset virheet johtavat alentuneeseen kloridin johtumiseen solukalvon läpi ja lihassolun ylieksitoitumiseen. Tämän seurauksena lihaksen rentoutuminen vaikeutuu ja havaitaan myotoniaa, lihasjäykkyyttä. Pohjoissuomalaisesta potilasmateriaalista tautiin johtavia geenimutaatioita löytyi kolme erilaista. Poikkeuksellista havainnoissa on erilaisten mutaatioiden vähyys, mikä on tyypillistä suomalaiselle tautiperinnölle. Yhteensä tämän kloridikanavan mutaatioita on julkaistu yli 80 erilaista. Tutkiessamme normaalin ja mutatoidun ClC-1 lRNA:n ja proteiinin käyttäytymistä ja sijaintia lihassoluviljelmissä. Havaitsimme eron lihasleikkeiden ja eristettyjen myofiibereiden välillä. Lihasleikkeissä ClC-1 paikantui solun pinnalle sarkolemmalle, mutta eristetyissä myofiibereissä lähinnä solun sisälle. Stimuloimalla eristettyjä myofiibereitä sähkövirralla tai käsittelemällä proteiini kinaasi C inhibiittorilla, saimme kloridikanava-proteiinin siirtymään takaisin solun pinnalle. Proteiinitasolla kuljetuksessa on havaittavissa eroja. Aminohappomuutokseen johtavat pistemutaatiot aiheuttivat proteiinin jäämisen endoplasmiseen kalvostoon, kun taas ennenaikaisen stop-kodonin johdosta lyhentynyt proteiini kuljetetaan eteenpäin Golgin laitteeseen. Myotuubeissa tämä lyhentynyt proteiini kuitenkin hajotettiin nopeammin kuin normaali kloridikanavaproteiini. Sekä kuljetuksen hidastuminen että nopeampi hajotus johtavat tilanteeseen, jossa lihassolun solukalvolla on liian vähän kloridikanavia ylläpitämään lihaksen normaalia fysiologista toimintaa. Monitumaisten lihassolujen laaduntarkkailu havaittiin vielä monitahoisemmaksi kuin yksitumaisilla. Monitumainen lihassolu on riippuvainen hermoärsytyksestä ja lihasaktiivisuudesta. Lisäksi fosforylaatioon liittyvä signalointi on tärkeää ClC-1 proteiinin oikealle paikantumiselle lihassolussa.