The Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) plays a dominant role in Ca2+ removal and is responsible for maintaining cardiac SR Ca2+ store. The activity of SERCA pump is regulated by two small molecular weight proteins, phospholamban (PLB) and sarcolipin (SLN). It is well documented that PLB is the key mediator of 2-adrenergic response in the ventricle. However, little is known about the role of SLN in cardiac SR calcium homeostasis. Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that SLN is predominantly expressed in the atria. Ectopic expression of SLN in the ventricular myocytes resulted in decreased calcium transients and myocyte contractility. Interestingly, the inhibitory effect of SLN was relieved upon isoproterenol treatment and stimulation at high frequency. Our studies therefore suggest that SLN is a novel regulator of cardiac SERCA pump. In addition, we found that SLN levels are significantly altered in diseased atria (heart failure and arrhythmia) of dogs and human, suggesting that an alteration in SLN /SERCA ratio could contribute to altered Ca2+ transport in failing myocardium. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that SLN is a key mediator of 2-adrenergic response in the atria and changes in its expression level may contribute to altered calcium homeostasis seen in atrial pathophysiology. In order to test these hypotheses, we have generated two transgenic mouse models 1) cardiac-specific over expression of SLN and, 2) SLN knockout (KO).
Aim I will test the hypothesis that SLN is the major regulator of SERCA pump and mediates the 2-adrenergic regulation of Ca2+ transport in atria using SLN transgenic, SLN KO and PLB KO mouse models.
Aim II will test the hypothesis that SLN action on SERCA pump is direct and its inhibitory function is regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation status. The role of SLN phosphorylation and its interaction with SERCA pump will be assessed using site directed mutagenesis, and adenoviral gene transfer into cardiac myocytes. In addition, we will determine how SLN interaction with SERCA pump affect the kinetics of the SR calcium uptake.
Aim III will test the hypothesis that alterations in SLN to SERCA ratio will affect atrial function and predispose the atria to develop atrial pathology including atrial fibrillation upon increased load or stress. We will study the effect of pressure overload induced heart failure and increased pacing of the heart in SLN overexpressing and knockout mice. These studies will provide critical information on the role of SLN in atrial calcium handling and pave the way towards identifying novel therapeutic targets for treating atrial dysfunction including atrial fibrillation.

Public Health Relevance

We recently identified a novel molecule namely sarcolipin. It is found predominantly in the atrial chamber of the heart and our studies indicate that it may regulate cardiac calcium transport during the beat to beat function of the heart. A major goal of this research proposal is to understand how Sarcolipin regulates Calcium transport and contractility of the atrial muscle. In addition another important goal of this study is to understand its role in atrial pathology. These studies will employ genetically engineered mouse models to understand if loss of Sarcolipin protein has an effect on cardiac function.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL088555-04
Application #
8049727
Study Section
Cardiac Contractility, Hypertrophy, and Failure Study Section (CCHF)
Program Officer
Przywara, Dennis
Project Start
2008-04-01
Project End
2013-03-31
Budget Start
2011-04-01
Budget End
2012-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$375,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Ohio State University
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
832127323
City
Columbus
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
43210
Bal, Naresh C; Sahoo, Sanjaya K; Maurya, Santosh K et al. (2018) The Role of Sarcolipin in Muscle Non-shivering Thermogenesis. Front Physiol 9:1217
Periasamy, Muthu; Herrera, Jose Luis; Reis, Felipe C G (2017) Skeletal Muscle Thermogenesis and Its Role in Whole Body Energy Metabolism. Diabetes Metab J 41:327-336
Bal, Naresh C; Singh, Sushant; Reis, Felipe C G et al. (2017) Both brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle thermogenesis processes are activated during mild to severe cold adaptation in mice. J Biol Chem 292:16616-16625
Rowland, Leslie A; Maurya, Santosh K; Bal, Naresh C et al. (2016) Sarcolipin and uncoupling protein 1 play distinct roles in diet-induced thermogenesis and do not compensate for one another. Obesity (Silver Spring) 24:1430-3
Shaikh, Sana A; Sahoo, Sanjaya K; Periasamy, Muthu (2016) Phospholamban and sarcolipin: Are they functionally redundant or distinct regulators of the Sarco(Endo)Plasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase? J Mol Cell Cardiol 91:81-91
Bal, Naresh C; Maurya, Santosh K; Singh, Sushant et al. (2016) Increased Reliance on Muscle-based Thermogenesis upon Acute Minimization of Brown Adipose Tissue Function. J Biol Chem 291:17247-57
Pant, Meghna; Sopariwala, Danesh H; Bal, Naresh C et al. (2015) Metabolic dysfunction and altered mitochondrial dynamics in the utrophin-dystrophin deficient mouse model of duchenne muscular dystrophy. PLoS One 10:e0123875
Rowland, Leslie A; Bal, Naresh C; Kozak, Leslie P et al. (2015) Uncoupling Protein 1 and Sarcolipin Are Required to Maintain Optimal Thermogenesis, and Loss of Both Systems Compromises Survival of Mice under Cold Stress. J Biol Chem 290:12282-9
Maurya, Santosh Kumar; Periasamy, Muthu (2015) Sarcolipin is a novel regulator of muscle metabolism and obesity. Pharmacol Res 102:270-5
Pant, Meghna; Bal, Naresh C; Periasamy, Muthu (2015) Cold adaptation overrides developmental regulation of sarcolipin expression in mice skeletal muscle: SOS for muscle-based thermogenesis? J Exp Biol 218:2321-5

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