Differentiation-dependent expression of cardiac delta-CaMKII isoforms

Despite their important role in controlling the cardiac Ca2+ homeostasis, presence and functions of individual isoforms of the multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in the heart are not well studied. Here we report on expression of isoforms of the delta class in two differentiation states of the embryonic rat heart-derived cell line H9c2 compared to adult rat heart. Reverse transcription coupled polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed specific expression patterns of four variants of the delta class (delta B, delta C, delta 4, delta 9) in adult rat heart, H9c2 myoblasts, and skeletal muscle-like H9c2 myotubes. delta C was identified as a common isoform with higher amounts in H9c2 cells and the prominent one in myoblasts. In contrast, expression of delta 9 accompanied cardiac as well as skeletal muscle differentiation. Expression of delta B, however, was representative for differentiated cardiac muscle, whereas delta 4 expression coincided with differentiation into the skeletal muscle-like state. Our results demonstrate differentiation-dependent isoform expression of the delta class of the multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase of muscle. The identification of cardiac target proteins for this kinase, e.g. the alpha 1-subunit of the L-type Ca2+ channel, the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, phospholamban and the ryanodine receptor define H9c2 myoblasts as a suitable model system for further functional characterization of the identified cardiac delta isoforms.