cAMP-dependent protein kinase A-stimulated sarcoplasmic reticulum function in heart failure

It is unclear whether decreased protein expression of SERCA2 (SR-Ca(2+)-ATPase) and phospholamban (PLB), or alterations in the phosphorylation state of PLB leading to increased inhibition of SERCA2 are responsible for the reduced SERCA2 function in failing human myocardium. In crude membrane preparations from patients with terminal heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and control hearts (NF), SERCA2 activity was measured with a NADH coupled assay. Protein expression of SERCA2 and PLB and the phosphorylation state at the two phosphorylation sites, serine-16-PLB and threonine-17-PLB, were investigated with specific (phosphorylation) antibodies and Western blot technique. In NF, the Vmax and the Ca2+ sensitivity of SERCA2 activity were significantly higher compared to DCM. Protein expression of SERCA2 and PLB were unchanged, whereas the phosphorylation status at both serine-16-PLB and threonine-17-PLB were significantly reduced in DCM. The native phosphorylation status of PLB measured by the back-phosphorylation technique was reduced in DCM as well. After stimulation with protein kinase A only the Ca2+ sensitivity, but not Vmax, increased. The reduced phosphorylation state of PLB may lead to decreased Ca2+ sensitivity of SERCA2 in failing human myocardium. The altered regulation of the SR-CA(2+)-ATPase in human heart failure may offer an opportunity for an improvement in the therapy of heart failure.