Modification of cardiac beta-adrenoceptor mechanisms by H2O2

From the role of oxidative stress in cardiac dysfunction, we investigated the effect of H2O2, an activated species of oxygen, on beta-adrenoceptors, G proteins, and adenylyl cyclase activities. Rat heart membranes were incubated with different concentrations of H2O2 before the biochemical parameters were measured. Both the affinity and density of beta 1-adrenoceptors were decreased, whereas the density of the beta 2-adrenoceptors was decreased and the affinity was increased by 1 mM H2O2. Time- and concentration-dependent biphasic changes in adenylyl cyclase activities in the absence or presence of isoproterenol were observed when membranes were incubated with H2O2; however, activation of the enzyme by isoproterenol was increased or unaltered. The adenylyl cyclase activities in the absence or presence of forskolin, NaF, and Gpp(NH)p were depressed by H2O2. Catalase alone or in combination with mannitol was able to significantly decrease the magnitude of alterations due to H2O2. The cholera toxin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity and ADP ribose labeling of Gs proteins were decreased by treatment with 1 mM H2O2, whereas Gi protein activities, as reflected by pertussis toxin-stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and ADP ribosylation, were unaltered. The Gs and Gi protein immunoreactivities, estimated by labeling with respective antibodies, indicate a decrease in binding to the 45-kDa band of Gs protein, whereas no change in the binding of antibodies to the 52-kDa band of Gs protein or the 40-kDa subunit of Gi protein was evident when the membranes were treated with 1 mM H2O2. These results suggest that H2O2 in high concentrations may attenuate the beta-adrenoceptor-linked signal transduction in the heart by changing the functions of Gs proteins and the catalytic subunit of the adenylyl cyclase enzyme.