Alterations of tension-dependent ATP utilization in a transgenic rat model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Although it is established that familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is caused by mutations in several sarcomeric proteins, including cardiac troponin T (TnT), its pathogenesis is still not completely understood. Previously, we established a transgenic rat model of FHC expressing a human TnT molecule with a truncation mutation (DEL-TnT). This study investigated whether contractile dysfunction and electrical vulnerability observed in DEL-TnT rats might be due to alterations of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis, myofibrillar Ca(2+) sensitivity, and/or myofibrillar ATP utilization. Simultaneous measurements of the force of contraction and intracellular Ca(2+) transients were performed in right ventricular trabeculae of DEL-TnT hearts at 0.25 and 1.0 Hz. Rats expressing wild-type human TnT as well as nontransgenic rats served as controls. In addition, calcium-dependent ATPase activity and tension development were investigated in skinned cardiac muscle fibers. Force of contraction was significantly decreased in DEL-TnT compared with nontransgenic rats and TnT. Time parameters of Ca(2+) transients were unchanged at 0.25 Hz but prolonged at 1.0 Hz in DEL-TnT. The amplitude of the fura-2 transient was similar in all groups investigated, whereas diastolic and systolic fura-2 ratios were found elevated in rats expressing nontruncated human troponin T. In DEL-TnT rats, myofibrillar Ca(2+)-dependent tension development as well as Ca(2+) sensitivity of tension were significantly decreased, whereas tension-dependent ATP consumption ("tension cost") was markedly increased. Thus, a C-terminal truncation of the cardiac TnT molecule impairs the force-generating capacity of the cycling cross-bridges resulting in increased tension-dependent ATP utilization. Taken together, our data support the hypothesis of energy compromise as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of FHC.
Frey
Norbert
N
Department of Medicine III, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Norbert_Frey@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Brixius
Klara
K
Schwinger
Robert H G
RH
Benis
Thomas
T
Karpowski
Alex
A
Lorenzen
Hans P
HP
Luedde
Mark
M
Katus
Hugo A
HA
Franz
Wolfgang M
WM
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D024741:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Familial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020107:Troponin T / Q000235:genetics*
D020107:Troponin T; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D002118:Calcium