Selective changes in DNA binding activity of transcription factors in UM-X7.1 cardiomyopathic hamsters.
UM-X7.1 hamsters (CH) are considered a representative model for human cardiomyopathy. CH display the loss of the cytoskeletal delta-sarcoglycan protein, associated with myocardium remodeling and fatal reduction of heart functional efficiency. Even though altered redox balance and calcium homeostasis have already been reported to affect cardiomyocyte function, the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathology are largely unknown. We found no significant differences in DNA binding activity of redox-related (NF-kappaB, Sp1, AP-1 and AP-2) transcription factors in heart ventricles of 90 day-old CH, compared to normal animals. On the other hand, DNA binding activity of calcium-dependent transcription factors NF-AT3 and CREB were increased and decreased respectively in CH vs. normal ventricles. Western blot experiments confirmed the down regulation of CREB levels and suggest a novel regulation mechanism for this transcription factor in the heart. Our results are consistent with recent studies on NF-AT3, GATA4 and CREB transgenic mice, and provide clues for the comprehension of pathogenetic mechanisms of hamster hereditary cardiomyopathy.
Ambra
R
R
Free Radicals Research Group, National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research, via Ardeatina 546, 00178, Rome, Italy. ambra@inran.it
Di Nardo
P
P
Fantini
C
C
Minieri
M
M
Canali
R
R
Natella
F
F
Virgili
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019703:Calcineurin / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006224:Cricetinae; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011485:Protein Binding; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000378:metabolism
D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D017931:DNA Primers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D019703:Calcineurin; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D002118:Calcium