Sarcolemmal phosphatidylethanolamine N-methylation in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methylation was studied in cardiac sarcolemma 8 weeks after the induction of chronic experimental diabetes in rats by a streptozotocin injection (65 mg/kg, iv). Incorporation of radiolabeled methyl groups from S-adenosyl-L-methionine into intramembranal phosphatidylethanolamine, assayed under optimal conditions, confirmed the existence of three catalytic sites involved in the sequential methyl transfer reactions. Total methyl group incorporation at all three sites was significantly depressed in diabetic myocardium, but this change was reversible by a 14-day insulin therapy to the diabetic animals. Measurements of phospholipid N-methylation activity at different times indicated that the depression was evident at 6 weeks after the induction of diabetes. This defect was also seen for the individual methylated lipid products (monomethyl-, dimethylphosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine) specifically formed at each catalytic site. Experiments with different concentrations of S-adenosyl-L-methionine revealed that, for all three sites, the apparent affinity for the methyl donor did not change, whereas the apparent Vmax values were significantly lowered in diabetes. The results of this study identify a defect in the sarcolemmal phosphatidylethanolamine N-methylation in diabetic cardiomyopathy.