Tail-anchored membrane protein SLMAP is a novel regulator of cardiac function at the sarcoplasmic reticulum

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2012 Mar 1;302(5):H1138-45. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00872.2011. Epub 2011 Dec 16.

Abstract

Sarcolemmal membrane-associated proteins (SLMAPs) are components of cardiac membranes involved in excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Here, we assessed the role of SLMAP in cardiac structure and function. We generated transgenic (Tg) mice with cardiac-restricted overexpression of SLMAP1 bearing the transmembrane domain 2 (TM2) to potentially interfere with endogenous SLMAP through homodimerization and subcellular targeting. Histological examination revealed vacuolated myocardium; the severity of which correlated with the expression level of SLMAP1-TM2. High resolution microscopy showed dilation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) and confocal imaging combined with biochemical analysis indicated targeting of SLMAP1-TM2 to the SR/ER membranes and inappropriate homodimerization. Older (28 wk of age) Tg mice exhibited reduced contractility with impaired relaxation as assessed by left ventricle pressure monitoring. The ventricular dysfunction was associated with electrophysiological abnormalities (elongated QT interval). Younger (5 wk of age) Tg mice also exhibited an elongated QT interval with minimal functional disturbances associated with the activation of the fetal gene program. They were less responsive to isoproterenol challenge (ΔdP/dt(max)) and developed electrical and left ventricular pressure alternans. The altered electrophysiological and functional disturbances in Tg mice were associated with diminished expression level of calcium cycling proteins of the sarcoplasmic reticulum such as the ryanodine receptor, Ca(2+)-ATPase, calsequestrin, and triadin (but not phospholamban), as well as significantly reduced calcium uptake in microsomal fractions. These data demonstrate that SLMAP is a regulator of E-C coupling at the level of the SR and its perturbation results in progressive deterioration of cardiac electrophysiology and function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases / biosynthesis
  • Calsequestrin / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • Heart / physiology*
  • Isoproterenol / pharmacology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Muscle Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Myocardial Contraction / physiology
  • Myocardium / cytology
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / biosynthesis
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / physiology*

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • Calsequestrin
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel
  • Slmap protein, mouse
  • triadin
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Isoproterenol
  • Calcium